Wasn't it a great idea to start Chein-Ming Wang? Please, Alex, John, anyone else with a hand in the decision making process, don't have him pitch for us again.
If you ignore Wang's performance and a few errors, it wasn't all that bad. The bad parts:
- Wang: 3 innings, 4 its, 5 runs, 4 earned, 1 walk, 3 k. And it really could have been worse. The Astros found gloves with some hard hit balls. He was missing high and low. It's funny, his numbers in Buffalo are pretty good, he can't be pitching this bad there.
- Jose Reyes made 2 errors, one a throwing error and one an easy ground ball that he just didn't pick up. Reyes was also 0 for 5 and sort of looked like he's checked out.
- J.P. Arencibia made a lousy play on a throw to the plate, that should have resulted in an out, but for whatever reason, he moved forward, above the plate, to receive the threw, and course couldn't dive back quick enough to make the tag. He also made a throw from his knees, on a stolen base attempt and, of course, it went wild, into center field. Luckily Anthony Gose was alertly backing up the play. And there was a passed ball that he just whiffed on. JP, I really want to be on your side, I love batters with power, but you aren't helping.
- Rajai Davis did a couple of pirouettes on his way chasing a deep fly over his head. It wasn't an easy catch but it should have been made. And he was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.
On the good side:
- Chad Jenkins, who I would have rather seen start that game, looked good in 4 innings of relief. His defense let him down. He allowed 3 hits, 1 that wouldn't have been a hit if Rajai could have made the catch, 3 runs only 1 earned, 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. I know Jenkins isn't likely to be great but, man, if the choice is start him or start Wang, START HIM.
- Ryan Goins made a couple of really nice plays, including a nice relay on the play JP blew and had a hit.
- Kevin Pillar was 2 for 4 with his first MLB home run, the umps ruled it a double at first, but changed it on replay. He doesn't look as lost at the plate.
- Edwin Encarnacion homered and took 3 walks.
- Brett Lawrie doubled, great swing, and played terrific defense.
- Anthony Gose was 1 for 2 and played good defense.
- Adam Lind was 2 for 4.
In all, it wasn't as terrible a game as yesterday, but losing to the Astros is hard to stomach. Even with all the injuries we have.
I'll admit, if I was Gibby, I'd be benching guys when they show they have mentally checked out. JP should have come out of the game tonight, Reyes too.
Suckage: Wang (-.295). I'm giving one to Reyes, JP and Davis too.
Jays of the Day: Edwin (.097) and I'm giving one to Pillar too, cause you get one for your first MLB home run.