Maddon defends not using Davis: 'I really just needed him for the save'

Following the Chicago Cubs' crushing walk-off defeat at the hands of Justin Turner and the Los Angeles Dodgers, manager Joe Maddon explained why he sent John Lackey out to pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning instead of closer Wade Davis.

"I really just needed him for the save tonight," Maddon told reporters, according to ASAP Sports.

"He had limited pitches. It was one inning only, and in these circumstances you don't get him up and then don't get him in. So if we had caught the lead, he would have pitched. That's it."

Maddon revealed that Davis was limited to only one inning Sunday because of his pitch totals from Game 5 of the NLDS against the Washington Nationals three days earlier. He tossed 2 1/3 innings (44 pitches) to secure the save and the series for the Cubs.

Lackey, meanwhile, made an appearance Saturday, throwing a scoreless 1 2/3 innings on 27 pitches. Entering Game 2, the 38-year-old had never pitched in back-to-back outings. With one on and two out, he gave up a walk before Turner homered to give the Dodgers a 4-1 win and a 2-0 series lead.

"I'm just betting on his experience right there as much as anything. I know that he went out there and tried to make the pitches that he wanted to make. I know that the crowd would not affect him, and it didn't," Maddon said, when asked why he decided to use Lackey.

"Just the first walk he just kept trying to get (Chris) Taylor to chase. Once he got to two strikes and he didn't chase, to the hitter's credit. Then I didn't see the last pitch to Turner, but obviously it was pretty good. But I really thought that John would not be affected by the moment."