Game 41 – Powering Up

Although the Jays only went 2 for 8 w/RISP they still managed to score 5 runs in part due 3 x-base hits. Its good to see O-Bay really getting his x-base hits now. He started so slow in terms of power, but he has always been getting on base and now the power is coming. This is not unlike 2006 when he only had 2 2B, 1 3B and 2 HR in Apr. but ended up with 46 2B, 1 3B and 22 HR.

This is no excuse for Stewart (you should always run out every play) but when Harris dropped the line drive I think the umpire should have ruled it a catch. I’m not 100% sure on this but I believe it is at the umpire’s discretion as to whether or not the player purposely dropped it and can rule it a catch regardless. This only applies w/a runner on 1st base, since they already have the infield fly rule for 1st and 2nd, or bases loaded and there is no advantage to dropping the ball w/bases empty. The reason the infield fly rule doesn’t apply w/a runner on 1st is b/c theoretically there is no advantage to dropping the ball as you would simply get the out at 2nd, but the batter would reach 1st base essentially trading runners, so no outs are gained. It is a heads up play by infielders to know if the batter is running out of the box, if indeed the umpire cannot make a judgement call and rule it a catch if the defender purposely drops it, since they would then have a shot at a DP. Even if the batter is running it out, it can still be advantageous for the defender to drop it if the runner at 1st is faster than the batter. By dropping the ball you can force out the faster runner at 2nd and put the slower runner at 1st.

I think it was the right move having Stewart bunt in the 8th, you’re already up by 2 and it pushes a runner to 3rd w/less than 2 outs if successful. At the same time I don’t mind that Gibbons took it off at 2-1. If the pitcher doesn’t want to take the free out and gets into a hitter’s count why not take a shot at hitting something hard and ending up w/a hit. I was surprised however to see Stewart actually show bunt w/2 strikes. I wonder if Gibbons actually put it back on or if Stewart was doing it on his own. It may be a good thing Bass did not throw any more strikes and ended up walking him.

I don’t get the reasoning behind pulling Litsch so early. He had only thrown 70 pitches and he wasn’t showing any signs of tiring. His last 4 outs were recorded on the ground and the 2 hits in between were both hit on the ground. Sure Morneau is a LH bat w/the power to tie the game but Litsch had already retired him twice in the game.

On to the stats:
DE: Overbay (1)
ME(r): Stewart (1)