Confusing Pitcher Usage

I have a question about Hals decisions on relievers choices.

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/game/347326/908

My starter got pummeled. So Hal brought in Wickware in the 4th inning. Who is set up to avoid lefties and quick hook.. The first 3 hitters he faces are all righties. Perfect. Then he faced 6 lefties in a row? Not so perfect. I had 2 lefty specialists on the bench who didn't come in until Wickware took his beating. I also had a neutral pitcher available to be used.

I don't understand how that happens.

Specialists do not take effect until the 7tb.

Yeah, you can get some wacky results when your starter gets knocked out early. Avoid L or R should have worked, except that in the help section it states:

This avoidance is rather strict as long as 1) there are other fresh, available options in the bullpen that are not otherwise restricted from being used in the given situation, 2) the game is relatively close, and 3) the game is in the later innings. This setting is ignored in otherwise lower-leverage situations.

So, it looks like HAL ignored your Avoid settings. I don't know why quick hook didn't work, unless all of your other relievers also have a quick hook in which case HAL knows somebody's got to be out there. Also, if you had a Middle Man selected in your bullpen roles, I think he would have come in instead of Wickware because you were only down by 4 runs at that point.

I really appreciate the responses. I had no idea about the 7th inning rule. So if I set it up to "avoid using <7th" that will take care of it?