Yesterday's Red Sox / Blue Jays Game

Three observations about yesterday's 12 inning 6 to 4 victory for the Red Sox.

1. I know that bunts are looked down upon by the disciples of Bill James but there is a time and a place for everything and yesterday the time and place for a bunt was in the 10th inning. The Red Sox had men on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Jason Varitek was at bat. This was the time for a bunt. Put the runner at third with only one out. Instead - Varitek hit into a double play.

I know that hindsight is 20/20 but my wife is my witness that I was yelling "Bunt! Bunt! Bunt!" at the TV when Varitek was at bat.

2. The Red Sox used Keith Foulke in the ninth (with the team DOWN a run) and the tenth (with the score tied). This certainly isn't the Tony LaRussa way to use your closer but it is the right way. If the Red Sox didn't keep the deficit to one run - then they don't tie the game in the ninth and they lose. Why is it written that a closer can only pitch one inning? Foulke was ready and available to pitch a second inning and why not have your best out there for a second inning?

This is the way Bill James has advocated using a "closer" and yesterday it helped the Red Sox get the win just as much as Ortiz's walk off home run.

3. Bobby Jones has to go.