Differences in the game last night.....

[thekimmer]

This is just for discussion not intended to play the blame game.

First of all both teams had 9 hits so it was a pretty even game in the hitting dept especially since at least three of their hits were of the seeing eye variety.

The differences were two things. 1) Free passes. 2) Critical game decisions.

We surrendered 6 walks and 2 HBP. They gave up 2 BB and 1 HBP. Of the six runs surrendered, two reached base via the free pass. Every one of our three runs were scored the hard way. No freebies involved.

On critical game decisions the key one, made in the heat of battle mind you, led to 4 runs. The tap back to first with the infield in was just what the doctor ordered. Our guy just made the incorrect play. It happens.
We also left another run on the table by holding allen to a double on a ball that skipped past the CF with him laying on the turf. I've heard the argument as to why we held him up but I submit that under the circumstances it was well worth letting him run and it ultimately cost us a run. It was far less risky than MacNamee tagging up and taking second on a deep fly ball in the sixth which, I might add, we would not have scored our first run if he hadn't done so.

Again, stuff happens but that is potentially a five run differential just on game decisions alone much less the two free passes that crossed the plate.

 

[bruiser.sixpack]

Nah....that’s not it.

 

[Hump4Hoops]

I can sum it up even more succinctly.

1 bad inning. 1 particularly bad inning, really.

However, against a team like Vandy, that's all it takes. We played 8 really great innings of baseball. To beat them, you have to play 9, because they will.

 

[HomeBoyDawg]

I tend to agree with you particularly on the bases loaded hit to first base. If we cut down the run at the plate, it changes everything. The bases are loaded and our pitcher doesn't have to worry about the runner at first so he likely pitches differently. Of course, the result could have been a grand slam or an even worse inning than it was. However, in all likelihood the inning would not have been as bad and we may have escaped without Vandy scoring a run.

 

[60sdog]

This is just for discussion not intended to play the blame game.



First of all both teams had 9 hits so it was a pretty even game in the hitting dept especially since at least three of their hits were of the seeing eye variety.

The differences were two things. 1) Free passes. 2) Critical game decisions.

We surrendered 6 walks and 2 HBP. They gave up 2 BB and 1 HBP. Of the six runs surrendered, two reached base via the free pass. Every one of our three runs were scored the hard way. No freebies involved.

On critical game decisions the key one, made in the heat of battle mind you, led to 4 runs. The tap back to first with the infield in was just what the doctor ordered. Our guy just made the incorrect play. It happens.
We also left another run on the table by holding allen to a double on a ball that skipped past the CF with him laying on the turf. I've heard the argument as to why we held him up but I submit that under the circumstances it was well worth letting him run and it ultimately cost us a run. It was far less risky than MacNamee tagging up and taking second on a deep fly ball in the sixth which, I might add, we would not have scored our first run if he hadn't done so.

Again, stuff happens but that is potentially a five run differential just on game decisions alone much less the two free passes that crossed the plate.

I ‘ll sum it up also. Most of the walks, and all of the key walks when it counted, were ump-walks (against Louisville).

 

[Hankp22]

Give them credit for this...

They didn't have many swings and misses. Our pitchers get a ton of Ks and Louisville put the ball in play all night. I know the umpire didn't do us any favors in a few of those instances. But even then, our K total fell much shorter than our season average.

You have to give them credit for putting the ball in play and putting the pressure on us. I thought it was a fun baseball game and Louisville battled. They made the last big play.