Random Audit: John McLaren
by Patrick Whealton ~ April 27th, 2008
Auditor: Patrick Whealton
Date: 4/27/08
- Pre-Game: Jose Vidro was out of the lineup for the second game in a row being replaced by Greg Norton despite Vidro having 5 career hits in 14 at bats against Oakland starter Joe Blanton. Although Vidro’s average is much lower this year, his overall production has been better. He has twice as many RBI, two more extra base hits, one more run, and one more walk than he did through as many bats last year.
- 8th inning: John McLaren pulled Felix out at the right time; not too late or not too early. King Felix was dealing today but unfortunately the Athletics eventually got to him. This is a spot where I would like to see Roy Corcoran, the most consistent member of our bullpen this year who was demoted to the Triple-A Tacoma the other day. Apparently if you produce for this team, you get punished (Vidro, Corcoran) but if you suck, you get rewarded (Wilkerson, Sexson).
Not much to say about this one. Johnny Mac didn’t have to make any tough decisions. Other than the lineup, he did what he was supposed to do. Jeff Pentland on the other hand… Get on these guys Jeff!
7 Responses to Random Audit: John McLaren
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1 April 27th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I noticed a similar thing. This is what I wrote in the Series Thread earlier:
2 April 27th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I gotta disagree. I think that McLaren shoulda pulled the plug on Felix when he walked the leadoff batter in the 8th inning. I think by then Felix has done all he could. That’s when McLaren shoulda went out and said, “Felix, you did the job. You held them scoreless. We’ll rely on our bullpen, which is mediocre at best, to give you this win.” Game over.
3 April 27th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
That’s what he did a couple weeks ago and everybody was all up in arms about taking him out because the bullpen proceeded to blow the game.
4 April 27th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
^yeah.. in Baltimore.
But his pitch count was much higher in this one, so I dunno. And in Baltimore he showed no weakness really, but in this one he was obviously losing it. Tough call.
5 April 27th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
A leadoff walk isn’t enough to take him out after he’s been completely dominant this game, especially with how the pen has been playing this season. Felix got out of several jams today and I would take my chances with him getting out of a jam rather than our pen right now.
6 April 27th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I actually agree with Dustin on this one…I thought we should have pulled him after the 1st walk in the 8th…At least if we pull him at that point the pen has a little bit more breathing room…
7 April 27th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Vidro has an OPS+ of 52. His April ‘07 OPS+ was 95.
He’s not productive and way less productive than last year. The two more extra base hits and more RBI don’t hide the fact that he has ten less hits. Of course he has more RBI’s, he’s hitting in the middle of the order instead of at the top.