BRUTAL BASEBALL DECISION
Dodgers manager drops the ball in winner-takeall Game 5, says sports columnist
The Los Angeles Dodgers will be watching the World Series from the sidelines thinking of what should have been after blowing a late-inning 3-1 lead and losing to the Washington Nationals.
The loss was a colossal example of terrible decision-making as head coach Dave Roberts brought in overrated left-hander Clayton Kershaw to protect a lead with six outs to go in their National League Division Series deciding game.
Kershaw, who has never had success in post-season play, served up back-to-back home runs in the top of the eighth inning in a game the Dodgers lost in 10 innings. After Kershaw came in to get the final out of the seventh inning, that should have been it. L.A.’s best reliever, Kenta Maeda, who had been razor-sharp in the series, should have pitched the final two innings, but Roberts brought him in after Kershaw served up the two homers. Maeda struck out the three batters he faced and was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the inning.
I guarantee Roberts, although a nice guy, will never manage the Dodgers again.
I have maintained many times in this space that one of the cardinal sins in Freddy Ball is never to take chances on the bases when you are behind. The game plan is to be patient and accumulate runners. Sounds logical and, of course, I’m right.
In Houston’s 4-1 loss in Game 4 at Tampa Bay, Jose Altuve gets thrown out at the plate with his club trailing 4-0. The correct decision for the third-base coach was to hold the runner, setting up Houston with men on second and third with one out. Houston needed five runs to win, not one.
UNIVERSITY
UPEI hockey Panthers head coach Forbie MacPherson always seems to have his team hustling and outplaying the opponent no matter how bleak the situation appears to be.
The Panthers recently returned home after a 9-2 trouncing at St. FX only to find out that standout goaltender Matt Mancina will be lost for the season. Wednesday evening in Moncton, UPEI goaltender Simon Hofley stopped 36 of 37 shots, including 20 in the final period, as the Panthers posted their first win of the season against a club they could be battling for a playoff spot in February.
Tonight, the Panthers entertain the always-tough UNB Reds led by Bedque’s Gardiner MacDougall, one of the greatest coaches in Canadian university hockey. UNB played Moncton on Friday, so maybe the Panthers can catch the defending champs on an off-night.
The Panthers have one of the best forwards in the conference in Kameron Kiley and an all-star defenceman in Owen Headrick, plus an interesting supporting cast in speedsters, brothers Drake and Darian Pilon, who had eight shots between them in the Moncton game, so tonight's game should answer several early questions.
CONDOLENCES
It was another tough week for the local sporting crowd as we lost Reagh Ellis, a great community man and staunch supporter of a great many sports teams in this province.
Long associated with Mark’s Work Wearhouse, Reagh also spearheaded many non-profit ventures. In 2015, he was named Red Cross humanitarian of the year, one of many such honours.
To his wife Jill, son Marshall, step-son Brett and Jessica, mother Etta and all connected to this gentleman, my condolences.
HARNESS RACING
Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park plays host to Atlantic Breeders Crown weekend with live racing today and Sunday, beginning at 12:30 p.m., daily.
Today there are four $5,000 consolation races for two- and three-year-old pacers on the card while Sunday afternoon there are four $20,000 finals on the card as well as a Breeders Crown open pace and open trot.
The best pacers and trotters in the region will be in the spotlight, a must-see card for race fans.
At Mohawk, there are eight $225,000 super gold finals tonight with plenty of Maritime connections. Dr. Ian More has Denali Seelster and Tattoo Artist in the two-year-old colt final, while Century Farroh is the favourite in the sophomore colt final where he meets Cape Bretoner Wayne McGean with Bronx Seelster (Jody Jamieson) and Better Up (James MacDonald). James has six drives in these races, including Ake Svanstedt’s Winter Olympics (4-1), Port Perry for Luc Blais at 4-1, Knight Angel for Shane Arsenault at 12-1, Ideation Hanover (8-1) for Dave Manery out of the 10-hole.
The $1 million Yonkers International Trot goes tonight at Yonkers and the great mare Atlanta is listed at 3-1.