Game 24 – Defensive Replacement

I have yet to really comment on this but until this game it hadn’t really cost the Jays. Why is John McDonald not playing defence late in the game when the Jays are ahead? Gibbons had no problem using Coats defensively for Stewart/Stairs earlier in the yr, and we have seen him use it often when Johnson and Cat shared LF duties. I have mentioned before that I think McDonald should be starting at least every 5th game when Halladay pitches, but he should also be used defensively late in games when ahead, he is the best defensive SS in the game, what other purpose does he serve for this team. Was there some sort of deal made between J.P. and Eckstein when he signed about net getting replaced for defence? Is Eckstein really the type of person that would take it personally if he got pulled, based on the way he plays the game I wouldn’t think so. Now I can’t see a major leaguer ever doing this but if Eckstein really wants to see this team win then other than continuing to hustle on the field he can suck up his pride and tell the manager he understands if he gets taken out late in a game.

I have heard a few Jays fans and media commenting on Vernon looking a little tentative in the field and there have been a ball or 2 that Vernon has not read off the bat like he usually does. Well there were 2 plays in this game that Vernon did not even attempt a throw. First the Gload 2B in the 5th which I don’t think he had much of a shot but he decided to just hold on, then on the DeJesus 1B in the 7th he made no attempt to throw out Buck at the plate and allowed Pena to scamper into 3rd. And not to mention Vernon failed to cleanly field a hit allowing an extra base to Callaspo. Vernon’s defence will definitely be worth keeping an eye on going forward.

Not often you see 2 balks in one game, at least they came w/2 outs and did not cost Burnett. He pitched well and if not for the 2 errors by Eckstein could have got the win. I have no problem w/Gibbons leaving Burnett in as long as he did. They weren’t exactly pounding him as the 2 hits in the 7th and 2 in the 8th were all grounders that got through.

I would have liked to have seen a RH come in to face Buck and Pena then go back to a lefty for the top of the order should it extend that long, but I think the reason Gibbons didn’t is b/c he is not ready to use Camp in that situation and he doesn’t trust Frasor so the only RH left is Accardo who he was probably saving for the 9th since B.J. had thrown yesterday and therefore would be unavailable.

You would think pitchers would learn not to stick their free hand out to try and field a groundball given the importance of keeping their hand in good shape. Then again you would think they would be careful about not doing such things as slamming car doors on their hand either.

Can’t entirely blame the offence this game as Greinke is showing the promise he had a few yrs ago before personal problems set him back. He should be the ace of the that staff for yrs to come and could compete for the Cy Young once he has the team around him to build the win total.

Game Stats:
Adv+: Buck
P-Adv+: Burnett (1)
WG: Burnett (1)
ME(f): Rios (1)