This picture just sums it up, doesn't it? Even Bill Hall looks pissed at Gagne. Even though things could have been different if Kendall and Hall didn't completely screw up a botched squeeze play (at least we think that's what was supposed to happen), Gagne will ultimately go down as the goat of Saturday's game. The Brewers closer came in during a 3-3 tie in the 9th inning, loaded the bases, and then gave up a 2 run double with 2 outs. As you can imagine, the boo birds were out in full force.I've been critical of Miller Park fans in the past for booing Turnbow when he struggled, but I think this is a completely different situation. Turnbow was a guy that achieved success with the Crew, and as a fan, it was tough to see him struggle. I would have liked Brewers fans to give him more support, but with the expectations this current team is under, that just wouldn't be the case. With Gagne, this is a guy we're giving 10 million dollars to. There are a lot more expectations when you're making 10 million dollars, especially when you're a former NL Cy Young winner. The boos that are coming down on Gagne are deserved, as he's already blown 5 saves this season, and cost us the victory in this one.
So what do we do? I still think Gagne can find his magic, but perhaps we should give him a brief hiatus from the closer position. Clearly he's got some issues to work out, and we can't afford him to be doing that when the game is on the line. I'm not sure who would take over as closer. Torres? Mota? Bush? Perhaps a closer by committee could work for the time being. But we can't keep losing games this way. The spirit of this team already seems deflated enough. Blowing games in the 9th inning that are easily in our grasp can't be doing much to help get these guys back on track. Thoughts?
On a positive note, Ben Sheets passed Teddy Higuera as the Brewers all-time strikeout king.
And one more thing, I thought Rock dominated on the FOX Broadcast today.
Box Score.
TBC's Player of the Game: Ben Sheets, for the record.
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)
2 comments:
"Who deserves to be booed more/less?" = Pointless question. So Turnbow has sucked longer for less money & Gagne has sucked for a shorter period of time but with a higher price tag per game? Did you remember to carry the remainder & round up? Sure Turnbow thrilled us in 2005 ... & since then he's given us 2+ seasons of crap.
They both suck at this point & that's all that matters.
Too bad only 10% of the nation saw Schroeder at work today. ARI/CHC & NYY/CLE got most of the air time on Fox today.
And for the record, Jason Kendall was the one who missed the squeeze sign. Billy read it correctly.
It's great that Gagne is owning up to his poor performance. Too bad his contract isn't performance-based.
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