After pitching six solid innings against a potent Tigers offense, starter David Purcey ran into trouble in the 7th. Down 1-0, Purcey surrendered an RBI double and then with runners on 2nd and 3rd his attempt to intentionally walk Brandon Inge sailed over Rod Barajas. To make matters worse, on the same play, Purcey could have caught Marcus Thames at 2nd after the relay but he whaled it into centre field allowing a 3rd run to score...
Manager Cito Gaston could easily have yanked the young lefty right then and there. Instead, he allowed him to battle through it. Gaston showed a little confidence in Purcey, and he returned the favour by whiffing Inge and inducing a line out to end the inning. While this was a risky move by Cito, I was glad he left him in there. If, at the first sign of trouble Gaston pulled the hook, what's that telling Purcey and the rest of the team? It'd be displaying little faith in the young man's abilities, which could hinder his development...
This situation is reminiscent to a Jays/White Sox game two years ago. Dustin McGowan loaded the bases with no one out. He was left out on the mound to work through the mess he'd created and he proceeded to retire the next three batters to end the threat. That was a key moment in McGowan's career where he started to fulfill his potential. Could it have the same impact for Purcey?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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