Two wins, Two losses, Two did not play.
Quick post-script to McGowan's start. Dustin was flying through 5 innings (only 3 hits, 1 ER), but then gave up a hit to lead off the 6th, which was followed by a Rob Cosby error (not sure if it would have been enough for a DP or not). Dustin then gave up a single to the next batter, but followed that up with a K. Another single scored 1, and then Jon Van Evrey came up and cleaned the bases. I feel like if Cosby makes the DP, the whole inning didn't happen.
Syracuse has had some good pitching this year, but the offence and defence is not there. The team was noticeably better when Russ Adams was there and had adjusted to Sergio Santos.
I was at yesterday's game in Syracuse. I will have some follow up stories over the next week but here are my game impressions.
There were nine scouts at the game, that could be a coincidence or it could be that both Cleveland and the Jays will be active in the trade market in the next few weeks.
Dustin McGowan does have great stuff but his fastball control is still lacking. Dustin had a great slider last night and good changes and curves but the fastball.... Here are some examples from my notes:
- 1st inning - Garko hit by a fastball when McGowan opened up on delivery
- 1st - Dubois - single off fastball
- 2nd - Marte - hit a fastball HR depth but foul
- 2nd - Van Every -hit a fastball opposite field (see later) to the warning track
- 3rd - Francisco - line drive single off fastball
- 4th - Garko - fly ball to track off fastball
- 5th - Van Every - line drive double to wall off fastball
- 5th - Gautreau - line drive to left, possibly a catchable ball off fastball
- 6th - Alfaro - line drive off fastball
- 6th - Marte - line drive single off fastball
- 6th - Van Every - grand slam to opposite field off fastball
I still see McGowan's fastball control as being an issue. I think McGowan might have to ratchet back to 92-93 mph fastball with better control rather than the down the middle 95-96 he throws now. In other words don't expect to see McGowan taking Towers' spot come Saturday.
The Cosby misplay in the sixth was a tailor made double play ball, two steps to his left, moving towards second. The ball hit him high on the glove and dribbled into left field.
I saw Tom "nasty" Mastny pitch. Mastny used to be in the Jays system back in 2004 I believe. Mastny is tall, about 6'6", thin, and has a high leg kick, out from his body that helps him hide the ball before he comes at you with a 3/4 delivery. His fastball was around 89-90 with a good curve. When he gets in the stretch he loses the advantage of that delivery and looked to me to be more hittable.
Sergio Santos is a fastball hitter, as are a lot of young hitters. He hit well in the two hole behind Adams when he saw a lot of fastballs. Santos likes to hit early in the count, with few walks, as he will swing at a pitch he likes. He swang early last night a few times and hit the ball hard with no luck, but when he got deeper into counts he was setup for the breaking ball away. Santos has made progress this year but he looks to me like he needs more time to see if he can develop more plate discipline.
The game looked good for a while for the Chiefs but poor defense and pitching against a good hitting team hurt them in the back half of the game.
So, ignore the log. McGowan was hit pretty hard. Thanks, Gerry.
In addition, it looks like Russ Savickas has been promoted again (this time only to Dunedin).
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ros&cid=424&stn=true&sid=t424
Yep and it looks like Jason Armstrong has gone back to Lansing.
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/external/brandedstats/t499.html?cid=499&lid=118&t=t_ros&sid=milb