On the receiving end of one of the most controversial pitching moves in postseason history, Pedro Martinez had some strong feelings about Royals manager Ned Yost’s decision to pull starter James Shields in the sixth inning of Tuesday night’s American League wild card game.
With two runners on and nobody out in the sixth inning, Yost chose to lift his ace, Shields, in favor of a rookie starter, Yordano Ventura, who had thrown 73 pitches in the regular season finale two days prior. Shields had thrown just 88 pitches when he was lifted and had given up two runs at that point.
The Athletics hit Ventura hard, scoring five times in the inning to take the lead.
Had the Royals not rallied to win the game in 12 innings, Martinez tweeted, he would have been “the ugly goat” for pulling his ace too early.
Martinez, of course, was left in too long by Red Sox manager Grady Little in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Yankees in the Bronx, a move that famously cost Boston the game and Little his job.
Here’s what Pedro had to say on Twitter about Yost’s decision to lift Shields, thoughts he reiterated as an analyst on the TBS postgame show:
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, 2014I think Ned Yost had a panic move and almost gave the game again. If they would have lost, he would have been the ugly goat.
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) October 1, 2014Sometimes 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, 2014What Ned Yost it's saying about bringing in Ventura, it's horrible. How much gas do you want? Why don't you just go and get a gas station?
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) October 1, 2014Ventura, 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, 2014Ventura, keep you head high, you have a bright future.
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) October 1, 2014