Is it just me or is it a really bad idea to bring in a pitcher at the top of an inning.

Granted, my team downright stinks. We make Cleveland of old look like the Yankees of today...

But still... when I bring a closer in I expect him to, well, close. Billy Koch is not a bad pitcher. And yet, whenever I bring him in in the top of the ninth he gets shelled (1-10 for me). But it isn't just him. The same thing has happened with Alfonseca and with Crabtree.

This has been happening through out the season, but my record keeps my from expressing displeasure. That, and the fact I love the PB.

Anyway, today it happened twice again, and this time it really irritated because my 31-109 Hurricane were playing the 101-39 Tarpons and I really believe I should have taken 2. In one game I scratch and claw and hit and run and squeeze a run in to make the game 7-7 in the 8th. We go into the tenth and decide to bring in Koch as my other pitcher (Cordero) is tiring.

Fresh inning, no one onbase, and Koch surrenders a single, a walk, and a walk and loads the bases. Alfonseca then surrender a grad slam, I lose 11-7.

Skip ahead two games and again, we are tied 2-2 in the top of the ninth. I again bring in a new pitcher at the top of the inning (Crabtree). This time he surrenders two hits and walk loading the bases again with none out. I end up losing 5-2.

So please, is it just me who suffers the late "top of the inning" explosion? Or are there others who share my pain?

I dread to think what Koch will be like next year if he is 1-10 this year.

RobG
W9 - Port Huron
We'll get'm next year!