So even though you have the gift of hindsight at this point, I'll ask. Who would you have put in? Exactly when would you have put him in?Quote:
Originally Posted by Pollodawg
Cohen/Butch didn't trust anyone else to throw strikes. They thought their best chance was to let the senior gut it out. I agreed with that decision, but I definitely understand that some people disagreed.
Dakota Hudson looked ok when he came in. Fitts hasn't gone more than 2 or 3 innings all year and he threw almost 90 pitches. Fitts wasn't going to give up. I am extremely proud of the way he gutted it out but he was going on pure grit for the last 2 innings. At some point Cohen had to pull him and he waited too long. I was expecting another dirt pitch for the winning run. Fitts was as done as I have seen a pitcher in a while.
Whatever, the pitching wasn't the problem. We only scored 1 run in 13 innings after the 1st which is beyond terrible. Even after getting 1 run in the 9th to tie we got 4 more innings from our pitchers (10th-13th innings) that one run would have won it and we couldn't do it. Worrying about what pitching moves we made is pointless. How long were we suppose to hold the best offense in the SEC scoreless?Quote:
Originally Posted by RocketCityDawg
Quote:
Originally Posted by RocketCityDawg
You have to take the chance with someone else at that point. The longer any pitcher stays in, the more velocity and control they lose. That is an absolutely certainty. So, basically, you're faced with the certain knowledge of Fitts losing steam, which you can SEE with your own eyes and which you know is inevitable since people aren't machines, and yet you STILL don't pull homeboy when you know the inevitable is coming?
You know beyond doubt the higher his numbers climb, the less effective his arm is. This is especially true for a closer who isn't used to throwing it that many times a game.
If we look at it like that, which is valid, I agree. But I could also add that we would have scored enough to win the game in 9 innings if we could round 3rd without falling down and hurting ourselves. That's the reason we lost. Period. Bottom line. Bob's your uncle.Quote:
Originally Posted by maroonmania
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Originally Posted by maroonmania
This. The lack of offense is what's most inexcusable in all honesty.
At this point and time, it doesn't really matter, we are done. I just talked to my Lsu buddy, he said "well watching at least we have talent to overcome our coaching blunders, Cohen can't win w/o talent plus what was he thinking leaving Fitts in, Ray Charles could see he was done after the jam he got of in the 13th innning".
I respect your opinion, but I think Cohen/Butch thought exhausted Fitts was their best option. So, given that that was their thinking, shouldn't you go with what you think is your best option?Quote:
Originally Posted by Pollodawg
I disagree. They hit well enough to beat the #1 team in the country last night. They also pitched well enough to beat the #1 team in the country. Just had a guy that couldn't round 3rd base without falling down and hurting himself.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pollodawg
I respect their opinion but I also don't agree with it. After the 2 dirt pitches, it looked like it took everything he had to even throw a strike. I think the LSU guy was probably taking the first pitch since they had just moved from 2nd to 3rd. I thought it was 50/50 that it would be another dirt pitch. It was also his 3rd time to see Fitts. Just because he had done well when he had more in the tank didn't mean he owned the guy. Usually hitters get better against a pitcher after seeing them.Quote:
Originally Posted by RocketCityDawg
It was a huge gamble and it went bad.
What? I guess most coaches can win without talent? Wait, I see that an LSU buddy said that to you. That explains it. That's the dumbest thing I've read on here all day. Congrats to your buddy for that observation.Quote:
Originally Posted by basedog
Yes, Fitts was done. I'm sure your LSU buddy hasn't watched our bullpen all year. I have, and I agreed with John/Butch that exhausted Fitts was still our best option at that point. I understand that most people are disagreeing with that. But at this point in this season, most people just want to bitch and complain.
If Fitts with nothing left in the tank was our best option. We might as well give up the next 2 games if our starters don't throw complete games. It would be a sign that we don't have anyone left that might can get an out coming out of the pen. The only worse decision would have to brought Ross Mitchell in.
I don't understand how a guy that has thrown 2 straight pitches in the dirt in the other batters box would be our best option. Dakota Hudson looked pretty good coming in and getting an easy grounder the next batter.Quote:
Originally Posted by RocketCityDawg
I kind of agree with this statement. I didn't see the Tuesday night game, but I did hear that Tatum was not available last night, or at least was not supposed to be. Maybe, we can get something out of him if we can manage to stay close in one of these next 2 games.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbonewannabe
Hindsight is 20/20. Did Fitts walk the guy? No, he nutted up and threw strikes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbonewannabe
Would Hudson have been as good if the pressure was on, and the game was still tied with runners all over the bases?
Our starters are going to have to go at least 7 innings. Is it possible to get run ruled in SEC games? I was wondering if we could flip Sexton and Brown just to give us a better chance on Saturday. Cohen did it his first few years to prevent getting swept.Quote:
Originally Posted by RocketCityDawg
We will never know if Hudson would have crumbled. I just think Cohen shouldn't be surprised that Fitts didn't come through. He put him in a position to fail. I think it says more about the rest of our pitching staff that basically Cohen didn't trust any of them when it was obvious Fitts was done.Quote:
Originally Posted by RocketCityDawg
The bases loaded swinging on a 2-0 count by Holland is so not a Cohen thing. Person was struggling mightily then and you make him throw strikes before you swing the batt. Who knows. He may have thrown 3 straight strikes. But U don't swing there period. And we were aggressive most of the night until the later innings. I know on 2 of Collins Ks late he came up basically w his bat on his shoulder on the first pitch and both at bats they were right down the middle and his best pitch to try and hit on both at bats. This team is just all over the place and has no confidence whatsoever. Our pitching last night was fantastic but we just can't do shit on offense. And Fitts didn't deserve to be put in the situation he got in in the 14th. He had pitched his ass off, was spent, and deserved a pat on the back and good job and go ice up and let Houston go in.
But the biggest mistake of the game was by a pinch runner. His job was to run and not fall down He didn't and we ended up having to use our 2 best relief pitchers up and still lose. That separates shoulder isn't all that is hurting him right now. His pride takes a hit every time he watches that debacle on film knowing it cost us game 1 and hurt us for 2 and 3
Why do they call the 2-0 the "Cripple Pitch" because it is the batters advantage-hit the MFER. I am also a big proponent of when men are in scoring position hit the first pitch fast ball.. Get an organ and a monkey if you are going to beg.Quote:
Originally Posted by Really Clark?
This is for everybody who wants to take that 2-0 pitch in that situation. There are times where I might would consider it. But with this team struggling, at this point in the season, for a regular season conference win? No way do I take. He doesn't even have to get a hit to win. It didn't work. I understand that but there would not have been one person question the decision if he does anything with the ball that scores. Not a one of you would have been harping about how that was a poor decision. You can't always look at the result of the situation to make these poor call, good call judgements. You have to base the judgement to swing before you know the result. Now if this is for a tourney or regional win, I may make a different call. Doubt it but you have to be flexible as a coach. But last night, when a knock in winning run would have given my team a ton of confidence, I swing away and have full confidence that I am right. And my player would agree as well. If I am going to fail then it's going to because of my effort or my call, not waiting on someone else to fail.