Ball 4 was strike 1 This is dangerous territory. Neris isn't rested and Rangers have seen him plenty in a short span.
I was calling for it after Carter got on. 3rd time through lineup… you have the best bullpen in baseball. You would be dumb not to go pen there. This was Dusty’s big f up.
You also don't want to have your leverage relievers pitch 4 games or more in a 7 game set... we have seen what happens...
That's how you may treat back of the rotation pitchers in the playoffs, not your Ace. Two hits given up with a low pitch count before that inning.
Reminds me of the 04 Cardinals ALCS game 7, 2-1 going to the bottom of the 6th and the Astros should have built a more substantial lead and boom, 3 run homer given up by Clemens in the bottom of the 6th.
Both deserve blame. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see JV was getting rocked out there. And clearly JV unperformed this inning. It wasn't just one mistake.