cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/14346947

The All-Star closer hadn’t thrown a single warmup pitch in the bullpen when he found out he’d be entering the game to face pinch-hitter Nick Gordon with the potential tying run on first and two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Manager Bob Melvin had wanted to bring in Doval for that precise situation, but his request wasn’t relayed properly due to a “communication mess up” with assistant pitching coach J.P. Martinez, who was filling in with bullpen coach Garvin Alston away from the team for personal reasons.