The scene: Mets and Padres tied at one in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The players: Scott Schoeneweis and Willie Randolph.
What happened: Schoeneweis walked Scott Hairston to start the inning. Allowable, as long as he gets out of it.
He follows that up with another free pass, this one to Brian Giles. That puts it at first and second with no one out. Obviously Schoeneweis just doesn't have it tonight, and the bullpen should be warming up as quick as possible. Stalling tactics must be put into play as quickly as possible.
Schoeneweis induced a ground ball back to himself, getting an out at first base as the two runners each advance. By now, I was expecting the bullpen to be ready and a change to be made soon.
Think again. After an intentional walk to Kevin Kouzmanoff loaded the bases as the Mets hope for a double play to end the inning, I was expecting Randolph to trot out to the mound and pull his struggling pitcher.
Again, I was wrong. Schoeneweis stayed in the game, and promptly plunked Paul McAnulty to force in the winning run and end the game. 2-1 Padres.
So, I have just one question: Willie, what were you thinking?!?!?
Honestly, I've been trying to wrap my mind around what went on in the bottom of the ninth inning last night / this morning, but I just can't fathom any reason why Schoeneweis was allowed to stay in the game after struggling so mightily.
It makes zero sense.
Left him in to get a pretty crappy left-handed bat, pretty standard to me. You have to walk Kouzmanoff to load the bases there, so you go letfy-lefty against Macnaulty, I don't see an issue with this, it just didn't work out. If Heilman comes in and gives up a bomb like usual, we'd be asking why Willie didn't leave the lefty in to pitch to a lefty. I can definitely see an arguement for Wagner here if that's what you mean, but if you mean Heilman I disagree. Plus teams rarely bring in their closer in a tie game on the road.
ReplyDeleteJames, Schoe obviously DID NOT HAVE IT.
ReplyDeleteWhy leave him in to try? Maybe Heilman gets lucky with a fresh arm and physce.
Schoeneweis walked the first two batters and intentionally walked the fourth guy. Come on now.
Someone...anyone else. Schoe did not have it.