The Blue Jays did not play their best game, but they did have fun, collect some big hits, and make some great plays along the way.
This was a lesson in focus. Collectively, the Dodgers had it from the first pitch. With some exceptions, the Blue Jays were a little lacking in that department this week.
June 10 Game Report
Peter Herdman played an excellent all-around game. Above, he zeroes in on a fat pitch that he would deposit in left field for a stand-up double. Peter ripped solid hits in each at bat and ran the bases like a man who believed that the other team could throw him out. That was not only smart but also the reason he went 3-for-3 on the day.
Peter completed two of the Blue Jays' seven put-outs. The highlight was his smooth catch of a well hit line drive to right center field in the top of the second inning. That isn't supposed to be an easy play at age six, but Peter made it look that way! He also fielded a grounder at left pitcher's helper and threw to 3rd base for a force out, the Blue Jays' only put-out in the top of the first.
Henry Goldstein has worked on his own to improve his swing. The coaches noticed that Henry eliminated some wrist action this week, allowing him to hit pitches in multiple locations and with more power. Henry collected an RBI with a clean single to the left side in the bottom of the second inning.
Henry also put his body in front of a well hit ball at left shortstop and fielded the ball between his feet, just as he was taught. This man is not afraid! As his skills begin to match his guts, Henry will be an out-making machine!
Josh Porter arrived early, claimed the third spot in the batting order, and demonstrated improved vision and a more level swing at the plate. After struggling with an uppercut early in the season, Josh showed determination and resiliency to become a consistent force in the Blue Jays' lineup.
Josh seemed disappointed when the ball didn't come to him at right pitcher's helper, a position that typically sees considerable action. But this was a different game, mainly due to the Dodgers routinely belting the ball to the outfield.
Dominic Delgado hit the ball hard but found the Dodgers' gloves on a couple of occasions. That's real baseball - sometimes you do everything right and it still doesn't work out. A player who cares about his performance, Dominic managed his disappointment and came back with plenty of gusto. That's the way this game must be played!
Dominic did his best to counter the Dodgers' potent bats. Above, he tracks down a grounder at left pitcher's helper in the top of the third inning. Playing at 1st base in the top of the second, Dominic caught a looping fly ball to notch the Blue Jays' third out of the game.
Evan Phillips arrived early and claimed the top spot in the batting order. He learned what it means to run hard after he was thrown out on a well hit grounder in the bottom of the first. In his subsequent at bats, Evan hustled down the line, ran through the bag, and was not thrown out again!
Evan came close to making a couple of put-outs at 2nd base in the top of the second inning. Smartly covering the bag when the ball was hit to a teammate, Evan worked hard to increase his quickness to the ball on several hard hits up the middle.
Milen Hukmani shook off a disorienting bug bite and distributed three hard ground balls to the left side, one of which rolled all the way to the grass in left field. The next step for Milen will be to work on his timing and contact rate; both are essential to success at the machine-pitch level.
Milen played at 1st base in the top of the first inning. The Dodgers' shots to the outfield left him with just one opportunity, an inaccurate throw that pulled him five feet off the bag. That's the job of a 1st baseman - catch all of the good throws and most of the bad throws!
Adam Farber finished off each inning with a hard hit. His blast up the middle in the bottom of the second was particularly impressive. We suspect that Adam and many of his teammates will benefit when we move to machine-pitch. The Dodgers enjoyed an enormous hidden advantage in Sunday's game insofar as their coach was a MUCH better pitcher than the Blue Jays' coach. That advantage will disappear at the machine-pitch level.
Adam has become a dependable force-out man at two different infield positions this season. Above, he stands ready at 3rd base, where he completed two unassisted force plays in the top of the third inning. His put-out on the Dodgers' final at-bat allowed the Blue Jays to end a tough day on a high note.
Brody Gottfried wowed everyone when he hit a pitch that had bounced in front of the plate and hightailed it to 1st base for an infield single. We don't suggest swinging at pitches that are that bad, but if you're going to swing, you might as well get a hit. Vladimir Guerrero, perhaps the best "bad ball" hitter in MLB history, would be proud!
Brody appeared to be a little surprised by the amount of action he saw in right field in the top of the first inning. That is to be expected at this level - the Blue Jays hadn't seen a team that could hit like that since their game with the Pirates last year. It's rare, but you must be ready when it happens.
Jacob Carle hit the ball pretty well in his first two trips to the plate, but the coach thought that he could be even better. Encouraged to swing harder, Jacob promptly ripped a line drive double to left field that might have been the Blue Jays' best contact of the day. From now on, the coach will challenge Jacob to swing that way every time!
Jacob contributed to the Blue Jays' only put-out of the first inning. Playing at 3rd base, he covered the bag and hauled in a throw from the left pitcher's helper to complete an assisted force out. The Blue Jays have become proficient at that particular play; Jacob is often a participant.
Wyatt Fotiades focused on the ball and worked to keep his hands back in each of his three trips to the plate. After putting the ball in play, Wyatt hustled down the line and reached 1st base safely in every at bat.
We liked the way that Wyatt cheered on his teammates when they were at bat. We would love to see more of that! He also did his best to deal with some hot shots that the Dodgers sent his way at right pitcher's helper and right shortstop.
Clark Roggie delivered a hit after having trouble seeing the ball in his first at bat. After finding a Dodger's glove with a well hit grounder in his second try, Clark belted a shot up the middle for a solid base hit and later scored in the top of the third inning.
Clark learned at Friday's practice that you play certain positions only if you do what must be done at those positions. He then impressed the coach in Sunday's game when he put his body in front of consecutive bouncing balls and completed unassisted put-outs at 2nd base. That's what an infielder must do!
The Blue Jays showed increased awareness in finding their positions on the field. We look forward to the players handling that particular task on their own throughout the fall season.
Grinding
Eric Delgado is a beacon and a stalwart. The head coach missed his presence immeasurably at Friday's practice and was thankful to have him back for the game. The man deserves a raise!
Brett Goldstein stepped up and coached at 1st base. Thank you!
Amazingly, this was our first regularly scheduled game in more than a month. Rain had been in the forecast but it never came. These guys took advantage.
The team did not lack for comradery. We hope to see more of that - and some sunshine - at our final game next week!
Coach Steve
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