First game I can point to this year and definitely say "Eric Wedge would not have won that game."
Good Job Acta.
That was my exact thought I had when I saw Hafner start running on the pitch and Nix actually bunted the ball. Did the Indians try a suicide squeeze in all the years under Wedge? Even ONE? I don't think so. Maybe a few safety type squeeze plays but never an all out suicide. That was a thing of beauty. And of all players on third base.... Travis Hafner. Who'd of thought? Certainly not Toronto. :chuckles:
My goodness; this Santana kid does nothing but walk, get a hit, or make a hard out. Period. He rarely swings at a ball... only strikes. He doesn't get fooled. When is this stuff going to stop? How long can this guy continue to get on base game after game after game?
Good to see LaPorta smack the ball hard a few times.
BTW: Who's the new guy impersonating Kerry Wood the last two games?
Let's also take note of the fact that Wedge almost rarely if never had two guys so inept at hitting as Nix and Hernandez, that you couldn't feel confident either would hit a fly ball deep enough to score the runner. The squeeze play was more of a reflection on how bad Nix and Hernandez are at swinging the bat than on who is or isn't a brilliant strategist.
Oh shoot; I have to give ALL the credit to Acta for that play. A brilliant call. No one, and I mean no one saw it coming in spite of what you say that Nix could not have drove home the run. You have to have some confidence in Nix to bunt the ball though. Bunting a major league pitch isn't as easy as it seems... especially when the hitter HAS TO bunt the ball or the runner is out at the plate.
If a team like the Indians had under Wedge can always be understood to do something at this time and in this particular situation, then the team is always predictable. Wedge teams were very predictable. It appears that Acta teams are not going to be predictable.... At. All.
I have been a staunch defender of Shaprio. I think this is pretty clear. HOWEVU, putting the likes of Hernandez, Nix, etc on this team when we're suppose to be rebuilding just pisses me off to no end.
And it's not an indictment on Hernandez (who has played pretty well to be honest) or Nix. They're journey men who will not help this team out in the long run. And it sucks or JRodriguez and Kipnis. JRod got demoted to make room for Valbuena and Kipnis will now see spot time. It's bullshit.
Let's also take note of the fact that Wedge almost rarely if never had two guys so inept at hitting as Nix and Hernandez, that you couldn't feel confident either would hit a fly ball deep enough to score the runner. The squeeze play was more of a reflection on how bad Nix and Hernandez are at swinging the bat than on who is or isn't a brilliant strategist.