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Still feeling the squeeze of criticism two days after the Angels' season came to an abrupt and painful end, Manager Mike Scioscia on Wednesday vigorously defended his decision to try what some viewed as an unnecessary gamble in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the American League division series. With the potential go-ahead run at third base and one out, Scioscia had Erick Aybar, one of his team's best bunters, attempt a suicide squeeze. Aybar couldn't connect on Boston reliever Manny Delcarmen's 2-and-0 pitch, and catcher Jason Varitek tagged out Reggie Willits as the pinch-runner retreated toward third base.Aybar grounded out and the Red Sox scored the series-clinching run in the bottom of the inning, triggering a torrent of outrage among Angels fans who thought their manager should have tried a... [read full story]
