Scioscia removing Richards tonight ??

[ghoetke]

 Richards had Texas tied up in knots and it didn't appear he was tiring at all. The look he gave Scioscia when he was taken out was one of disbelief more than disappointment. Then nothing but fast balls Jepsen comes in almost blows it. TG we got Street !! He's as cool a dude as there is.

[Stradling]

Well he was over 100 pitches and has gone deep into the last few games including a complete game against the Dodgers.

[m0nkey]

Yeah.  No problem taking him out in Texas

[WallyWorld]

Yup, I was fine with it. SP is thin, Richards is our ace, game seemed to be in hand - no need to push him.

[arch stanton]

He should have never gone to the mound in the 8th. We're thin on starters and fat on pen arms. 7 innings is plenty.

[Chimi]

He's already thrown more innings this year than he ever has previously. We still have a long way to go so pulling him I have no issue with.

[SoWhat]

He should have been done after the 7th.

[Lou]

and it was hot as Texas, er, hell

[Revad]

He look tired to me and the game seed in hand.

[Reveille1984]

My seed was in hand as well after Richards' dominating performance

[Halos of Anaheim]

We have an abundance of skilled relievers and are short on consistent starters. The 8th/9th innings should usually be safe -- Jepsen's performance tonight was an aberration. 

[Lou]

I haven't finished tallying up the votes, but I'm guessing this poll is running neck and neck

[JAHV76]

Scioscia making unpopular pitching decisions is unspoken.

[bloodbrother]

They need to be smart with him as he's their clear cut #1 starter and is already throwing more innings than he ever has. With the bullpen that the Halos have, it makes sense to play it smart with him, so I was completely OK with the move. His pitch count was at 106

 

That inning was just a lot of bad luck. Choo gets that slow chopper through both Pujols and Kendrick's gloves for a single, then Andrus follows with a swinging bunt single, followed by a jam shot single that would have been a routine out to the SS but the Halos had the shift on. Beltre's RBI single up the middle was the only real hard hit ball in that inning that was a hit all the way

[Lou]

you forgot to mention howie's bonehead play on what should have been an inning wnding dp

[Agalloch]

I agree that he should've been taken out in the 7th. He's our most important playoff piece.

[Revad]

My seed was in hand as well after Richards' dominating performance[/q

I'm screwed by spellcheck but that's about all I'm getting lately.

[arch stanton]

There's a pretty clear trend this year where relievers given a single inning start to finish get the job done. With only 5 viable starters I see no reason for one of these 5 to see the field in the 8th again this regular season.

Edited August 16, 2014 by arch stanton

[JoJo26]

Jepsen should never enter any ball game that is in inning 8 - 9 or beyond.

Smith should have started 8th...plain and simple...but a 4 run cushion allowed Scioscia to make the move he did.

 

I have as much confidence in Kevin Jepsen shutting the door as I do Josh Hamilton aka Andruw Jones getting a clutch RBI...

[Stradling]

Jepsen should never enter any ball game that is in inning 8 - 9 or beyond.

Smith should have started 8th...plain and simple...but a 4 run cushion allowed Scioscia to make the move he did.

I have as much confidence in Kevin Jepsen shutting the door as I do Josh Hamilton aka Andruw Jones getting a clutch RBI...

I had no idea you hadn't watched any games this year, that sucks.

[Jeff M]

Jepsen should never enter any ball game that is in inning 8 - 9 or beyond.

Smith should have started 8th...plain and simple...but a 4 run cushion allowed Scioscia to make the move he did.

 

I have as much confidence in Kevin Jepsen shutting the door as I do Josh Hamilton aka Andruw Jones getting a clutch RBI...

 

Dude, Jepsen has been nails in the 7th this season; it has been by far his best season as a major leaguer. He had a bad night but his track record thus far in 2014 says that bringing him in in the seventh last night was not only a smart move but the right move.

[wopphil]

He should have never gone to the mound in the 8th. We're thin on starters and fat on pen arms. 7 innings is plenty.

Yep, I would have preferred scioscia not bringing him in at all in the 8th. I am seriously worried Richards' arm falling off.

[Blarg]

Prior to last night Jepsen had given up 2 earned runs in the previous 40 appearance.

[Stradling]

Yep and last night he allowed one hard hit balls and a few ground balls. Last night is on Howie and baseball being baseball.

[Splint7438]

Baseball is a funny game. One hard hit ball in that inning by beltre. In fact that was only ball beltre hit hard all night and yet it was good for his fourth hit. Baseball is indeed a funny game. Josh is due to have a decent game. And we got the win last night with nothing out of trout, Albert or Josh. They will perform I next few games and we will be fine. If our offense gets back to where it was at the break Oakland will be looking way up at us. And jepsen is a huge part of where we are right now.