Why Luke Gregerson should only pitch the 8th inning
Luke Gregerson came into a tie game at Fenway last night in the 8th inning with Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz on first and second with no one out. He retired the next three batters without a runner advancing.
Padres manager Bud Black should have left well enough alone.
Gregerson has been very successful in the 8th inning this season, but miserable in the 9th (probably to prove Brian Kenny, host of MLB Now, wrong as he insists that any pitcher who pitches well in the 8th can close as well.
Gregerson can’t pitch the 9th
| Split | G | IP | ER | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th inning | 4 | 1.0 | 2 | 18.00 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .571 | .571 | .857 | |
| 8th inning | 25 | 22.0 | 2 | 0.82 | 72 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 19 | 3.17 | .097 | .177 | .194 |
| 9th inning | 11 | 8.0 | 7 | 7.88 | 38 | 7 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 3.50 | .395 | .425 | .553 |
| Ext inning | 4 | 4.2 | 0 | 0.00 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | .133 | .133 | .133 |
