Cabrera needs to be responsible for swinging at that pitch...not the manager. I'm sure he spoke with Asdrubal about it after the game and then did the right thing and didn't throw his player under the bus to the media.
Sometimes managers give 'the green light" to veteran players who they trust to make things happen. Stuff like that doesn't earn that trust. While I appreciate that Acta didn't throw his player 'under the bus' adding the comment that he wanted "him to take a whack ...(at it)... and win the game". is going a little out of the way to protect your player from criticism.
Cabrera is about a 'veteran' player as we have on the team, and he can't be trusted not to make rookie mistake? Actually, it's not a rookie mistake...it's as some on this thread said earlier...it's a
little league mistake. Maybe that's what happens when you don't have enough veteran leadership or a manager not doing his job.
I know it's only 1 game out 162, but that game was gift wrapped and sealed with a kiss... Just a terrible way to start the season. Instead of sending 43,000 people home happy with a warm fuzzy feeling, you sent half of them home early grumbling...and the rest cold, discouraged, and disappointed.
Now if they go on and start 30-15...I'll be happy to STFU. But today, I'm calling it like I see it.