Phil Garner used to be called “Scrap Iron” when he played in the Major Leagues, but if he keeps making decisions like Sunday’s to pitch to Albert Pujols with two runners on and two out in the seventh inning, his Houston Astros will soon be on the scrap heap.
With the Astros clinging to a 1-0 lead, Pujols came to the plate with runners at first and second. Reliever Chad Qualls was called in to face Pujols, but quickly fell behind 2-0 in the count. Surely, Garner would surrender to Pujols and allow him to walk to the occupied first base and load the bases.
History shows that he did no such thing, and Cardinals ended up with a gift-wrapped 3-1 victory thanks to Garner.
What is really galling though was Garner’s reaction after the game when asked why he dared toy with the best hitter in the game today.
You can insert the “bleeps” where they obviously belong.
“I suppose with the bases loaded and a tie ballgame in the ninth inning, we might walk him and lose the ballgame,” Garner said as he tried to deflect the question with sarcasm.
“But sometimes you’re going to have to get him out in those situations. You can’t just keep putting the winning runs at second base to win the ballgame. We’re going to have to get him out.”
Garner is right – sooner or later, they will have to get Pujols out. But Memorial Day was not that day, and the decision to challenge Pujols was foolhardy.