Lots of Pickles

Big props out to Ian Snell for his stellar performance last night. Just what the Bucs needed, a way to get to our closer without involving any of the crap bullpen pitchers not named Capps, Marte or Torres. But the Pirates' incompetence on the bases overshadowed Snell's great outing. I didn't get to see Sanchez get gunned down at home in the first, so I won't offer judgment there. But let's talk about the bottom of the sixth. Xavier Nady busts out of a 1-13 slide with a homer to center. LaRoche follows up with an opposite field double, Paulino does the same. Now, Dejan Kovacevic was very critical of LaRoche for not scoring here. But if you saw the game and knew the situation (nobody out) you know that LaRoche was correct in staying close to tag out. If Ethier catches it, which he damn well looked like he was going to, Adam is on third with one out. Unfortunately, he was too slow afoot to score from second, but, second and third with none out. I'll take it.

Now all I'm thinking out of Jack is, go the other way, just like Paulino did. Nope. A piss-weak grounder right at second base. Of course, with Paulino having a lead, he was hung out to dry. Pat at WHYGAVS was furious at Ronny for this. I'm not, honestly. It was just an unfortunate place for Wilson to hit the ball in that situation. This is supposed to be Tracy's "2 hitter" who can place the ball wherever it needs to be placed, supposedly. Paulino and LaRoche did a good enough job running around like asses that only an out was made and runners were still at second and third.

Here is the major mistake. Snell's up, one out. First pitch, Dodgers expecting the squeeze, it's way outside. No go. Second pitch, Dodgers STILL expecting the squeeze (why wouldn't they be) Tracy stupidly takes the bait. Pitch is way outside, the slow-footed catcher is hung out to dry between third and home, and is easily tagged out. Runner at third, two outs, pitcher at bat. Inning essentially over, and officially over when Snell cheeses a few pitches later. Good decision Jim. Let's run the suicide squeeze with one of the slowest players on the team when the opposition clearly sees it coming. Pure genious. Not.