2011 World Series Game 5

Na-Po-Li!
Once again the catcher hits a double in the eighth inning (appropriate for the number eight hitter) to give the Rangers the lead, 4-2, in the game, and to lead the Series three games to two with Game 6 in St. Louis. It was a game of sin and redemption. David Murphy bobbles a ball in left field allowing the runners to advance but gets two key hits. Mitch Moreland Bill Buckner's a ball at first allowing a run but then hits a mammoth shot to right that gets the Rangers back in the game. No sins from Adrian Beltre, just the usual vacuum cleaner style of play at third and a homer to left on one knee. And then there is Napoli... thank you Mike Sciosia!
The strange thing/controversy about the Napoli double is that LaRussa didn't bring in his closer to face Napoli. This made the game worthy to be mentioned on all the ESPN shows this morning. LaRussa claims that no one in the bullpen heard the phone ring to get Mott up and throwing...it was too loud. Very few people are buying it. Perhaps LaRussa got flustered because he was being outmanaged. If Mott wasn't ready and he was supposed to be there is an easy way around it. Claim your pitcher is feeling tightness in his arm and can't pitch anymore. The reliever who comes in due to injury is given all the time he needs to warm up. According to the rules:

8.03 When a pitcher takes his position at the beginning of each inning, or when he relieves another pitcher, he shall be permitted to pitch not to exceed eight preparatory pitches to his catcher during which play shall be suspended. A league by its own action may limit the number of preparatory pitches to less than eight preparatory pitches. Such preparatory pitches shall not consume more than one minute of time. If a sudden emergency causes a pitcher to be summoned into the game without any opportunity to warm up, the umpire-in-chief shall allow him as many pitches as the umpire deems necessary. (source mlb.com)

'nuff said.