Brett Cecil Wins his Last Start of the Season

by Tom Dakers on Sep 10, 2009 4:31 PM EDT in Toronto Blue Jays Game Recaps

That was a really nice start for Brett Cecil to go out on. 6 innings, 7 hits, just the 1 walk, 2 earned and 3 strikeouts. He finishes the season (presumably) 7-4 with a 5.30 ERA. August was a bad month for him, he was 2-2 but with a 8.25 ERA. I thought perhaps he had a tired arm, as he pitched more this year than ever before and he's not that far removed from being a closer in college. He did have a bit more trouble with LH batters than righties, unusual for LH pitchers for any team other than the Jays. I don't know why we would have so many lefties that have reverse splits but that's the way it is. He gave up a few too many homers and walks this season but I'm sure he'll improve on that in the future. I think we have a keeper.

The bullpen closed out the final 3 innings, holding the 1 run lead Cecil left with, allowing no hits. Scott Downs pitched a perfect 8th inning and Jason Frasor did the same in the 9th to get the save. Jeremy Accardo got his first work since coming back, giving up a walk and getting a force out at 2nd on a bunt, a pretty play by Edwin Encarnacion, he got the ball between the pitchers mound and the plate and threw across his body to get the out at 2nd. I know he's made some errors but I've also seen him make some very nice plays. I think, if he can get his power stroke back, he'd make a good third baseman.

Offensively we did just enough. We only had 6 hits and 4 walks on the day but 4 of the hits were doubles and one was a homer. Adam Lind, Jose Bautista, Travis Snider and John McDonald each had doubles and Bautista had the homer. Adam Lind drove in 2 runs, one on the double and one on a sac fly giving him 96 on the season.

Jays of the Day are Bautista (.181 WPA), Frasor (.168), Downs (.124) and Cecil (.123). Honorable mention to Lind and Snider. Suckage Jay is Lyle Overbay (-.105, 0 for 4).

Tomorrow we start a four game series in Detroit. and we'll get to see David Purcey on Monday. Tomorrow Brian Tallet (6-9, 5.31) goes against Nate Robertson (1-1, 5.40). We've tied two four game series in a row now, let's take 3 of 4 this time.

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60 warm up pitches

for Tallet please

by aagoodfella on Sep 10, 2009 7:52 PM EDT reply actions

The Rolen trade is worth it

Encarnacion is performing to people’s expectation. Roenicke has the potential to become a valuable pitcher in Jay’s bull pen and we might find pleasant surprises in the other unknown pitcher from the trade. The Jays just need to get one or two big bats next season to become a serious contender.

by Jason Z on Sep 10, 2009 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

The other unknown pitcher?

I thought he was the prize prospect of the trade.

Life as a Toronto Sports Fan?... *sigh*... It is what it is...

by JohnnyG on Sep 10, 2009 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah Zach Stewart is going to be a good one.

well, if all goes well. Do have to remember that there is ‘no such thing as a pitching prospect’. But I’d bet we see Stewart at some point next year, could be a number one starter

by Tom Dakers on Sep 10, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Zach Stewart

…is not an unknown pitcher. The Reds fans were furious that they gave him up to get Rolen. In fact, I remember reading a number of articles that suggested the Reds would have been stupid for doing Stewart for Rolen straight up.

But it is nice to see EE coming around. Underrated for sure. I hope he’s around next year.

by Jevant on Sep 11, 2009 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions

well, i do not think Encarnacion is yet producing to expectations

if he bats 280 and homers 25 times … i will be happy

he is not there yet

that said, his fielding — which we all feared for high error rate — has proven to be a reasonable surprise; defensively he is no Rolen, but he has been ok

by aagoodfella on Sep 11, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions