IU Baseball @ Michigan - 5/14 - 5/16/21

[Aaron 4,295]

Remember ESPN2 today finally with TV. Also all 4 games next weekend are on TV. 

As I said the UM starter is a lefty, but he has struggled with stamina. He has not been terrible when in there, but he has not gone over 5 innings and often less, so should see a lot of their beat up bullpen from yesterday which is where we need to take advantage. We have Bierman going of course so if he can give you 7 or 8 strong innings from him major advantage us. 

First pitch is in 20 min. Another must win on Sunday. We delivered in the last two weekends when in this situation and really need to make it 3 for 3.

[Aaron 4,295]

Underway!

[Aaron 4,295]

Nothing doing in top 1 besides a one out single. Good news is we forced Denner to throw 20 pitches which is great for a guy who already has not the best stamina. Has terrific off speed stuff and his numbers would indicate he is good when in there. Problem for him is that is never a long time. 

Bierman to mound.

[Aaron 4,295]

Bierman in complete command despite a very patient approach from Michigan. He also threw about 20 pitches though so we may need our bullpen for some of game depending on what happens. Everyone out of pen should be available outside of Mudungo and Litwicki which after how they pitched yesterday not sure I want to see them. Since we have not seen Bothwell assuming he goes Tues.

Also Manous finally returned and made a brief appearence yesterday after injury. 

[Aaron 4,295]

Denner looking good and throws good off speed lefty junk which is our worst nightmare. Key is going to be to let him wear himself out as he never goes long but when in there is good. Been case all season. Already at 36 pitches through 2 innings.

[Aaron 4,295]

We're in trouble. Patient Michigan gets two singles and its 1st and 3rd no outs. Need to limit this to one or we are screwed.

[Aaron 4,295]

Well there's the one on a sac fly. Got to put fire out now or it will be long day.

[Aaron 4,295]

Now a double makes it 2-0 off their 'green monster'. This could be a long day. Michigan is basically Iowa with a lot of patience and well placed contact. Like against Iowa, struggling with that and bats may not be as strong.

[Aaron 4,295]

There's out number 2 with a groundout.

[Aaron 4,295]

Inning over fortunately. I see Michigan like Iowa, you have to beat them by outscoring them like we did yesterday which is much harder on road. Nothing you could do there. Just a couple hard hit singles up middle and then the double off the wall. Illinois and Nebraska are same way but come with caveat. What makes Iowa and Michigan so dangerous is they have two excellent starters. Nebraska has one and Illinois has none. Will be much easier to outscore those teams at home where our bats are batter and starting pitching no where near as good.

[Aaron 4,295]

Still nothing, but Denner at 56 pitches through 3 so hopefully we chase him after 5 and get to bullpen. Kind of the same strategy soccer used Friday to sit back and play defense and score on one of our few chances and it worked. Here looks like we are playing long game making Denner throw a ton of pitches to tire self out and hope to get to pen. See if it works. 

2-0 Michigan to bottom 3.  

[Aaron 4,295]

Bierman back in command and less than 50 pitches with far better stamina. 2-0 Michigan to 4th.

[Aaron 4,295]

Forgot the plan there. Only forced 10 pitches and now at 66 and cruising. There is nothing worse for us than a LH  guy who relies on off speed stuff. First three innings we worked him beautifully to try to tire him out. That inning got impatient. Need him gone after 5th or 6th to really have chance and no he probably goes at least 6:(. 

2-0 to bottom 4. 

[Aaron 4,295]

Michigan scores again doing the little things with a double, groundball and wild pitch and its 3-0. This is like Gabe Bierman's Iowa start. Not horrible but with this team's style will give up some and unlike Iowa not getting to the opposing pitcher which is difference. 

[Aaron 4,295]

Bierman gets out of it. 3-0 Michigan though after 4. Bierman has been alright considering the style we are facing, but got to get to the pitching like we did in the Iowa games or yesterday against Michigan or you have no chance.

[Aaron 4,295]

HR Colopy on a line drive HR to RF below the scoreboard (the side with the low wall) and its 3-1.

[Aaron 4,295]

Nothing more, but Denner basically at 90 pitches through 5 (which is his season high) so not going to be able to go much longer if at all. We were patient again and forced ell over 20 pitches which was absolutely what the doctor ordered if we are to have a chance.

3-1 Michigan to bottom 5.

[Aaron 4,295]

Bierman cruises and at only 70 pitches through 5. Can hopefully get 7 from him with Illinois Tuesday. 

[Aaron 4,295]

Denner back out there in uncharted territory. Lets see what happens.

[Aaron 4,295]

Absolutely absurd from our best hitters. 6 pitch innning for Denner and he is at season high innings now. That's two innings now where our best hitters have gotten impatient and its going to probably cost us game. 

Denner is on today and not much we can do, but the fourth and sixth innings by the heart of our lineup has been really bad. Rather than making him work, getting outs on very early pitchers pitches in count.