Game 117 – Defensive Letdown

Tonight was the rare occasion that the Jays defence cost them the game. First it was Rios’ error in the 4th leading to an unearned run, then McDonald’s error in the 6th led to 2 unearned runs. Those 3 unearned runs combined w/the 1 earned run Halladay surrendered were enough to give CLE a 4-2 victory.

Halladay certainly had his hands full all game allowing 10 hits, 2 walks, 1 HBP plus 2 runners reaching on errors in just 6.2 IP. There was only 1 inning in which Halladay did not allow a runner to reach base. That is the 2nd start for Halladay against CLE and neither has been Halladay-esque after giving up 9 runners and 4 runs (all earned) in 6+ IP at CLE earlier in the year. Make that 5 losses this season for Halladay against TB and CLE.

Rios shouldn’t have dropped that ball in the 4th, but maybe had he got a better read off the bat, he would have had more time to settle under the ball and make the catch. The more I see of Rios in CF, the more I think he should stay in RF. Of course w/Vernon locked up Rios won’t be moving anytime soon.

I was surprised to see Halladay throw a 3-2 curveball to Dellucci w/the bases loaded and 2 out in the 6th. If anybody can drop in a curveball at that point it is Halladay, but I still wouldn’t be throwing it. There is no doubt it is a great choice if you get it over, but I save it for a scarier batter. Dellucci is a solid hitter but I think Halladay could get him w/o the curveball.

It looked like the Jays might chase Byrd early scoring single runs in each of the 1st 2 innings. They even got a leadoff 2B in the 3rd but then the bats went cold and they only got 2 more hits the rest of the way. Byrd went the distance using just 94 pitches.

Joe Inglett and Overbay combined for 5 of the Jays 6 hits. Inglett came up to bat in the 8th needing a HR to complete the cycle, but grounded out.

I have no idea what Overbay was thinking in the 9th trying to get to 2nd on his hit. When you are down by 2 runs you cannot make that mistake and the play was all in front of him so he should have saw Francisco get to it and play it cleanly.

Let’s see the stats:
NAdv: Francisco, Scutaro (4)
P-NAdv: Byrd, Halladay (9)
DE: Wilkerson (2)
ME(r): Overbay (2)
ME(f): Choo, McDonald (1)