Making him swing the bat, rather than sacrifice to move the runner over turned into two outs, rather than 1 out, runner in scoring position. Those things come back to bite you.
Right, but we're not talking about giving up a guaranteed run. The score wouldn't necessarily be any different, and it's not even a higher percentage move. That's like saying that Girardi screwed up by putting Swisher in LF, because if it were Damon or Gardner in left with Melky in CF, they would've caught Crawford's looper.
I understand your point, but in this case, you have to look at the player when making a decision. Chances are, the best Molina is going to do is get a base hit, and you are lucky enough to have first and second with one out. That's if everything goes your way. More likely he grounds into a DP or strikes out, and you either have two outs no one on, which is what happened anyway, or he Ks and you have a wasted out and the runner hasn't advanced. I wouldn't say to tell Jeter to go up bunting, but this was Molina, and after him you have the top of the order. You're at least getting the bat into Jeter's hands by Molina bunting over Pena. (Not to mention Gardner has hit the ball tonight.)
I know what you're saying, but you're getting it all backwards. Molina is likely to hit into a DP or strike out. That is why you hit and run! To avoid the (classic) DP. What are the chances that he lines out and Pena can't get back to first? And the hit and run also means that it's not going to be first and second with none out... it's going to be first and third with no out. Or, if it's a grounder right at a fielder, it's going to be runner on second with one out (which is the same result as a sacrifice). Never mind the fact that for the sacrifice to work, Molina has to be able to get the bunt down. He's not a great bunter. Like I said, I wouldn't have been upset with a sacrifice call there. I like the hit and run more, though, in that situation, if they're going to put a play on.
Okay, early informal poll. Who do you consider the biggest acquisition for the Yankees so far? (Based only on performance thus far.) CC Sabathia AJ Burnett Mark Teixeira Nick Swisher I think everyone knows what kind of Teixiera fan I've been. I've been saying I wanted him here since he was still in Texas. Swisher has been absolutely awesome thus far, and CC looked great after the initial hiccup, but my vote is going to go to Burnett. He's had two fantastic starts, and both times broke this team back out and really helped out the bullpen.
I get what you're saying, but my preference for a guy like Molina is to take the "more sure" thing, which is the bunt sacrifice.
