Hey wait, that was the pitcher!
Posted by Raphy on January 30, 2008
Yesterday Andy focused on bases-loaded walks. I'd like to focus on the most demoralizing type of bases -loaded walk, the two out walk to the opposing pitcher. Just when you think you're out of the jam, not only have you replaced an easy out with a run, you have also brought up the top of the order. Recently this is has become an uncommon event, but it seemed happen about 3-10 times a year before 2006. Let's take a look at the last 5 years.
On May 12 the Kyle Lohse was pitching for the Reds against the Dodgers. With 2 outs in the bottom of the 4th, there were runners on second and third . Lohse intentionally walked the eighth hitter, rookie Andy LaRoche (Lohse to Laroche must of been quite a mouthful for the announcers) to bring up pitcher Brad Penny. The results were disastrous. Penny walked on five pitches and the next 3 hitters all singled. Cincinnati was down 6-1 and lost 7-3.
On May 3 with two outs in the fourth and the bases loaded, Miguel Batista walked Greg Maddux on four pitches . Batista, who had a 4-0 lead prior to that at-bat, would retire Juan Pierre to end the threat. It was the only run he allowed on the day.
In 2005 it happened 5 times . In 3 of the games, the pitcher was able to minimize the damage,by retiring the next batter. In the other 2, the results were more disastrous.
In 2004 it happened 7 times. The subsequent hitter was retired in 4 out those seven games.
In 2003 it happened it happened 8 times. The subsequent hitter was retired in 5 out those eight games.
Many times, the walk was indicative of a larger problem. The pitcher was pitching poorly enough to load the bases, poorly enough to walk the pitcher and often he had already allowed runs in that inning. Given the circumstances, retiring the next batter a little more than half the time, doesn't seem all that bad.