Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Running out of a big inning

Vladimir Guerrero, in typical Angels fashion, tried to go from first to third on Torii Hunter's bloops single in the eighth with Anaheim trailing Boston, 2-1. Kevin Youkilis proved why he's a gold glove first baseman on the play, gathering the ball quickly in shallow right field and gunning Vlady out at third. It was an aggressive move Guerrero, and he looked to run through a stop sign from the Angels' third base coach.

Boston's Justin Masterson got out of the inning without giving up the tying run. Sometimes aggressiveness can cost you, but I still think Mike Scioscia is the best manager in the American League.

Can't pitch or catch

Yovani Gallardo certainly didn't help himself in game one of his Brewers NLDS series against Philadelphia, but he also deserved better from his teammates. Milwaukee failed to produce a run until it was too late, and the Brewers defense coughed up three unearned runs in the 3rd.

After a walk in the third, Gallardo (75 pitches in just his second start back from ACL surgery) saw Rickie Weeks drop a throw a first on Cole Hamels' attempted sacrafice bunt. The error allowed Chase Utley to come to the plate with two runners on, and the Philadelphia second baseman rifled a ball at center fielder Mike Cameron. Cameron misjudged the ball, then dove and dropped it, allowing Philadelphia's first two runs to score. Utley earned a double from the official scorekeeper, which was the correct call. He later scored in a three-run Philadelphia third.

Gallardo only lasted four innings and walked five, but none of his runs were earned. He could have used some help from his offense and defense.

Dempser can't dodge the big inning

Ryan Dempster said his problems in the NLDS opener against the Dodger (7.71 ERA in 4 2/3 innings) were due to "not executing" his pitches. Dempster didn't pitch badly, but struggled to close out at bats, especially when he got ahead. Manny Ramirez walked after going down 0-2, then James Loney swatted a grand slam after also falling behind 0-2. Dempster gave up four in the the fourth and couldn't get through the inning, going over 100 pitches on the evening as the Cubs fall, 7-2 to Los Angeles.