The Jays pushed their record to an impressive 4-1 after defeating the Indians 13-7 in a extremely wacky and error filled affair...
It's hard to imagine the Jays were once down 3-0 in this contest, but after starter Scott Richmond dug them into a hole, the red hot bats (led by Adam Lind) began the comeback. And then the game was delayed for a Jays record 3 hours, 47 minutes due to rain. You'd think eventually everyone would give up and call it a day. But not for Cleveland's home opener! This was supposed to be a special game. It was, but not for the home squad...
After play was resumed, the madness began in the 7th inning. Up 5-4, Toronto was aided by a throwing error by 3rd baseman Jhonny Peralta. Alex Rios made the Tribe pay with his first 2 RBI of the season (he finished with 4), putting the Blue Birds up 7-4. In the bottom frame, a failed routine double play by Toronto gave Cleveland life, and they turned it into the runs to tie the game up. The 7th run courtesy a Brandon League hit by pitch...
The bizarre turn of events continued. With one on in the 8th, Kevin Millar slipped out of the batters box. What should have been one out and a runner on 2nd turned into Millar reaching first when Ryan Garko couldn't field a routine throw. With the bases loaded Marco Scutaro blooped an RBI single, with a second run crossing the plate on a fielding error by Shin-Soo Choo. In all, 6 runs plated for the Jays in the 8th which gave them their convincing 13-7 margin of victory...
A comedy of errors and misfortunes, couple with Toronto's scintillating hitting (Lind, Hill, Rolen & Scutaro in particular) has Toronto in a position to go 5-1 Saturday against Cliff Lee in the 2nd game against the Indians...
Friday, April 10, 2009
Who bats leadoff when Scutaro sits?
On days that manager Cito Gaston decides to give starting shortstop Marco Scutaro a day off, who will be the lead off hitter for the Blue Jays? Aaron Hill? Alex Rios? Sounds crazy, but I've heard Lyle Overbay's name mentioned. Who should it be?
Rios certainly has the most experience batting lead off for Toronto, having done so at varying times throughout the past few seasons. Ideally the ball club would want to keep him 3rd in the order because of his production, not to mention they'd want stability with Rios (He's batted all around the order the past couple years.)
The most intriguing option to me is Aaron Hill. He has looked great so far this year, not missing a beat after being on the shelf for much '08 with a concussion. Additionally, Hill is currently is hitting 2nd, so the jump shouldn't be too difficult. However, in brief stints as the lead off hitter last campaign, he struggled mightily. There obviously wasn't enough to get a full idea of what he could bring to the table, but it might scare Gaston away from going with Hill...
The notion of Overbay batting first did seem nuts at first, but the more it's considered, it might not be too bad. Though he's struggled thus far, a week into the '09 season, he had the highest on base percentage of any Jay last year, and drew the most walks. Lyle is a doubles hitter (when he's actually hitting, which doesn't seem to be much this year), and could really set the table for the heart of the Blue Jays order...
Woah, wait a minute. Did I just say Overbay batting lead off would be a good thing? Yiiiikes!
Rios certainly has the most experience batting lead off for Toronto, having done so at varying times throughout the past few seasons. Ideally the ball club would want to keep him 3rd in the order because of his production, not to mention they'd want stability with Rios (He's batted all around the order the past couple years.)
The most intriguing option to me is Aaron Hill. He has looked great so far this year, not missing a beat after being on the shelf for much '08 with a concussion. Additionally, Hill is currently is hitting 2nd, so the jump shouldn't be too difficult. However, in brief stints as the lead off hitter last campaign, he struggled mightily. There obviously wasn't enough to get a full idea of what he could bring to the table, but it might scare Gaston away from going with Hill...
The notion of Overbay batting first did seem nuts at first, but the more it's considered, it might not be too bad. Though he's struggled thus far, a week into the '09 season, he had the highest on base percentage of any Jay last year, and drew the most walks. Lyle is a doubles hitter (when he's actually hitting, which doesn't seem to be much this year), and could really set the table for the heart of the Blue Jays order...
Woah, wait a minute. Did I just say Overbay batting lead off would be a good thing? Yiiiikes!
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