One play does not make a game. That I understand. We could banter all night about how the Tribe failed to take advantage of the Twins' defensive miscues of the 6th and 7th. It is true; I admit it. The boys should have had more runs on the board. Still, Acta ostensibly paces the dugout while he actually straddles the fence. "Should I pull him or should I not? I just do not know." Personally, I would have yanked Justin Masterson (7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 4 K) after Jim Thome's at-bat. The key is not just to throw your starter until he is absolutely exhausted, it is giving your team the best opportunity for success during every single circumstance of the game. Obviously, Bat had lost his good stuff, his command at the very least. If you leave him in to get that second out, you certainly make the move with Nishioka coming up.
I have often said that managers only have a pronounced effect on game outcome during the post-season. Good managers get wins and poor managers take losses. Manny Acta has caused me to drastically reconsider my position. The Indians hang around in nearly every contest. Therefore, the regrettable non-calls of a man who seems more committed to his fashion eye-wear than to fasioning victories have an exaggerated effect. How does any sane human being take the bunt off of Jason Kipnis with runners on first and second, nobody out in the 6th, in a 1-0 game? How do you not put those two runners in scoring position for your best fucking hitter? Acta will come out after the game and drop his usual line of bullshit about how all decisions can be second guessed and how the team had other opportunities to win the game. You know what, shithead? Your job is to give them more chances to win, not take them away. Your job is to understand each situation and act accordingly. I am not second guessing. If I sit idly by, wait for Manny to do what he will and then chastise him if it does not work, that is second guessing. Even if Masterson (9-7, 2.69) had gutted his way through the 8th, the success would have been in spite of Acta, not because of him. I call the guy out in real time because he is, incontrovertibly, a fucking idiot.
Thank god for Carlos Santana (.375, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 4 2B, 4 multi-hit games in his last 8) and a little bit of luck.
Here's to a lot more of both.
Cheers.
