Of course they can. But Shouse is a LOOGY that can go basically everyday and you have the oppositions best lefthanded hitter up late in a close game. There is no reason not to take advantage of that matchup. But we have two outs and the tying run is still on deck with a weak hitting (powerwise) lefty at the plate with a righty behind him. We've already used four pitchers and if Fukudome gets on against Shouse we now have to burn a righty to finish the inning. Add Gagne in the ninth and we've used seven pitchers in a three run win. It seems to me that if we have to use a specialist to get every batter out in a 'tight' situation, we will wear out the pen by June.