Rain Delays Continue to Vex Girardi
Joe Girardi cannot manage around a rain delay. Less than a month into the season, that much is apparent.
Two weeks ago, Girardi made the unconventional (read: zany) decision, based on pregame weather reports, to scratch Ian Kennedy from a start in Kansas City and start Brian Bruney instead. Rather than waste Kennedy in the event his start was cut short by an extended rain delay or the game was cancelled, Girardi thought it made more sense to “save” Kennedy for after the delay and use him in relief. Of course, the anticipated rain delay never materialized, Girardi needlessly taxed his bullpen for five innings, and Kennedy only wound up pitching the final three innings. Luckily for Girardi, his silly managerial move was rendered moot by the Yankees’ impotent offense, which was shutout in a 4-0 loss.
Fast forward to tonight. Rain halts the game in the middle of the third inning with the Yanks up 3-0 on the White Sox and Phil Hughes in command. After a 50-minute rain delay, rather than send Hughes back to the mound for another two or three innings, Girardi yanks him and goes to the bullpen — even though there’s still another seven innings to go and the bullpen is already down an arm because of Bruney’s ankle injury! Unsurprisingly, the decision horribly backfired. Russ Ohlendorf got touched up for 5 runs in the fourth and was forced from the game after only two innings of relief, leaving Girardi to patch together the final five innings of a game the Yanks were now losing from a ragtag group of Mariano, Joba, Billy Traber, and the ever-dependable duo of LaTroy Hawkins and Kyle Farnsworth.
Notice across the diamond, Ozzie Guillen had no compunction about sending Gavin Floyd back out to answer the bell. Even David Cone was surprised not to see Hughes retake the mound. As Cone had told the audience on YES earlier, pitchers are generally fine after anything less than a 90-minute delay. Instead, the Yankees continue to baby their young pitchers and Girardi continues to struggle with how to manage around adverse weather conditions.
Not only did Girardi’s foolishly quick hook probably cost the Yankees tonight’s game, the emptying of the bullpen complicates the pitching situation for the upcoming four-game series in Cleveland. Ian Kennedy goes tomorrow and the Yanks figure to be in need of some well-rested relievers to give them innings. The most likely solution for the overworked bullpen is to place Bruney on the DL and recall either Jonathan Albaladejo or Scott Patterson.
In one month, Girardi has made two odd pitching decisions predicated upon unfounded weather-related concerns and one horrendous tactical decision to let Mike Mussina pitch to Manny Ramirez in a game-changing situation. All three moves backfired. Girardi needs to raise his game and start managing with common sense. He is capable of being an outstanding manager, but he has at times shown a disadvantageous inclination to overthink matters.
mlblogsggwp
I was pretty angry that Hughes couldn’t keep going to but Girardi did what was right. It’s not very smart to risk it with a young pitcher just for one game. It Hughes had got hurt that would of been a much bigger hit to the Yanks than losing this game. The bullpen is getting taxed though. I was pretty sure injuries would hit them sooner or later because they’ve been getting worn out since the start of the season.
As for Girardi’s managing, I think he’s not doing horrible. Everyone is quick to jump on him because this is his first year and everyone wants the Yanks to make it to the postseason with no problems. It’s only April. I’m sure Girardi will prove himself.
http://flairforthedramatic.mlblogs.com