Sunday, April 18, 2004

 

Now On Deck....Forever....

Funny thing happened at the old ballyard today. Bottom of the ninth inning, Bonds on deck, Giants trailing in a close game. And the guy batting in front him (which was Grissom today) makes the final out, leaving the best hitter on the planet in the on-deck circle.

Again.

That's twice in two days, and at LEAST four times this year. That's four losses this year where Barry could have made a difference, but he never got to the plate. Four plate appearances Barry didn't get because Felipe Alou doesn't seem to understand that the further down the order you put someone, the less he can help your offense.

Alou's refusal to bat Bonds third (or higher) in the lineup has definitely cost the Giants at least one win, at Bonds four plate appearances. Given Bonds' current numbers, that's two or three baserunners he's denied himself.

Considering that the ONLY significant offense the Giants have is coming from Durham, Grissom, and Bonds, wouldn't you want to get them as many at-bats as possible?

Being swept by the Dodgers, at home, losing each game by one run, and TWICE with Bonds left in the on-deck circle, demands a review of the situation.

It doesn't matter that Bonds went 4-for-4 today with two homers and 5 RBI. The Giants lost anyway, maybe because Bonds couldn't get that fifth at-bat. The Giants could have overcome a horrid performance by Brett "Bombko," but they denied themselves the chance. Again.

The mark of a good manager is making the most of what you've got. Alou has crap to work with--and he's not getting the most from it, by any stretch.

Jefferson 8:51 PM

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