Soapbox time. I hate when managers walk the bases loaded. Hate it, hate it, hate it. With the bases loaded, a 1-0 count becomes a get-it-in count ... except you can’t just throw a meatball to get it in. So then it becomes a 2-0 counts and, oh boy, you can’t throw a ball here, but you also just can’t toss something right down the middle.
Diamondbacks vs. Brewers: Paul Goldschmidt Grand Slam Blows Game Open
Here are the splits for the National League with runners on second and third, and the bases loaded.
| Split | AB | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -23 | 1585 | .242 | .395 | .379 | .773 |
| 123 | 2009 | .268 | .309 | .414 | .724 |
You’re supposed to tease the hitter with first base open, dang it. Dig that OBP with runners at second and third. Put it where they can’t do much with it, but let them try. And if you walk them, well, you just did what you were going to do in the first place.
An intentional walk is lazy. And when you have a control pitcher like Shaun Marcum on the mound, who lives off change-ups out of the zone, it’s criminal to intentionally walk the bases loaded.
Which is all to say, Ron Roenicke walked Miguel Montero with the bases loaded to get to rookie Paul Goldschmidt, who then hit a grand slam to break the game wide open. The Diamondbacks took a 7-1 lead on the slam, and a Ryan Roberts single extended the lead to 8-1.
Also of note: Paul Goldschmidt is a hacking rookie with super-human strength. You don’t put yourself in a position where you have to throw a strike. Cripes.
Also also of note: I think Marcum knew it was a home run.
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