Camp's throw to third (that scored us 2 runs last night)

[Dojji]

Even beyond the fact that it worked out well for us and Camp executed it poorly, I'm totally baffled why any trained ballplayer would even try to make that play. Was there ANY justification to throwing to third in that situation?

 

Less than 2 outs, runners on the corners, Ellsbury taking off for second, ground ball right to the mound. Gonzalez was off the bag yes, but the proper play is pretty obvious -- look Gonzo back and throw to first. Take the easy out and work to the next hitter. Instead he was trying to... I dunno what, catch Gonzo napping off the bag? Even if he nails that throw Gonzo dives back in a close tag play and Pedroia reaches on a fielder's choice -- 50% chance of loading the bases.

 

Was it a pure bonehead decision or was there something Camp was trying to do and it just didn't work? Is there ANY reason to throw to third?

[v2freak]

Some players just take that risk. With a runner on second and less than 2 outs, fielders are taught to go to first base on a groundball to the right side, but sometimes a riskier throw to third base can nail the lead runner.

[BoSox21]

Pitchers usually make the most awful decisions as far as which base to throw to. This was another case of that.

[Spudboy]

I think it's easy to conclude that it was a bonehead play because it allowed 2 runs to score and the batter to reach base safely. Why did he do it? My guess is a that he saw Gonzo with the big lead and thought he could get him. If he had, the lead runner is gone with men on 1st and 2nd. A ground ball at that point may end the inning.

[msubulldogs21]

I think he just panicked.

[RWTP24]

Look the runner back and get the save out at 1B. He panicked and tried to throw flat footed: therefore, he made a huge error that gave the Sox two more runs.