I love baseball. It was wild to watch (
@AthleticsTca) Jonathan Murphy manage today's game three. A lot of second guessing if it doesn't work in his favor (I was second guessing in real time some of it - haha):
Changes the batting order for game three and I don't think it's changed much all year. Brady Harris moves from 3rd in order to leadoff and Tyler Ellis who usually hits 8th and has struggled offensively went 3-3 in game two so he moves him to 5th in order. Ellis did deliver a big hit in the rally inning.
Starts Chris Reali on mound in biggest game of season despite having not pitched an inning this year (returning from shoulder injury).. it worked, Reali worked around 6 walks to give up just one hit and 2 runs in 3 IP.
1st inning, IBB bases loaded despite two walks already - it worked, got out of inning.
6th inning, IBB Boshell to put guys on 1st and 2nd - this one didn't work - Upton singled to extend lead to 3-1.
6th inning, IBB bases loaded again - tough hitter in Dennis - but again 11 walks on the day so brought walk into play... gets ground out next pitch to keep it 3-1.
7th inning, Romy DeCenzo had pitched earlier, kept him in game in outfield. Has him in right field, first out of inning is hit to left field (better defender), next batter switches left and right field and ball is hit to right field for an out (again the better defender)
7th inning, takes Martinez off the mound, re-inserts DeCenzo (that's why he put him in outfield) - DeCenzo gives up one hit but gets strikeout to win game.