ARLINGTON, Texas — With the bases loaded and the major leagues’ RBI leader Josh Hamilton representing the tying run Sunday night, Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon didn’t have too many good options.
With the Rays leading the Rangers 7-3 and two outs in the ninth, Maddon had Grant Balfour intentionally walk Hamilton to force in a run. Maddon then brought in Dan Wheeler, who struck out Marlon Byrd for a 7-4 victory.
"I mean, listen, it’s [Hamilton’s] year, and why not have him hit a grand slam right there and really screw up ours," Maddon said.
It’s the first time a player had been intentionally walked with the bases loaded since the Giants’ Barry Bonds in 1998.
Said Byrd: "When the guy’s AL manager of the year like he’s going to be, things go your way."
over 3 years ago
clack
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Not only a lot of respect for Hamilton....
but the manager is showing a lot of faith in Dan Wheeler with that move.
I think it's more respect for Hamilton
if he had a lot of faith in Wheeler, he would have brought him in to face Hamilton.
If Byrd doubles there, he looks like an idiot…
Funny how smart you look when things go the way you hoped :)
Go 'Stros!
Obviously Maddon didn't want a righty on lefty match up....
which could explain bringing in Wheeler for Byrd, but not Hamilton. I wonder if Trevor Miller had already been used in the game? Generally speaking, I wouldn’t favor this tactic, by the way. Madden got away with it this time, but as you note, he would be derided all over baseball if Byrd had hit an extra base hit.
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