[RickFLM4]

Every manager’s decisions can be second guessed when they don’t work out. Sox won so not much discussion about leaving Rodriguez in for one batter too many after the game. If L.A. won, people would be all over Cora for Friday’s roster use leaving the team dead on Saturday and then leaving Rodriguez in too long last night. Hill was pitching great and may have made it through the inning unscathed but could have also had a final inning like Rodriguez at which point everyone would question why he wasn’t taken out sooner.

At some point, players need to do their jobs. Hill pitched incredibly well but would not have lasted a full 9 innings. The L.A. bullpen failed miserably. Alexander comes in and gives up a 4 pitch walk and every reliever gave up at least one run. L.A. was all over Kimbrel and could have survived the Sox 7th inning. But the bullpen just gave up too much. And don’t forget to give the Sox some credit. Pearce, Moreland and Devers in particular. Even Kelly, who makes me nervous as hell, got through 2 innings without giving up a run. They did their jobs last night.