I am not a proponent of the sacrifice bunt in most cases. For example, with one out, I don’t believe in the sacrifice…ever. So the fact that the Red Sox don’t bunt runners over doesn’t, for the most part, bother me at all.
However, there are times a bunt is called for and needs to be executed. The Red Sox missed two such opportunities today in Anaheim and it may have cost them a win.
Top 9, 0 out, 4-4 game, Julio Lugo leads off with a double. A Jacoby Ellsbury bunt moves him to third with one out and the go ahead run comes around on Dustin Pedroia’s sacrifice fly deep to Torii Hunter in center field.
Top 11, 0 out, 4-4 game, Jason Bay is gifted first on a strike out/past ball. Nick Green bunts him over to second where a single brings in the go ahead run.
The problem with these two scenarios? They were never given the chance to happen because the batters where swinging away. Of course, the outcomes couldn’t have been worse.
Top 9, Ellsbury grounds into a fielders choice, ending up at second base with one out after a run down. Instead of coming home after Pedroia’s fly to center, he’s stuck at second. Red Sox don’t score.
Top 11, Green promptly grounds into a double play. Inning over.
For justification of selective sacrifice bunting, contrast the Red Sox decision to swing away in bunt situations with the Los Angeles Angels walk off winning inning.
Bottom 12, 0 out, 4-4 game, Juan Rivera singles. Rivera is pinch run for by Reggie Willits who is bunted over to second by Eric Aybar. Jeff Mathis singles in the winning run. Ballgame.