Today's Game Recap Brought to You by the Number 100

by Tom Dakers on Jul 30, 2009 12:41 AM EDT

That might have been as hot as I've ever been, apparently they set a new record for temperature at a Mariner home game. I heard 103F in the shade, but we weren't in in the shade. Maybe just a little bit sun stroked now. The other reason 100 is the number of the day is that Roy Halladay was pitching great through 6 innings and about 100 pitches, but in the 7th he had nothing. After the Jays finally got him a lead he gave it back on 3 singles and a double. He looked like he was very tired. Now pitch counts mean different things to different people, but at that heat, 100 pitches was plenty and Cito should have taken Doc out of the game.

Before the top of the 7th the Jays were playing like a team that was in a get away day and couldn't wait to leave. Through 6 inning we hadn't had a hit against Ryan Rowland Smith. To be honest the plate umpire seemed to be in a hurry to get it over with too, any pitch any where close to the plate was a strike and many players walked away grumbling. The Jays strategy seemed to be to swing at the first pitch where ever it might be and get out as quick as they could. In the 7th Aaron Hill lead off with a single and Adam Lind hit a homer. Taking the lead the Jays went back to trying to get thru the game as quick as possible. We only had 3 hits an the day and 1 walk.

Jays of the Day are Adam Line (.171) and Hill (.141). Suckage Jays are Halladay (-.193), Scott Rolen (-.158) Alex Rios (-.102).

Jose Bautista made the most amazing throw from left to get a runner at home. I am glad I got to see his arm in person. He has a cannon. Beyond that Kevin Millar was robbed on a tag out at first, he clearly made the tag, I am not sure how the umpire missed it.

It looks, at the moment, like Doc will stay a Jay the rest of the season. I'm glad JP stuck to his guns, it seems like it is one of those rare times he told us the truth but then there are 2 days left for him to change his mind.

The Jays have an off day tomorrow, I'm sure they can use it after that day in the sun. I know I can.

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the more I see

These tepid offensive performances, the more I think Travis Snider and perhaps Brian Dopirak are going to be the key to the Jays 2010. Assuming Rolen isn’t traded and Scoot is resigned, the Jays’ offense is just going to be that much older, but I do think it’s fair to expect Rios and Wells to partially offset that. It is starting to look like Arencibia won’t be ready to contribute at a high level next season, and I think it’s unreasonable to expect an injury-free season from our position players, so that leaves Snider and probably Dopirak (who had a massive game for Las Vegas yesterday) with significant roles to play if the offense is to improve. I think it’s wishful thinking to say, for the third year in a row now, that the offense will just be significantly better next season because players who struggled will rebound and no one will perform any worse.

It’s a lot to put on two young hitters, but what can you do? I think the first step would be getting them both up (Snider right away, Dopirak in September) and get them some regular at-bats.

"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 Jul 30, 2009 9:31 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Older, yes. But not old

I’m not disagreeing with you that Snider/Lind et el will be the linchpins of the offence, but I still think Scoot and Rolen have alot of baseball left. Neither of them have slowed down, Scoot has alot of tread left on his tires as he was always a utility man and Rolen still sits every 3rd or 4th game.

If Dopirak (who had 7 rbi’s yesterday) can start April 1 and be effective, and we get a full year out of Snider, and Wells and Rios can have a bounce back season, this is a very good team. I realize thats alot of “IFS” but thats why I’m glad JP sticked to his guns. This is a very good baseball team.

Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.

by craig in calgary on Jul 30, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

when you think about..

the offense doesn’t even need to have a big jump…we’ve been so close to winning games just the extra umph would have us contenders..and not a team who needs to win 15 in a row to get back in it.

by bowling_kid25 on Jul 30, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions