Game 45 – Responding to Boo Birds

Good for Barajas to shut up those fans by hitting a grand slam in his 1st AB and for good measure adding a solo shot in the 9th leading the Jays to victory.

The Jays were an impressive 4 for 9 w/RISP while holding the Phillies to a 1 for 7. Who knew the Jays could get that many in a game, I figured there was a cap on it.

I hate to say it, but another bad send by Peavy, 2 out or not, getting Inglett thrown out in the 1st inning. However, I don’t fault him for Scutaro getting thrown out in the 4th. It was a close play and w/2 outs worth the gamble.

I believe it was a mistake by the HP umpire to wave Scutaro safe on the play at the plate then change the call to out. I couldn’t tell whether or not Scutaro got a piece of the plate but if the umpire indeed didn’t see Scutaro touch it then don’t wave safe. If indeed he was initially calling him safe then why change the call b/c Scutaro reached back for the plate. What if the runner was just trying to be sure? On the other hand if he was just trying to show that the catcher missed the tag, I think he is better off making no signal and yelling out to the players no tag. I certainly took the signal to mean safe, not no tag, and I have to wonder had Scutaro not reached back the call may have stood, then again maybe he yelled no tag while making the safe call and at least the players would know what he meant.

Not sure if the Jays were actually attempting a double steal there in the 9th or not, but if they were Luna got a horrible jump from 3rd. He left well after Coste had thrown the ball. The only way that play works is for the runner at 3rd to get a good secondary lead and be off as soon as the catcher commits to 2nd.

Normally, I don’t mind the attempt to tag from 1st and go to 2nd by Scutaro on the Barajas fly ball in the 6th, but w/the pitcher spot on deck I don’t think it made sense. Yes the ball was hit deep to straightaway centerfield and it took a perfect throw from Werth but w/the pitcher due up next you could have just had him bunt the runner over to 2nd. Sure if he is safe the pitcher could then swing away but how likely is it Burnett gets a hit, or you could have him bunt him to 3rd but w/2 out that doesn’t increase the likelihood of scoring that much over him being at 2nd.

The Jays seem to have caught Howard at the right time. He is really struggling and the fans are letting him know it. When he is hitting HR’s, you can kind of overlook the strikeouts since they are just another form of out, but when you are hitting under .200 and have more strikeouts than total bases they become very glaring.

And now for some stats:
Adv+: Scutaro (1), Barajas (1)
P-Adv+: Eaton 2
NAdv: Wilkerson (1)
P-NAdv: Gordon
WG: Utley