Kentucky vs. Alabama - Game 2

[DubyaT]

Per the following lineup from UK Baseball's Twitter account, it looks like a major shuffling of the lineup today. Most notable change is Gei replacing Collett as the DH.




Wildcats badly need to win this one to put themselves in a position to win the series.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Do btt like the DH change

 

[DubyaT]

UK has left 3 on base through the top of the third. 0-0 heading to the bottom of the third.

 

[irishcat1965]

The Cats have pitched well enough so far to win the series. The lack of hitting is puzzling considering the opponent. How can today not be considered a must win since they would fall to 2-6 in the conference if they lost?

 

[law1127]

Very passive at the plate. Looking at too many strikes!

 

[irishcat1965]

Very passive at the plate. Looking at too many strikes!

Yep. Watching balls go right down the middle of the plate and swinging at high fast balls out of the zone. Unreal.

 

[Jeff Drummond]

It’s amazing how much the Cats SPs have been squeezed in these SEC road games. I never really thought umpires posed that big of a home/road advantage in the past, but they sure have this season to date.

Haake has done a nice job of overcoming it so far.

 

[DubyaT]

Scoreless through 5 complete. Haake has been efficient overall today. Talented kid. But has walked at least one batter every single inning (including some head scratchers where he has walked batters on 4 or 5 pitches with two outs). In spite of those walks, he's sitting on about 67 pitches through the 5th.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Those watching: was Beck safe?

 

[Old_Red]

I just got home. They are saying on the broadcast that he safe.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I guess he was. Haha

 

[Old_Red]

So what's the story with Gei replacing Collett?

 

[DubyaT]

Becker gets an infield single in the top of the 6th, but Pompey then lines out to right and Squires K's looking. UK is struggling mightily at the plate today.

 

[irishcat1965]

What are these batters waiting on???? He is throwing it right down the middle and they won’t swing at anything!!!!

 

[DubyaT]

So what's the story with Gei replacing Collett?

Don't know, but Collett certainly hasn't been lighting things on fire recently and Mingione was bragging on Gei's hitting recently. Still, with Gei not looking particularly comfortable today thus far, have to wonder if Collett might get a PH opportunity next time that spot in the line-up comes up. Running out of outs and at bats at this point.

 

[Comebakatz3]

So what's the story with Gei replacing Collett?

Headrick just said they are giving him a rest today. Not sure it's much more than that but he has struggled at the plate some lately.

 

[LukaszObrzut]

It’s amazing how much the Cats SPs have been squeezed in these SEC road games. I never really thought umpires posed that big of a home/road advantage in the past, but they sure have this season to date.

Haake has done a nice job of overcoming it so far.

This. UK hitters are off balance... not from the pitcher but the umpire.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Big time hit by Heyer!

 

[Old_Red]

The body language of the team in general hasn't been great this weekend. Seems like they are letting things get to them. 3 K's looking seems like a lot.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Cats lead!! 1-0!!! Heyer double and Cottam single!

 

[Jeff Drummond]

Kole Cottam RBI single in 7th gives Cats a 1-0 lead over Bama.

 

[Old_Red]

Maybe that hit will get them turned around. Put two together finally. We need a big inning to let Alabama know they should be in last place. And just as I was typing this, we hit into a DP.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I think it's good to have Gei hitting. We need to develop some more pinch hitters. None are very reliable right now.

 

[Jeff Drummond]

A rare Gei at-bat.

 

[DubyaT]

Bad luck there after Cottam's single, as Johnson absolutely murdered the ball, but hit it right at the 2B who snagged it and doubled Cottam off at first. Gei hits a soft fly to right to end the inning.

 

[irishcat1965]

Finally some aggressive swings. Just bad luck hitting into the double play. Still, Cats lead!

 

[Comebakatz3]

Ramsey and Coleman up in the pen.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Ugh Haake finally gives up a hit on an excuse me swing back to the bump.

 

[irishcat1965]

Haake has been absolutely outstanding. Now the batters need to put the pressure on Bama.

 

[DubyaT]

Dawson battles to run pitch count up but eventually K's. Aklinski gets a one-out single on a well-hit ball to center, but after a pitching change, Becker K's swinging and Pompey, hitting from the right side, pops up to the 1B. Pompey struggling at the plate this weekend.

 

[Comebakatz3]

UK playing with some fire leaving Haake in here.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Bases loaded 2 outs. Haake has walked them full and they are leaving him in.

 

[DubyaT]

What in the hell are they doing leaving Haake in at this point, well over 100 pitches with bases juiced after 3 walks this inning.

 

[Jeff Drummond]

What in the hell are they doing leaving Haake in at this point, well over 100 pitches with bases juiced after 3 walks this inning.

No faith at all in the bullpen, I assume. Gotta win this game.

 

[Comebakatz3]

So stupid! Grand slam puts UK down 4-1

 

[LukaszObrzut]

Grand Slam..

 

[Jeff Drummond]

Alabama's 2nd hit of the game is a back-breaker as grand slam with two outs puts Tide up 4-1 over the Cats, B8.

 

[DubyaT]

Grand slam. That one is on the coaching staff. Horrible.

 

[LukaszObrzut]

Ball went a foot over the fence. Haake was near 120 pitches.

 

[irishcat1965]

Terrible coaching this weekend. And hitting. What an absolutely moronic decision to leave Haake in there.