Game 84 – All About Doc

What a joy it is to watch Doc pitch when he is on. He was on cruise control tonight giving up just 4 hits and no walks while striking out 6 in going the distance (one batter also reached on error). The Mariners only had one player reach scoring position, that coming in the 7th after back-to-back singles by Reed and Sexson. Halladay struck out Clement (w/Reed at 3rd) and then got Johjima to ground out. Halladay threw 84 strikes and just 31 balls and threw 1st pitch strikes to 23 of 32 hitters. He recorded 16 outs via the ground compared to 5 in the air, and leading the way w/7 assists was Scutaro.

The Blue Jays didn’t exactly tear it up against Dickey scoring just 2 runs, but tonight that was enough. They went 1 for 9 w/RISP. They did manage to come through in a bases loaded 1 out situation and at least get the 1 run, which for this offence is something that doesn’t always happen.

I would have walked Wilkerson in the 6th w/2nd and 3rd and 2 out. Although Wilkerson isn’t exactly a threat I’d take my chance w/the righty vs righty matchup of Dickey vs Eckstein (and a force at all bases).

I would have stuck w/the bunt in the 9th and McDonald up at 0-1, but it is not a bad idea to switch it up and try the hit and run. McDonald is a very good hitter to use for the hit and run b/c he makes contact often, but I would wait for McDonald to get ahead in the count before putting on the hit and run. If he is behind in the count I would stick with the bunt.

The hit and run ended up worst case scenario but Wilkerson must have had trouble picking up where that ball went off the bat b/c he had plenty of time to get back to 1st.

Now for the stats:
Adv: Scutaro (1)
P-Adv: Dickey
WG: Overbay (5)
ME(r): Wilkerson (2)
ME(f): Reed