Eric Byrnes has gone 1-13 in the week between St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, inclusive. During the week, he played every other day. I think there is a connection. The 7 days before, he went 6-13 with a homer and a couple of doubles. He played several games in succession. The issue for him may not be the number of AB’s he needs to develop and maintain his rhythm, but the number of AB’s in a row.

Eric, in order to get 200 hits this year, you’ve got to limit those o-fer streaks. Nothing in double digits. If you find yourself going 2 games in a row without a hit, drop a bunt down the third base line or poke a bloop over the 3B’s head into that no man’s land down the left field line where the Rockies dumped a big hit against Brandon Webb in the playoffs last year, or hit a Texas Leaguer into the no man’s land that is short center field between the SS, 2B and CF. Look for the hole and hit ‘em where they ain’t. These down cycles are the time to practice your situational hitting.

Deliberately get those kinds of hits that most people think are lucky shots? Yes. When you do it on purpose it’s called bat control not luck. And it adds points to your batting average, and can also add to things like RBIs, runs scored and stolen bases. You don’t want to overdo it; you are a power hitter, not a banjo hitter. But whalin’ away when you are in a slump is not the way to get out of the slump.

Besides, surprising ‘em can be fun. I still remember the bunt you dropped in Baltimore against Eric Chavez of the A’s who was playing back. You eventually scored that inning. <heh-heh-heh>

ByrnesBlogger1

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