Omar Infante is a good hitter, but with a .321 BA and a .359 OBP, he’s also a hacker. Wilson got him to chase pitches and struck him out. Melky just isn’t a good hitter, but got decent wood on the ball.
Via Giants Win, El Lefty Malo opines on Brian Wilson’s approach to the ninth inning of game four:
The problem with Wilson’s approach, of course, is that even he makes mistakes. Even if he doesn’t, some times even poor hitters manage to put the ball in play in the right place. I suspect Wilson believes the odds of that happening to him are lower than they are in reality, but that’s also part of the mental makeup of great players. They don’t believe they can lose.
Brian Wilson did exactly what he wanted to do tonight in the ninth inning. I’ve heard him say that when he decides not to let a certain hitter beat him, he’ll be stubborn about it, even walk him rather than give in. That’s what you saw tonight. Ankiel,
Coach Sunglasses, then Hinske: both have homered this series on pitches middle-in. The only time Wilson came in on either hitter was a fastball above the hands. Go back and check if you Tivo’d it. I’m going by memory, but I think I’m right. Everything else was outside corner. Wilson pounded it,
Lineup Shift,
Oakeley Sunglasses Sale, even when falling behind in the count. Better to miss six inches off the corner than down the middle. No way is Ankiel or that jellyroll Hinske, taking me deep. I’ve never seen such extreme confidence, basically saying I’ll put the winning run on base and you still won’t be able to hit me.