The team goes on a West Coast trip where they have, in recent years, really struggled. While there they win two games in LA and played well in the others. They won two out of three in San Diego. These were two good teams on the road. Maybe a run to respectability was in order, especially with a homestand starting off with Washington and Pittsburgh. Then they get throttled by Washington in three of four and Pittsburgh's vaunted rotation completely shuts down the offense. I too had to turn off the tube and walk away disheartened. So, in that sense, I certainly understand the timing, at least with Garner. I'm still not sure firing Purpura was a good idea. If that were inevitable, it could have happened in a low profile way after the season ended.
