Since then, the self proclaimed "bad man" (see below) has gone into a bit of a funk. Last night's pinch hit ground out in the 9th was just the latest in a series of disappointing at-bats for Manny... and for red Sox Nation.
Tim Wakefield put the Sox in a 5-0 hole in the second inning last night, but the Sox chipped away throughout the game and found themselves with a the tying run at first base in the 9th. Manny had been given the night off to rest a sore leg, but with the game on the line, Tito called his number and Manny headed to the plate, no doubt looking for #498... and the game winning hit.
Coco Crisp would steal second on the first pitch, making it even easier for Manny to tie the game, but Manny would ground out to the short stop, ending the rally and dropping his batting average under .300 for the first time since April 15th to .299.
Even tough it's hard to imagine Manny tweaking him hammy while "running to first" on Saturday, he clearly needed a day off - for whatever reason.
Since posting back-to-back 3-5 games on April 24th and 25th, Manny has gone 9 for his last 52 (.173) with just 2 doubles, one home run and 4 RBI. He's also struck out 16 times, while earning a walk just 7 times during that span.
Manny's stats: .299, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 24 R are respectable, but his 40 strikeouts and .257 BA with runners in scoring position are a little alarming. Manny didn't rack up 40 K's until mid-June last year and his career BA w/ RISP is an amazing .327... just a few points better than the current .257...
So what's up with Manny?
Some would say that he's pressing to reach the 500 HR mark... Others would tell me to chill out and remember that Manny always gets his 30 HRs and 100 RBI in the end... Personally, I think it's the first option. He's not going to admit it, but Manny's already admitted that reaching the 500 HR mark means alot to him. Once he gets there, I expect him to go back to being a great hitter and stop swinging for the fences so often.
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