re: Starting Poche was the correct decision, even in hindsight

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Which just happen to be the reason he was started. Experience + lefty vs heavy lefty lineup.... not hard to understand why he went with Poche....

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+1

After having some time to think about it, starting Poche was the right call. Poche had been pitching very well, was more experienced, and was a left hander going against a mostly left handed lineup. If you're Manieri, wouldn't you start that guy over a true freshman right hander, no matter how good he is? He made the right decision based on recent performance, matchups, and game experience.

Let's not forget that prior to the two errors, Poche was absolutely painting the corners. He had his fastball and curve working to perfection. The errors completely fricked him up and changed the whole game.

The blunder on Manieri's part was leaving him in after he 4-pitch walked and hit batters. There was no reason that he should have been in the game. He couldn't throw strikes anymore. He stayed in probably 3-4 batters too long, and by then the game was over. I'll never understand why he leaves pitchers in so long while they are getting lit up, without so much as even a mound visit.