LOOGY? Phooey!

Game 61, June 8, Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham, North Carolina
Norfolk Tides: 6
Durham Bulls: 2
Season: 27–34; Home Stand: 0–1
Wrap, Box

Stats: 
Game Score: Wilk 75; Season Avg 53
Tm OPS: Game .615; Season .651
Tm wOBA: Game .302; Season .295

I am not a big fan of the whole concept of a LOOGY — Left-handed One Out GuY. The idea is to match up a lefty reliever against a left-handed batter for an out. Apparently, someone down in St. Petersburg likes the idea, unless last night’s action was dreamed up in the Bulls dugout by Sandberg and Snyder.

Adam Kolarek appears to be the Bulls’ designated LOOGY. He was brought in at the top of the 9th inning when the Bulls had a 2–1 lead and a left handed Norfolk Tides batter was coming up. Kolarek had been warming up alongside newly-christened Bulls closer Dylan Floro. The broadcasters Kinas and Poser were confidently and enthusiastically predicting the LOOGY approach.

Did not work out very well. Kolarek brushed Mike Yastrzemski’s jersey with his 4th pitch and the hit-by-pitch put Yastrzemski on first base. Having been out to do his LOOGY thing, and failed, Kolarek was replaced by Dylan Floro. Five runs later, the brilliant start of Adam Wilk and Richie Shaffer’s two run homer were in the dustbin.

This was the sixth time that Kolarek has had a less than one-inning appearance. In five of those six appearance he threw a grand total of 27 pitches (in the sixth he threw 21 and gave up 2 earned runs). The Bulls lost three of those games and won three. For what it's worth, I don't think it helps a Triple A team to have a LOOGY-in-training. And is the whole idea a good one in the first place? Not sure. What we know is that prior to last night Dylan Floro had come into save opportunities at the beginning of the last inning 4 times and he had saved those four games. This time a LOOGY led off and disaster followed.

Nevertheless, let’s not let Adam Wilk’s brilliant outing go unnoticed. By far his best of the year. A game score of 75, 10 K’s, no walks, a solo home run his only blemish. And let’s note the first home run in a while by Richie Shaffer, a clean shot over the Monster.

Note rehabbing Tampa Bay second baseman Logan Forsyth is with the team. He was 1 for 2 last night with a BB.