Head Scratching Decisions

[YearOfTheSteer]

Let me start by saying that I really hate to question Augie...he is a legend and obviously knows a hell of a lot more at managing a baseball game than you or I, but I couldnt' help but scratch my head and wonder why certain decisions were made that could have cost us the game. I'll list a few off the top of my head:

1. Why did Austin Wood not start the 8th inning? Green pitched a great game, but I could not understand why Wood didn't start the 8th inning to face the lead off lefty for USM, who began the inning by doubling off Green.

2. Why did Augie insert a pinch runner for Keyes at 1st base when the bases were loaded in the 8th? Didn't see the upside there, and had the game gone to extra innings, we would have been without one of our best power hitters.

3. In the bottom of the 8th (I think) we had Tucker on 1st with no outs and Belt at plate, down by one. I was certain we'd play small ball and Belt would bunt Tucker to 2nd. Instead, Belt swung away and flied out.

Fortunately we pulled out the W and the above were all moot points!

 

[Valmy77]

I liked the fact he left Green in. Green had been rolling along and his pitch count was still low. He just happened to make a bad pitch.

As for all the pinch running/defensive substitution shenanigans...I really don't like it. It leaves us in situations like that game against Boston College where we didn't have Kevin Keyes for most of the game.

Garrido said he had a hunch about Belt. People had been hitting home runs in that situation the opposite way all weekend and he thought it was Belt's time. It just didn't happen.

 

[Dead Horse]

I was wondering why he pulled Green when he did. Wood has struggled of late and Cole was still under 100 pitches and had only given up three hits.

 

[HornLivin]

Everyone watching the game with me knew Augie would leave Green in to start the 8th. That's Augie. Most of us agreed Green was looking tired and wasn't as sharp. It's easier to question it given the lead off man got on...

 

[YearOfTheSteer]

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[BevoBeef]

One of AG's most common sayings is that the unexpected is what usually wins in
baseball (sorry for the paraphrasing). I think that these "head scratching
decisions" are proof that AG is the type of coach that tries to find the unexpected
that would win a game. You can call it "gut feel", but I like to think of it as he knows
his players. Why else would he start to play Moldy in the playoffs or let Wheeless
bat when he was so injured in that CWS game against Bayloir?

 

[Chest Rockwell]

Of those 3, the only one I have a problem with is pinch-running for Keyes.

 

[Vote For Pedro]

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[cochamps]

He has pulled Keyes all year in late innings when we are ahead. I have to assume that he thinks we have better defensive outfielders, although Kevin seems pretty solid. He sees them in practice, so he must be more comfortable with Lusson / Maitland. Also, I think he always thinks our pitchers will get the other team out, which did not happen last night.

 

[Vote For Pedro]

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[cochamps]

I stand corrected. We were behind, and I am not really a fan of taking KK out there. Being offensively challenged, I like leaving his bat in, especially since I don't consider him to be a big defensive liability.

 

[slugfest]

I also had a hunch about Belt drilling one out of the park against the clown with the 6.28 ERA. Alas, it obviously didn't happen, leaving me hunchless.

 

[davert]

I share the same three questions about the decisions. Augie had his magic going, I guess because defied most baseball strategy.