Downs Missed the Take Sign
What on earth was Scott Downs thinking in the top of the 10th tonight?
He had just worked a scoreless ninth and got five runs from his offence in the top of the inning to give him a potential win. His spot comes up and he takes a bunch of pitches and then swings at a 2-2 offering grounding it to short.
As he trots down the line - something he's not used to doing - he pulls a muscle, limps off the field and is replaced by Jesse Carlson. What were you thinking, dude?
Even at spring training, when the Jays went to Orlando and the pitcher was forced to hit, Cito Gaston told Brad Mills not even to think about swinging the bat because it was only a Grapefruit League Game. Cito, what's the difference? How about having a five-run lead in extra innings with your closer on the hill.
Take, take, take. But no.
The responsibility for the Downs swing and Rios horrible base path error lies with one person: Cito. He might assume (given the $$ that these guys make) that Downs and Rios have a clue about playing this game; they don't and he is wrong to assume that.
You are right about learning about tagging up from third. I learned it in my first year of little league - a very long time ago.
Posted by: Alex | June 17, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Another side of things:
Scott Downs isn't made of fine crystal. He is a professional athelete. He shouldn't have to be wrapped in cotton. I am not a professional athelete, but I'd like to think that if I ever had the good fortune of getting a bat on a ball in a baseball game, I could make it to first without hurting myself.
Posted by: Iain | June 17, 2009 at 11:12 AM
How about this as well. 6th inning, 2-1 Jays, bases loaded, one out and Cito doesn't pinch hit for Romero. I understand that he was pitching well, but monday was an off day and there was a chance to at least cash one on a long fly out. Plus Ricky gave up the goat in the bottom half(a 2 run homer).
Posted by: LOCKSTOCK93 | June 17, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Thank you. Hopefully Cito reads this column and realizes that spouting off about how the lack of a DH during Interleague Play in NL parks isn't the reason why Downs was injured. Cito was the reason Downs was injured.
Posted by: Neil | June 17, 2009 at 11:30 AM
How pathetic is it that a professional athelete can't run 90 feet to first base without pulling a muscle?
I don't care that he's a pitcher, they are supposed to run a lot to keep their legs strong, which is where their power is generated.
I have no sympathy whatsoever on this. The interleague rules and schedule are well known.
Posted by: Gary | June 17, 2009 at 02:16 PM