CATS -n- Dawgs Saturday ( game 1 )

[Comebakatz3]

I think it was probably clear that we were unlikely to get a sweep in this series, but losing gams like this has got to stop. We cannot mentally afford lose these games like this. Especially bad is that we stole a game from UGA on Friday and it should have basically psychologically put them into a bind, and had us on cloud nine. Instead, we choke away an opportunity to get up early and now we are down 6+ runs. Then we have to psychologically bounce back from getting trounced.

 

[Tannerdad]

So we lose another game 2. Record intact.

Why is our overall pitching so bad? Wasn’t that supposed to be our strengths?

 

[DubyaT]

8-1 after 3. Good grief.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

Pathetic meltdown. Tired of losing games that aren't even competitive.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

Signing off....waiting for game 3 on ESPNU tonight

SEC network, not ESPNU

 

[Comebakatz3]

So we lose another game 3. Record intact.

Why is our overall pitching so bad? Wasn’t that supposed to be our strengths?

What seems to be odd, and I have mentioned it before, is that UK just seems unable to get outs when they are ahead in the count. We are actually in the lower half, at least, in the SEC in giving up walks, so that is not the problem. Instead, what we seem to do is just groove pitches when we are ahead in the count and when we do that we give up home runs... 34 of them, which is tied for last in the SEC. Most of the runs we give up are earned, 165 of them which means that it isn't really defensive mistakes, but just that we're getting hit. Even worse, we're getting hit at terrible times as our batting average against isn't all that terrible. We remain the only team in the SEC without a shutout. We just seem to lose focus or something and when we do the opposing hitters rake. In a way it really is mindblowing.

 

[Comebakatz3]

SEC network, not ESPNU

By the way, seems like your 'Start Alex Rodriguez if you want to win,' is holding true to some degree.

 

[DubyaT]

Pitching struggles aside, I'm pretty sure UK's hitters, through 4 innings, have watched at least 4 strike 3's.

 

[irishcat1965]

Pitch right down the middle of the plate and Dawson just looks at it.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

More missed opportunities, we only get 1 run after having bases loaded and 1 out. Dawson just looks at a pitch right down broadway to strike out and end the threat

 

[irishcat1965]

It’s unreal how many of the UK batters just stare at pitches served up in their wheel house and then swing mindlessly at total trash out of the strike zone.

 

[ulismyman]

He doubled home the winning runs last night...its freaking SEC baseball...the other team wants to win too

 

[irishcat1965]

I would have thought that stirring comeback win would have provided plenty of momentum for today. Boy I was wrong.

 

[Comebakatz3]

This team is going to drive me insane. 6 freaking strikeouts and 4 of them are looking. We have the 6th most strikeouts in the SEC, and you might think that it is because we have the most at bats, but that isn't the case as we are actually something like 9th in total plate appearances (although some teams have a couple more games). Also, 129 of our 269 total strikeouts have occurred in SEC play.

UK gave up another home run. 9-2. Georgia doesn't really hit many home runs, but apparently UK doesn't care to give them out to anyone and every one.

 

[sluggercatfan]

It’s unreal how many of the UK batters just stare at pitches served up in their wheel house and then swing mindlessly at total trash out of the strike zone.

That is a good point...mind boggling!

 

[Comebakatz3]

He doubled home the winning runs last night...its freaking SEC baseball...the other team wants to win too

We understand that entirely. Still, being in the top 5 in strikeouts in the SEC is not where you really want to be. We are averaging 9 strikeouts per game in SEC play. That is pretty unacceptable. That is 3 innings worth of outs coming from strikeouts. Even worse is the games against Arkansas that were 7 inning games and we still struck out 10 and 11 times. So, basically half of our outs in those two games came by way of strikeouts. Last night we struck out 12 times and against Auburn on a Friday we struck out an amazing 14 times.

Yes, Dawson stood up as a hero last night and his hitting has improved, but as a team, we cannot continue to give away with strikeouts, and even worse, by watching called strike three.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Does anybody have any idea why Lewis did not start the second game today...you get that one under your belt and then this is not potentially disastrous.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Does anybody have any idea why Lewis did not start the second game today...you get that one under your belt and then this is not potentially disastrous.

I don't know. My speculation, which could be entirely wrong, is that Lewis does seem to enjoy the mentality of being the bookend that can get you that series win. He seems to enjoy being the guy that goes out and wins you the series in the rubber match. Also, playing a factor, could be that we tried to pitch him in game one against Arkansas and he got shelled for 11 earned runs in a short outing.

 

[irishcat1965]

Does anybody have any idea why Lewis did not start the second game today...you get that one under your belt and then this is not potentially disastrous.

Because as opposed to last year, Ming and his staff are continuing to make head scratching decisions this year. From starting pitchers, to pulling pitchers to moronic in game bunting, it’s been a total cluster in SEC play.

 

[ulismyman]

Because as opposed to last year, Ming and his staff are continuing to make head scratching decisions this year. From starting pitchers, to pulling pitchers to moronic in game bunting, it’s been a total cluster in SEC play.

Because you start Lewis here and you lose...you come with staff in 2nd game not good...when is Thompson coming back??? Good Lord

 

[irishcat1965]

Because you start Lewis here and you lose...you come with staff in 2nd game not good...when is Thompson coming back??? Good Lord

Explain to me how you know Lewis was going to lose this game? He has been pitching well- you use him and step on their throats winning the series in the second game.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

Now their starter walks first three batters and both Cottam and Becker strike out. This team drives me insane.

 

[LukaszObrzut]

That was our golden chance.
And it was blown. Terrible
Strikeouts.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

Bases loaded, no outs, four walks in the inning and UK gets one run. What a debacle today.

 

[ulismyman]

I didnt know Lewis would lose but its nice to have him there now

 

[DubyaT]

Just not in the cards for the first game today. UK has had chances to score runs to cut into the big deficit more significantly, but cannot get timely hits and they've gone down on strikes too often. Will have to use the lesser used arms out of the bullpen to try to preserve the better guys and have a better chance in the series finale tonight.

 

[irishcat1965]

The batters have had every opportunity to get UK back in this game and haven’t delivered.

 

[irishcat1965]

Bases loaded, no outs, four walks in the inning and UK gets one run. What a debacle today.

If that was Georgia they would have plated 5 or 6. Lol

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

McGeorge with a good 2/3 of an inning. May help us going forward.

 

[LukaszObrzut]

Cottam 2 run HR with 2 outs
9-5

 

[LukaszObrzut]

Cottam is our best hitter this year imo. He took that one opposite field/.... fully expected him to step up with bases loaded in the earlier inning.

 

[LukaszObrzut]

Collett HR

Back 2 Back HR's for UK

9-6

 

[LukaszObrzut]

UGA using up more of their bullpen at least.

 

[irishcat1965]

I swear this team is maddening. Love the fight- but why the hell put yourselves in this position? I will say the Georgia team and fans seem to have the uh oh here we go again vibe right now.

 

[Old_Red]

Goodman with only 5 innings coming in. Maybe the work we did last night is paying off.

 

[LukaszObrzut]

Aklinski got lucky on the 2-2 pitch--- leads to a walk.

 

[LukaszObrzut]

Johnson strikeout K on 3-2 count B7 we go

 

[Comebakatz3]

Because you start Lewis here and you lose...you come with staff in 2nd game not good...when is Thompson coming back??? Good Lord

We might as well not hold our breath for Thompson. He had an injury that has put him out for over a month and he isn't going to just be miraculously back and pitching on Saturday. He will have to be eased back in if he comes back anytime soon. So, at best, when he comes back you might see him get an inning or two and go from there with each outing being a bit longer. IIRC we had another pitcher last year who was hurt and made his way back, and he was used very sparingly. This staff isn't going to risk the future of players for the sake of one season.

 

[DubyaT]

Believe that's 2 K's of the backward variety for Pompey today.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Becker coming up big with a single to plate Dawson and put this game at 2 runs 9-7. Cottam and Collett coming up with 2 outs I believe. We have a chance to take the lead with runners at the corners for these two guys. Looks like UGA going to make another pitching change.