Leaving Hawkins in would've been my decision. I trust him more with a 5-run lead because he doesn't walk (or hit) many batters and he keeps the ball in the park.
BTW, I'd have to say that Hawkins must have developed a different grip/delivery or something on his fastball because he seems to have turned into an extreme groundball pitcher:
GB/FB rate
2003: 1.04
2004: 0.89
2005: 1.15
2006: 1.31
2007: 3.06
Career: 1.22
I doubt this is a small sample/statistical blip since GB/FB rates are pretty consistent season-to-season, and in LaTroy's case remarkably consistent over his entire career. Before this season, his all-time high GB/FB ratio was 1.34.
This has changed my perspective on LaTroy, since I was opposed to signing him in the first place. Right now, I think he's throwing great, and I'd like to see him back next year; I think we've got an option on him.
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