It's all about pitching. Bottom of the 5th, with the score at 4 - 2, we were into a pitching duel. At that point, after walking two and striking out three in the 4th inning, Menendez was relieved, having thrown 77 pitches. The reliever, Tyler Witt immediately gives up a HR to the first batter he faces. We're now up by only one run, and the prospects of our being able to keep this pitching duel going just flew over the fence. Witt continues to pitch and gets the next man out. The next batter, however, doubles into left field. He's faced three batters and given up two extra base hits. It was time, I believed, for a new pitcher. I was also wondering why we had pulled Menendez. Was he unable to pitch further? He looked fine and was pitching well.
Witt continued and walked the next batter. The go-ahead run is now on base. Still no reliever. Witt pitches to the next batter who singles and brings in another run. Game tied! Witt continues pitching. The next batter fouls out. Then, Witt walks the bases loaded. Witt continues pitching! He gets lucky when the batter grounds out to end the inning.
The 6th inning saw us do nothing, offensively, and so we continue to the bottom of the 6th, which is where we totally fell apart. Cole McNamee started on the mound for us. First batter he faced hit a HR! Score now 4 - 5, and time for another pitcher! But, no! Cole keeps pitching until he walks the next TWO batters! In comes Riley Myers to pitch. The very first batter bunts! We badly misplay the ball allowing a run to score with runners left on 2d and 3d. Cole then serves up a pitch which the batter slams for a two-run double. Score now 4 - 8. The game is now probably lost, considering that Lanzilli, Seymour, and Cecere have all drawn the horse collar today. But, Cole continues to pitch. He gets his first out of the inning on another sacrifice, which we play correctly. Then, he gives up back-to-back singles to shortstop, with another run scoring. Finally, Bobby Hearn comes in to pitch with runners on 2d and 3d and one out. Another run scores on a sacrifice fly, and then Hearn strikes out the next batter he faces, to end the inning. Of the four relievers Walter has used, so far, Hearn is the only one who's looked the part. The score is 4 - 10 at the end of 6 full innings.
Hearn pitches the 7th and gives up no runs or hits. Smith comes on to pitch the 8th and sets them down 1, 2, 3. I cannot help but wonder if Menendez could have gone 6, or maybe 5, instead of 4, and Hearn and Smith could have gone 3, or 4. The idea is to use relievers who can get batters out and win, rather than have would-be relievers come in and throw what amounts to batting practice for the opposing team.