@#$@% Bullpen manager

[ergie63]

With fresh arms in the bullpen, HAL brought in yesterday's starting pitcher in the 9th inning to relieve the game's starter. He was at F0 and promptly gave up the tying runs with a single. In fact both relievers had a combined 10 innings the day before.

[code:1:381abd9a16]*** TOP OF INNING 9 ***
0 P.Sandoval 6-6 Walk b-1 F9
0 1 S.Victorino 2-11 Single (RF) 1-2 b-1 bpSI 1-11 F9
0 12 N.Markakis 1-7 Single (LF) 2-3 1-2 b-1 F3
SUBSTITUTE P - Yusmeiro Petit
0 123 M.Prado 5-11 Single (RF) 3-H 2-H 1-3 b-1 bpHR 1-6 F0
SUBSTITUTE P - Saul Rivera
0 1 3 A.Iwamura 4-8 Single (RF) 3-H 1-2 b-1 F9
0 12 R.Cancel 1-7 Force Play (3B) 2-o 1-2 b-1 F9
1 12 L.Montanez 3-6 Fly Out (CF) b-0 F9
2 12 J.Ellsbury 1-6 Fly Out (LF) b-0 F9
[/code:1:381abd9a16]

Closer set to maximize, Relief set to normal.

No "closer" is (was) identified with the bullpen roles. Is that the problem? I was under the impression that the roles were optional and when more and more settings are used, the less and less HAL can navigate through contradictory commands.

My intended closer, Wood having a 1.05 WHIP, hadn't pitched in 4 games. Groan.

Somebody please tell me this isn't just beginners stupidity. But still, there were other fresh arms.