Tie game, runners on first and second, no outs, bottom of the seventh. Benson in the stretch, Bobby Crosby batting. The Pirates can't believe the A's are not bunting. They run through their signs and plays, but he's not bunting. So Benson pegs Crosby in the leg.
...so that leads to a big inning and the A's go on to win. Anyone who says a bunt has hidden value because "things happen" when you bunt, because it puts pressure on the defense etc., should keep in mind that "things happen" whenever you do something unexpected. The not bunting rattled the Bucs more than any bunting ordered this year by Tony LaRussa or Jimy Williams or Ned Yost.
We're in the midst of a horrendous losing streak, but these are excellent games for fans to tune into since the Bucs could really learn a thing or two from these A's. No doubt the Reds learned a thing or two they might try on their next division rival. I'm seeing some value in interleague play: it gets the team out of old habits and forces them to re-assess their worth, to see them in a fresh light, before they resume them with the usual playing style the break out on, say, the Cubs or the Cardinals.
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