May 31, 200818 yr You old grump.. After a long night of lounging in a press box calling the 9th final, I deserve some peace and quiet...
May 31, 200818 yr I am completely appalled that the Reds did not win this game in the 8th inning. Here's the scenario: Bottom of 8, tied 2-2. Hairston Jr., Bruce & Griffey Jr (1,2 & 3) due up. Hairston draws a walk to lead off the inning. Let's recap thus far: Hairston Jr. on 1st - no outs - bottom of the 8th inning. Heart of the order due up. Bruce gets the sign to bunt. It's obvious he is lost up there attempting to bunt (not as bad as Edwin, but still obvious). Bruce fouls the bunt off. Next pitch, he swings at a hanging breaking ball and pops one foul to Chipper Jones. Bad AB by Bruce, but the kid has been in the MLB for a few days and although it's frustrating, I understand. Regardless, you've got to put the ball in play. It shouldn't matter though, as you have an all-time great hitting behind you. I'll actually stop here. I don't even want to talk about Griffey not laying down a bunt. I don't care who you are and how many home runs you have hit, if you aren't willing to sacrifice yourself for the betterment of the team (and a win), then I don't want you on my team.
May 31, 200818 yr I am completely appalled that the Reds did not win this game in the 8th inning. Here's the scenario: Bottom of 8, tied 2-2. Hairston Jr., Bruce & Griffey Jr (1,2 & 3) due up. Hairston draws a walk to lead off the inning. Let's recap thus far: Hairston Jr. on 1st - no outs - bottom of the 8th inning. Heart of the order due up. Bruce gets the sign to bunt. It's obvious he is lost up there attempting to bunt (not as bad as Edwin, but still obvious). Bruce fouls the bunt off. Next pitch, he swings at a hanging breaking ball and pops one foul to Chipper Jones. Bad AB by Bruce, but the kid has been in the MLB for a few days and although it's frustrating, I understand. Regardless, you've got to put the ball in play. It shouldn't matter though, as you have an all-time great hitting behind you. I'll actually stop here. I don't even want to talk about Griffey not laying down a bunt. I don't care who you are and how many home runs you have hit, if you aren't willing to sacrifice yourself for the betterment of the team (and a win), then I don't want you on my team. In Griffey's defense...he did hit a line drive right at Chipper Jones. Who's to say BP will get a two out hit. Typically you don't see MLB 3 hole hitters laying bunts down. Griffey isn't the same player he used to be but you don't want your number 3 hitter bunting in that situation. With no outs then maybe, but not one.
May 31, 200818 yr In Griffey's defense...he did hit a line drive right at Chipper Jones. Who's to say BP will get a two out hit. Typically you don't see MLB 3 hole hitters laying bunts down. Griffey isn't the same player he used to be but you don't want your number 3 hitter bunting in that situation. With no outs then maybe, but not one. Which is why I was so frustrated with Jay Bruce, as well. At least make him take 2 attempts to put the bunt down. The fact that Griffey is not willing to drop down a bunt and jog to first bothers me. It wouldn't even be a sacrifice bunt - it'd be a hit.
May 31, 200818 yr In Griffey's defense...he did hit a line drive right at Chipper Jones. Who's to say BP will get a two out hit. Typically you don't see MLB 3 hole hitters laying bunts down. Griffey isn't the same player he used to be but you don't want your number 3 hitter bunting in that situation. With no outs then maybe, but not one. And earlier in the game Griffey was in a similar situation, although Tom Glavine was still on the mound. That time he grounded into a double play though.
May 31, 200818 yr And earlier in the game Griffey was in a similar situation, although Tom Glavine was still on the mound. That time he grounded into a double play though. I didn't see this. And i agree with the way Griffey is swinging, he should be more open to bunting if it'll help out the team. In the 8th inning Dusty should have kept the bunt on with Bruce until two strikes, maybe even after that. I hate it when managers get the batter in a hole by putting the bunt on, then after they foul a ball off they take it off. It just puts the batter in a bad situation.
May 31, 200818 yr Bruce Almighty: "Winning is fun and I think it's something we’re going to be doing a lot more of." :dancingpa
May 31, 200818 yr Which is why I was so frustrated with Jay Bruce, as well. At least make him take 2 attempts to put the bunt down. The fact that Griffey is not willing to drop down a bunt and jog to first bothers me. It wouldn't even be a sacrifice bunt - it'd be a hit. The Braves were literally giving him a hit. He chose not to take it.
May 31, 200818 yr Bruce Almighty: "Winning is fun and I think it's something we’re going to be doing a lot more of." :dancingpa :thumb:Im with ya of course. But wouldn't you of liked to seen him up a little earlier?
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