Colorado Rockies podcast: To bunt or not to bunt?

An eighth-inning decision by Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black stirred up Rockies Twitter on Tuesday night. Our Jake Shapiro tackled the controversy in his latest Rockie Road podcast.

Trailing by a run in the eighth inning on Tuesday at Coors Field, the Colorado Rockies saw pinch hitter Gerardo Parra and leadoff hitter Charlie Blackmon post back-to-back singles to open the frame. DJ LeMahieu was called upon to bunt the runners over, which he did, giving the Rockies runners and second and third with only one out.

To the surprise of very few in attendance or watching on television, San Diego Padres manager Andy Green called for Nolan Arenado to be intentionally walked, loading the bases but also taking the bat out of the player who some consider to be the leading National League Most Valuable Player candidate’s hands.

With the bases loaded and one out, Padres reliever Craig Stammen struck out Trevor Story and coerced Carlos Gonzalez into a groundout to second base. It ended the inning and Colorado’s best chance to tie the game in the late innings as Colorado dropped a 4-3 decision.

More from Colorado Rockies Podcast

• Colorado Rockies podcast: What to make of Bill Schmidt’s comments
• Colorado Rockies podcast: Why the Rockies could be a more interesting watch to end the season
• Colorado Rockies podcast: September call-ups and inside the Rockies clubhouse
• Colorado Rockies: Could recent injuries change their offseason philosophy?
• Colorado Rockies: Wynton Bernard finally receiving a callup to the majors

From the time LeMahieu squared around to lay down the bunt, there was plenty of chatter about if the Rockies should have bunted in that situation or not. Should Arenado have been allowed to take his swings, knowing he was likely going to get a free pass? Or was it the best decision to let an All-Star (Story) and former All-Star (CarGo) have their chances at driving in the tying and possibly winning run?

Our own Shapiro dove into the controversy last night on his latest Rockie Road podcast, giving his own philosophy on bunting, both in that situation and overall. You can click here to listen to his thoughts.

He also touched on the struggles of Colorado starter Tyler Anderson. As Shapiro pointed out on Twitter, Colorado is just 4-13 in the southpaw’s last 17 starts. Those are numbers that will have to change if Colorado is to make the playoffs.

So are you a fan of the bunt in Tuesday night’s situation? Let us know in the comments section below.