Did Dusty blow it last night

[rsmoler]

Once Lofton stole second last night, did anybody else think Dusty should have had Ohman walk Drew and let Williamson pitch to Kent. Drew is a very tough hitter in big spots and Kent has a concussion. Besides that, Ohman has been shaky in his last few outings while Williamson has been outstanding. Williamson certainly could have gotten one out in the ninth and pitched the 10th if necessary.

[rocket]

I personally thought that Dempster should have started the 9th. He's our best reliever, so he should have faced the top of the order in the 9th, that's when we needed our best reliever.

[CubmanPi]

I think I want to give Dusty the benefit of the doubt here. Ohman didn't have too much trouble getting the first two outs of the inning, and with the lefty-lefty matchup, it's hard to bail midway through the AB and take your chances with another at least equally threatening bat in the lineup. Granted, Ohman's ERA is like ten thousand, but it's a small enough sample size that the first two outs of the inning should also count for something.

[moorecg]

I personally think Drew should have been walked BOTH times he hurt us. When he drove in the first run and when he drove in the winning run. Kent hadn't looked good and I think we could have got him out a lot easier.

[bhogg]

If dusty takes a crap and uses only 3 squares to wipe his rear end, will we complain that it should have taken only 2 squares?

[Fred Hornkohl]

I've been a fan of Ohman's since he came up the first time. Can't relly tell you why.... I just like the guy for some reason. My first reaction when he came into the game last night was that this could be a real boost to his confidence, being put in with the game on the line like this. Oh well..... the silver lining in all of this..... he actually lowered his ERA with this appearance.

[Andy]

The only way Ohman should be pitching in the 9th inning of a tight game is if it is in Triple A, lefty/lefty be damned.

[srbin84]

I was mad Williamson wasn't in for the 9th. That being said, Ohman looked pretty good, Lofton just beat us with his speed once he got on.

[soccer10k]

I think I want to give Dusty the benefit of the doubt here. Ohman didn't have too much trouble getting the first two outs of the inning, and with the lefty-lefty matchup, it's hard to bail midway through the AB and take your chances with another at least equally threatening bat in the lineup. Granted, Ohman's ERA is like ten thousand, but it's a small enough sample size that the first two outs of the inning should also count for something.

 

It's a lose-lose situation for Dusty. If you walk Drew and bring in Williamson to face Kent and Williamson gives up a game winning hit, then Dusty is criticized for not just pitching to Drew. He stuck with a lefty-lefty match up, which is a good idea, and got burned. It was unfortunate that it cost us the game.

[CubsWin]

Knowing that Ohman didn't get Drew out, it is easy to consider that Dusty should have done otherwise, but the lefty/lefty match-up and the dominant manner in which Ohman got out the first two batters was good enough for me. Drew's hit down the right field line kicked up some chalk I understand so it just as easily could have gone foul and he strikesout on the next pitch. That's baseball.

[rocket]

I wish Dempster was brought in the 9th, but it didn't really matter, there's no way the Cubs were gonna score again that game anyways.

[soccer10k]

I wish Dempster was brought in the 9th, but it didn't really matter, there's no way the Cubs were gonna score again that game anyways.

 

They did look pretty pathetic in the top of the ninth.

[badger1679666666]

I wish Dempster was brought in the 9th, but it didn't really matter, there's no way the Cubs were gonna score again that game anyways.

 

They did look pretty pathetic in the top of the ninth.

 

they looked bad the whole game, particularly Ramirez in that clutch situation.

[soccer10k]

I wish Dempster was brought in the 9th, but it didn't really matter, there's no way the Cubs were gonna score again that game anyways.

 

They did look pretty pathetic in the top of the ninth.

 

they looked bad the whole game, particularly Ramirez in that clutch situation.

 

I only got off work in time to watch from the bottom of the eighth on.

[Irrelevant Dude]

I personally thought that Dempster should have started the 9th. He's our best reliever, so he should have faced the top of the order in the 9th, that's when we needed our best reliever.

I would agree if Dempster hadn't been used so often already. I'm tired of Dusty bringing him into games with a 4 run lead. I'd much rather see him use those innings in a tie game.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I can't blame Dusty for going to Ohman, although Dempster should've been the guy ready to come in instead of Williamson.

 

Not walking Drew, and especially pinch running with Bynum on the other hand, were moves that upset me.

[Cubfanintheknow]

It's pretty rare to see a closer pitching the ninth inning of a tie game when they're on the road. Managers usually save their closer for when they have a lead to close the game in the bottom half of the inning.

 

If Dempster had pitched the ninth and any other reliever blows the game in the tenth, some people would be wondering by Dusty used his closer so early.

[soccer10k]

I definately wouldn't have brought in Dempster in that situation. I think leaving Ohman in was the right move for Dusty.

[A New Era]

If dusty takes a crap and uses only 3 squares to wipe his rear end, will we complain that it should have taken only 2 squares?

 

Dude, you seriously only use 3 squares? I yank that **** out and use like 50 squares for extra finger protection room. I ain't getting any of that crap on my fingers!!

[BigbadB]

I can't blame Dusty for going to Ohman, although Dempster should've been the guy ready to come in instead of Williamson.

 

Not walking Drew, and especially pinch running with Bynum on the other hand, were moves that upset me.

 

Why were you upset that he went with Bynum as the pinch runner? Jones is coming off a leg injury. Bynum also ended up scoring. I thought it was a good call, and not just because it worked out.

 

I'm not going to crucify Dusty for sticking with Ohman there. I agree it's damned if you do, damned if you don't.

 

I really haven't had much to be upset with Dusty about so far this season. I think he's been managing this team pretty good, so far.

[dalgreen]

Every single manager (of a road team) in baseball would save their closer for the possible save situation in the bottom of extra innings. If you're a home team, managers generally have their closers come in in the top of the ninth.

 

Also, why did Dusty blow it last night? Had Ramirez hit a two-run double or three-run homer, would we be second-guessing? Let's just get this rubber game and head to St. Louis.

[SouthSideRyan]

I think Ohman was the right call. Dempster's been overused enough, and other than Eyre, I'm not positive I'd rather have anyone in the pen used against Drew.

[rocket]

Every single manager (of a road team) in baseball would save their closer for the possible save situation in the bottom of extra innings. If you're a home team, managers generally have their closers come in in the top of the ninth.

 

Also, why did Dusty blow it last night? Had Ramirez hit a two-run double or three-run homer, would we be second-guessing? Let's just get this rubber game and head to St. Louis.

 

Like I said, I don't think Dusty really blew it. I'd prefer Dempster be out there, but there's other ways. The complete lack of offense is why the Cubs lost.

[srbin84]

Why not Williamson???

[pete the dog]

Ohman blew it by not being aggressive enough. He had Lofton 0-2 and nibbled. Then Lofton fouls off a few pitches and gets the walk. Knowing Lofton's speed along with the fact that Drew is coming up next, there is no way you should walk Lofton. He absolutely has to earn his base there.

 

Dusty did not blow that. Ohman blew it. Again.