True... ...just that outside of the walk and the 2 run hit, Qualls got the ground balls he wanted..so he shouldn't be the main culprit for that horrible inning. This feels like the Oakland series.
He's inconsistent... and he has talent... and that, by nature, SUCKS when he wastes it by being inconsistent.
wow what a frustrating inning. i'd rather them hit 5 homers in a row then watch them get **** hit after **** hit. that totally homer call on the check-swing didn't help either. he clearly went around.
And not pulling a reliever after he's already given up three runs and has absolutely nothing is. On the other hand, IMO having good instincts is actually an important quality to posses as a manager. Also, anybody they brought in couldn't have done that much worse than what Qualls did.
I cant believe this. now the astros look defeated, I sure hope they find some fire and come back get this game. milwaukee already won tonite.
Fair enough. Perhaps the best regular lineup is to play Everett and bench Luke, with Berkman in right. Although, imo, Luke is quite a bit better on offense than Everett.
That's the most frustrating part. I remember when he was pretty much unhittable in the 05 playoffs before the world series. But now he caves into the pressure just like Wheeler and Lidge does. Don't get me wrong I'm sure being a reliever or closer in tight spot like that is difficult as hell. I just wish we had one guy we could depend on not to completely blow up every other time he enters a game.
So, Garner should have known well beforehand that Qualls would give up countless soft ground balls that normally should be fielded, if the hops go the right way.... and he should have known that the less talented pitchers in his bullpen (the Brian Mohlers, the Dave Borkowskis, the Trever Millers, and the Dan Wheelers) would have fared better. Qualls needs to man up and DO HIS JOB... despite the tough luck.
So now, the team can't rely on Lidge, Wheeler OR Qualls? Who do you want pitching these innings? Borkowski? You got him!
Are you watching the game? He gives up a DP grounder that Everett would have made and the guy is safe on a close play at first. He gives up a chopper through the infield. He gives up a high chopper that lands in an unplayable spot. Many relievers could have done worse - double, HR, etc. The only thing Qualls could have done better was to strike everyone out.
With better fielding and help from the umps, the inning would have been over a lot sooner. It's not like he was hangin' his pitches or anythign, giving up long balls or extra base hits. They were cheap singles.
