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What the hell is he thinking putting Clay Buchholz in to pinch run at second base, down by 1 in a very crucial series to this season? Yes, hes fast but the move nearly blew the game if it wasnt for a V-Mart, 2 run double after about 12 pitches with 2 outs. Furthermore, Buchholz has to dive in head first to home, setting him up to get hurt and possibly losing the guy who is your #3 starter right now.
Anyways, for anyone not watching the Sox trailed the Rangers 4-2 in the Top of the 9th. 0 outs, Jacoby Ellsbury drives in a run making it 4-3 and runners on 1st and 2nd. Instead of putting Kotchman in to hit, Francona lets Chris Woodward bat, and pulls the bat back twice on strikes then K's. failing to move anyone up. With Pedroia coming up and 1 out, Francona puts Clay Buchholz in to run at 2nd base for Jason Varitek. Pedroia hits one off glove/wall in deep left field and Buchholz stutter steps around third, kind of starts back, starts running again, slips over the bag, as his helmets coming off he reaches up to keep it on (seriuously) then proceeds to be gunned down by a mile. Apparently it was the first time Buchholz had been on base at all this entire season and it almost lost them the game. The thing that gets me is the fact that Varitek would have scored anyways. There was about a 2% chance Murphy caught the ball in left field and it actually look like it might go out for a homerun off the bat. What he was turning back towards second for is beyond me.
I really dont know what hes thinking lately. Giving Ellsbury a day off when he apparently wanted to play but Francona always says the guys "look tired". Putting Reddick in centerfield cost them a run tonight as he misplayed a ball hit over his head and it was followed up with a single for an RBI. Ellsbury makes the play every time. Then Ellsbury ends up getting a big hit anyways. You really cant sit your only guy whos been hitting in the 1st game of a huge series with massive playoff implications. The difference in a win and a loss in this game means 1st or 2nd in the wildcard, either up by 1.5 games or down a half, and being 1-6 against the team your batteling for the wildcard with or winning a game against their best pitcher in their park.
Anyways, for anyone not watching the Sox trailed the Rangers 4-2 in the Top of the 9th. 0 outs, Jacoby Ellsbury drives in a run making it 4-3 and runners on 1st and 2nd. Instead of putting Kotchman in to hit, Francona lets Chris Woodward bat, and pulls the bat back twice on strikes then K's. failing to move anyone up. With Pedroia coming up and 1 out, Francona puts Clay Buchholz in to run at 2nd base for Jason Varitek. Pedroia hits one off glove/wall in deep left field and Buchholz stutter steps around third, kind of starts back, starts running again, slips over the bag, as his helmets coming off he reaches up to keep it on (seriuously) then proceeds to be gunned down by a mile. Apparently it was the first time Buchholz had been on base at all this entire season and it almost lost them the game. The thing that gets me is the fact that Varitek would have scored anyways. There was about a 2% chance Murphy caught the ball in left field and it actually look like it might go out for a homerun off the bat. What he was turning back towards second for is beyond me.
I really dont know what hes thinking lately. Giving Ellsbury a day off when he apparently wanted to play but Francona always says the guys "look tired". Putting Reddick in centerfield cost them a run tonight as he misplayed a ball hit over his head and it was followed up with a single for an RBI. Ellsbury makes the play every time. Then Ellsbury ends up getting a big hit anyways. You really cant sit your only guy whos been hitting in the 1st game of a huge series with massive playoff implications. The difference in a win and a loss in this game means 1st or 2nd in the wildcard, either up by 1.5 games or down a half, and being 1-6 against the team your batteling for the wildcard with or winning a game against their best pitcher in their park.
