Game 104 – Knowing the OF

The Jays had no problem w/the knuckleball today as they scored runs in each of the first 6 innings for a total of 8, all off R.A. Dickey. Once the Mariners brought Corcoran in the Jays offence went dead, but the damage was done.

Alex Rios had a pair of solo HR’s and added in a BB and a SF (1 of 3 SF’s by the Jays). Inglett had 3 hits (2 of them 2B’s), drove in 2, scored 2, and drew a walk.

I have to say I’ve been impressed w/Inglett. I didn’t think he could keep hitting so well while playing everyday. His defence at 2B is ok, I think it could improve if he were able to focus on one position. The problem for him is his best position is probably 2B and the Jays already have Hill (assuming he is ready to resume his career next season). I am not a fan of the idea of moving Hill back to SS. Hill is a great defensive 2B and I don’t think he fits well as a SS. A middle infield of Hill and Inglett is too weak defensively for a team built on pitching and defence. Plus as well as Inglett has hit, if the Jays want to be contenders next yr they cannot rely on Inglett to repeat this kind of success.

It was a nice start from Purcey limiting the Mariners to 3 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings while collecting his first ML win. Purcey walked 1 and hit 1 batter so it looks like we can chalk those control problems in his 1st 2 starts to jitters, at least that is the hope.

Zaun almost didn’t score on the 1B by Inglett in the 6th. One of your jobs as a runner at 2nd is to know where the outfielders are playing. Knowing where the outfielders are playing allows you to read the hit immediately as to whether the ball will drop in or not. You also should know the speed of the outfielders. Of course there are some balls that you just cannot tell and that is when you have to look to go half way which means if it does drop you more than likely will have to be held at 3rd. The hit by Inglett though was a no doubter that it was going to drop.

Beltre and Jose Lopez combined to do all the damage against Purcey and the Jays. They hit back-to-back 2B’s in the 2nd then Lopez hit a 2-run HR following a Beltre 1B in the 6th. The Mariners went just 2 for 9 w/RISP. Ichiro picked up his 1st hit of the series in the 9th after going hitless his 1st 9 AB’s.

Now for the stats:
Adv+: Lopez
P-Adv+: Purcey (2)
NAdv: Vidro
P-NAdv: Purcey (2)
WG: Overbay (6), Rolen (10)
DE: Lopez
ME(f): Burke