Count to Thirteen

In yesterday’s White Sox home opener, Seattle dh Dan Vogelbach led off the eighth inning with a single.  Vogelach, who is listed charitably at 250 pounds, stayed in the game and advanced to second base on a groundout to first.  Vogelbach then tried to advance on a grounder to the right side by Mallex Smith, only to be thrown out at third by second baseman Yolmer Sanchez, whose across-the-infield throw nailed Vogelbach by a good 10-15 feet.

 

Why in heaven’s name didn’t Mariners’ manager Scott Servais lift Vogelbach for a pinch runner, you ask?  Well, Servais’s bench was stretched thin, from all of one move, when Dee Gordon suffered a muscle strain early in the game and had to be replaced.  That left Seattle with two—count them, two—position players, the second-string catcher and 36-year old Edwin Encarnacion, who tips the scales at a robust 230 pounds.  Or Servais could have tried using one of those thirteen relievers he’s carrying. 

But, hey, the Mariners needed a deep pen to turn a two-run lead into a two-run loss.  Welcome to baseball in the 21st century.            .