"Anytime we have a miscommunication, that miscommunication is my responsibility so I take full responsibility for it," Kapler said.
That’s a big whoops from the new rookie manager of the Phillies as he called upon a pitcher who hadn’t warmed up yet. Manager Gabe Kapler strolled to the mount to replace wayward starter Vince Velasquez with Hoby Milner in the third while down 5-2. Instead, mayhem ensued.
Milner who had warmed up earlier in the game was not prepared to go into the game at that point. As umpire Jerry Layne approached the mound to see what the hold up was, he found out the bizarre situation. Layne then made the decision, which was later backed by the MLB, to let the reliever warm up properly. “The last thing I want to do is get somebody hurt. It's already a messed-up situation," Layne explained to a reporter after the game.
This did not sit well with the Braves. Manager Brian Snitker came out of the dug out for an explanation for the hold up and was promptly ejected. It was Snitker’s second ejection of the series. If that wasn’t bizarre enough, utility infielder Pedro Florimon was called upon to pitch in the 8th in the 15-2 rout. It hasn’t gone according to plan as Kapler has used 21 pitchers in 3 games.
"Whoever's at fault on the Phillies' side should have to answer to Major League Baseball," Layne said.
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