WERRIBEE Giants coach Earl Byrne was making no bones about the reason his side surrendered a one-run ninth-inning lead to lose Sunday’s western derby 6-4 to the Newport Rams in the Baseball Victoria summer league division 2.
Byrne shouldered all the blame and sheltered his players in the aftermath of a gut-wrenching loss, which leaves them behind the eight ball, mid-table and with a 2-4 record.
He told the Weekly the game hinged on a decision from the dugout either to send starting pitcher Chris Webb back to the mound for a gruelling ninth inning or make a call to the bullpen where young closer Wes De Jong was ready and waiting.
“I was taught when I was playing professionally to never let your starter lose the game,” Byrne said. “I kind of went against that and I believe I made a decision that cost us the game.”
A tiring Webb returned to the mound and invited trouble, walking Rams catcher Tyson Foreman. His first out of the inning was a sacrifice bunt by opposition starting pitcher Griffin Weir.
Webb then walked Zac Seipolt before Liam Vicary-Lovegrove became the third bat to get on base on balls.
The call went to the bullpen, but De Jong was handed a poisoned chalice.
He could not contain the Rams three-hit star Troy Malthouse, who came up with a double to score two runs.
Dean Anglin then grounded out for the Rams to score another to give the visiting side a two-run lead.
Evan McPherson hit a last-inning triple to give the Giants a faint hope, but a Matthew Howe flyball later and the game was gone.
“I was livid after the game,” Byrne said, “but it wasn’t at the players.
“They played really well and I would say it was one of our better team performances.
“I was just kicking myself for not making the pitching change that I should’ve and just let the relief do it in the ninth inning.”
The positives far outweighed the negatives for the Giants.
Darryl George was back from Team Australia duties and provided great leadership.
Young shortstop Connor Wilson made a number of crucial plays.
Ryan Balzer came up with two hits and two RBIs. McPherson had the hot hand with two triples.
With nothing to show for their work, the Giants will head into their fifth home game in seven starts desperate for a win over lowly Springvale back at President’s Park on Sunday.
SUMMER LEAGUE RESULTS
Firsts: Werribee 4 Newport 6
Seconds: Werribee 4 Newport 3
Thirds: Werribee 4 Newport 13
Fourths: Werribee 12 Newport 8
