Game 132 – Hello, Purcey

David Purcey was stellar tonight, the only problem was Matt Garza seems to be unhittable vs the Jays. Purcey made just one mistake, throwing a get-me-over 1st pitch fastball to Pena. The leadoff HR by Pena would be the only run scored in the game. Purcey gave up just 4 other hits and walked none while striking out 11. Of the 4 other hits, 1 was a bunt hit (that I think Scutaro may have had a play on had he picked it up instead of hoping it would roll foul), 1 an infield hit, and the other 2 were ground balls that found holes. It was Purcey’s 1st CG (albeit an 8 inning one) and he needed just 92 pitches (70 of which were strikes). He only threw 9 first pitch balls to the 29 hitters he faced. Purcey only had 3 balls on a batter once all game, the last hitter he faced. By no means do I expect Purcey to be this good w/regularity but it shows you how good he can be if he has his control.

As mentioned above, the problem for Purcey and the Jays was Garza was just a little better. He gave up 6 hits and 3 walks in 7.2 IP and Balfour and Wheeler combined to get the final 4 outs to complete the shutout. Garza has now given up just 1 run in 4 starts against the Jays this season.

Inglett was the only Jays to really have any success against Garza tonight w/a 1B and 2B in 4 trips to the plate. The Jays went 0 for 3 w/RISP.

The Jays almost tied this game up in the 9th as Barajas was robbed at the wall by Ruggiano to end the game. I don’t think the ball would have cleared the wall but at least it would have been a 2B. That would have allowed a PH (since McDonald was due up) to try and get the 2-out hit to tie it.

Let’s see the stats:
WG: Ruggiano