Jason Bay with runners in scoring position
Following last night’s game, Terry Collins suggested Bay could lose playing time to Scott Hairston, who has four hits in his last six at bats.
In 20 games from mid-June to early July, Bay hit .329 with 4 HR and 18 RBI. However, in his last 35 plate appearances, he’s again hitting just .100 with 0 RBI, 0 extra base hits and 7 strike outs.
According to MLB.com, Bay said after the game:
“If I’m in the lineup, I’m in the lineup. If I’m not, that’s not my decision to make. I kind of felt like before the break started, things started going well. Obviously I haven’t carried that momentum, but I’m still going out there trying to get that momentum that I had. … Imagine how frustrated the fans are – you think that I enjoy it? You think I enjoy what I’m doing out there? I’m more frustrated than anybody. But I’ve got to come back and do it every single day, and I can’t get too caught up in the frustration.”
To be honest, I think fans have been shockingly understanding of Bay’s struggles, considering he’s batting .248 in the 600 at bats since joining the team, all while earning $16 million a year. I mean, not only did he leave a ton of runners on base yesterday, he also let a line drive bounce off his glove in the 8th inning, which ultimately let three runs score. And, although he was booed, I’ve seen worse treatment of other players in the past. I think it’s to a point that, as frustrated as I am watching him, I am more frustrated for him. I’m starting to feel bad for the guy. Yes, he was finally driving in runs at the end of June, but it was mostly against left-handed pitching. Lefties are not his problem. Instead, just as it was in June, he is still hurting against right-handed pitching; especially guys like Kyle Kendrick who throw inside fastballs.
