Saturday's Goats

I have a three way tie for my award for the goat of the game in today's extra-innings loss to the Braves. First up, Ned Yost, for insisting that Craig Counsell bunt in Mel Stocker from third. Why not let him swing away with only one out? Counsell is a veteran player, and an owner of two World Series rings. He knows how to get a run in from third. Even an infield out would have scored Stocker with his speed. But no, Yost was married to the idea of a bunt, and the Brewers left the bases loaded, and Stocker still on third. Nice job.

Secondly, to Rickie Weeks for bobbling the ground ball that would have ended the 11th inning with a double play. You are a major league baseball player in a pennant race. That play has to be made. But no, the winning run advances safely to second and scores on Texeira's base hit. Good going Weeks.

Finally, to the perennial goat, Seth McClung, for sucking so hard that you walked the winning on base. Why in the sweet name of keeping the Cubs out of the playoffs would Yost send in Seth McClung in such a crucial spot in the game? Wasn't Vargas in the bullpen? Hell I would even have rather seen Matt Wise in there instead of McClung. He's stunk it up all but one of his appearances for Milwaukee this season. So some great clutch pitching from one of Tampa Bay's castoffs.

At this point in the season, with the way some things are going, horror of horrors and I want to bite my tongue off, but it appears that the Cubs are going to win the division. Where is Steve Bartman when we need him?

Yost's Goat Farm

Old Ned Yost he had a farm,
E I E I O.
Spurling, McClung, Aguino
E I E I O
With a wild pitch here,
And a passed ball there,
Here a walk,
There a walk,
Everywhere a walk, walk
Old Ned Yost he had a farm,
E I E I O.

Can you tell I'm not thrilled with Yost's decision to use Greg Goat Aquino in the 7th? Why take out Shouse, who has been the most dependable reliever all season?? Why not just start with Linebrink, instead of risking it with McClung, who has been marginal at best since the trade? Is Ned trying to lose games by using these AAA goats instead of proven major league pitchers? It would be hard to pick just one goat of the game today, but I think Ned is at the top of the list.