Pittsburgh 4 Cubs 3
Cub pitcher takes 1 run lead into the 9th inning. LaTroy Hawkins comes in, gives up lead, Cubs lose. Apply, rinse and repeat. Those who are waiting for Hawkins to come around as the closer shouldn't hold their breath. Today's loss was inexcusable. Hawkins was unable to hold a 1 run lead against the worst team in the Central Division under ideal pitching conditions (cold, damp and a 25 mile and hour wind blowing in). I hold out no hope for this guy, it's been obvious to everyone he can't close, and while we hoped in vain that the excuses offered for LaTroy were legit (he didn't know the league, he was developing an out pitch, he doesn't pitch well in back to back games) today's effort has me officially closing the door forever on this guy as a closer. If Dusty Baker trots this guy out again in the 9th to protect a lead, he ought to be fired. And Jim Hendry isn't blameless in this whole affair, either, he should have done SOMETHING when Borowski went down with his injury. The worst part is, Hawkins was a great setup man, but it's pretty obvious that part of pitching is mental. My question is, after taking such a beating as a closer, will Hawkins still be useful as a setup man, if and when the Cubs find a new closer?
posted by CT at 7:38 PM
2 Comments:
Don't forget pinch hitting Macias for Dubois... when is Dumbsty ever going to give Dubois any respect? Today Dubois was 2-for-3, and his one out was a well hit ball. Macias, on the other hand, hasn't hit the ball very far out of the infield yet THIS YEAR.
And, what about Wuertz as closer? He's been a closer at AAA with solid results. It can't be any worse than Hawkins.
FIRE DUSTY NOW!
Wuertz can do it!
Latroy will settle down once back in the setup role, simply because he knows that there will still be someone left to bail him out.
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