The correct managerial call in that circumstance is 'run on contact except to the the third baseman.' Other clubs have run it all season against us successfully. Contact, ball on ground, go. The SS has to regain his balance and throw back across his body and the catcher can no longer block the plate unless he has the ball in hand or the throw leads him there.
Bell reports to his boss - Price. Price should stop it. Today, Mike Scioscia was quoted on ESPN that he has not moved a slumping Josh Hamilton out of the clean-up role because you should only make a line-up move if it will improve production. He felt he had no move he could make that would do that. Our line-up changes regardless of production. Friday, Negron had the best 2 hole production day of any Red all season. Today they moved him to 6th and Cozart to the 2 hole. It worked out OK - but why do it at all? They both hit RH and Negron is a better bunter and hits to right better than Cozart.
Jay Bruce is hitting .220. He continues to bat #2, 3, 4, and 5. Meso has the most power and run production of anybody (games played) and for most of the season he has hit behind Bruce. No pitch arounds for Bruce, the pitchers came right to him. Yet, Bruce has hit #5 nearly all of his 7 seasons and had his most productive season last year in that role. If Bruce is behind Meso there are no holes in the order 1-5 and they can slide Bruce to #6 if Luddy or Pena is hotter. Obviously, Price does not know to think the correct way or chooses to be different. Scioscia has WS rings - he knows. Even Toothpick knew that. Maybe he will someday grow into his role. But it is just another questionable Reds front office decision that is leading the club down the toilet again.
