Sports Thread #1 For 10/19/09: 2009 ALCS- Questionable Giradi Managing Helps Give Life To Angels In Pivotal Game 3 Win

Now, full credit to be given to Mike Scioscia club in a game they needed real bad. They came back from a 3-0 deficit where their pitcher, Jered Weaver, didn't deliver on the ace performance he gave them in Game 2 of the ALDS.

Their bullpen was amazing outside of one pitch from Kevin Jepsen pitch to Jorge Posada that lead to the tie game. And if it wasn't for that pitch and the one Brian Fuentes offered up to Alex Rodriguez in Game 2, the Angels relievers would have a big zero in the earned run column. (Making Fuentes walking A-Rod in the 9th funny because he knew the consequences of facing him.)

And what can you say about Howie Kendrick, Jeff Mathis, and Vladmir Guerrero of all people stepping up in the big moments today, as the latter two played part in the winning run off of Aceves in the 11th.

But that moment, and the whole game, falls at the hands of Joe Giradi's ridiculous move to put Aceves in the game to replaced a confident and effective Dave Robertson. Though Aceves has been reliable this year, why put him in that situation when your current pitcher has shown his quality to get ALL 3 outs in an inning.

Giradi almost blew the game early by not putting Rivera in the game in the 10th after Phil Hughes gave up a leadoff double to Mathis. The legendary closer got out of what turned out to be a bases loaded jam by getting out Torii Hunter and Guerrero.

Aceves though couldn't get out of his jam, as his walk to Kendrick proved to be fatal. Mathis' scorching double scored the speedy second basemen to give the Halos a most needed win.

And send justifiable questions to Giradi's and his absurd managing moves to where they need to go. Right in his face.