Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
June 03, 2007
Pushing the Wrong Buttons

Once again, Sam Perlozzo decides that a reliever is a better option than his starter, and the reliever loses the game. Guthrie pitches well for eight innings against the Angels, leaving the game with a 3-2 lead. He did allow a run in the eighth, but he gave up two hits and came back to retire the last three batters. With just 88 pitches thrown, however, Ray came in to close the game. Why? Is it just because it was a save situation, and you have to use your closer? Figgins and Guerrero were due up, and both were hitless on the afternoon. Chone singled, Guerrero homered, and the Angels took home a 4-3 victory. I'm not sure how many more of these Orioles management can take before Perlozzo gets the axe.


Posted by David Pinto at 08:59 PM | Management | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Just about any manager in MLB would have done the same thing. It's standard practice these days to bring in your closer for the ninth, and to do it at the start of the inning -- before allowing trouble to develop.

Maybe there's a flaw in that generally accepted strategy, and maybe Perlozzo should have changed course because his bullpen has been unreliable. But how far can you expect to go if you're afraid to use your closer in the ninth inning?

Posted by: jvwalt at June 4, 2007 09:56 AM

Ray has a .630 OPS allowed. Granted he's a fly ball pitcher and sometimes has gopher-itis. But still this isn't like trotting Baez out five consecutive times when he's shown that he's ineffective.

Posted by: soccer dad at June 4, 2007 10:13 AM

My point is Guthrie was pitching well. Why take him out? If he's at 105 pitches, fine. My problem, as I've stated in the past, is taking out a pitcher who is doing well for an unknown.

Posted by: David Pinto at June 4, 2007 10:47 AM

Poor Guthrie. This is at least the second time he has lost a win because of bad relief pitching.

Posted by: Mark at June 4, 2007 11:57 AM

And the Angels say "thank you".

Posted by: Rob McMillin at June 5, 2007 06:58 PM
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