The Jays came out swinging today and put up some runs vs a lefty to support Halladay. The Jays scored 3 runs in the 1st off Pettite and that would to be all Halladay needed. Doc gave up just 2 runs in 7 innings and Downs and League finished off the victory. Both runs Halladay gave up came on solo HR’s to lead off innings.
I think Halladay could have gone another inning but w/the off day tomorrow I had no problem having Downs and League pitch even though they pitched yesterday. Plus 2 of the first 3 hitters due up in the 8th were LH and the other was Alex Rodriguez who homered earlier off Halladay.
Pettitte struggled in the 1st as he walked the leadoff man and then gave up 3 consecutive 1-out hits, although a misplay in LF by Nady certainly didn’t help. Then after giving up a leadoff HR to Rolen in the 2nd Pettitte settled down and the Jays went back to their lack of hitting against lefties, not recording more than 1 hit in any inning until Pettitte tired in the 7th. Frankly I’m surprised Girardi stuck w/Pettitte so long. He had thrown 100 pitches through 6 and at this stage in his career he doesn’t have the same stamina. I would have pulled Pettitte to start the 7th but at the very least have someone ready to come in at the 1st sign of trouble. Instead Pettite was allowed to give up 3 hits while he only recorded 1 out.
A big difference in this game was the Jays hitting w/RISP. The Jays went 4 for 11 compared to the Yankees 0 for 8.
I’m not sure what Barajas was thinking not going after the strike 3 pitch to Cano. I know he was trying to argue that Cano swung but there were runners on base and you have to go get that ball. Get the ball first and then make the argument if the umpires haven’t already called it a strike. It didn’t hurt the Jays as the runners as Barajas wouldn’t have been able to throw them out anyways even if he went straight for the ball. Had the ball taken a funny bounce or something though who knows how far Barajas would have to go to retrieve it and him not chasing after it immediately could be the difference in an extra base.
I was surprised to see Bautista’s name in the lineup at first base. I realize Overbay doesn’t hit lefties great but w/Halladay on the mound you know there will be lots of ground balls (Halladay ended up getting 11 outs on the ground) so you would like a strong defensive first basemen since he’ll be seeing a lot of throws. It is the same reason you play Johnny Mac at SS. You sacrifice some offence to put your best defensive infield out there knowing Halladay gets a lot of ground balls and doesn’t need a lot of offensive support.
Here are the stats:
ME(f): Nady
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