Apparently some "sportwriters" in Chicago and St. Louis think that Ned Yost cost us a game last night.

Take a look at the 8th inning play-by-play from the Brewers loss to St Louis last night:

Top 8th: St. Louis
- R. King relieved S. Linebrink
- R. Ankiel flied out to center
- S. McClung relieved R. King
- A. Pujols hit by pitch

Since the umpire had warned both benches after a Prince Fielder HBP earlier in the game, Ned Yost and Seth McClung were ejected. So, we essentially give Albert Pujols a free pass. Questionable decision, but I can see the logic. Pujols is a great hitter and is more likely to hurt you than anyone else in the lineup. Anyway, lets continue...

- D. Turnbow relieved S. McClung
- R. Ludwick struck out swinging

So at this point, we have a runner on first with two outs. Certainly not a difficult situation to get out of. Derrick Turnbow is supposed to be our second-best reliever, so he should have no trouble getting out of the inning.

- S. Schumaker singled to left center, A. Pujols to second
- M. Cairo walked, A. Pujols to third, S. Schumaker to second
- K. Stinnett walked, A. Pujols scored, S. Schumaker to third, M. Cairo to second
- J. Edmonds hit for R. Flores

Oops!

- B. Shouse relieved D. Turnbow
- S. Taguchi hit for J. Edmonds
- S. Taguchi ground rule double to deep center, M. Cairo and S. Schumaker scored, K. Stinnett to third
- A. Miles singled to third, K. Stinnett scored, S. Taguchi to third
- C. Spurling relieved B. Shouse
- S. Spiezio hit for B. Ryan
- S. Spiezio walked, A. Miles to second
- R. Ankiel fouled out to shallow left

So, even after Pujols scored, Turnbow and Brian Shouse went on to allow 3 more runs. It's obvious that Ned wanted Pujols to get beaned, there was no other reason to have McClung pitching instead of Turnbow in that situation. However, blaming Ned for the loss is as idiotic as Cubs fans blaming Steve Bartman for their troubles. Putting Pujols on base intentionally is questionable, but certainly not a terrible decision in that situation. Turnbow struck out the next hitter, and he absolutely should have been able to get out of the inning with a runner on 1st and 2 outs.

To say that Ned put retaliation over winning the game is laughable. In the grand scheme of things, Albert Pujols getting beaned had about as much to do with the result as whether or not some random fan caught a foul ball.