What's Garner to do? He's most likely gonna have to use the whole damn bullpen this game since Sampson started. Would you rather he go to Wheeler, Qualls, Lidge and Nieve (who's in now) first and save Wandy and Borkowski and Miller for the late innings? It was doubtful the team would shut out the Phillies anyways, if they can get out of the inning giving up only 2 runs that would be a victory I'd say. A one-run lead shouldn't be impossible to overcome.
I would have left Sampson in. I dont care what he did....no reason to put in Wandy in a crucial game. Oh yea....and Jason Lane.
Just turned on the game an inning ago. Does anyone have any reason why we CONTINUE TO START JASON LANE?????
Good ol Pat Burrel, that guy will always come in the clutch for us. There's a reason why everyone in Philly hates the guy.
Keep it close Nieve... keep it close. At least Garner is scratching these itches earlier... at a point where the game is still winnable. I honestly think he prefers to manage in games like this, rather than the conventional ones. In 2004, three out of every five games seemed to be like this (ie - every game not started by Clemens or Oswalt). Munro, Carlos Hernandez, and Backe would rarely get to 5, if not 6... and then it was time for patchwork. I also think it keeps the batters more focused... they see Wandy coming in, and it really gets their juices flowing... to the point that they're concentrating much more in their AB's as opposed to when Clemens is mowing them down. God, I hope this is all true... Cards fans are imploding right now.
Wandy proved again and again he is trash. Why not give Sampson more time? Why not call up McLemore if you need one more reliever?
We're still in this game...the last series (and the last two years!) should have told us to have a little patience in the fellas. Let's pull this out!
I wasn't watching when Sampson got pulled but I'd have to believe, in a late season, pressure cooker game with the postseason on the line, Garner was probably keeping him and anyone not named Clemens, Oswalt and Pettite on a short leash. Hopefully, he doesn't even have the option of going to Wandy next year. And look at that...Lane tied it. All is well again.
Jason Lane fits right in with the rest of the Astros... doesn't do anything big till it matters. (see game 6) God, the Phillies are such an annoying club... then again, I'm sure we gave other teams that same impression in 04 and 05.
