National Post (National Edition)
Over half of Jays’ total runs scored on homers
Highest rate of dinger-driven offence ever
ARLINGTON, TEXAS •The day after Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson said the club has to find other ways to score runs other than just off homers, the club’s media office released a rather alarming statistic.
Heading into Tuesday’s game at a hot and steamy Globe Life Park, it was determined that home runs have accounted for 165 of 297 total runs that the Blue Jays have scored (55.6 per cent), the highest rate in MLB history.
Even though the Jays are long been known as a home run hitting club, manager John Gibbons was a little taken aback by the stat. “No way,” he said. In Monday’s 7-6 comefrom-behind victory over the Texas Rangers, the Jays hit a pair of home runs for the second straight game, their sixth multi-home run effort over the last 10 games and the 28th of the season, improving to 20-8 in games with two or more homers.
GREEN LIGHT MANIA
Also in Monday’s game, Donaldson lead off an inning by going into a 3-0 count on Texas starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx, but instead of trying to work him for a walk, Donaldson grounded out to third base — an example of how Gibbons as a manager generally always gives his big hitters — Donaldson, Jose Bautista, Kendrys Morales — the green light on a 3-0 count. This despite the fact that this season the Jays have not done well when going after pitches on a 3-0 count. Jays’ hitters are 0-for-9 when swinging at a 3-0 pitch this year — the most swings (nine) in the league without getting a hit. On any at-bat when the count gets to 3-0, the Jays are 7-for-49, with 74 walks, 17 strike outs and two home runs.
But stats like that won’t deter Gibbons.
“You know what? I love giving guys the green light (on 3-0 counts),” said Gibbons. “And we’ll do it a lot if you can tie a game or give you a lead (with a hit). Because most of the guys in our lineup, the guys in the middle (of the order), they’re not going to swing out of the zone.”
In other words, the threat that the Jays hitters’ will go after 3-0 pitches means, at least to Gibbons’ way of thinking, that the opposing pitcher will take care not to throw in the strike zone, often resulting in a walk.
“I think that gets their attention,” said Gibbons. “You got to look at the kind of team you got too. That’s how we score. Driving the ball, slugging. Certain guys I’ll always leave it on. although it depends on the score.”
MORE SMOAKY NEWS
Justin Smoak, who leads the Jays with a career-high 20 home runs, credits his new found success at the plate with a number of things, including having a better mindset at the plate.
“I think (before) I was trying to do too much. I feel like I got a clear head, and it’s been showing,” Smoak said. “That, and not over-reacting. Honestly, there were times when I didn’t feel like I had it that day, but you still have to go out there and compete and have good at-bats. I feel like at times (before this season) I was in the box thinking about where my hands are, my weight is and this and that, instead of when you get in there you’ve got to compete against the guy that’s on the mound. And I think that’s really helped.”
Gibbons has a couple of theories as to why Smoak is on course for a career year.
“I never thought he was a high average guy, he’s not that type of hitter. But he started using the whole field a little bit,” said the manager. “He’ll take a cheap little single, instead of just the long ball.
“I think he’s in better shape now too, he’s slimmed down,” Gibbons added. “I don’t know if the scales say it, but my eyes tell me that.”