The Jays did not exactly bang around the LH Olson but they did enough. Olson is one lefty they have hit very well this year. In his 2 previous starts this yr vs the Jays they scored 7 runs in 3.2 IP and 6 runs in 4.2 IP. Tonight they scored 3 in 5.2 IP. Olson didn’t help himself much by walking 3 and hitting 1 batter. He threw 46 balls to just 53 strikes. He threw 15 first pitch balls to the 25 hitters he faced.
The Blue Jays went just 1 for 6 w/RISP, but the one was big. Zaun hit a PH 2-out 2-run 2B to give the Jays the 3-2 lead. Although I don’t know what Zaun was thinking trying to stretch that into a 3B and testing the arm of Markakis. Markakis has one of the strongest and most accurate OF arms in baseball and w/2 outs it is not worth taking that risk trying to advance to 3rd when you are already in scoring position.
Litsch was ok in this start but I wonder if he was feeling the effects of pitching on 3 days rest last start and still throwing 111 pitches in that start. He was on his regular 4 days rest tonight but struggled w/his control. He threw 107 pitches tonight (59 strikes, 48 balls) and walked 4. This coming after walking 5 in his last start. Prior to these 2 starts he had never walked more than 3 this season and now he has done it twice. Litsch gave up just 4 hits which is what kept the runs to just 2 in his 6 innings. The Orioles didn’t help themselves by going 1 for 4 w/RISP against Litsch (1 for 6 in the game). Their only runs came after Litsch walked the bases loaded in the 5th and then they got a 2-out 1B to score 2.
Jose Bautista hit a solo HR in the 1st inning. That is the 2nd time in 4 games he has hit a solo HR in the 1st inning out of the 2 spot in the order. I don’t get Bautista hitting 2nd. He hits for a low avg and doesn’t get on base that much. He has some power so when he is in the lineup I’d rather have him hitting down the lineup. Sure it is nice having a guy hit a HR in the 1st inning to get that early lead but if nobody is on base in front of him it is only 1 run. Plus the lack of getting on base doesn’t help set the table for the heart of the order.
Looking at Bautista defence at 2B tonight I can’t say I like him at that position. Luckily he is done the depth chart there so we shouldn’t see him there very often should he be on the roster next season. I guess it doesn’t hurt to try him there now when the games don’t mean anything and just see what you have got in him. You need to determine exactly how versatile he could be coming off the bench. 2 plays stuck out that and they came on back-to-back plays. The first was the Cintron bases loaded single in the 5th. I think that is a ball a second basemen should be able to get to and get an out but at least they have to be able to knock it down and keep it in the infield. Then on the next play Markakis hit a groundball to Bautista and instead of just going to 1st for the final out he waited for Scutaro to get to the bag at 2nd and just got the out. There is no reason to make a play that close when you have an easy out at 1st.
It was nice to see Cito use Wolfe in an important situation and even nicer to see Wolfe respond w/a three up three down inning. I think Wolfe has done a good job out of the bullpen and can be relied upon more than he has.
Onto the stats:
DE: Millar
ME(r): Zaun (2)
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