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You want Ian Happ’s bat in the lineup as much as possible and second base is where he’s going to get most of his playing time the rest of 2019, at least if Jason Heyward is actually healthy. But late in games, Happ shouldn’t be at second base because while he’s playable there we all know his defense isn’t that good.
So, why the hell was he still at second base in the ninth inning? Two ground balls that could have been outs.
Javier Baez was scratched from the lineup because he was sick. Probably saw Almora was leading off and instantly threw up. Anyway, David Bote made his second career start at shortstop and then made an error with one out in the ninth that started the rally. You open yourself up to that happening when you don’t have an actual backup shortstop on the roster.
Yu Darvish struck out 10 and walked none in seven innings, but was pinch-hit for in the eighth inning after only throwing 92 pitches.
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Joe Maddon said he pulled Darvish because the pitcher said he was done.
Darvish confirmed it too, saying he lost his mechanics and some command after the fourth inning.
Darvish had just pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning, striking out two batters.
After the Bote error with one out in the ninth inning, the Phillies got two singles off Rowan Wick on 0-2 counts. The second hit probably gets fielded by someone other than Ian Happ.
Pedro Strop gave up a hit on a 2-2 count. Again, a better defender at second possibly gets to it. Strop then hit Rhys Hoskins on 1-2 pitch to load the bases.
On a 2-2 pitch, Derek Holland gave up a walk-off grand slam to Bryce Harper.
Holland said he made a good pitch.
Holland is wrong. He threw a pitch exactly where Harper likes it.
This stat.
This other stat.
And finally
The Cubs sure do know how lose in hilarious ways. But the laughter is just hiding the pain. At least for me.
The Cardinals lost on Thursday, so the Cubs are still technically tied with them for first place in the division. That’s what makes all these atrocious losses feel even worse.
