Shows What I Know, Part 2

When I saw Gabe Kapler's lineup for last night's game, I was livid. And I blogged about it. And I was wrong. Big time.

I ripped Kapler for starting Sean Rodriguez and Jose Pirela in one of the most important games of the year. So of course, both played huge roles in a 5-run 4th inning that helped the Phils beat the Braves, 5-4.

The fun began when Bryce Harper hit a 1-out single. Rhys Hoskins homered to right to tie the game at 2 and Scott Kingery followed with a infield single. Rodriguez singled, moving Kingery to third. A Cesar Hernandez groundout  scored Kingery, giving the Phillies a 3-2 lead. Pirela crushed a 1-2 slider from starter Dallas Keuchel and sent it 410 feet into the left field seats.

The Phillies move a game closer to the second wild-card spot, but still trail the Brewers and Cubs by 4 games. And their chances of making the playoffs grew from 0.4 percent to 0.7 percent. There' barely a playoff pulse, but it's there. 

I don't know what led Kapler to start Rodriguez and Pierla. I thought he was making a huge mistake. Turns out the mistake was mine.