Ayala certainly blew it big time but from my perspective Fredi's decision to have Cody Ross bunt in the ninth inning was absolutely horrendous and pretty much sealed the Marlins' fate. Obviously you need to have faith in your bullpen and Ayala should not be issuing three run home runs in those situations, but Gonzalez plainly managed the Marlins out of the game. The game should have been over before Ayala even got the ball in the tenth.

 

Rich and Tommy said that Ross hadn't sacrifice bunted since 2006. Frankly I'm shocked that Tommy didn't question the move. Obviously, bunting isn't one of his strengths and consequently he worked his way into being behind in the count. This is in addition to the fact that Ross can actually swing the bat well and has the ability to get a hit or draw a walk in that situation, moving the runner into scoring position with no outs sacrificed.

 

I must admit that I am not an advocate of sacrifice bunting in general. Some statistical studies have said that bunting with no outs (moving the runner into scoring position) can increase the probability of scoring one run (all the Marlins needed). However, these findings need to be scrutinized when you consider that Ross is not a good bunter and rarely does it. You also must weigh the probability of having one of your better hitters (with power) swing the bat in that situation as opposed to, say, Bonifacio.

 

This was an idiotic decision by Fredi. As soon as I saw Ross squaring up, I knew this game was headed for extras.

Ayala certainly blew it big time but from my perspective Fredi's decision to have Cody Ross bunt in the ninth inning was absolutely horrendous and pretty much sealed the Marlins' fate. Obviously you need to have faith in your bullpen and Ayala should not be issuing three run home runs in those situations, but Gonzalez plainly managed the Marlins out of the game. The game should have been over before Ayala even got the ball in the tenth.

 

Rich and Tommy said that Ross hadn't sacrifice bunted since 2006. Frankly I'm shocked that Tommy didn't question the move. Obviously, bunting isn't one of his strengths and consequently he worked his way into being behind in the count. This is in addition to the fact that Ross can actually swing the bat well and has the ability to get a hit or draw a walk in that situation, moving the runner into scoring position with no outs sacrificed.

 

I must admit that I am not an advocate of sacrifice bunting in general. Some statistical studies have said that bunting with no outs (moving the runner into scoring position) can increase the probability of scoring one run (all the Marlins needed). However, these findings need to be scrutinized when you consider that Ross is not a good bunter and rarely does it. You also must weigh the probability of having one of your better hitters (with power) swing the bat in that situation as opposed to, say, Bonifacio.

 

This was an idiotic decision by Fredi. As soon as I saw Ross squaring up, I knew this game was headed for extras.

 

 

I agree. Ideally all players should be great bunters but ideally all players should hit 30 homers a year. The fact of the matter is you have to know your team's strengths and ask players to do things that they are capable of doing. We don't ask Bonifacio to swing for the fences and I think asking Ross to bunt isn't that much better.

The AID's of the team:

Hermida

Bonifacio

 

I want them removed.

Yet we all know it's impossible to remove AID's.

 

 

It's not impossible. The key to removing AIDS lies with Magic Johnson.

 

Wow. First, you don't remove AIDS nor do you cure AIDS. You treat it's precursor, HIV, with AZT medication. Magic Johnson does not have AIDS, he has HIV. They are not the same thing. I hope you guys take Health in high school.

 

Lindstrom pitched tonight for AA Jacksonville.

 

He went one inning and gave up 2 hits and 2 Earned runs to get the loss.

 

So I'm guessing he'll pitch one more time in Jacksonville, most likely on Saturday, before getting called up.

 

 

 

 

Yes, because a great way to show that you belong on the major league team is to give up 2 ER in a AA outing.

 

 

Tommy Hutton and Rich Waltz said today that Lindstrom's stats in today's game didn't matter and that they were only interested in seeing how he felt after pitching two days consecutively. Although, I do agree that it would be more comforting if he had NOT given up two runs.

 

Well according to south park the cure for AIDS lies in money injected directly to your blood stream.

 

This loss would be much easier to take if Halladay or Adrian and Bell were coming here. I'd be happy with just Adrian.

 

 

The symbolism behind this south park episode is how expensive AZT medication, the treatment for HIV, is. Which is why wealthy individuals like Magic Johnson can live years having only HIV as opposed to full blown AIDS.

The AID's of the team:

Hermida

Bonifacio

 

I want them removed.

Yet we all know it's impossible to remove AID's.

 

 

It's not impossible. The key to removing AIDS lies with Magic Johnson.

 

What an excellent sequence :thumbup

 

Actually, a terrible sequence. First off, it's AIDS. Secondly, it's an extremely serious epidemic - joking about it is virtually always in bad taste. And trivializing AIDS by comparing it to professional baseball players is ridiculous.

 

Oh yeah, and Hermida has an 800+ OPS in the role he's being used in.

Since this IS the post-game thread... I just wanted to add one last thing that I'm surprised we haven't completely gone overboard about...

 

This game, in the negative sense, completely showed how useless both Bonifacio and Hermida are... lets just hope that forces Admin and Mike to make a good offensive-minded trade tomorrow...

 

Yeah Ayala gets the loss... but I felt like both Hermi and Boni blew this thing at the plate on multiple occasions. Just sayin...

 

 

More Bonifacio then Hermida since Bonifacio had runners on 2nd and 3rd with only 1 out, all you have to do is really make contact or hit a fly ball with B.C. running at 3rd. Hermida had the bases loaded with 2 outs and Gonzalez is a nightmare to Left Handed Batters.

 

Also in the 9th after Uggla's leadoff Single, Cody was told to(?) and failed to bunt Uggla over to 2nd. Then after an error on a Paulino grounder that is a sure Double Play, B.C. takes a terrible swing on a 3-1 pitch inside and grounds into the inning ending DP with men on 1st and 2nd.

 

Not a great game offensivley for Hanley either as he went 0 for 4 but RVH was solid allowing only 2 runs and besides the leadoff walk that scored off Kiko on Mclouth's Bloop single the Bullpen was phenomenal until Ayala's 10th inning which I belive was a terrible choice to put him in against 4 Lefties and a switch hitter.

 

I agree with you. In the 9th inning, after Uggla's hit, we essentially hit three double play balls. In the first one Cody beat out the throw after Uggla slowed down on the basepaths to prevent the 2nd baseman from tagging him and forced the 2nd baseman to the bag. In the second one the Braves made an error on Paulino's ball and eventually on Carroll's at-bat they capitalized on the Marlins inability to score.

 

I'm not sure why everyone is bashing on Hermida tonight. Yes, I understand that this season has been somewhat abysmal for him but tonight specifically was not. He did have an opportunity with bases loaded and two outs in the 8th but, like you just mentioned, Gonzalez is tough on lefties and they showed Hermida's stats with bases loaded and 2 outs which were great. Unfortunately, tonight was not one of those nights. He did hit a double and scored our first run so he wasn't completely useless. I know everyone expected a lot out of him but I don't think today he was as horrible as everyone is making him out to be.

The AID's of the team:

Hermida

Bonifacio

 

I want them removed.

Yet we all know it's impossible to remove AID's.

 

 

It's not impossible. The key to removing AIDS lies with Magic Johnson.

 

What an excellent sequence :thumbup

 

Actually, a terrible sequence. First off, it's AIDS. Secondly, it's an extremely serious epidemic - joking about it is virtually always in bad taste. And trivializing AIDS by comparing it to professional baseball players is ridiculous.

 

Oh yeah, and Hermida has an 800+ OPS in the role he's being used in.

 

Wow, I didn't even notice he added an apostrophe s.

 

You really need to take a health class.

At least VandenHurk gave 6 strong innings.

 

Also, maybe it was just me...but I thought Cody should've had the ball Kotchman hit in the 2nd inning. If not, he still took a bad route to the ball.

 

 

Was that the one over his head? If so, I didn't notice the route as I was watching the ball coming more, just glancing at him to see if he could catch up with it. I did think he was playing it in a bit too far. And that time of the evening is tough on OFers. Actually, even during the Braves BP it was kinda hard picking the ball up off the bat last night because of the cloudy conditions.

Ayala appears to have good stuff and nice movement. But he hasn't performed well in the two "tied game in late innings" appearances.

Sucks because it was a good comeback to tie the game.

Cody failed at moving the runner over. Which I think would have changed the inning.

Plus Hermida watching the first two strikes go by, and then swinging at ball one (that was a horrible pitch) to end the bases loaded inning.

 

 

He struck out on a 1-2 count and Bonifacio K'd on a 3-2 count on a fastball right over the plate with 1 Out men on 2nd and 3rd.

 

That was also another long AB. And because of that drew the wild pitch that moved the runners over. He had a bad night, no doubt, but let's not forget some of the other things. And he is in a slump right now. Just like any hitter will go through. But most likely slumping at the wrong time.

Shoot the umpire. Hanley rung up twice on pitches that were well off the outside corner. I thought top hitters were supposed to get some slack from the umpire ... not take some smack.

Ayala certainly blew it big time but from my perspective Fredi's decision to have Cody Ross bunt in the ninth inning was absolutely horrendous and pretty much sealed the Marlins' fate. Obviously you need to have faith in your bullpen and Ayala should not be issuing three run home runs in those situations, but Gonzalez plainly managed the Marlins out of the game. The game should have been over before Ayala even got the ball in the tenth.

 

Rich and Tommy said that Ross hadn't sacrifice bunted since 2006. Frankly I'm shocked that Tommy didn't question the move. Obviously, bunting isn't one of his strengths and consequently he worked his way into being behind in the count. This is in addition to the fact that Ross can actually swing the bat well and has the ability to get a hit or draw a walk in that situation, moving the runner into scoring position with no outs sacrificed.

 

I must admit that I am not an advocate of sacrifice bunting in general. Some statistical studies have said that bunting with no outs (moving the runner into scoring position) can increase the probability of scoring one run (all the Marlins needed). However, these findings need to be scrutinized when you consider that Ross is not a good bunter and rarely does it. You also must weigh the probability of having one of your better hitters (with power) swing the bat in that situation as opposed to, say, Bonifacio.

 

This was an idiotic decision by Fredi. As soon as I saw Ross squaring up, I knew this game was headed for extras.

 

 

I agree. Ideally all players should be great bunters but ideally all players should hit 30 homers a year. The fact of the matter is you have to know your team's strengths and ask players to do things that they are capable of doing. We don't ask Bonifacio to swing for the fences and I think asking Ross to bunt isn't that much better.

 

Agree with both. I was amazed to see him square up. Gotta think it was Fredi's move. His July #'s are pretty un-Codyish, but...

Shoot the umpire. Hanley wrong up twice on pitches that were well off the outside corner. I thought top hitters were supposed to get some slack from the umpire ... not take some smack.

 

 

Looked like the ump was consistent. But we didn't have he luxury of replays after every pitch either. If the ump was consistent then Hanley knows he has to protect the plate in those circumstances.

As an option, why not have umpires who call pitches that catch a part of the plate and the area between the bottom of the letters and the bottom of the knees as strikes? Let's call "Ball!" on the rest of them.

Ayala sucked when he was with the Nats and the last team didn't want him but now he is the go to guy in critical game situations? That and Carroll hitting in critical at bats will certainly get the Marlins to the WS.

 

Also, anyone who strikes out three times should not be allowed to play the next game (.300 hitters excluded).

 

 

 

is this a joke? hitting a 90 mph fastball is one of the hardest thing to do in sports. When you play a 162 game season you are going to have the days where you just aren't on it wether its something going on outside of sports or not. This is one of the most rediculous statements i have ever heard. I know we are all fans here but striking out happens its part of the game. Just remember this, the best hitters in the game only get a hit 1/3 of the time

This was mainly intended for Bonifacio. Notice I exempted Hanley. But if you don't hit for power or average and strike out three times a day-- regularly-- I suggest career counseling.

 

 

 

I agree bonifacio should be benched because...well hes just not good but its not just hanley. if jorge or cody strike out 3 times in 1 game do you want them benched?

This was mainly intended for Bonifacio. Notice I exempted Hanley. But if you don't hit for power or average and strike out three times a day-- regularly-- I suggest career counseling.

 

 

Bonifacio struck out three times 3x in April, did not at all in May, did not at all in June and has only struck three times in a game twice in July.

Bonifacio is going to make a tremedous super-utility player. And hey, just because Alfredo Amezaga wasn't the answer in CF doesn't mean we like him any less.

Lindstrom pitched tonight for AA Jacksonville.

 

He went one inning and gave up 2 hits and 2 Earned runs to get the loss.

 

So I'm guessing he'll pitch one more time in Jacksonville, most likely on Saturday, before getting called up.

 

 

 

 

Yes, because a great way to show that you belong on the major league team is to give up 2 ER in a AA outing.

 

 

 

Yes, especially when you are trying to locate all of your pitches to free-swinging minor leaguers. Rehab assignments don't mean anything.

Lindstrom pitched tonight for AA Jacksonville.

 

He went one inning and gave up 2 hits and 2 Earned runs to get the loss.

 

So I'm guessing he'll pitch one more time in Jacksonville, most likely on Saturday, before getting called up.

 

 

 

 

Yes, because a great way to show that you belong on the major league team is to give up 2 ER in a AA outing.

 

 

 

Yes, especially when you are trying to locate all of your pitches to free-swinging minor leaguers. Rehab assignments don't mean anything.

 

 

That all depends, really. If he was working on certain pitches, etc. they don't. If he was simply trying to pitch a scoreless inning, they do.

At least VandenHurk gave 6 strong innings.

 

Also, maybe it was just me...but I thought Cody should've had the ball Kotchman hit in the 2nd inning. If not, he still took a bad route to the ball.

 

 

Was that the one over his head? If so, I didn't notice the route as I was watching the ball coming more, just glancing at him to see if he could catch up with it. I did think he was playing it in a bit too far. And that time of the evening is tough on OFers. Actually, even during the Braves BP it was kinda hard picking the ball up off the bat last night because of the cloudy conditions.

 

 

Yeah, the ball hit by Kotchman in the 2nd inning.