from Ausmus' angle, it would be tough to know that vizcaino touched the bag. THe only way he would have is if he landed on it. Still, it's a rather unfortunate way to let in the (currently) winning run.
No arguments can be made on that run-scoring play... that's just what the rules are, even though it doesn't seem like its right (even the home plate umpire was fooled). Its just bad luck that the play happened in the worst possible sequence if you're an Astros fan. Of course, it was Dotel's fault we were in that situation to begin with. I'm still befuddled by this performance by Ocatvio... he's fresh, he's had good stuff ever since that first week, and he seemed to show no pressure on 'tougher' saves IN Atlanta (twice) and Colorado. Now, he pulls this sort of choke job... maybe he doesn't have it mentally.
Two insane plays in different games that close together...man. Can't blame him...Pierre is lightning quick coming towards him. Ausmus had no real way of knowing if Viz touched the bag, and he was thinking double play. At least he guns down the runner at 3rd here... Time for the bats to go to work. .... and time to wait to hear the moans of how we miss Wagner.
I dont think we should expect Dotel to be perfect mentally. These baseball players are not machines that go out and play baseball. Dotel might have had a bad day, or maybe he slept on his arm wrong last night, anything can happen. Lets just hope we can come back in the bottom of the ninth.
Man, if we lose I am so going to have to play some Battle Field Vietnam. I am so pissed right now. First the Fakers...now the Dotel.
Bases loaded, nobody out for the Marlins. Its a ground ball to 3rd that Viz reaches up for on a bounce, and lands on 3B... thereby making it so that the runner going home must be TAGGED, not forced. Ausmus forced him (unaware of the call at third), and threw to 1st (where the guy was safe). The home plate umpire, unaware of the out at 3rd, called the runner at home out... but the 3rd base umpire corrected him, as Viz did step on the base before he threw home. Same thing happens in the unconventional 3-4-6 double-play, where the runner going to second base must be tagged.
He felt fine... as he was able to get it together later in the inning. When his control is THAT off... its purely mental. and the fact that he supposedly had gotten over these jitters after the 1st week, and now they've "re-appeared" has me more worried than say if the Marlins just got some hits against him w/ his good stuff. Hits sometimes do happen... what happened to Dotel was more along the lines of what's happened to Rick Ankiel and Mark Wohler's in the past. Sometimes, you just lose it mentally... and Dotel most definitely did that.
Thanks for the update. I was like what happened? But if the ump screwed it up too I can't really blame ausmus for that one. Although it does sound boneheaded by Brad.
I know everyone's upset now, but don't forget that Lidge blew a save a couple of days ago in Atlanta that caused us to lose a game.
This one hurts...................... In the end, our bats and closer failed. Hard to win when that happens. Thats why the Marlins are champions and we are still fighting to prove we are worthy.
That is true... but I'm not worried about Lidge's mental game as much as I am Dotel's. When Lidge gets beat, its because he makes a bad pitch... which as I said before, happens. The last three years, as Dotel has been awesome in his role, the ONLY times he's truly gotten beat is when he starts walking guys, and magically losing command of the strike zone. It comes and goes for Dotel... when he's on, I'll take his stuff over anybody else out there. Problem is, the Astros can't afford to have Dotel magically lose his head throughout the course of the season, especially in these games which we fight so hard to win.
not enough, he goes down swining... and we've lost DAMN what a horrible end to a game. Two in a row now that we've lost, hopefully Oswalt can right the ship.
Not a good sports night. Lakers pull off the win and the Astros pull off the loss. I am going to bed. Maybe they will change the rulings when I wake up in the morning.
Chill out, guys. That was Dotel's first blown save. He's not going to be perfect. Wait till it becomes a habit before we start calling for his closer job.
