The Jays kicked it into gear late and managed to grab the victory from NY. The Jays scored 3 in the 7th to pull within one and then scored 2 in the 8th to go ahead. Each team scored at least one run in 3 innings and in fact all 6 times a team scored, they scored more than one. The Yankees scored 2 in the 1st, 4th, and 5th and the Jays scored 2 in the 4th and 8th and 3 in the 7th.
Parrish did not have a very good start giving up 4 runs in 4 innings including back-to-back HR’s to the 8 and 9 hitters, Cano and I. Rodriguez. On the plus side Parrish did not walk anyone and that has been his biggest problem in the past. Parrish’s control did hurt though in the 1st as he threw not one but 2 wild pitches. The 1st moved Jeter to 2nd who then scored on the single by A. Rodriguez. Parrish then threw another wild pitch moving Rodriguez to 2nd. This one was more costly b/c that forced the Jays to use a less drastic shift w/Giambi up as the 3B has to be close enough to 3rd in case Rodriguez tries to steal. Giambi then proceeded to pull a ground ball through the right side to score Rodriguez. Not only does it allow Rodriguez to score on the hit but if they still had the original shift on it probably isn’t even a hit.
Tallet struggled in relief walking 2 and giving up a 1B to set up a bases loaded 1 out situation. After he got Nady to foul out to first, Matsui hit a 2-run 2B. The rest of the bullpen was solid for the Jays surrendering 3 hits and no runs in 4 innings. Frasor, League, Downs, and Ryan each chipped in an inning.
I have to admit I was getting rather worried in the 9th as Ryan allowed the first 2 batters to reach on a 1B and BB. Ryan then came up big getting Alex Rodriguez to ground into a DP. Normally I would be pretty comfortable w/the left-on-left matchup of Ryan facing Giambi but after what happened here in June I wasn’t about to relax yet. Thankfully Ryan got Giambi to fly out ending the game. Ryan has actually done a good job converting saves as far as percentage wise but he is making them a lot shakier than in 2006. Most of it stems from all the walks he is issuing. I’m willing to believe some of that has to do w/the quick recovery from TJ surgery. Most pitchers it takes them a yr to get back into game action but it takes 18 months to get truly back to full form. Ryan got back into games in less than a yr but he won’t hit the 18 mth mark until the offseason, so here is hoping he’ll be his old self come next season.
A couple of Jays got to see the same relievers as last night and apparently they learned from those AB’s. Wells fouled out against Bruney yesterday and today he led off the 8th w/a single. Lind struck out vs Marte yesterday and today he followed up Wells 1B w/a 1B of his own. However, Snider didn’t fare as well as he faced Ramirez again but struck out for the 2nd straight day against him.
I don’t agree w/using Overbay to bunt in the 8th. For one, I don’t think Overbay is a very good bunter. Although that is just based on the fact I don’t think I have ever seen him bunt. Also you only have 6 outs left to work with. I don’t think you can afford to give up 1 of those 6. Furthermore the bottom of the order is coming up decreasing the likelihood of being able to cash in the runners even if the sacrifice is successful. All that said Overbay got a bunt down that moved both runners up. Bautista then followed w/a 1B to score one and Zaun grounded into a FC that put the Jays ahead.
It was very interesting to see Veras intentionally walk the RH hitting Wells in the 9th w/a runner at 2nd in order to face the LH Lind. Either they are showing Wells a lot of respect or really don’t think much of Lind (despite hits in his last 2 AB’s). The move worked out ok as Veras got Lind to ground out and end the inning.
I know Eckstein has a weak arm, but wow was that a horrible throw on Jeter’s infield 1B in the 1st. He had absolutely nothing on behind it. It doesn’t change my opinion that Eckstein should be the starting SS for this team. His defence is below avg, but he is easily the best hitter of the candidates and the Jays need offence.
Let’s look at the stats:
NAdv: Snider (2), A. Rodriguez 2
P-NAdv: Tallet (3), Ryan (3), Bruney
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