This Milwaukee Breweries are currently in the midst of a tough 13-game series that includes the Arizona Diamondbacks (x2) and the Philadelphia Phillies. On Sunday, the Brew Crew had a chance to sweep the Diamondbacks but ultimately lost in extra innings by a score of 11-10. Closer Devin Williams got loose in the bullpen on multiple occasions, but oddly enough, he didn’t get into the game. Manager Pat Murphy explained why after the game.
Devin Williams lost control of the bullpen several times during Sunday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Entering the ninth inning on Sunday, the Brewers and Diamondbacks were tied 8-8. Milwaukee got a runner on base in the top of the inning but failed to score. While the Brew Crew batted, Devin Williams relaxed in the bullpen. Teams typically utilize their closer in games that are tied (or with the lead) in the ninth inning so that their best bullpen arm doesn’t have to deal with ghost runners in extra innings, but Pat Murphy opted to utilize Jared Koenig instead.
Jared Koenig finished the ninth scoreless, striking out 14 balls, and then the Brewers scored twice in the top of the 10th on a Jackson Chourio triple. Devin Williams, meanwhile, got loose again, but Pat Murphy stuck with Koenig in the bottom of the 10th. The result was three more hits, a hitter to tie the game, and then an RBI walk by the Diamondbacks.
Why didn’t Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy put Devin Williams in the ninth or tenth inning?
Pat Murphy explained after the game that he wanted to utilize Devin Williams only for a specific hitter or maybe two. Murphy said Williams was available, but not for an extended appearance. Before Sunday’s game, Williams had pitched in three of his last five games, which consisted of a combined 53 pitches on Sept. 10, 12 and 13.
Murphy’s explanation is reassuring, as Williams had no underlying injury that would have prevented him from playing, but it’s still odd that despite not playing he had to hot up twice and throw unnecessary balls to the bullpen.
Devin William addresses the strange decision not to play against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
After the game, Devin Williams was asked about warming up twice and not getting into the game. He indicated that he would have gotten into the game if the team had taken the lead in the ninth inning and that despite his frustration at the end of the game, he “understands the decisions that were made” about not getting used in the 10th.
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