4-16 Post Game Thread

EastonBlues22 · Post by **EastonBlues22** » April 16 07, 10:18 pm

skmsw wrote: 2) For all the disappointment with Albert -- there were two outs, he needed a hit. For me the turning point was when Duncan couldn't hit the ball well enough with one out to get a run in.

I think my disappointment with AP stems from the fact that he's one of the most naturally gifted hitters in the game and he's taking absolutely horrid ABs...often multiple times per game.

I don't expect success every AB from him, but I do expect a lot more quality ABs than I've been seeing. I can't even remember the last time I saw him try to take an outside pitch the other way. He's being fooled by a lot of breaking pitches, and swinging at a lot of balls out of the zone. I'm used to seeing him expand his zone...but usually only for FBs he can drive one way or the other, not the junk he's swinging at now. He's lunging at pitches he usually stays back on, and trying to turn on pitches he usually takes up the middle or the other way. It's literally painful for me to watch.

JohtoVillage · Post by **JohtoVillage** » April 16 07, 10:30 pm

Unless he has an injury I'm unaware of, why not pinch hit Taguchi in that situation? I don't know the exact numbers, but I think he has a career avg. with the bases loaded above 300. I would have much rather seen him batting than Skip.

I was also hoping for So, seeing as how his average with the bases loaded is 500 (16 for 32).

With that said, I think Skip's time is done. I think he is a left-handed John Gall and needs to be dropped immediately. He has been so bad at the major league level that I'd honestly rather see Tino Martinez batting for him. It's time for Schumaker to go to Japan, or something. For the love of Luther Hackman....bring JRod up. Bring Ankiel up. Bring Will Clark back. Get Encarnacion back. Anyone that can hit a 350 foot fly ball, instead of striking out on three pitches with the game on the line. Again.

If Schumaker was kept on the team to be a defensive specialist, then fine. But if we aren't going to use him for that, then get him off this team. Bring someone that has been proven to hit at the major league level. JRod deserves to be up.

And with that said, it's about time to drop Wilson as well. If Marrero was healthy I'd be all for dropping Wilson and bringing Marrero up.

Third Strike · Post by **Third Strike** » April 16 07, 10:48 pm

JohtoVillage wrote:
Unless he has an injury I'm unaware of, why not pinch hit Taguchi in that situation? I don't know the exact numbers, but I think he has a career avg. with the bases loaded above 300. I would have much rather seen him batting than Skip.
I was also hoping for So, seeing as how his average with the bases loaded is 500 (16 for 32).

With that said, I think Skip's time is done. I think he is a left-handed John Gall and needs to be dropped immediately. He has been so bad at the major league level that I'd honestly rather see Tino Martinez batting for him. It's time for Schumaker to go to Japan, or something. For the love of Luther Hackman....bring JRod up. Bring Ankiel up. Bring Will Clark back. Get Encarnacion back. Anyone that can hit a 350 foot fly ball, instead of striking out on three pitches with the game on the line. Again.

If Schumaker was kept on the team to be a defensive specialist, then fine. But if we aren't going to use him for that, then get him off this team. Bring someone that has been proven to hit at the major league level. JRod deserves to be up.

And with that said, it's about time to drop Wilson as well. If Marrero was healthy I'd be all for dropping Wilson and bringing Marrero up.

Cronos · Post by **Cronos** » April 16 07, 10:53 pm

Hockey pucks, I was Skip Scott's biggest fan in the offseason and Spring Training, but I'm giving up on him at this point as well. Why?

He has JD Drew/Bo Hart disease: anything down and in he swings and misses. Everytime.

I was dead wrong. And am ready for J-Rod anytime.

ZigZagCardsFan · Post by **ZigZagCardsFan** » April 16 07, 11:25 pm

Alright, I've had enough.

Goodbye Slash...we had a good offseason.

Welcome back, Albert.

JL21 · Post by **JL21** » April 17 07, 7:27 am

skmsw wrote:2) For all the disappointment with Albert -- there were two outs, he needed a hit. For me the turning point was when Duncan couldn't hit the ball well enough with one out to get a run in.

But then, without the play that Duncan made in LF or his single leading off the 8th (which sparked a 2-run rally), they're not even in position to win the game when AP comes up.

Swatcat27 · Post by **Swatcat27** » April 17 07, 7:52 am

Wouldn't blame Baby Dunc..he's been carrying this team on his shoulders... Tony needs to figure the rest of his cast...useful pieces are in AAA and there are atleast 3 players on this team that need to be cut and Miles is not even one of them. Scary.

skmsw · Post by **skmsw** » April 17 07, 8:20 am

That was a spectacular catch Duncan made. We've all seen diving catches that were equal parts desperation and luck, and this was not one of them -- it was a sensational play and I didn't know he had it in him, he really looked like he knew what he was doing every step of the way.

His 8th inning single was certainly a key moment in the game. He got the hit that started it, and results are what matter. But there is not a lot of difference in the 8th inning single and the 9th inning pop-out. Both were poorly-hit balls lofted to the opposite field; one happened to get eyes and fall in, the other did not.

Hitters as good as we hope Duncan is hit the ball well pretty consistently. Duncan's history has been a bit all-or-nothing -- ripped or tapped. No one hits the ball hard every time, and I'm not making an issue of one at-bat. But if Duncan is the player we hope he is, he'll be hitting the ball hard more often, and in situations like that will deliver one of the many offensive events that would have led to a run scoring.