Leyland

Bonderman - one of the bright spots
What was Leyland thinking?

Two days ago, Justin Verlander took the mound in the 8th inning with the game tied 3-3. Verlander gave up a double and a walk. Milton Bradley was next who already homered off Verlander earlier in the game. Leyland opted to stick with Verlander.

Bradley then singled and plated the winning run.

Yesterday, Bonderman pitched a 1-2-3 7th and was sitting pretty at 93 pitches and a 4-1 lead. Leyland decided to take him out and put in Ryan Perry. Not a horrible decision but somewhat questionable. Perry quickly gave up a single and then struck out the next batter. Then came former Tiger killer, Mike Sweeney. He took a Perry slider and sent it into the seats for a 2-run homer. The next batter hit a single. You'd think at this point Leyland would consider taking Perry out. Nope. The next guy doubled. Still nothing from Leyland. Seattle was the weakest hitting team in the league coming into the game, but they clearly had no trouble with Perry, who obviously did not have his good stuff.

So, with the tying run on 3rd and the winning run on 2nd, the next batter singled, and Seattle had a 5-4 lead. Perhaps three batters too late Leyland finally took Perry out. Phil Coke got the next two outs. Too little too late.

Leyland has managed the bullpen well throughout this season, but the past two games were just headscratchers. Why stick with Verlander? Why stick with Perry? If a doofus like me can see they're struggling, why can't the manager?