How to blow a 3-0 lead against rival

How to blow a 3-0 lead against rival - Play aoki ball.
by cbo86 (2017-04-05 07:08:57)
Edited on 2017-04-05 14:09:31

Bottom Third - consecutive walks
The Wolverines got on the scoreboard in the third, but Tully minimized the damage at one run after the bases were loaded with one out. Nick Poirier and Jonathan Engelmann led off the inning with back-to-back singles before Harrison Wenson grounded out to first, moving up the runners to second and third. Tully then issued consecutive walks, giving Michigan its first run, before striking out Michael Brdar and getting cleanup hitter Drew Lugbauer to fly out and keep the Irish lead at 3-1.'

Bottom Fourth - another walk
Michigan got another run back in the fourth. After a leadoff groundout, Tully hit Jake Bivens then walked Poirier. Charlie Vorsheck came in from the Irish bullpen and the Wolverines put a double steal on. Bivens moved up to third as Lidge threw Poirier out at second. With two outs, Engelmann dumped a ball down the right field line just past a diving Shepski to score the run before Wenson popped up to end the inning.

Bottom Fifth - still more walks and an extra base
Michigan tied things up with another single run in the fifth. After a leadoff walk to Ako Thomas, the runner stole second and advanced to third when the Irish shortstop missed the throw from Lidge. Johnny Slater came through with the sacrifice fly to tie the game at three.

Top Eighth - same old base running
Notre Dame had a chance to tie the game in the eighth. Patrick McDonald drilled a one-out single to left before Lidge hit a one-hopper off the wall in left. Alex Kerschner, pinch running for McDonald, was thrown out at the plate for the final out, preserving the 4-3 lead for Michigan.

I'm not going to blame the manager for walks

In the games I've seen over the years, however, Aoki seems to have an extreme affinity for bunting, which is perhaps a fireable offense per se.

His record, of course, stands for itself. The problem is that Swarbrick would presumably run any search for a replacement.

Point taken. I still think a good staff can teach pitchers

To pound the strike zone but in any case this team lacks any mojo and that has to be a coaches' job to motivate these guys. As far as bunting I can recall multiple times even a safety squeeze would have been the difference in a game. His timing on when to use small ball is totally off.

My bet: Aoki's safe. Jack will use the youth excuse

He doesn't seem to like firing people. Messy, messy stuff.

Oh, and I'm not suggesting he'll publicly comment on Aoki. God no. Why would he be expected to do that? Screw the alumni and fan base, right? He'll probably just use that excuse in the private question/answer sessions with big donors. Seems to be his MO.