I just finished listening to the A's/Brewers game and can't figure out something that happened in the ninth inning. A's up by 2 runs and Milwaukee gets a runner on first - Richie Sexson - in the ninth. During the next at bat Milwaukee sends Sexson to second, presumably to avoid the force out at second and because they know the A's will not try and throw him out because his run "doesn't matter".
Why don't they try and throw him out?? Conventional thinking says his run doesn't matter so ignore him, but that is the very reason they should try for him, isn't it? It's a free shot at the game ending out against a guy with 0 SB's so far this year - and if you throw the ball into centre field, who cares?
The defense risks nothing in trying to throw out these baserunners yet you see fielder indifference in these late inning situations all the time. Doesn't make sense!
Why don't they try and throw him out?? Conventional thinking says his run doesn't matter so ignore him, but that is the very reason they should try for him, isn't it? It's a free shot at the game ending out against a guy with 0 SB's so far this year - and if you throw the ball into centre field, who cares?
The defense risks nothing in trying to throw out these baserunners yet you see fielder indifference in these late inning situations all the time. Doesn't make sense!
