I find multiple things wrong with this decision. For one, you have a left handed batter at the plate. Frazier taking off allows first baseman to move away from line and back into better fielding position. Secondly, stealing on a 3-1, 0 out count is the worst count to take off on. Good base stealers (and coaches for the most part) try to steal in off speed situations (0-2, 1-2, 2-2. The pitcher is throwing a fast ball 90+% of the time in that situation (unless a Renfroe type is up). Stealing on a fastball is the most difficult. Thirdly, allowing first baseman to move back into better fielding position, decreases the size of the hole between 1st and 2nd base for Detz to hit a ground ball through. Finally, by taking the runner off base, who could potentially be on base for Renfroe, would completely alter the pitch sequence to Hunter. With no men on and 2 outs the pitcher can pitch carefully and somewhat around Renfroe.
Even if it was a hit and run call, the whole 1st baseman moving off of bag and closing gap between 1st and 2nd applies, thus decreasing the chances of a ground ball getting through. Cant keep giving up runners and outs, especially 1 batter before one of the best hitters in the nation is due up.
Different Topic: Did anyone hear Cohen talking about the final play of the game last night? He was saying the CF shouldn't have dove to catch the ball, because if it gets through the game is tied. I agree with the logic, but sometimes the players know when or not they can make a play and have a much better feel for the game. I didnt see the play, but there are ways to dive coming in where if you do not catch it, you block/smother it with your chest and keep the ball in front of you. This goes back to my point of Cohen not having a feel for his players and the flow of the game, and only relying on what the book says you should do in certain situations. One moment earlier in the year that still sticks out in my mind is when he PH for Norris (2-3, 2B, RBI) with Porter at the end of a game because of a Lefty Right matchup. Norris had been tearing the cover off the ball but got hit for because a RH came in. When you are seeing the ball that good, it doesn't matter who they bring in to pitch to you. Of course Porter looked like a rusty gate up there and we didn't do anything productive that inning.
Even if it was a hit and run call, the whole 1st baseman moving off of bag and closing gap between 1st and 2nd applies, thus decreasing the chances of a ground ball getting through. Cant keep giving up runners and outs, especially 1 batter before one of the best hitters in the nation is due up.
Different Topic: Did anyone hear Cohen talking about the final play of the game last night? He was saying the CF shouldn't have dove to catch the ball, because if it gets through the game is tied. I agree with the logic, but sometimes the players know when or not they can make a play and have a much better feel for the game. I didnt see the play, but there are ways to dive coming in where if you do not catch it, you block/smother it with your chest and keep the ball in front of you. This goes back to my point of Cohen not having a feel for his players and the flow of the game, and only relying on what the book says you should do in certain situations. One moment earlier in the year that still sticks out in my mind is when he PH for Norris (2-3, 2B, RBI) with Porter at the end of a game because of a Lefty Right matchup. Norris had been tearing the cover off the ball but got hit for because a RH came in. When you are seeing the ball that good, it doesn't matter who they bring in to pitch to you. Of course Porter looked like a rusty gate up there and we didn't do anything productive that inning.