Question about today's game

[Runnys]

I didn't read through the game thread so this question may have been addressed. However, Marlon Byrd leads off the 8th with a double with the Cubs down 1 run...now, Fontenot is up to bat and swings away and ends up popping out to SS. Why the fuck didn't he bunt there? I was pissed watching because it would have put the tying run on 3rd with only 1 out. Why not bunt there? I don't care how hot Fontenot has been, you have to bunt there...don't you?

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=93376:date=Apr 28 2010, 04:00 PM:name=Runnys)-->QUOTE (Runnys @ Apr 28 2010, 04:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I didn't read through the game thread so this question may have been addressed. However, Marlon Byrd leads off the 8th with a double with the Cubs down 1 run...now, Fontenot is up to bat and swings away and ends up popping out to SS. Why the fuck didn't he bunt there? I was pissed watching because it would have put the tying run on 3rd with only 1 out. Why not bunt there? I don't care how hot Fontenot has been, you have to bunt there...don't you?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm usually not crazy about the bunt, but I was pretty surprised Lou didn't call for it in that situation.

[Giff]

<!--quoteo(post=93377:date=Apr 28 2010, 04:02 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Apr 28 2010, 04:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93376:date=Apr 28 2010, 04:00 PM:name=Runnys)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Runnys @ Apr 28 2010, 04:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I didn't read through the game thread so this question may have been addressed. However, Marlon Byrd leads off the 8th with a double with the Cubs down 1 run...now, Fontenot is up to bat and swings away and ends up popping out to SS. Why the fuck didn't he bunt there? I was pissed watching because it would have put the tying run on 3rd with only 1 out. Why not bunt there? I don't care how hot Fontenot has been, you have to bunt there...don't you?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm usually not crazy about the bunt, but I was pretty surprised Lou didn't call for it in that situation.
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A reporter asked Lou about it and he got pretty pissed. He wanted Fontenot (who had 2 hits already), to do whatever he could to pull the ball and move Byrd over. That way he's got a chance to get on base instead of just giving up the out for nothing.

I don't have a problem with either one, but if Fontenot is swinging away, he HAS to hit that ball the right side. No excuses.

[Destined]

Byrd scores on a single more than likely anyways, so I don't think a bunt is a make or break. It's the directional hitting of Fontenot is more important, like you guys said.

[jstraw]

<!--quoteo(post=93380:date=Apr 28 2010, 04:14 PM:name=Destined)-->QUOTE (Destined @ Apr 28 2010, 04:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Byrd scores on a single more than likely anyways, so I think a bunt is a make or break. It's the directional hitting of Fontenot is more important, like you guys said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I'd let Font hit in that situation. He came up short but I agree with Lou. Font had a mess of ways to move Byrd over, including ways that score him and ways that get Font on base too. I think if Font's swinging a cold bat or if the runner on second is a less heads-up baserunner, I have him bunt.

[Runnys]

He was facing one of the best relievers so far this season though...he wasn't facing some scrub...Clippard has been outstanding this year. IMO you play for the tie there, it was a bad call by Lou to let him swing away.

[dk123]

Speaking of today's game, why do the Cubs always fail against these AAA call-up pitchers? The guy today seemed to have pretty good stuff, and I know that seeing someone for the first time can be hard, but still....

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=93390:date=Apr 28 2010, 04:23 PM:name=dk123)-->QUOTE (dk123 @ Apr 28 2010, 04:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Speaking of today's game, why do the Cubs always fail against these AAA call-up pitchers? The guy today seemed to have pretty good stuff, and I know that seeing someone for the first time can be hard, but still....<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The Casey Daigle Syndrome.

[leonardsipes]

I would have had more faith, that Fontenot would at least get the runner over, then Tracy getting the runner in from 3rd. I don't think you can afford to take the bat out of Font's hands. Nady and Tracy are not doing that well.

[Butcher]

Was Soriano not available to pinch hit? He's been one of our better hitters lately.

[Fella]

<!--quoteo(post=93399:date=Apr 28 2010, 03:40 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Apr 28 2010, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Was Soriano not available to pinch hit? He's been one of our better hitters lately.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This was the part that really pissed me off. Soto was available, who has been arguably our best hitter, Soriano was available who has been swinging the bat well, both are everyday players, and instead Chad Tracy trots up there with a bat? what the FUCK?! I knew right then the inning was over.

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=93402:date=Apr 28 2010, 04:45 PM:name=Fella)-->QUOTE (Fella @ Apr 28 2010, 04:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93399:date=Apr 28 2010, 03:40 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Apr 28 2010, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Was Soriano not available to pinch hit? He's been one of our better hitters lately.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This was the part that really pissed me off. Soto was available, who has been arguable our best hitter, Soriano was available who has been swinging the bat well, both are everyday players, and instead Chad Tracy trots up there with a bat? what the FUCK?! I knew right then the inning was over.
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Damn. I forgot about Soto, too. So, Lou used Tracy *and* Nady in the game when Soto and Soriano were both available to pinch hit?

Man...today's game sucked in so many ways.

[Destined]

<!--quoteo(post=93384:date=Apr 28 2010, 02:20 PM:name=jstraw)-->QUOTE (jstraw @ Apr 28 2010, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93380:date=Apr 28 2010, 04:14 PM:name=Destined)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Destined @ Apr 28 2010, 04:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Byrd scores on a single more than likely anyways, so I <b>don't</b> think a bunt is a make or break. It's the directional hitting of Fontenot is more important, like you guys said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I'd let Font hit in that situation. He came up short but I agree with Lou. Font had a mess of ways to move Byrd over, including ways that score him and ways that get Font on base too. I think if Font's swinging a cold bat or if the runner on second is a less heads-up baserunner, I have him bunt.
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Exactly. I fucked up when I was typing. Fixed now.

[Fella]

<!--quoteo(post=93404:date=Apr 28 2010, 03:46 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Apr 28 2010, 03:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93402:date=Apr 28 2010, 04:45 PM:name=Fella)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Fella @ Apr 28 2010, 04:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93399:date=Apr 28 2010, 03:40 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Apr 28 2010, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Was Soriano not available to pinch hit? He's been one of our better hitters lately.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This was the part that really pissed me off. Soto was available, who has been arguable our best hitter, Soriano was available who has been swinging the bat well, both are everyday players, and instead Chad Tracy trots up there with a bat? what the FUCK?! I knew right then the inning was over.
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Damn. I forgot about Soto, too. So, Lou used Tracy *and* Nady in the game when Soto and Soriano were both available to pinch hit?

Man...today's game sucked in so many ways.
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Not to mention that Soto had to come in the game anyway with Hill out. So using Nady in that spot just wasted him. If you use Soto in either spot, you save a guy and have a better hitter up. Made too much sense I guess. With Nady you can't even argue the handedness.

[Destined]

<!--quoteo(post=93402:date=Apr 28 2010, 02:45 PM:name=Fella)-->QUOTE (Fella @ Apr 28 2010, 02:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93399:date=Apr 28 2010, 03:40 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Apr 28 2010, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Was Soriano not available to pinch hit? He's been one of our better hitters lately.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This was the part that really pissed me off. Soto was available, who has been arguably our best hitter, Soriano was available who has been swinging the bat well, both are everyday players, and instead Chad Tracy trots up there with a bat? what the FUCK?! I knew right then the inning was over.
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I would have used Soto too. This whole notion of it being a "gamble" to use your catcher on the bench to pinch hit is really irritating, especially the way Soto is swinging the bat and being selective at the plate.