Walking the bases loaded is almost never a good idea. A lot of managers do it on instinct with two outs, setting up a force at any base. But whatever advantage is gained with the force in play is lost with the lack of flexibility the pitcher has with the bases loaded. A 1-0 start to the next at-bat is a huge swing. A 2-0 start to the at-bat forces a fastball, and everyone knows what’s coming. It’s almost never a good idea.
Braves Vs. Marlins: Atlanta Survives Late Charge, Wins In Extras
Except ...
When there are runners on second and third, and a team has a one-run lead with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, if the option is to pitch to this ...
... or this ...
You have to walk the bases loaded. The Atlanta Braves chose not to on Wednesday night. The decision didn’t cost them the victory, as they beat the Florida Marlins in Miami in 10 innings, 3-2. But the decision did cost Derek Lowe the win, and he certainly deserved one after pitching 6-1/3 innings of no-hit ball.
Lowe’s sinker was working superbly, with the Marlins getting the ball in the air only three times against him. Lowe induced 13 ground-outs, walked two, and struck out five. He didn’t allow a hit until there was one out in the seventh, when Greg Dobbs hit an infield single that deflected off shortstop Alex Gonzalez. Gaby Sanchez followed with a single, and after two were out, John Buck walked to load the bases. Lowe was pulled for Eric O’Flaherty, who struck out the mighty Stanton.
The Braves jumped ahead early, with Brian McCann singling home Jordan Schafer in the first. An Alex Gonzalez RBI single in the fifth gave Atlanta a 2-0 lead, which held up until the ninth. There, with two outs and a 3-2 count, closer Craig Kimbrel walked Logan Morrison. Buck moved him to third with a double into the right-center gap.
And that’s when Fredi Gonzalez was faced with a Sophie’s Choice, except instead of trying to decide between two kids you love equally, it was like deciding between a kid you really liked and another one that was always hiding your car keys, taking money from your wallet while you slept, and flushing your pet hamsters down the toilet for fun. Sophie’s Choice II: It Gets Easier.
Except the Braves chose to face Stanton instead of Ozzie Martinez. And, of course, Stanton tied the game at 2-2. Sure, it was on an opposite-field grounder instead of a 500-foot home run, but it was just a wee bit predictable.
Lowe got the no-decision, and while Kimbrel got the blown save, he also recorded a win after the Braves went ahead in the top of the tenth. Chipper Jones walked with one out, and Brian McCann poked an infield single. Freddie Freeman drove a 2-2 pitch up the middle to bring home Jones for the deciding run.
Still: Walk Stanton next time, Braves. Or, actually, don’t. It’s fun to watch!
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