Once again, Joe Maddon mismanages a game that the Rays had in hand, and would have won today. How many times this year have Rays fans watched Joe Maddon make a mistake with the pitchers this year? Jeff Niemann pitched a gem today, no walks, 5 hits in 7 innings.
The problem started with Niemann getting to start the 8th inning when he was tired. Even this was possibly an OK move, but after a leadoff double to start the 8th, Maddon decided to go to Balfour. The same Balfour that has blown several opportunities this year, and cost the Rays a lead 8 times this year previously. The same Balfour who pitched in relief of Niemann, and blew a 5-2 lead in a critical game against the Mariners on August 7th, that the Rays lost. The same Balfour who pitched in relief of Niemann, and blew a 4-2 lead in a critical game against the Angels on August 12th. So chalk up 3 blown wins for Niemann by Balfour this month alone.
We all complain about Shields lack of run support, but how about Niemann's lack of bullpen support. They both have been hard luck pitchers this year, and both have pitched fairly well but to no avail. I'm not even sure if I can blame Balfour on this one. He clearly is trying, but shouldn't have been in the game at the point of giving up a home run to lose it. He actually had 2 outs with a man on 3rd, and a left handed hitter coming up. The hitter(Granderson) is hitting .182 against lefties this season. The Rays carry 3 LHP in the bullpen for what reason? To get a lefty out of course. But Maddon chose to use Balfour, who walked Granderson, then gave up the home run to lose the game.
We have gone over this all year long. Joe Maddon makes numerous mistakes, and in 2008 the Rays came back to win games and hide his mistakes. This year in 2009, the Rays simply haven't been able to cover up for Maddon's mistakes, and this is why they are not going to the playoffs.
All those games earlier this year, when Maddon made mistakes and cost the Rays a win, he continued to say it was early. What is his excuse now? Bottom line is Maddon has blown several games the past 2 seasons, and the Rays continue to fall short because of his mistakes. Clint Hurdle made the W.SERIES in 2007, then had a non playoff year in 2008, and was fired in 2009, only to see the Rockies return to the playoffs in 2009 with their new manager in Jim Tracy. Could this be what happens to the Rays in 2010. I doubt it, even if they have a poor start in 2010, the Rays front office seems too loyal to Maddon, but I guess time will tell. Maddon just continues to make a playoff team, not make the playoffs.
Click here for a link to blown games by Maddon, as well as Kaz, Sonny stats
1 comments:
You must really love Maddon after the Sonnanstine loss to the Red Sox Tuesday night. He was "pleased" with their effort. 3 errors and 14 strike outs in the game!!!! Pleased???? In the end Maddons decision to stick with Upton in the leadoff position the first 3 months of the season cost us too many games. He's a great manager for a young rebuilding team but terrible for one thats expected to win.
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