The Genius Maker #69

The Genius Maker showing some chinks in the armor! Once again, I really don’t like the way martin calls a game with Rivera. You can’t keep coming in on Abreu even when behind in the count. I felt that either strike one or strike 2 should have been away. When he fell behind 2-1 I felt going away was the key move, but at 3-1 I definitely did not want to come inside for a strike (and this ump was tight all game…except when he screwed up royally in the Tex AB that basically ended our game). Also, Rivera came inside on every pitch to Calaspo who led off with the single. Bad job in pitch selection and Rivera didn’t get it done.

The above horrible 1-1 call against Tex with 1st and 3rd and 2 outs made an enormous difference in the AB. Wen a guy throws 98 2-1 or 1-2 is an AB changer...it also gave the Yanks the decision to steal Granderson and he got CS on “the play that never works but once in awhile does.” (the fake to 3rd and back to 1st)

That being said, the biggest mistake and changing point in the game rests with Girardi and his inexplicable decisions in the 6th inning. Burnett has trouble avoiding the big inning usually so after a HR in the 6th inning you have to be on your toes for signs. After an out, Burnett walked his first batter of the game in Trumbo. Then after another out where the runner took 2nd base Girardi had a brain cramp. Burnett on the mound has allowed a HR and his first walk in the game. Girardi decides to intentionally walk Izturis in a 2-2 game in the 6th inning with 2 outs and a guy on 2nd base??? I was out of my chair with my hands in the air. I know it probably doesn’t matter most of the time; but when it does it is horrible. The thing that is mind boggling is if you let up a run, you are only talking about a one run deficit with 4 innings for the offense, but why risk a big inning? The other crazy thing is that Izturis is not a good hitter. Was it the .271 batting average or the .335 OBP or the incredibly powerful .384 slugging that scared Girardi? Bourjos, on deck is about the same hitter (a tiny bit better). Well after the intentional walk I thought Girardi may go to the pen, but no, he sticks with Burnett who then walks Bourjos. Now, I was sure Girardi would go to the pen. Nope, let’s stick with the guy we have the least faith in our rotation who is right around 100 pitches. Well that works out great as this horrible hitter (OPS of .496 – yes that is not a misprint) rips a double off Burnett that would have cleared the bases (bourjos can fly and was on first) but we gotlucky the ball bounced in the stands. Girardi screwed up royally here. He then felt he should leave Burnett in still and luckily the weak hitting Aybar got out. Girardi killed us before we came back to tie the game, before Rivera blew the game, the ump and Granderson getting picked off with Tex representing the winning run.

Disgusted