$hit can Kaz please pitch past the 6th inning

[BULLfreak]

He went 5 1/3 and had 102 pitches. I am glad the rays won but **** Kaz is our "ACE" (even though most feel Shields is our ace) and he can’t use his head. When is this guy going to learn you can’t strike everyone out? Hell Nolan Ryan was the best fast ball pitcher but he knew he didn’t need to strike everyone out why can Scott learn the same thing. He is going to waste his arm.

[Singabull]

That's what I've been saying.  He's got the league's best defense behind him.  If he would just pitch for contact instead of drawing all these 2-2 and 3-2 counts, he'd be able to last longer.  Fortunately, the rays had such a big lead that they got to use salas and hammel instead of balfour or howell or wheeler.

[___ Eats It]

He needs his efficiency to improve big time... but c'mon.  He pitched 3-hit shutout ball and left with a big lead.

When you're up by 10, you don't need to have your "ace" going 8 innings into a game.  Rest his arm and let him have another shot in a few days.

[Bullpride08]

Do you all even listen to the games or watch them, or are you so desperate to jump on Kaz you take every opportunity.

First, OBVIOUSLY Kaz could have gone 7-9 innings, we had such a huge lead if he gave up a run it wasn't going to kill us.

Second, it was Maddon's call to take him out.  Listen to the post-game report.  Apparently his pitch count was below 100 at the time.

Third, Maddon said during the post game interviews that Kaz could easily go into later innings but he wants to save that until the post season and in September.  He didn't see the need to stretch out Kaz's effort with a 10 run lead.  Once Kaz gave up a hit, he brought in Salas, because he said Salas needed work, and Maddon knew good and well that Kaz could have gotten out of that inning.  Possibly without surrendering a run, but why?

So, Kaz leaving after 5 1/3 innings had nothing to do with him, or pitch count, or losing something.  He looked exceptional last night, had a 1-2-3 inning with under 15 pitches, he struck out 6, threw loads more strikes than balls.  But when you're up like that the goal is not to stretch your starter.  Get him out, give him rest, and let the bullpen save.  Maddon was emphatic to reporters that Kaz will be called upon to go deep in the post season but right now, lately he's had the luxury of taking him out in the 5-7th innings.

[___ Eats It]

Do you all even listen to the games or watch them, or are you so desperate to jump on Kaz you take every opportunity.

First, OBVIOUSLY Kaz could have gone 7-9 innings, we had such a huge lead if he gave up a run it wasn't going to kill us.

Second, it was Maddon's call to take him out.  Listen to the post-game report.  Apparently his pitch count was below 100 at the time.

Third, Maddon said during the post game interviews that Kaz could easily go into later innings but he wants to save that until the post season and in September.  He didn't see the need to stretch out Kaz's effort with a 10 run lead.  Once Kaz gave up a hit, he brought in Salas, because he said Salas needed work, and Maddon knew good and well that Kaz could have gotten out of that inning.  Possibly without surrendering a run, but why?

So, Kaz leaving after 5 1/3 innings had nothing to do with him, or pitch count, or losing something.  He looked exceptional last night, had a 1-2-3 inning with under 15 pitches, he struck out 6, threw loads more strikes than balls.  But when you're up like that the goal is not to stretch your starter.  Get him out, give him rest, and let the bullpen save.  Maddon was emphatic to reporters that Kaz will be called upon to go deep in the post season but right now, lately he's had the luxury of taking him out in the 5-7th innings.

Agree on most points, but Kaz was over 102 pitches last night when he was pulled, if the box score I was following online at mlb.com was correct.

Bottom line... no need to work him like a dog if the game is in hand.

[Matt]

you guys also have to realize that teams FEAR Kazmir and they are told prior to the game to be ExTRA selective at the plate to drive his pitch count up.

[Singabull]

Do you all even listen to the games or watch them, or are you so desperate to jump on Kaz you take every opportunity.

First, OBVIOUSLY Kaz could have gone 7-9 innings, we had such a huge lead if he gave up a run it wasn't going to kill us.

Second, it was Maddon's call to take him out.  Listen to the post-game report.  Apparently his pitch count was below 100 at the time.

Third, Maddon said during the post game interviews that Kaz could easily go into later innings but he wants to save that until the post season and in September.  He didn't see the need to stretch out Kaz's effort with a 10 run lead.  Once Kaz gave up a hit, he brought in Salas, because he said Salas needed work, and Maddon knew good and well that Kaz could have gotten out of that inning.  Possibly without surrendering a run, but why?

So, Kaz leaving after 5 1/3 innings had nothing to do with him, or pitch count, or losing something.  He looked exceptional last night, had a 1-2-3 inning with under 15 pitches, he struck out 6, threw loads more strikes than balls.  But when you're up like that the goal is not to stretch your starter.  Get him out, give him rest, and let the bullpen save.  Maddon was emphatic to reporters that Kaz will be called upon to go deep in the post season but right now, lately he's had the luxury of taking him out in the 5-7th innings.

Kazmir threw 102 pitches.  If a starter is throwing 102 pitches, you at least want him to give you 6 innings.  In a close game, you put a lot of pressure on your bullpen when they have to throw almost 4 innings.  yes, it wasn't close last night.  But in the close games it matters. 

[Bullpride08]

Do you all even listen to the games or watch them, or are you so desperate to jump on Kaz you take every opportunity.

First, OBVIOUSLY Kaz could have gone 7-9 innings, we had such a huge lead if he gave up a run it wasn't going to kill us.

Second, it was Maddon's call to take him out.  Listen to the post-game report.  Apparently his pitch count was below 100 at the time.

Third, Maddon said during the post game interviews that Kaz could easily go into later innings but he wants to save that until the post season and in September.  He didn't see the need to stretch out Kaz's effort with a 10 run lead.  Once Kaz gave up a hit, he brought in Salas, because he said Salas needed work, and Maddon knew good and well that Kaz could have gotten out of that inning.  Possibly without surrendering a run, but why?

So, Kaz leaving after 5 1/3 innings had nothing to do with him, or pitch count, or losing something.  He looked exceptional last night, had a 1-2-3 inning with under 15 pitches, he struck out 6, threw loads more strikes than balls.  But when you're up like that the goal is not to stretch your starter.  Get him out, give him rest, and let the bullpen save.  Maddon was emphatic to reporters that Kaz will be called upon to go deep in the post season but right now, lately he's had the luxury of taking him out in the 5-7th innings.

Kazmir threw 102 pitches.  If a starter is throwing 102 pitches, you at least want him to give you 6 innings.  In a close game, you put a lot of pressure on your bullpen when they have to throw almost 4 innings.  yes, it wasn't close last night.  But in the close games it matters. 

Well Maddon said in the post game that he wasn't over 100 when they decided to take him out.  Maddon said he can and would have gone another inning or two if the score was tight because Kaz's pitches were having so much movement.  He was having no problems in the 6th, he already had one out and gave up his first extra base hit. 

Kazmir has actually looked especially sharp his past two games.  He got through the 6th last game, and went 51/3 last night.  No need for him to push it now.  Right now, in the American League, the way our guys are pitching, I'd say we'd be a tough series win when you're rolling out Kaz, Shields, Garza, and Ejax.  I'd say right now, given who's on the disabled list, and who's coming off, that we have the best staff heading into the playoffs.