Left ≠ Shortstop

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Cincinnati to Washington to ... Columbus?

Felipe Lopez took 100 steps backward. He did this - moving from short to left - so that he could get some at-bats. After watching him choke all weekend long, and in several clutch situations, it's apparent that the team went backwards with him.

Since he started patrolling left last Thursday, he's been more than just underwhelming. He's been a game swinger - in the wrong direction. He's batting 8th, just in front of the pitcher's spot. Take a look at his performance:

Thursday (vs Philly 7-8 loss in 10 innings)

1st - flies out to right

3rd - pops out to second

5th - singles to center, then picked off at second in a double play

8th - Flies out to center

9th - Flies out to left



@STL


Friday (4-5 loss)

2nd - walked to get to pitcher Perez

4th - Strikes out swinging (2nd out)

6th - Single to left

7th - Strikes out swinging (2nd out)

9th - strikes out swinging leaving 2 on to end game


Saturday (4-5 loss)

2nd - closes a 123 with a line out to center

4th - pitched around (!?!?) to get out Flores

7th single to right

9th - Lines out left for 2nd out



Sunday (0-3 loss)

2nd - grounds out leaving Kearns at 3rd

5th - strikes out swinging

8th - opens inning with ground out to 3rd


We could take a moment and look at his fielding, but why bother. He's not an outfielder. He's doing better than Soriano did when he started out there. Lastly, that's not the problem.

Felipe Lopez had a crap year with the bat in '07. Mysterious "personal problems" which have "since been resolved" were cited. Well sir, now he's got "professional problems".

If we have a hole out in left because of the DL list, then at least move him in the lineup. The guy is a buzz kill.


Lost weekend of wonkiness

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