Game 95 – Why did they stop using a 4-man rotation?

I can’t say I agreed w/bringing Burnett back on 3 days rest given he had thrown 112 pitches his last time out. However, he was great in this start. He allowed just 4 hits, 1 walk and 1 HBP through 8 innings and no runner even reached 3rd base. He was even being efficient throwing just 89 pitches, so out he came for the 9th. He did give up a solo HR to Giambi and a 1B to Posada forcing him to leave w/1 out in the 9th, but it was a very impressive performance. Burnett ended up throwing 98 pitches (69 for strikes) and he threw 1st pitch strikes to 23 of 32 hitters.

The Blue Jays actually beat a lefty doing all the damage within 4 batters to start the 2nd. Mench leadoff w/a 2B, Rolen singled him home, and after a 4-pitch walk to Lind, Scutaro hit a 3-run HR. That was all the offence the Jays would muster. The Jays ended up going 3 for 11 w/RISP. Their best opportunity to add-on came in the 4th when they had 1st and 3rd none out but Scutaro fouled out to RF and Rolen got thrown out trying to tag and score.

Going back to the 2nd inning, why was Scutaro attempting to bunt. I know it is easy to say this knowing the outcome, but I did think this at the time. I’m not a fan of bunting early in the game, I’d much rather play for a big inning then settle for 1 run. Plus even if Scutaro was successful getting the bunt down then you have Johnny Mac and Inglett due up needing to get a hit. Even if it were late in a game I don’t think I bunt unless you have a pinch hitter ready for McDonald. As it turns out it was a good thing Scutaro couldn’t get the bunt down.

It was good seeing Mench pick up a pair of 2B’s against Pettite. He has hit lefties very well his entire career and he has gotten off to a slow start this year against righties and lefties. If Mench can start providing some pop against lefties then maybe the Jays can actually win a few games when a lefty starts.

Onto the stats:
Adv+: Rolen (3), Scutaro (2), Lind (2)
P-Adv+: Pettitte 3
NAdv: Rodriguez, Rolen (8)
P-NAdv: Pettitte, Burnett (11)
WG: Rolen (9)