So Close, Yet So Far

7/21/12

Hanley Ramirez was a last minute scratch due to the infection from a cut that he sustained when he punched a fan before the all-star break. To be fair, it was that or Ozzie was going to punch him. Hanley has been one of the most disappointing players of the first half. The irony is that coming into the season, everyone was most concerned about his defense at 3rd base. As a lifelong shortstop most thought that there would be a transitional period for him. Hanley hit the ground running and other then being lackadaisical with a few throws, he has fielded quite well. Unfortunately he forgot to take his bat with him and particularly in away games he has struggled. No one thought that his bat would be the downfall of his season but so far it has been atrocious. His numbers with runners in scoring position are among the worst in the league. There are some rumors currently circulating that could have Hanley heading to Boston in exchange for Carl Crawford. The question is, does Hanley need a change of scenery?


The Marlins started out by playing the game the way they had spoken of early in the year. It was great to see Jose Reyes hit a lead off homer but what was even better was watching Emilio Bonifacio get a hit, steal two bases and then score on a groundball out from Carlos Lee. It seemed as if we had hit our stride when Nolasco laid down a beautiful bunt and Omar Infante came racing home to score on the squeeze. Infante always surprises people with his speed, and that combined with his intelligent base running is a definite weapon. This is the way the Marlins are supposed to play!

Miami hung in there and reached the 9th inning down by one. When Omar Infante reached 3rd on an Austin Kearns pinch hit single with only one out, it was looking as if a tie game would be more then likely, particularly with Jose Reyes coming up to hit. After successfully executing a squeeze play with a pitcher who looked about as comfortable bunting as dugout fans around Hanley Ramirez, it seemed a no-brainer to have one of the best bunters on the team drag a bunt, score a run, and move the winning run into scoring position. Who knows, maybe Reyes would even get a hit out of it. Instead Ozzie has Reyes swing away and he goes down with a strikeout. Bonifacio followed that performance up with a strikeout of his own. Game over.

Why not play small ball Ozzie? It had worked for you twice already in the game. That was your big chance to change the mindset of this team and let them know that the little things matter when playing baseball. Instead the end result is another loss.