The Cubs had just blown a game yesterday and were 3-6, so really needed this win. I’m not saying they needed it to contend, just to stop the losing.
The Cubs led the Cardinals 3-1 going into the bottom of the 9th, and I said Renteria would bring in Veras instead of Rondon, and he’d blow the game. What happened? Exactly what I said. Veras can’t throw strikes and has struggled terribly every outing, so how can Renteria bring him in in a close game against a good team on the road? If he brings in Rondon, the game is over.
Now, in defense of Veras, it’s very questionable as to whether he actually hit the first guy he “hit,” and there is no question with the Cubs winning 3-2, one out and bases loaded, he struck out the batter on the 2-2 pitch. The replay clearly showed that. So, even if we ignore the fact he might not have hit the first guy, if this pitch is called correctly, instead of allowing the sacrifice fly for the tying run, he strikes the guy out and it’s two outs, bases loaded, Cubs up 3-2. He did get the next batter, although it would obviously have been a different situation.
So, we not only have the umps stealing the game in the 9th, we have Renteria absolutely giving it away in the 9th.