The grounds crew wasn't the only team that raked at the plate at Grosvenor Center on Sunday, October 14.
Energized and ready to play, the Blue Jays promptly commenced to raking versus the Cubs. This was yet another outstanding offensive performance that included nine extra base hits!
The Jays were fantastic in the field as well, collecting ten put-outs on just 22 at bats, a level of efficiency that is rarely achieved in coach-pitch baseball!
October 14 Game Report
This is Henry Goldstein just moments before he clobbered the first extra base hit of his baseball career! That's right - six months after figuring out whether he should bat lefthanded or righthanded, Henry slammed a sizzling line drive double that landed in the left field grass! That was one of the best hits of the season! Henry's 3-for-3 day also included a groundball base hit to left shortstop in the first and a "hustle" single on a mishit to the left side in the second.
A lefty-throwing speedster, Henry has a future as potential plus-outfielder. Above, he warms up in center field prior to the first pitch. Henry was one of several Blue Jays who didn't see the ball come his way. This game tended to be feast-or-famine in that regard. Let's hope that Henry can sufficiently curb his appetite and get some opportunities to make defensive plays next week.
Jacob Carle delivered a potent combination of hustle and hard hits in the game with the Cubs. He legged out a tapper to the left pitcher's helper for a base hit in the first, lifted a fly ball to left field for a single in the second, and sent a grounder through the left side for his third hit of the day in his final at bat.
Jacob checked in with two unassisted put-outs in the field. Above, he throws the ball back to the pitcher after fielding a hot grounder at right shortstop and beating the runner to the 2nd base bag to complete a force play in the top of the first. Playing at 2nd base in the third inning, Jacob hauled in a sky-high pop-up for the third out of the final frame.
Dominic Delgado kept the line moving from the sixth spot in the batting order. The highlight was his line drive double to center field in the bottom of the second. Dominic also collected singles with a grounder to left shortstop in the first and a fly ball to shallow right field in the third.
Dominic was involved in eight of the Blue Jays' ten put-outs! He handled two throws at 1st base for assisted put-outs in the top of the first. Playing at left pitcher's helper in the second inning, he first nabbed a deflected ball and threw to 1st base for an out and then, on consecutive plays, fielded solidly hit grounders and wisely threw to 3rd base to cut down the lead runners. Back at 1st base in the third, Dominic adjusted to throws that were slightly off line from the RPH on consecutive plays for assisted put-outs and caught a throw from the LPH to complete the Blue Jays' final out of the game. This guys is a defensive fiend!
Adam Farber added two base hits to his career total in the game with the Cubs. Above, he prepares to shoot a liner through the left side that would not stop until it reached the outfield grass! In the bottom of the third inning, Adam ripped a hard groundball up the middle and into center field for another run-scoring single.
Teammates know that they can count on Adam to be at the right place at the right time! His quick thinking and solid execution resulted in two consecutive assisted put-outs at 3rd base in the bottom of the second inning. Knowing that he had a force play at the hot corner, Adam covered the bag and caught a perfect throw from the left pitcher's helper to make an excellent put-out look routine! Then, on the very next play, Adam and the LPH teamed up to cut down the lead runner again!
Sebastian Bloomberg's passion for baseball was a welcome addition to the Blue Jays this season. His big hits were helpful, too! In Sunday's game, Sebastian delivered a single in the first and a ground ball base hit that featured a great base running turn at 1st base in the second. He then led off the bottom of the third with a line drive double to center field that started the Blue Jays' carousel turning once again!
In the field, Sebastian is always ready, paying attention to the batter and expecting that the ball will be hit near him. Despite playing at left shortstop and at 3rd base, Sebastian didn't see as much action as he might have liked on Sunday. That's baseball.
Brody Gottfried caught our attention with his heads-up play. After grounding a single through the middle to reach safely in the second inning, Brody advanced to 2nd base on a teammate's groundout. Listening to his 3rd base coach and understanding that he did not have to run, Brody stayed put on the 2nd base bag when a grounder was fielded by the opposing 3rd baseman. He went on to advance to 3rd and score a run for his team. Brody also wisely took a pitch out of the zone to begin his final plate appearance. The next pitch was a hanger that he smacked up the middle for his second base hit of the day.
Brody appeared to be right at home at right pitcher's helper in the top of the second inning. He impressed fans and teammates with his hustle on a swinging bunt that rolled foul. Later, Brody got the tip of his glove on the ground - just as Coach Delgado taught him - and stopped a well hit grounder on the right side.
Peter Herdman contributed two of the Blue Jays' nine extra-base hits in the game with the Cubs. Above, Peter loads up prior to blasting a grounder that left the infield quickly, rolled through center field, and enabled him to run to 2nd base for a stand-up double. He followed that effort by depositing a fly ball behind 2nd base for a single in the second. In his final at bat, Peter pounded an authoritative grounder to the outfield for his second double of the game.
A veteran 1st baseman, Peter covered the bag and hauled in a good throw from the left pitcher's helper to complete an assisted put-out in the top of the second. Above, Peter stands ready at left pitcher's helper, where he demonstrated great hustle on pop fouls that proved to be just barely out of his reach.
Evan Phillips wasted no time slamming a ground ball through the middle for a run scoring base hit in his first at bat. After knocking a grounder to the right side in the bottom of the second inning, Evan legged out a tapper up the middle for an infield single in the third.
Evan warmed the coach's heart by converting "swinging bunts" into outs from both pitcher's helper positions. He charged a grounder and delivered a perfect throw from RPH to 1st base to notch an infield assist on the first at bat of the game. Evan also handled a slow bouncer and made a great throw to 1st to complete the third out of the first inning. Playing at left pitcher's helper in the top of the third, Evan made a great stop on a well hit ball and delivered a beautiful throw to 1st to complete the Blue Jays' tenth and final out of the game.
We don't know Niara Gupta's exact on base percentage this season, but we're certain that it's quite good. Even better, once on base, she's a big-time running threat. Niara knocked a groundball base hit to left shortstop in the first and a grounder up the middle for a single in the second. Following her third base hit of the day, Niara demonstrated great hustle on the base paths and avoided being forced out at both 2nd and 3rd.
The ball didn't find Niara at either 2nd base or right shortstop, but that doesn't mean that she wasn't ready or that she didn't hustle; she was and she did! We were particularly impressed when she ranged to her left from 2nd base on a grounder that was fielded by the right shortstop. Niara's understanding of when to charge and when to cover has improved immeasurably this season.
Josh "Doubles" Porter is emerging as a pure pull-side power hitter. Above, Josh sizes up a pitch moments prior to slamming the offering down the left field line for yet another two-bagger! Josh followed that effort with a groundball single to the left that barely remained fair in the second inning. He finished his day at the plate with another hard grounder down the 3rd base line in the third.
An intimidating presence at any position, Josh was ready to go at 2nd base in the top of the second inning. Unfortunately, he, too ended up on the "famine" end of the feast-or-famine fielding opportunity spectrum. That sort of phenomenon tends to revert to the mean over time. Josh is due for some major opportunities in our final game.
Noah Solovey is one of many Blue Jays who enjoyed a 3-for-3 batting line in the game with the Cubs. He posted his first base hit of the day with a grounder down the 3rd base line in the first inning. Making consistent contact, Noah then belted a single to the left shortstop in the second and pulled a groundball to 3rd base in the third.
Noah made an outstanding and, in our opinion, underrated defensive play in the top of the first inning. Playing in right field, he charged a well hit ball, fielded it between his two feet, and delivered a solid throw to 1st base in an effort to make a rare 9-3 put-out. It's pretty tough to throw someone out from the outfield on 50 foot base paths, but Noah came within an eyelash of getting it done!
Milen Hukmani impressed with a line drive base hit to right field to end the bottom of the first inning. Above, Milen gets his hands back prior to slamming a groundball base hit up the middle in the second. Milen saved his best effort for the game's final at bat, a line drive double to center field that would have legitimately cleared the bases even if clearing the bases were not customary at the conclusion of each inning at the coach-pitch level.
The coach has moved Milen around this year in an attempt to provide opportunities for him to move his feet and throw the ball. The tactic paid off during Sunday's game. Playing at right pitcher's helper, Milen fielded a grounder and threw accurately to 1st base to score an assist on the first out of the third inning. Having enjoyed that experience, Milen turned around and did the exact same thing on the very next play!
Clark Roggie's hit distances might be reaching unprecedented territory at the coach-pitch level. They were undoubtedly unprecedented as far as the opponent was concerned. Twice, the fielders simply looked upward and outward and watched the ball sail through right field. After smashing a line drive base hit to center field in the first, Clark launched a high liner to right center for a stand-up double in the second. He topped that with his last hit of the game, a line drive down the right field line that was still rising as it cleared the infield dirt, landing fair by about five feet and traveling approximately 150 feet in the air. That's easily a personal best and possibly a team record!
For the most part, Clark was ready in the field. Alas, he, too, was all dressed up with no plays to make. The ball didn't bounce his way at either left shortstop or 3rd base. He did, however, enjoy watching his teammates make some outstanding plays in the field.
All In!
Coach Eric Delgado led warm-ups, pitched a brilliant game, and coached the Blue Jays' defense from the outfield.
Brett Goldstein stepped up once again and directed traffic from the 1st base coaching box.
Evan Gottfried provided the postgame snacks and shot photos for this Game Report.
Turning the Page
The Blue Jays have demonstrated laser focus both individually and as a team throughout the fall season.
They can look to the future with ambition and optimism.
Coach Steve
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