Let's start by saying Cov Cath out played Conner in all aspects of the game. They pitched better, they hit better and they fielded better. The statement was definately by Isler that he, right now, is the best pitcher in the 9th region. He was not untouchable, but when Conner could get runners on base, they hit into 2 or 3 double plays.

 

Conner's pitching really couldn't match Isler's. Shuttleworth is still out. Samad pitched in Conner's district seeding game on Monday vs Boone. That left Noll or West. Ross came on in relief in the 5th, and this was his first appearence on the mound this season. In fact, he was just cleared to play Monday after surgery last week on his right hand. Conner also needed to think of this weekend's games against Lex Cath, West Jessamine and Boyd Co. All this added up to a very thin pitching staff.

 

One last note. All 7 of the runs given up by Ross in the 5th were unearned.

 

Sometimes I feel the whole earned/unearned thing is very misleading. Let's say a pitcher gets two outs, the next hitter reaches on error, and then the pitcher gives up 4 straight homers before getting the 3rd out. Yes, all 5 runs are unearned for official scorekeeping purposes, but in my book, the pitcher has responsibility for 4 of them. Simply saying the runs are "unearned" doesn't mean the pitcher wasn't rocked by the offense.

 

I wasn't at the game, so I don't know if Conner's last pitcher was hammered or not. But reading TOG's review, it appears as though he loaded the bases on HBP/walks, then an error occurred (which I assume must have been with two outs or this would have been an infield fly), then he gave up a hard-hit double and HR. So while technically "unearned", it does appear some of the scoring was of his own doing.

Sometimes I feel the whole earned/unearned thing is very misleading. Let's say a pitcher gets two outs, the next hitter reaches on error, and then the pitcher gives up 4 straight homers before getting the 3rd out. Yes, all 5 runs are unearned for official scorekeeping purposes, but in my book, the pitcher has responsibility for 4 of them. Simply saying the runs are "unearned" doesn't mean the pitcher wasn't rocked by the offense.

 

I wasn't at the game, so I don't know if Conner's last pitcher was hammered or not. But reading TOG's review, it appears as though he loaded the bases on HBP/walks, then an error occurred (which I assume must have been with two outs or this would have been an infield fly), then he gave up a hard-hit double and HR. So while technically "unearned", it does appear some of the scoring was of his own doing.

 

 

I was at this game. Ross came in and faced the bottom half of the lineup. After 2 outs, 2 walks and a batter HBP he had bases loaded with Seimer up. He has to get this man out so that he won't be facing Malle, Darner and Isler. He pitches well enough to get Seimer to hit an infield pop up to the second baseman. If not for the error that occured, he is out of the inning without giving up any runs. There is no doubt that Malle and Darner did hit him extremely hard. The runs are unearned because an error with 2 outs means all further runs are unearned because the pitcher should be out of the inning.

The runs are unearned because an error with 2 outs means all further runs are unearned because the pitcher should be out of the inning.

 

Pitchers need help and Conner's D didn't help in that inning.

 

However, as Coop pointed out, its still the pitcher who is giving up hits after the apparent 3rd out. Its still HIM throwing the ball and getting rocked.

 

BTW, I sort of looked away for a second. Was it the 2nd baseman who dropped it or did the SS come all the way over and miss it?

Seems this baseball season has been more miserable weather-wise than most football seasons! Yesterday ranks right up there with the most uncomfortable games attended.

I was at this game. Ross came in and faced the bottom half of the lineup. After 2 outs, 2 walks and a batter HBP he had bases loaded with Seimer up. He has to get this man out so that he won't be facing Malle, Darner and Isler. He pitches well enough to get Seimer to hit an infield pop up to the second baseman. If not for the error that occured, he is out of the inning without giving up any runs. There is no doubt that Malle and Darner did hit him extremely hard. The runs are unearned because an error with 2 outs means all further runs are unearned because the pitcher should be out of the inning.

 

I don't disagree with this at all. And again, I wasn't there. All I'm saying is that it is sometimes misleading when someone says "X" number of runs were "unearned", as it can sometimes give the impression that it was all due to errors, when in fact, the pitcher can still be hit very hard during an inning in which he officially gives up no earned runs. Your point is very fair in that if the error on the popup doesn't occur, he doesn't have to face the heart of the CCH lineup. Of course, the point could also be made that if he doesn't walk/hit the prior 3 batters, he also avoids those hitters.

I don't disagree with this at all. And again, I wasn't there. All I'm saying is that it is sometimes misleading when someone says "X" number of runs were "unearned", as it can sometimes give the impression that it was all due to errors, when in fact, the pitcher can still be hit very hard during an inning in which he officially gives up no earned runs. Your point is very fair in that if the error on the popup doesn't occur, he doesn't have to face the heart of the CCH lineup. Of course, the point could also be made that if he doesn't walk/hit the prior 3 batters, he also avoids those hitters.

 

You are also absolutely right, overall, Ross did not really pitch very well. But did he pitch well enough to not give up any runs in that inning? He certainly did. How many times have you seen a pitcher struggle in the first inning and then settle down and do fine? I'm not saying that would have happened, but by the second baseman missing that popup Ross never got the chance. Instead, the inning continued with Cov Cath's best hitters coming up with men on base.