Gagne… ugh
Gagne blew another one. For those who missed it, Sox are up 2-1 in the 8th thanks to a wonderfully-pitched game from Jon Lester, who gave them 6.2 IP. Francona called upon Delcarmen to get the last out (Vernon Wells) in the 7th - but didn’t keep him in for the 8th for some reason, turning to Gagne instead. Gagne got the first two outs quickly. He then walked Frank Thomas, after a couple pitches trying for the inside corner were just a tad inside. Apparently that rattled him, as he proceeded to walk two of the next three batters (with a single mixed in) - including walking in the tying run. Next, pinch-hitter Russ Adams laced a two-run double to RF (and the third out of the inning was a play at the plate as the Blue Jays tried to score a third run on the hit). Pathetic. Embarassing. Whatever you want to call it… that’s fine.
But I recall seeing Gagne pitch well in the two losses to the Yankees over the weekend, so I was curious - is there an appreciable split when Gagne comes into a game the Sox are losing vs. when he comes into a game the Sox are winning?
Gagne entering games that the Sox are winning:
10 G, 9.0 IP, 19 H, 14R/14ER, 6 BB, 8 K, 14.00 ERA, 2.78 WHIP. The Sox are 6-4 when Gagne enters a game that they are *winning* at the time he enters the game (usually the 8th inning). Gagne has given up at least one run in seven of these ten appearances.
Gagne entering games that the Sox are losing:
5 G, 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0R/0ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP. The Sox are 1-4 when Gagne enters a game that they are losing at the time he enters the game. On August 14, he pitched a scoreless ninth vs. TB and the Sox won it in the bottom of the ninth.
Yes - very small sample size, I understand. But… are *you* going to put him into a game the Sox are winning by three runs or less for the rest of the year? How could you? Is a three-run lead *enough* of a cushion with this guy?
I’m on record as really liking this deal when the Sox made it - another arm for the bullpen (as you can never have too many arms in the bullpen, especially if there’s a playoff run to be made) in exchange for two guys who realistically weren’t going to contribute long-term to the Red Sox. I’m not sure why, but this trade just has not worked out. Gagne has been horrible, directly leading to four Sox losses in his short time here.
The Sox may hold on and win the division… then again, with only a 2-1/2 game lead at this writing and the Yankees playing hot *and* an easier schedule (relative to Boston) for the remaining 10-11 games… those four losses could easily turn out to be the difference.
The Yankees were criticized in some circles for “doing nothing” at the All-Star Break (except bring up Joba Chamberlain, but what’s *he* done?) - and the Sox were lauded for (a) keeping Gagne from New York, and (b) getting him for themselves. Benefit of 20/20 hindsight, looks like they should’ve let him go to New York, eh?
In the words of the late, great Ned Martin, “Mercy”.