“That phone in a loud ballpark, it’s not an unusual problem,’’ La Russa said. “I mean, it doesn’t make it right, but … “
The bottom of the eighth inning was a comedy of errors for St. Louis. It played out like something from the “Can you hear me now?’’ cell phone commercials.
It started with Lilliquist only having Rzepczynski warm up, when La Russa really wanted both him and right-handed closer Jason Motte to get loose.
La Russa realized the problem once he put in Rzepczynski and saw no one else warming up, so he called back and ask for Motte again. This time, Lilliquist told Lance Lynn to start throwing, even though he was only supposed to be used in an emergency.
La Russa also said the noise problem is not unusual with bullpens “that are right amidst the fans and excitement.’’ The visitors’ bullpen at Rangers Ballpark is in left-center field, with fans on either side.
“Maybe we need to come up with some ear mikes or something,’’ La Russa said.
Considering all the technology available these days, there’s got to be a better way to do this — right?
“Yeah, smoke signals from the dugout,’’ La Russa said. “There are times, like what happened in Philadelphia (during the first round of the playoffs). The phone went out, and so we used cell phones. And then the Phillies brought down walkie talkies, and they fixed the phone.’’
The eighth inning began falling apart for St. Louis when Octavio Dotel took over for starter Chris Carpenter and gave up a leadoff double.
An intentional walk followed, then with one out, Rzepczynski came in for a lefty-lefty matchup with David Murphy. Texas could’ve gone to a right-handed hitter, but stuck with Murphy. He hit a comebacker that could’ve started a double play. Instead, it ricocheted off Rzepczynski’s leg to second baseman Nick Punto, loading the bases.
“He made a great pitch, but it happens,’’ La Russa said. “Sometimes it happens for us, today it happened against us.’’
