Game 23 – Quick Trigger

Once again not much offence to speak of for the Jays. They threatened in the 9th getting the 1st two guys on against Percival but for the 3rd straight day Percival picked up the save. I don’t get the bunt in the 3rd inning by Eckstein. After 3 straight hits to start the inning producing 1 run, why give the pitcher an out. It is only the 3rd inning and you are playing on the road. You might have the pitcher on the ropes and get put together a big inning something the Jays have been lacking. If not for the mental lapses by the Rays defenders in not covering home plate after the bunt the Jays may have only scored 1, as it is they only got 2.

The Jays threatened again in the 4th loading the bases w/2 outs thanks to 2 walks by Sonnanstine but couldn’t come up w/the 2 out hit. Time and time again the Jays are failing to capitalize on early opportunities to open the game up.

I was surprised to see Rios get ejected by McClelland of all people. You would think the veteran ump wouldn’t be so quick with the trigger, something some ump’s need to learn, the fans are there to watch the players not them. The manager is a different story, and I think most umps know when the manager wants to get tossed. Of course Rios probably needs to control what he does w/bat and helmet after he strikes out, as he often shows his frustration by breaking his bat after a strikeout.

McGowan looked so good through the 1st two, and even the 3rd it was really just the leadoff walk that hurt him, as he got a ground ball from Bartlett but it found a hole up the middle. Then things just fell apart in the 4th and 5th as he walked 5 batters. The bullpen once again came in early and held things close but the Jays couldn’t come back.

And for the stats: Inglett is definitely looking shaky in the OF.
Adv: Zaun (3)
P-Adv: Percival
NAdv: Hinske
P-NAdv: Carlson (1)
ME(r): Pena
ME(f): Inglett (2), Pena