Everyone has off nights, bounce back tomorrow, Buck

[Saintbird]

My only problem with the 9th inning was having McLouth bunt. I would have rather seen him hit away.

I'm pretty much in agreement with this. With no outs and a runner in scoring position, I'll take the extra out to work with over the extra bag. However, this really falls on Manny and him not cashing in on the Sac Fly opportunity.

Buck played the numbers with the shift and tonight it just didn't pay off for us. Had it worked we would have been praising him and his analysis.

Hindsight's 20/20, let's take 2 of 3 tomorrow. I will be more than satisfied with that.

[El Gordo]

Hunters supposed to be the long man He was going into extra innings with two RP he hadn't used yet, both lefties. He didn't want to have to go back to Patton or O' Day unless he had to. That's why he stuck with Hunter to get at least another inning out of him.

[ClimClams]

He had a fresh Matusz. I'm taking my chances with Matusz in the 9th then a second inning of Hunter, but maybe Buck was trying something out there. Either way, I hope he learned his lesson. Hunter is not be trusted with a tie or one run leads late in games.

Leaving Hunter out there for a second inning after he only threw eight pitches the frame before might not be the move everyone would make, but under the circumstances, it's the right move. He'd already used Ayala and Strop; O'Day threw 21 pitches yesterday, and Johnson pitched as well. If not Hunter in the ninth, you've got a bag of lefties in Matusz, McFarland and Patton, with Matusz and McFarland needing to be relatively fresh in case Tillman is limited on Saturday; or you send Jim Johnson out for a non-save situation a day after he threw 14 pitches (also known as "The Lee Mazilli Treatment"). Why wouldn't you just stick with a still-fresh Hunter? If the lead-off guy gets on, then maybe you bring Matusz out. Instead, Tommy hung this third pitch of the inning and the whole thing gets ugly.

Also, why would you pinch hit Casilla for Machado in the 9th? Do you really want Ryan Flaherty at 3B if the game goes five more innings? It's also worthing noting that 4-for-7 is the definition of a small sample size, and should be taken with a grain of salt when we're talking about a guy who hit .241 with nearly twice as many grounders as flyballs last season, given that we're at least looking for a relatively deep flyball in that scenario. This isn't Game 7 of the World Series - let the kid take his lumps and hope he pushes a run across; but if he doesn't - and he didn't - hopefully he learns from it and you get up to play Game 3 of 162 the next day. There's no reason to shake the confidence of a 20-year-old kid still adjusting to the major leagues on the second night of the season, and the team is better with him in it if the game goes to extra innings.

[sfosfan]

Yeah, Buck had a bad one tonight. He either over managed or under managed, but in the end, pretty much everything he did or didn't do back fired tonight. It happens. Glad to see the offense have quality at bats. Terrible night by the bullpen of course, but what in the world is Tommy Hunter doing pitching in a tie game in the 9th? With his penchant to give up the long ball, he should never be in a tie or one-run game in the 9th or later unless he's the only option. Not a good choice by Buck, but like we said, it was a tough game for Buck tonight.

Agree 100%. Can't believe they got to Rodney. Can't believe we've scored 14 runs in two games AT TAMPA. Too bad about Ayala and Hunter. I was hoping they would do well early so they could get traded later. Perhaps Buck was showcasing them? No matter, it's early and I'm very happy with this team right now. Too many other good things going on to worry about the bullpen.

[Bohs&O's]

Hunters supposed to be the long man He was going into extra innings with two RP he hadn't used yet, both lefties. He didn't want to have to go back to Patton or O' Day unless he had to. That's why he stuck with Hunter to get at least another inning out of him.

That does make perfect sense and I bet that's what Buck was thinking. I just personally would of liked to of seen Matusz there instead of homerun Hunter. Don't get me wrong though I do believe Hunter makes us better as a team. Walkoff losses always sting a little more to me. All we can do now is get back on the horse and enjoy the ride of the next 160 games.

[sfosfan]

He had a fresh Matusz. I'm taking my chances with Matusz in the 9th then a second inning of Hunter, but maybe Buck was trying something out there. Either way, I hope he learned his lesson. Hunter is not be trusted with a tie or one run leads late in games.

I was surprised to see this, like everyone else. In a tie game in the ninth inning, and Hunter comes in even though he's just pitched the 8th? Bring in Matusz and let him pitch- he could easily go 3 innings if needed. Hunter going 3 innings doesn't give anyone confidence. Hopefully, lesson learned.

[sfosfan]

Hunters supposed to be the long man He was going into extra innings with two RP he hadn't used yet, both lefties. He didn't want to have to go back to Patton or O' Day unless he had to. That's why he stuck with Hunter to get at least another inning out of him.

I really wonder about that. Especially since Brian Matusz was in competition for the 5th spot and no one ever mentioned Hunter starting. With TJ on board, Brian can't be just a lefty specialist guy. But going forward, Brian should definitely be the long guy. When Steve Johnson come back, he can be another long option. But not Hunter.

[Norfolk orioles]

Yeah, it's probably best if you stay out. You don't have the personality that allows for some fun in a game thread. It was easy to second guess Buck because Buck made some bad choices tonight. It happens. It's not the end of the world nor does it mean Buck is not a great manager, but it doesn't mean Buck didn't deserve to be "second guessed" (mos of the "second guesses" came BEFORE the bad thing that happened.

I've always been of the mindset that if you can't criticize someone when they are bad then your praise means nothing when you give it because you can't be even handed.

Buck is a great manager, he's been fantastic in every way, but he had a really crappy night tonight and deserves the criticism. He'll shake it off and have our guys ready to play tomorrow. But if you can't even admit in a public forum that he stunk the joint out tonight, then when you praise him as "great", it really doesn't mean as much.

Still wouldn't trade him for anyone else in baseball.

Although I still think he needs to move machado out of the two hole, that opinion hasn't and will not change.

[Norfolk orioles]

Totally disagree that this is on Showalter. The bounces went Tampa's way. Nick hit a hard grounder over the 2B bag and they've shifted to that exact spot, they hit a weak grounder right at the usual SS spot but Hardy's playing right at 2B just like Escobar had done. That's the way the ball bounces sometimes.

So you don't putting on a massive shift in a one run game or staying with a shaky tommy hunter for a second inning in a tie ball game are questionable moves? You don't think he deserves any blame at all for that?

And that isn't even questioning machado in the two hole at 20 years old to start the season when his obp and experience show he should be nowhere near the top of the lineup yet in his career.

[scOtt]

I don't mind Manny hitting there so much as having the shift on with Strop pumping 96mph heat to a lefty.

Someone must've missed a signal.

I didn't see the game, not even highlights, but I don't buy that. If someone missed a signal and was out of position according to Buck he would have called time out and made a visit to the mound to discuss with EVERYONE. Rather than let the play go ahead.

It's what Buck wanted and it didn't work. IT happens. Now he knows more. Early yet for players, AND all the coaches, and umps, and broadcasters.

[Frobby]

He had a fresh Matusz. I'm taking my chances with Matusz in the 9th then a second inning of Hunter, but maybe Buck was trying something out there. Either way, I hope he learned his lesson. Hunter is not be trusted with a tie or one run leads late in games.

I think Buck was thinking this could go several more innings and he didn't want Chris Davis pitching in the 12th. Strop, Ayala and Hunter had been used. O'Day (1.2 IP), Patton and JJ were used the night before and it's very early in the season. This isn't really the ideal situation for McFarland's debut. So you'd better try to get more than one inning from Hunter. Pretty decent logic if you ask me.

[Frobby]

So you don't putting on a massive shift in a one run game or staying with a shaky tommy hunter for a second inning in a tie ball game are questionable moves? You don't think he deserves any blame at all for that?

And that isn't even questioning machado in the two hole at 20 years old to start the season when his obp and experience show he should be nowhere near the top of the lineup yet in his career.

I think that just because a move doesn't work doesn't make it a wrong move. Were these moves "questionable"? I guess so. But in my opinion they were not blunders that puts blame on the manager when they didn't work out.

T

I guess at my age I've realized that a manager can make a reasonable decision that doesn't work out, and that in some situations, the manager has more than one reasonable choice, neither of which is a "mistake" until it doesn't work out and the fans start second guessing him. To me, we lost this game because Ayala had a bad day and Strop had some bad luck and wasn't totally on his game.

[Tx Oriole]

The game thread gets ridiculous. It's better just not to go over there for me. You can second guess everything that turns out bad. The bullpen blew it. Pretty simple. Ayala hung a terrible pitch to Duncan. Strop wasn't good but not nearly as bad as the line looks. He didn't walk anyone and gave up a bunt, weak grounder that beat the shift, and a soft blooper into CF by Zobrist. Hunter was ok for an inning but I could see the homer coming. 94 mph straight fastballs down the middle are going to get hit a long way. Still, Chen kept his team in the game to say the least. Davis with a great night. Reimold worked two big walks. McLouth with a big hit and Roberts with the big double in the 9th. They had a chance. They just didn't get it done tonight. The second guessing of Buck in the game thread is hilarious.

Some folks are just out of touch with what is real. That is just baseball. I don't read the game threads.

[Tx Oriole]

On the bright side, Reimold and Roberts really contributing. Manny in the 2 hole, gotta rethink this one however.

No they don't. Just after two games. IMO

[wildcard]

I thought Hunter proved last year he was best used for one inning. I guess Buck needs to prove it again this year.

Ayala is better used with a clear inning. At least he was last year.

I thought the O's were in "to be continued" mode. I don't know why this all has to be proven again this year.