You are right, I never did think that Shingo would blow the lead, however, while listening to the game, I was a little pissed that Ozzie took out Dustin, he should of at least started the ninth inning, if someone gets on, then bring in Shingo.

 

Yet, there are a lot of people here at Soxtalk that will tell you never to do that with Shingo..... that he pitch well from the start of the inning, but he's not the type to put out the fire.

The meltdown had me focusing more on pitch counts.  Ozzie needs to do the same.  I ignored that split for the most part for the past couple of years but it really does help to define a player's strength & weaknesses. 

 

I was surprised to find Shingo's OPS vs to be as high as 840 when he throws more than 15 pitches.  But no one can argue with his 439 OPS vs for his first 15 pitches.  For every save opportunity Oz needs to view Shingo as a closer on a short leash.  If he can't get it done in 15-20 pitches yank him.

 

Really? You're focused on pitched counts? Wow. I never would have realized that.