WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Yu Darvish had thrown seven dominant innings Thursday night in Philadelphia, requiring just 92 pitches, and Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon took him out with a more than reasonable expectation that his bullpen would protect a five-run lead and get the last six outs.
It didn't happen that way, of course. After an error and three more pitching changes, six hits and only four outs, Bryce Harper blasted a walk-off grand slam, giving the Phillies a 7-5 win over the Cubs.
The move that Maddon made has become something of conventional wisdom.