6-4-2 — an Angels/Dodgers double play blog: Dusty Baker, Super Genius: Nationals 5, Cubs 4

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Sunday, July 03, 2005

Dusty Baker, Super Genius: Nationals 5, Cubs 4

Let's say your team is in extra innings, game tied, and the opposing team has men on second and third, one out. Further stipulate that the batter your team is facing immediately is hitting .119/.152/.167, and the one after him is hitting .270/.377/.449. Do you --

walk the hitter to set up the double play?
pitch to the batter knowing he's the easier out?

If you're Dusty Baker, you choose option (1), and watch as Brad Wilkerson doubles into the ivy. God help me, I've always thought Baker's reputation as a bad in-game manager was overstated, but this was a no-brainer. The Cubs miraculously got the two runs back in the bottom of the frame, but lost the game on a Brian Schneider home run.

ESPN Box

// posted by Rob @ 3:24 PM link // 1 comments