IMO, with a 4 run lead and a shutout going, you've gotta keep him in unless his pitchcount is 120+ EDIT: until he gives up the run or gets into huge trouble, that is. EDIT AGAIN: especially considering how dominantly he was pitching. Not for a guy in his second start back from an injury who was already very close to 100 pitches. He clearly was right at his limit, as evidenced by the first two batters he faced hitting a single and HR. But yeah, he had been dominant. The smart move there was Shouse.