Washington Hates "The Book"

The Rangers pulled out a thrilling victory last night in 10 innings. The win helped Texas maintain a 2-game lead in the AL West and helped Ron Washington avoid having to answer questions about his insane management strategy in the 9th.

Situation:
In the bottom of the 9th, the Astros brought in their stud closer, Jose Valverde. The right-hander promptly allowed a leadoff double to Marlon Byrd bringing up Chris Davis.

The situation called for a bunt; however, throughout his ML career, Davis had never bunted. He did not bunt in this situation either. Instead, he flew out in a rather hapless at-bat. After a Jarrod Saltalamacchia strikeout, Omar Vizquel walked towards the plate.

Vizquel was hitting .323 on the season and had been 3-8 against Valverde, including being 2 for his last 2. Vizquel had gone 1-3 during the game and had looked pretty locked-in at the plate. It seemed like a good situation for the Rangers but...

Enter Ron Washington.

Instead of letting the scrappy Vizquel face Valverde, Washington summoned for a pinch-hitter. Andruw Jones exited the dugout, took a few practice swings and stepped to the plate.

Wait a minute! Andruw Jones? Really? Washington not only went against "the book," he burned it (and I'm not sure that Washington's "book" isn't just a picture-book to begin with...). Let's take a look at just how stupid the decision was:

Washington removed a hitter that:

created a lefty-righty matchup...
was hitting .323 on the season...
had played the entire game and looked good at the plate (1-3)...

and he replaced him with a hitter that:

created a righty-righty matchup...
was hitting .143 in June...
had not played all night and was coming into the game "cold."

Jones struck out on 3 pitches. Well done Wash, well done.

Here is a quote from my dad after Washington received his extension last week:

Look - sometimes good moves don't work, sometimes dumb moves do, but playing it by “the book" works more times than not...that's how it became "the book!” This team needs Wash to just get out of the way...try not to trip over the bats and balls as we roll them out there.

Washington just looks like he is guessing out there. If you are going to pinch-hit in the 9th, you pinch-hit Andrus for Davis (who is hitting .200) and move the runner over.

Runner at 3rd, one out and numerous ways in which you can score.

Washington is simply an over-manager. He apparently believes that going "by the book" is simply too easy. Too many times in his tenure in Texas, he has made decisions based on a "gut" feeling. Like my dad said, sometimes it works - but most of the time it doesn't. They call it "the book" for a reason: it usually works.

If Texas wants to contend throughout all of 2009, Washington better get his ego in-check. Stop trying to be the genius that constantly goes against the grain. Just play it by the numbers: try to create lefty-righty matchups; stop using Guardado during close games; don't create something that isn't there.

Use the book Ron, use the book.