Although Bay’s debut will be remembered for his clutch triple (5 foot more to the left and thats a homer), Bay’s first plate appearance, a walk, was more telling of what Bay brings to this line-up. Discipline.
With one of the largest standing O’s I’ve seen Fenway give anyone, Bay awkwardly waved to fans and kind-of tipped his helmet. Bay then stepped in against Justin Duchscher, and watched 3 straight balls, a letter high strike, and a 4th ball for a walk. Out of context, this is not that telling of how any player will pan out. However with the circumstances considered this guy just walked in from a AAAA ball club – into Fenway park – in his first at bat – with a standing ovation – and didn’t give in to the temptation to try and put one over the monster. That alone should speak volumes about what we’ve gotten, and will be getting, from Jason Bay, and that’s a disciplined pro at the dish.
Bay did strike out twice, once by Duchscher, the other from Ziegler (Who hasn’t been K’d by Ziegler, jeez). But Bay ended up getting the last laugh and finished off with a near perfect story book ending to this game with his triple to put him in scoring position, and then Jed “clutch” Lowrie (Well, One can hope) squeezed a bloop over the pitcher to score him. There was something about Don Orsillo’s excitement, the team’s all congratulating Bay, and the fans being extra into this game that made me think this game could be the catalyst for a good stretch run to take the sting out of a terrible July, and begin an, at the least, above .500 August.
Two side-notes to the end of the day:
1.) Mike Lowell left late in this game due to a hip strain, I would actually like to see Lowell DL’ed for a bit to help him get some rest, and get Sean Casey into this line-up. He can be a hitting machine and this may finally give Tito an excuse to use him.
2.) Manny looked good for the first half of his debut but failed to deliver in the clutch and grounded into a DP to end the game. Perhaps a sign of things to come? Probably not, That guy can hit like crazy. Also, 99? Really? I’ll call So Taguchi later and let him know he’s now the 2nd best player wearing 99 in the majors.
Till tomorrow, actually, later tonight (Damn my insomnia). Adios.
