Pedro Martinez slams Ned Yost's bullpen moves in AL wild-card game
Pedro Martinez, the three-time Cy Young award winner and current analyst for TBS, was among those confused by how Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost deployed his bullpen in Tuesday's wild-card game against the Oakland Athletics.
Martinez struggled to make sense of Yost's decision to call upon rookie right-hander Yordano Ventura in the sixth inning to face Brandon Moss, who homered off James Shields in the first inning.
I think Ned Yost was trying to give away this game, in any way possible. I dont agree with the situation of putting Ventura into the 6th
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) October 1, 2014
Not only did Ventura throw 73 pitches in Sunday's regular-season finale, but the 23-year-old has just one career relief appearance, prompting Martinez to question Yost's decision-making.
Sometimes you have to question and second guess some of the movements managers make. What was Yost thinking when he brought Ventura in?
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) October 1, 2014
Ventura promptly surrendered a three-run homer to Moss, affording the Athletics a 5-3 lead before being removed from the contest two batters later.
Ventura, don't feel bad about this move; it's not your fault, it's Yost fault. You should've never come out in a situation like this.
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) October 1, 2014