Lilly Good, Mattingly Bad

[Old1949]

Ted Lilly exceeded nearly everyone's expectations tonight, giving up 6 hits and 1 run in 5 innings, while striking out 7. It was a game the Dodgers should, and I believe would, have won were it not for bad managing by Mattingly. His first mistake was pitching to Wright in the 9th inning instead of giving up an IBB. Wright singled with two out, driving in Baxter from 3rd base and tying the game. His second and fatal mistake was allowing reliever Josh Wall to pitch the 10th inning. Why he would select the least experienced of the three relievers remaining on the bench I don't know. Wall immediately got into trouble by giving up a single and a walk. Instead of pulling him, however, Mattingly left him in to yield a grand slam walk off HR. If the Dodger powers end up firing Mattingly at some point, you can look back at this night and say, yeah, he probably deserved it. I feel bad for Lilly, who pitched well enough to be 1-0.

 

[BUDSFAULT]

He had to leave him in.

The dumb fuck didn't have anyone up in the bullpen.

He's a fucking moron.

 

[Silas]

I agree, Old..........Lilly did better than most anyone anticipated and the Dodgers certainly let this game get away. I was wondering the same thing as to why Mattingly brought in an inept Wall in the 10th (I think he had an ERA over 7 coming into the game) when he had more experienced relievers available.

If the Dodgers are under .500 by the AS break I wouldn't be surprised to see Mattingly go. If they don't go far into the post-season, I have to believe the Dodgers will be looking for a new manager next season.

 

[bluepigpen]

Hate to say it but I agree. If the Dodgers are under 500 at the break, Donnie goes. 200 million and under 500 even with injuries, doesn't matter, pink slip coming.

 

[Old1949]

Something that puzzles me is that Mattingly must either be getting bad advice from his coaches, or is not listening to them. Where was Honeycutt during this fiasco? Did he suggest putting Wall in, and did he not have anyone up in the bullpen? If/when Mattingly goes, there may be a bigger housecleaning. A new manager will likely want to bring in coaches he has confidence in.

As a side note, apparently the phones between the dugout and the bullpen mysteriously went out during this fiasco. I hope the Mets were not responsible. At any rate, you would think a team with a 216 million dollar budget would have their own alternative form of communication, like cell phones, walkie talkies, tin cans and string...something!