The Blue Jays' effort versus an outstanding opponent on Sunday, September 15 made the coaches proud. Then again, we're always proud to stand with these guys!
Both teams arrived early, took batting practice and pregame grounders, and proved to be prepared and focused at game time.
The Blue Jays and the Orioles combined to score 39 runs. That number would have been greater if they had played to three outs in each half inning.
A regulation six-inning game requires that each team record 18 outs (6*3). Due to BCC's five runs per inning limit, the Orioles recorded only 15 outs; the Blue Jays notched just ten outs.
But those numbers don't tell the whole story. In fact, the Blue Jays executed more outs on the field (9) than the Orioles (8). So, how did the Orioles manage to record more total outs and escape with a hard fought one-run victory?
In a word, contact. The Blue Jays struck out seven times in 41 plate appearances for an 83 percent contact rate. The Orioles struck out just once in 40 plate appearances for a 98 percent contact rate. When both teams hit well with bouncy RIF-5 baseballs on a dry, hard field, the team with fewer strikeouts will win more often than not.
The final score was Orioles 20, Blue Jays 19.
September 15 Game Report
Sebastian Bloomberg has not been thrown out in two games this season. Above, he trots to home plate after giving the Blue Jays an early lead with a two-run home run in the top of the first. Sebastian finished the game 4-for-4 with a homer, a double, four runs scored and three RBI.
On a day when the Blue Jays completed just three assisted put-outs, Sebastian chipped in with two of them. He fielded a grounder at pitcher's helper and threw to 3rd base to cut down the lead runner in the fourth inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Sebastian made a 6-3 put-out look routine when he fielded the ball between his feet and delivered an accurate throw to 1st base.
Milen Hukmani delivered a complete all-around performance befitting a seasoned veteran. Here, he prepares to deliver an RBI base hit to the left side of the infield in the first inning. Milen's 2-for-3 day also included a run-scoring single in the third and a flyout to the shortstop in the fourth.
Milen turned in the defensive highlight of the game in the bottom half of the fifth inning - the only inning in which the Orioles did not score. Playing at 1st base with a man on first and one out, Milen caught a well hit line drive and applied the tag to the runner who had strayed from the base to complete the unassisted double play. Milen added an assisted put-out when he caught a good throw from the shortstop to retire the runner, 6-3, in the bottom of the sixth.
Adam Farber was another major contributor both offensively and defensively. Here, he sends a hard grounder to the right side in the top of the first. Adam came through with an RBI single and later reached on a fielder's choice.
Adam's defense at 3rd base enabled the Blue Jays to get off the field with minimal damage in the bottom of the third. He inhaled a ground ball and stepped on the bag to eliminate the lead runner on an unassisted force play. Adam then received a good throw from the pitcher's helper to notch another force play that would end the inning.
Brendan Wang represents the median of the Blue Jays' lineup with regard to offensive production following a solid effort versus the Orioles. After collecting an RBI groundout to 2nd base in the second inning, Brendan singled and scored in the top of the fourth. Brendan's .800 contact rate and .600 batting average rank exactly in the middle of the pack through two games.
After working two innings at catcher, Brendan shed the gear and stepped up with a sparkling defensive play at 3rd base in the bottom of the sixth inning. He was ready when the batter hit a scorcher to the hot corner. Brendan stopped the ball between his two feet and scampered to the bag to complete the unassisted force play.
Jacob Carle ignited the Blue Jays' attack at the top of the batting lineup. Jacob set the table with a double in the fourth and a single in both the first and the sixth. His 3-for-4 day came with three runs scored and an RBI.
Jacob set up residence at the shortstop position in the first and second innings. Unfortunately, the Orioles didn't oblige with many routine grounders. Instead, Jacob spent most of his time covering the bag at 2nd base on hits to right field and serving as the cut-off man on balls to left field.
Focusing on swinging across his back shoulder to increase his contact rate, Seamus Bain put the ball in play in each trip to the plate. Seamus kept the line moving with well hit singles in the second and third innings.
Seamus made a nice stop on a tough grounder to 2nd base. Above, he readies himself to play right field, a hazardous job due to patchy grass and hard ground that caused well hit baseballs to bounce up to 15 feet in the air.
Noah Solovey is contributing offensive efficiency as a matter of routine. Above, he gets in his stance and prepares to blast a line drive just inside the 3rd base line for a clean base hit in the top of the second inning. Noah added an RBI single to the left side in the top of the third, raising his early season batting average to .800 with a contact rate of 1.000.
Noah has challenged himself to catch pitches before they hit the ground whenever he mans the catcher position. That, along with extra practice at home and at baseball camps, led to a huge breakthrough in Sunday's game. Playing at 3rd base, Noah alertly covered the bag and caught a good throw from the pitcher's helper to complete a 1-5 force play - the first assisted put-out of Noah's baseball career!
Dominic Delgado continued to swing a ridiculously hot bat in the game with the Orioles. One week after delivering six RBI in a single game, he did it again thanks to a 4-for-4 batting line that also included a triple and three runs scored. In two games this season, Dominic is 7-for-8 with a triple, two home runs, six runs scored, and 12 RBI. Cooperstown awaits!
Dominic chipped in defensively in the bottom of the third. Playing at shortstop, he ranged to his left, fielded a grounder on the run, and stepped on 2nd base for an unassisted force play. Dominic then ended the inning by charging a grounder and firing a perfect throw to the first baseman to complete the 6-3 put-out.
Brody Gottfried hit the ball hard on two different occasions during Sunday's game. He slammed an RBI base hit to the right side that enabled the Blue Jays to reach the five-run limit in the top of the third inning. Brody then led off with a base hit and went on to score in the top of the fourth.
Brody was tested at 3rd base in the first and second innings. He learned that being "ready" must be done at an entirely different level when the opponent can hit like the Orioles. Brody later turned in a solid effort at catcher.
Henry Goldstein hit a hard grounder to the shortstop in the top of the second inning. We think it's safe to assume that Henry's smash would've been a hit had it come versus any other opponent. Unfortunately, the Orioles converted it into a 6-3 put-out on a fantastic bang-bang play at 1st base.
Henry showed that his brain is working at game speed regardless of his position. Above, he stands ready at 2nd base, where he covered the bag on all appropriate occasions. Henry also provided necessary back-up on cut-off plays from the pitcher's helper position.
Vinny Guo seemed a little disappointed with his batting output. Wouldn't we all love to be disappointed by a 2-for-4 game with two runs scored? Give Vinny credit for holding himself to a very high standard!
Defensively, Vinny played a couple of innings at 1st base but was busier when he moved to center field in the middle innings. The Blue Jays spent all of Friday's practice working on fielding the ball in the outfield and hitting the cut-off man as quickly as possible. Hopefully, everyone now understands why we did that!
Clark Roggie's offensive output consisted of two singles, a fielder's choice, and a groundout in four plate appearances. Clark scored twice and drove in three runs.
We were impressed with the way Clark consistently hit the cut-off man with good, hard throws from left center field. Clark also played two innings at 1st base and one at shortstop but didn't get much action in the infield.
Two good teams congratulated one another following yet another tense, fun contest in this budding rivalry.
Row the Boat
Eric Delgado led fielding warm-ups and pregame stretching prior to the game. He then coached in the outfield and at 3rd base during the game.
Lance Bloomberg carried the pitching machine to and from the head coach's car and assisted with warm-ups. When the game began, Lance operated the machine effectively enough to allow for 25 Blue Jays hits!
George Roggie came directly from his own doubleheader and handled 1st base coaching duties.
Navin Hukmani assisted during pregame drills and coached at 3rd base.
Next Up
The Blue Jays' games with the Orioles tend to be competitive, challenging, and FUN. Unfortunately, these teams aren't scheduled to meet again this fall.
Still, there is much more fun left to be had. Let's all continue to dress appropriately as we bring the season to the halfway point next weekend with our first-ever match-up with the White Sox.
Coach Steve
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