Game 25 – Baseball IQ

When the team goes 1 for 14 w/RISP you cannot expect to win many games, especially when the only hit does not even drive in a run. Although the lone hit did setup the Jays only run w/the help of an error. Once again the Jays could not capitalize and put up a crooked # as Wells hit into a DP. I think to some degree Lind’s groundout w/the bases loaded sums up the Jays hitting recently w/RISP; Even when they hit it hard they cannot find a hole.

One of the things Rolen brings w/him to the team is a high baseball IQ. His steal of 3rd base was a prime example as he stole the base easily. Rolen only has avg speed but he is very smart on the basepaths.

The game did not start out well for Marcum as he seemed to struggle w/his command issuing 3 BB’s in the 1st 3 innings and throwing 1st pitch balls to 8 of the 1st 12 hitters. Marcum eventually settled in and retired 11 of the last 12 he face, unfortunately the one was a solo HR to Guillen, representing the difference in the game.

I was surprised to see Pena moving on contact from 3rd in the 3rd inning. Usually when the infield is in and you have a runner at 3rd w/less than 2 outs and no other runner on base you wait for the ball to go through b/c if it is hit at an infielder then more than likely he is dead out and you no longer have anyone in scoring position. If instead there is a man at 2nd also then you will often go on contact b/c even if the lead runner is thrown out at home you still have a runner at 3rd. Finally if the situation is 1st and 3rd it can go either way since at the very least the trail runner will move into scoring position and could end up at 3rd if the lead runner gets into a rundown.

Something I don’t like is managers giving a quick hook to a reliever b/c he had a rough outing the previous time out. After Nunez blew the lead on Fri, Hillman brings him right back out to pitch the 8th, which I like. If the guy is going to be your setup man you want him right back out there after a bad outing. But then after putting runners at 1st and 3rd w/1 out he gets pulled, not b/c Hillman wanted a lefty, just another RH. Now I know you don’t want to lose the game but I think you need to show more confidence especially w/a young player on a team not expecting to contend.

For the game stats:
Adv: Hill (2), Butler
P-Adv: Marcum (2), Hochevar
Adv+: Eckstein (1)
P-Adv+: Hochevar
WG: Pena Jr.