Show Me How You Do That Trick

by hugo on Aug 19, 2008 9:53 PM EDT in Toronto Blue Jays Game Recaps

One of my favourite songs of all time (the Cure's "Just Like Heaven") for one of the most fun games this season. A blast, and Matty's interview-ettes of X, of Lyle, and of Litsch just before gametime were a real treat.

A.J. Burnett came out and completely stifled the Yankees, despite the Jays on several occasions barely giving him the chance to catch his breath between innings. A.J. was masterful, striking out 13 and walking only 1. The one blemish on his line was walking Damon to lead off the game and then surrendering a double to Abreu to plate him.

It looked for much of the game that A.J. might be the hard luck loser, as the Jays couldn't muster anything against Yankee starter Darrell Rasner (hopefully no relation to the guy who directed that terrible X-Men movie). The Yankees got only 3 hits off Rasner - fortunately, the last of these was an Adam Lind solo shot in the 7th inning, tying the game at 1. That was Lind's third straight game with a dinger (for 9 overall) and it seems inevitable now that he will end up leading the team. And let it not be forgotten that our own Norm DePalma called the Lind homer.

With the score tied 1-1 going to the 8th, things really got interesting. A.J., though already at 110 pitches, came out and pitched a great 8th inning, getting three easy groundouts. The Jays came up and Barajas and Mac promptly got out. Joe Inglett, however, lined an oppo field single to bring up Scooter. Scutaro hit a long fly ball to dead center, and Johnny Damon was able to get under the ball but not able to haul it in, as the ball caromed off the top of his glove and Inglett came around to score. It was the second ball that Damon dropped during the game, and neither one was a particularly difficult play.

B.J. Ryan entered and looked sharp - but A-rod hit a cheapie flair just over Overbay's head. The ball rolled into foul territory as A-rod rounded first and headed for second. In a fantastic play, though, Lyle pounced on the ball in a sliding grab and threw a perfect one-hop strike to Mac covering second. Mac applied the tag and A-rod was clearly out. B.J. retired Giambi and Nady without any fuss, looking quite good in the process, and the Jays had won another one!

We can forgive the pathetic hitting since the Jays won this one, and Jays of the Day go to Burnett, Lind, and Ryan. Scoot certainly deserves something, though really Damon gets the credit, and Lyle definitely merits honourable mention for his spectacular (and likely game-saving) play in the 9th.

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thanks for the shoutout on lind homer

i just figured lind saw all of rasners repertoire on his previous at bat ( a 12? pitch k) and was measuring the pitches…also, lind is a fundamentally terrific hitter with nary a hole in his swing…he is olerud, with a slightly higher uppercut

as far as rest of game, jays defense as exemplified by overbay’s play and scoot, lind, et al plays, is exemplary—-they have the bext pitching and d in the majors….and are one vernon wells decent season away from a playoff berth

if i was cito, i’d make 2 moves—-make rios lead off, and have a stern talking to with vernon…and play small ball in early innings—-apply some pressure on the opposition—-with the jays pitching and defence, a 1 or 2 run early lead will make the opposition press.

and with a-rod such a mental case, any pressure is valuable

by norm depalma on Aug 19, 2008 10:09 PM EDT reply actions

Couple of comments

One – I think it’s Brett Ratner, not Rasner, that made X3, so hopefully Darrel isn’t under the same curse. I’m somewhat ashamed that I know that.

Two – A-Rod should have been there. He took way too long to get out of the batters box – probably because he thought it was foul. If I was Girardi, I’d sit him today (it would also help us out alot too as a side benefit).

Three – I like the suggestion about hitting Rios leadoff, but I’d probably put him 2nd instead. In any event, Scutaro, as much as he has been playing great, should never be hitting second. I’d go Inglett-Rios-Overbay-Wells-Lind-Barajas-Stairs-Scutaro-McDonald – as long as we are insistent on NOT putting Eckstein in the lineup. I’d prefer to see Inglett at 3rd, and Eck at 2nd. I think that’s a better offensive lineup, without losing much in the field.

by Jevant on Aug 20, 2008 9:55 AM EDT reply actions

I like your lineup

Inglett has been doing a great job at getting on base and is a fine choice to hit leadoff against righties. I think Eckstein should be getting more at-bats – other than Lyle, he has the highest OBP on the team and they could really use the extra baserunners. It’s not a big difference over Scutaro OBP-wise (9 points), but every little bit helps, and ironically, Eck has almost 30 points on Scooter in slugging. I’d still prefer to have Rios hit 2nd over Eckstein though, since he’s a much better hitter overall.

I think you’re right about the movie guy, by the way. Man, was that movie terrible.

According to Wilner, Lyle was a pitcher and outfielder in college and threw mid 90s. cool!

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Aug 20, 2008 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions