Go BCC Blue Jays!: Blue Jays make the best of a Mismatch

The photograph above helped the Blue Jays' head coach feel better about the game with the Nationals on Sunday, May 19, at Avenel Park. This was a mismatch.

With three players out and two playing at less than 100 percent, the Blue Jays tried to keep cool following warm-up in preparation for what was to come.

Nine doubles, a triple, and multiple outfield singles later, they were reminded of the eternal rule that makes the exception so compelling.

Goliath usually wins.

The final score was Nationals 14, Blue Jays 3.

May 19 Game Report

Seamus Bain fought off a cold and showed up ready to play for the Blue Jays. His 1-for-3 day included a solid single to the left side of the infield in the top of the sixth inning.

Seamus didn't see much action at pitcher's helper. The Nationals didn't hit to the pitcher's helper; they hit to the outfield. He did get some work in at catcher in the bottom of the third.

After suffering a bout of strep throat, Milen Hukmani was cleared to play on Saturday afternoon. Still not 100 percent, he gutted it out and delivered a fine performance on Sunday. Making contact in each at-bat, Milen clobbered two singles and reached on a fielder's choice.

Playing at 3rd base in the third and fourth innings, Milen saw many balls hit over his head and into left field. He did a good job of providing a target to allow the outfielders to return the ball to the infield.

Niara Gupta's family drove for three hours on Sunday morning so she could play in the game. She made contact in two plate appearances and reached on a fielder's choice in the top of the sixth.

Niara hustled at the 2nd base position in the early innings when the game was still competitive. She also took a willing turn at catcher in the bottom of the fourth.

Noah Solovey took batting practice with his dad on Saturday afternoon. The extra effort paid off with solid contact in two plate appearances. Going 1-for-3 and reaching on a fielder's choice versus a quality opponent was more than respectable.

Above, Noah prepares for inning number four in right field. He and all of his teammates had ample opportunity to work on outfield skills versus the Nationals.

Sebastian Bloomberg pulled off the hat trick, scoring all three of the Blue Jays' runs. He singled in the first, doubled in the third, and reached on a fielder's choice in the fifth. Sebastian leads the Blue Jays with five extra-base hits in five games.

After nearly making a remarkable catch on a line drive to left field, Sebastian showed that he had his head in the game by throwing to 2nd base in an effort to make a force out. Unfortunately, the 2nd baseman was not covering the bag. The Blue Jays have work to do when it comes to being at the right place at the right time.

When Henry Goldstein makes contact, it tends to be big contact. His batting average on balls in play (BABIP) is 1.000 through five games. Henry slammed a groundball base hit through the right side of the infield in the top of the sixth inning.

Henry kept busy at the pitcher's helper position by backing up the 2nd baseman and the shortstop on throws from the outfield in the third and fourth innings.

Adam Farber returned from a stint on the Injured List and didn't take long to recommence his solid season at the plate. Putting the ball in play twice, Adam delivered a clean base hit in the top of the third. He's a .600 hitter on the year.

Adam discovered that the "Hot Corner" at 3rd base can be really hot when the opponent can mash. He spent much of the afternoon corralling cut-off throws from left field.

Brody Gottfried has put the ball in play in five consecutive plate appearances. Above, Brody prepares to whack a base hit to the opposite field in the top of the fifth.

Brody learned that playing 2nd base at this level entails more than meets the eye. When the opponent slams hits to right field, the 2nd baseman becomes the cut-off man. When the ball goes to left field, the 2nd baseman still must cover the bag. Sunday's game was a full-immersion lesson for Blue Jays. They probably saw more balls hit to the outfield than they'll see in the other seven games this season combined.

Reto Lamparter put in a credible effort at the plate. Making contact in each appearance, he went 1-for-3, reached on a fielder's choice, and drove in a run.

Reto learned that outfielders can be busier than infielders when the opposing lineup is strong. He had exactly one opportunity to make a play at 1st base. He was much busier when he played in left field.

Clark Roggie continued two personal trends, one good and one not so good. The good: he made contact in every at-bat. The not-so-good: he grounded out twice to the 1st baseman. Clark finished the day 1-for-3 with two runs driven in, raising his team-leading RBI total to six.

After looking good at 1st base at Friday's practice, Clark earned an opportunity to play the position in the game. Unfortunately, the Nationals did not hit the ball in the infield. Clark did not have a chance to complete an out.

Stepping Up