http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/07/blake-dewitt-carlos-pena-and-kosuke-fukudome-come-up-big-for-cubs/ Baseball. Baseball. And then a bit more baseball. Mon, 20 May 2013 00:44:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/07/blake-dewitt-carlos-pena-and-kosuke-fukudome-come-up-big-for-cubs/comment-page-1/#comment-135911 Sun, 08 May 2011 15:50:19 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=55826#comment-135911 A game like this shows the problem with managers thinking their closer has to pitch the ninth inning to protect a small lead. BA was only at 95 pitches when he was taken out and his replacement Ondrusek struck out their two best hitters on 11 pitches. So Dusty brings in Cordero for the ninth and even after the HR and the 400 ft double (that Stubbs should have caught) he had to leave him in. Any other reliever in any other inning the manager would have pulled the pitcher figuring he doesn’t have it today. But managers know they will be second guessed if they pull their closer and the next guy gives up the game winning hit so they stick with the closer and avoid having to explain their moves.

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