Terry Francona has decided to follow Grady's playbook, leaving pitchers in two, three and even four batter too long. A blind man could see that Okojima was gassed in the game against NY, that Schilling was all done at least one batter before Jeeter, and that Gagne was all done after the first walk he gave up tonight. He is no different from the much maligned Grady Little who left Pedro in one inning too long in 2003.

What is more frustrating is that most of the sportscasters are placing the blame on the pitchers. Tonight, Gagne got two men out in a row. After the hit and the walk, Francona should have walked out, shook his hand, thanked him for the two outs and then put in another reliever.

 

I think Jerry and Don were right in that they thought Gagne was left in as a test. Kind of his last chance to see if he can play with the big boys in the late innings. He failed misserably if that's the case (just like every game he's pitched for the sox)

 

You guys talking about "Give it away Gagne"?
He has not come to terms with his position yet. As a pro that should not be an issue. Every pitch is important and yes he should have been pulled way before he tied the game with a walk. jeez.

 

Gagne is the best pick-up the Yanks didn't get.

 

You guys are just like the sports media around here. Why blame Gagne? The problem is with Terry Francona. Gagne got out two batters and then he was done. A blind man could see that, but Terry was too busy eating peanuts and spitting the shells to get him out of there.

 

I guess I have a different view of baseball. I think the Manager's job is to know who to put in the game and when.

 

On WEEI this afternoon, Francona intimated that he left Gagne in on purpose to see how he'd handle the situation. If that's the case, he might be right in finding something like this out before selecting the post-season roster.

 

Find out about Gagne by letting him face 5 batters in a row unsuccesfully? I think I had it figured out after the first walk. Certainly no later than when bases were loaded.

Let's weigh this against what is at stake. First place in the division = easier schedule in playoffs as compared to wild card. Best record in the AL= choice of the two schedules. Francona is playuing for very important positions with very few games left to go. A losing streak in the last two weeks of the regular season is a very bad way to start the post season. Francona risks all this to find out what we all knew when men were on first and second. He is going to "buddy-buddy" his way right out of first place.

 

And I only thought we had a shot at wild card. Hmm where's that sox hat I think I need to burn one on the Mohawk drive.

 

Tonight the whole team looks aweful. Swept in Toronto!!! And the Yankees win!!!!