Getting it Done!

The Blue Jays battled back from an early deficit and turned in their best overall performance of the season on Saturday, October 18, at Fleming Park.

The game with the Braves featured solid plate discipline, timely hitting, and big plays at key moments.

The final score is a matter of interpretation.  The Blue Jays led 9-7 at the end of the last completed inning.  They went on to score the maximum five runs with none out in the top of the fifth.  The Braves were at bat with the bases loaded, one out, and a 14-7 deficit when the umpire invoked the time limit in the bottom half of the fifth.  By any interpretation, the Blue Jays earned the victory in this one.

October 18 Game Report

Sebastian Bloomberg was called to the mound in the bottom of the second inning with the Blue Jays trailing 5-3; the Braves had one out and two runners on base.  By the time he was done pitching, his team had a 9-5 lead!  Sebastian did not allow a run and gave up just one hit and two walks while striking out six in two fantastic innings of work.  He also contributed offensively, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.  This might have been Sebastian's finest day in a Blue Jays uniform - and that's saying something! 

Casper Larosch augmented his resume for BCC Minor League Rookie of the Year.  Batting in a big spot with multiple runners on base seemingly every time he came to the plate, Casper delivered in each appearance versus the Braves.  His 3-for-3 batting line came with a team-leading four RBI and a run scored.  For good measure, he turned in the day's most important defensive play, a great stab of a grounder and a perfect throw to 1st base for the final, rally-killing out in the top half of the fourth inning.

Reto Lamparter continues to turn in solid performances at 1st base.  Above, he prepares to haul in a throw from the pitcher to record the first out of the fourth inning.  Later in the same inning, he caught the throw from the 3rd baseman that ended the Braves' hopes of retaking the lead.  Reto extended several Blue Jays rallies, putting together a 1-for-2 day with a walk, two runs scored, and two RBI.

Henry Goldstein played a huge role in the third inning rally that gave the Blue Jays a lead they would not relinquish.  The fastest player on the roster, Henry hustled down the line and beat the throw for an infield single that gave the Blue Jays a two-on, none-out situation that they would convert into a three-run inning.  Henry was 1-for-2 and reached base a second time when he was hit by a pitch.  He also scored once and contributed an RBI.

Brendan Wang turned in a gutty performance on the mound in the early innings.  Hanging in there despite a less than stellar start by his teammates in the field, Brendan limited the damage to a not insurmountable four-run deficit.  He struck out two and helped his own cause when he fielded a grounder and threw to 1st base for a 1-3 put-out.  Brendan enjoyed an efficient day offensively, producing a 1-for-1 batting line with two walks, two runs scored, and two RBI.

Seamus Bain continues to impress as he sharpens his skills at catcher.  Seamus really aided his pitchers in this one by giving them a target that actually helps them throw strikes - a grossly underrated skill with respect to young catchers.  Offensively, Seamus kept the line moving with a 1-for-2 batting day that included a walk, a run scored, and an RBI.

Vinny Guo was on the receiving end of the game's first assisted put-out in the bottom of the first inning.  Playing at 1st base, he covered the bag and caught a throw from the pitcher to complete the 1-3 play.  Although he flied out in his only official at bat, Vinny contributed offensively with two walks, two runs scored and an RBI.

Milen Hukmani worked on proper positioning at the catcher spot in the first and second innings.  Above, he demonstrates how to give the pitcher a good target at the batter's knees.  Always a threat in the heart of the Blue Jays order, Milen came through again in the game with the Braves, going 1-for-2 with a walk, a run scored, and an RBI.

Noah Solovey charged the ball consistently and made good stops and solid throws at 2nd base in practice on Friday, so the coach put him there for an inning in the game on Sunday.  Although the ball did not find him, Noah showed that he was ready to be part of the infield rotation.  He also reached base, drawing a walk to keep the line moving in the Blue Jays' key third inning rally.

Jacob Carle was productive in the leadoff spot, hitting into a fielder's choice, drawing a walk, scoring one run and driving in another.  He made one of the better plays of the day in the field, handling a come-backer to the mound and throwing to 1st base for a 1-3 put-out for the first out in the bottom of the fourth.  Although he struggled to find the strike zone at times, Jacob pitched with grit in the fourth and fifth innings, striking out two in 1.1 innings of work.

Brody Gottfried was cheated out of a third plate appearance when he was stranded in the on-deck circle after the Blue Jays were clipped by the 5-runs per inning limit in the top of the fifth.  Brody did collect an RBI on a well hit grounder in the fourth inning.  Defensively, he took a turn at 2nd base early in the game after looking good at that position in practice.

Clark Roggie had a quiet but productive game.  He spent one uneventful inning at shortstop and one in left field.  Clark was warming up for a possible relief appearance in the 5th inning, but the time limit rendered his services unnecessary.  He did contribute at the plate, going 2-for-2, getting hit by a pitch, and scoring twice.

Following Protocol

Navin Hukmani handled coaching duties at 1st base.

William Guo kept the carousel moving at 3rd base.

We also want to thank Chris Bain and Alfred Wang for helping out as bench coaches.

Strong Finish!

The Blue Jays are now 3-1 officially and 4-1 if we count the preseason scrimmage.  With two games left to play, a winning record is assured.  More importantly, the progress made by the players has made the move up to kid-pitch an unqualified success!

Let's keep it going next week versus the Nationals (Hartung)!