I am sorry but Phil Garner totally blew that game. The double switch with Biggio to gain one spot in the order, in the 7th was STUPID. :crazy: A double switch is a great strategy, but in this case you took away one of your best offensive players, and gained one spot in the order :crazy: . The fact that he didn't do another double switch when he brought Lidge into the game was an even bigger bonehead :crazy: . He gets 7 pitches out of Lidge, his best pitcher out of the bullpen :angry: .
I know you want to get ahead of Drew, but if there was ever a time to pitch out, the first pitch was the time to do it. Everybody knew Furcal was running, that is his role. He is the best basestealer on the team, the last thing Atlanta wants to have the double play in order, and Drew is your best hitter. I was yelling PITCH OUT. I also agree with Joe Morgan. Once the count on Drew gets to 3-1, and firstbase is empty, WALK HIM :crazy: . Furcal is the only run that matters, so putting Drew on is irrelevant. You set up the DP again. BUT NOOOOO they pitch to Drew and he singles in Furcal.
Have to admit Berkman did a great job of hitting against Smoltz, but I knew without any doubt that Kent was going to hit into a game ending DP. He had already hit into one, and I figured Smoltz would throw him nothing but splitters. Threw him a fastball first pitch, but Kent doesn't take advantage, and then he gets a pitch belt high and he grounds into a DP. Personally I would have gone with a suicide squeeze. Scoring runs off Smoltz is hard, and with his splitter, the chance of popping up the bunt is greatly reduced, and you tie the score to play some more.
