Washington Nationals’ Matt Williams kicking himself for removing Zimmerman
By Ed Carroll
Washington Nationals manager Matt Williams felt his reasoning was sound when he removed starting pitcher Jordan Zimmerman with two outs in the ninth inning in Game Two of the NLDS, but regretted making the switch to closer Drew Storen, who allowed the tying run to score in what eventually became an 18-inning, 2-1 San Francisco Giants victory:
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Zimmerman, who had pitched a no-hitter in his last regular season start, was spectacular in Game Two, retiring 20 hitters in a row at one time and allowing three hits in 8.2 innings before he was yanked from the game by Williams after a two-out walk to Joe Panik. Storen allowed a single to Buster Posey, and then Pablo Sandoval doubled to score Panik (Posey was ruled out at the plate after a replay review) for the tying run.
Williams said he’d continue to hand the ball to his closer, Storen:
For weeks, Williams refused to call Storen his closer. Did it 3 times in 15 minutes just now. He'll continue to get ball in 9th.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) October 5, 2014
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