Lost opportunities
Boy did Andre Ethier save Joe Torre’s bacon yesterday. I was at the game—beautiful day in the shade, by the way. Torre made several huge mistakes in managing that game and it almost cost them.
First, removing Kershaw and hitting Weeney. Kershaw wasn’t blowing them away, but he was getting them out. Even the hits were piddling infield grounders. But I understand if you want to take the kid out after 96 pitches. I’ll give him a pass on this one, especially with runners on 2nd and third and one out. But I can’t excuse hitting Weeney in that spot. The guy’s average is lower than every pitcher on the team except Kershaw. I’d have batted Stults ahead of Weeney. Certainly there were better options as your first guy off t he bench. Let’s see, Nomar comes to mind, Pierre, Ardoin, even Ozuna is a better choice than Weeney. That guy gets more chances than Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden combined.
Second, in the 8th, if you’re going to let Jason Johnson hit for himself, let him pitch for himself in the 9th. Johnson had retired 7 of the 8 batters he faced, and then s truck out Cameron to start off the 9th. But as soon as Kendall hits a single up the middle, all of a sudden he’s vulnerable? With Craig Counsell coming to the plate? What’s the worst thing that could happen? I know, a little league homer in which guys boot the ball, then try to atone for their mistakes and then throw it all over the yard. Well, guess what, Joe. That happened anyway. And because you took out Johnson and brought in Park to serve up that gopher ball to Braun, now two pitchers’ confidence levels are shot.
And Kershaw loses what should have been an easy W because Torre has no idea how to use his bullpen. I lived in NY and watched Torre manage the Yanks from 1996-2003. He didn’t know how to use his bullpen then either, but Mariano Rivera could make any manager look like a genius. Even LaRussa.
On a separate note, how about a hit and run with Casey Blake and Russell Martin. Russell was on base four times yesterday, but didn’t score because Blake flew out twice, struck out, and hit into a DP. Getting some fielders moving around can only help his luck.
First, removing Kershaw and hitting Weeney. Kershaw wasn’t blowing them away, but he was getting them out. Even the hits were piddling infield grounders. But I understand if you want to take the kid out after 96 pitches. I’ll give him a pass on this one, especially with runners on 2nd and third and one out. But I can’t excuse hitting Weeney in that spot. The guy’s average is lower than every pitcher on the team except Kershaw. I’d have batted Stults ahead of Weeney. Certainly there were better options as your first guy off t he bench. Let’s see, Nomar comes to mind, Pierre, Ardoin, even Ozuna is a better choice than Weeney. That guy gets more chances than Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden combined.
Second, in the 8th, if you’re going to let Jason Johnson hit for himself, let him pitch for himself in the 9th. Johnson had retired 7 of the 8 batters he faced, and then s truck out Cameron to start off the 9th. But as soon as Kendall hits a single up the middle, all of a sudden he’s vulnerable? With Craig Counsell coming to the plate? What’s the worst thing that could happen? I know, a little league homer in which guys boot the ball, then try to atone for their mistakes and then throw it all over the yard. Well, guess what, Joe. That happened anyway. And because you took out Johnson and brought in Park to serve up that gopher ball to Braun, now two pitchers’ confidence levels are shot.
And Kershaw loses what should have been an easy W because Torre has no idea how to use his bullpen. I lived in NY and watched Torre manage the Yanks from 1996-2003. He didn’t know how to use his bullpen then either, but Mariano Rivera could make any manager look like a genius. Even LaRussa.
On a separate note, how about a hit and run with Casey Blake and Russell Martin. Russell was on base four times yesterday, but didn’t score because Blake flew out twice, struck out, and hit into a DP. Getting some fielders moving around can only help his luck.
posted by John Rosenthal @ 11:57 AM
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