Oops I missed singling out Wells, Randy Wells and his pitching..
Definitely an A+, a great spring and deserved to be in the 25.
A Rule 5 player and one to watch this season.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Final Spring game and Report card
Saturday March 28, Jays in Philadelphia and wrap up spring training en route to New York for season opener on Monday 31.
Final game of the spring. Jays win 5-3 and finished spring with a 13-16 record and winning the last four consecutive games.
Hill again the hero…. And hits another home run, his second in two games. This time a two run home run off Jamie Moyer.
Moyer will be starting his 22nd season next week and gave up four runs in five innings.
Most of the Toronto and Philadelphia starters had two or three at-bats. Ex-Jay Jaysen Werth struck out three times.
Pat Burell put the Phillies in the lead on a three-run shot off John Parish, who will open the season with Triple-A Syracuse.
Parish for me still provided one of the pitching gems of the spring against Detroit at Knology Park in striking out seven batters in three innings.
He definitely showed that he does have great stuff despite a couple of bad outings since then. I believe he would be a better bet for bullpen than Frasor as he can help Downs and Wolfe out in middle relief.
Frasor I think is still a risk and when he has men on base paint dries faster than his pitching. Parish also made two great pick-offs at first base to catch potential stealers. He was by far the best pitcher to hold runners on base but Jays catchers Zaun and Barajas did a great job throwing out runners at second. Was it their throwing or pitchers doing a better job holding runners on ?
Tallet earned the win with a scoreless fourth.
Hill hit his second homer in two days. Stewart, Wells, and Scutaro with Jays hits and each drove in a run.
The Jays are now ready to start season opener with Halladay on Monday 31 against Chien-Ming Wang. Gibbons said the Jay are ready for the Yankees…"We better be. It's always a circus up there," he said.
Marcum like Burnet on Friday had another start with minor leaugers and threw 113 pitches over seven innings. He will be pitching season opener in Toronto against Boston on Friday April 4.
He is excited about starting at home against Boston. "It's going to be fun," Marcum said.
Other pitching news B. J. Ryan will pitch a simulated inning Sunday morning in Florida.
Jays Spring final report card.
A +: Hill, Halladay, and the Jays bullpen collectively,
A: Buck Coats, Adam Lind, Klosterman, Marcum, Litsch, McGowan and Rolen before his injury.
A-: Stairs, Scutaro, Rolen, Overbay, Eckstein, Burnett (but still hurting and seemed unable to throw anything but fast balls ), Mathews. Overall fielding rated an A- and was good apart from one blip in Hlladay’s last start but three of the five errors in that game were by one guy now sunk deep into the minors)
B: Wells, Rios, Stewart, Macdonald, Zaun, Barajas, Luna, Cannon.
C: Thomas, Chacin (but allowances for injury recovery, I hope..) and third base coaching which lead to some bad outs at home plate by ru.
Players to watch this season: Lind, Coats (definitely earned place in the 25 ), Klosterman will be great backup for Hill if needed. (Adams played but still not a first team player), Joe Inglett (great little infielder, one bad memory lapse but made up for it in his other games). Parish definitely has the right stuff.
Final games
Friday March 28, Jays in Philadelphia for two games to wrap up Spring training en route to New York for season opener on Monday 31.
Jays win 3-1.
Randy Wells keeps his spring scoreless innings intact.
Bullpen continues to shine with shutout innings from Gosling and Camp. The pitching has been the highlight for Jays this spring with very few blips.
Hill has second inning home run and takes his spring totals to 19-44 and avge .432
How come Hill can do this when big bats are so quiet all spring? If Hill (and many of the young guys) are ready in March surely some of the big bats can be.
Rios strikes out two of his three at bats and Thomas popped up (surprise) to shallow RF in his two at bats. Burnett pitched six innings in minor league game seven earned runs, four walks, and four strikeouts. Ouch... not his best outing. Gibbons didn't seem too worried. The object was to get him his start in before NY next week.
Lineup for Monday’s opener.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Final Dunedin game
Last game of spring season at Dunedin at least. Jays will be off to Philadelphia in the morning for two and then New York for season opener. BP only for some, looked optional. I guess after night game. Overbay, Zaun, Johnny Mac and a host of newbies and finished by 11.15.
Astros didn't take any.
Surprise at the gate, Angelo Dundee was in to sign his new book and also throw out 1st pitch. Very nice guy, had my photo taken with him. He was talking great stories to everyone. My dad would have loved to meet him, he was a great supporter of Ali or Cassius as he was.
Lineups: Astros:Bourn, Pence, Erstad, Wigginton, Jose Cruz Jr !, Loretta, Newhan, Tomas Perez ( a Jays reunion to day), Quintero, amd pitching Brandon Locke.
Jays: Eckstein, Stewart, Rios, Wells, Thomas, Overbay, Hill, Scutaro, Barajas, and McGowan pitching. First time I have seen McGowan this spring.
The game. Top of 1st. Bourn walks, Pence hard back to McGowan who gets lead rnner at 2B, Erstad at bat and Pence gets caught stealing by Barajas on furst pitch, great throw. Jays have been much better this season catching runners. Erstad then doubles down rf line, expensive out by Pence would have scored on the double, Wigginton lines out to CF. Nice inning McGowan. Sharp.
Bottom of 1st.Eckstein grounds to SS, Stewart flies to RF, Rios single to LF, Wells walks, two on two out for Thomas. No heroics today... strikes out after fouling several pitches out of stadium. Jays leave two on.
Top of 2nd. Cruz strikes out, Loretta grounds to SS, Newhan grounds to 2B easy out for Hil, Nice ining for McGowan.
Bottom of 2nd. Overbay liner to LF nice sliding catch by Cruz in LF., Hill grounder on the line to 3B, Scutaro making most of his chances now with Rolen out, singles to right centre, Barajas at bat, Scutaro is going, steals 2nd and throw goes into centre and moves up to 3B. Barajas shatters bat and thrown out at 1B.
Top of 3rd. Perez flies out to LF, Quintero hardliner back to McGowan throws him out at 1B, Bourn strikes out, on three pitches. Very nice inning from McGowan.
Bottom of 3rd.Eckstein down the line to 1B one down, Stewart hard grounder to 3B, error on the play and Stewart at 1B, Rios grounds to SS double play.
Top of 4th. Pence grounds to 2B, Erstadt walks on four pitches, McGowan being much too fine, Wigginton pops up to Rios in shallow right centre behind 2B, Cruz walks, Loretta walks to load bases, McGowan is losing something. Newhan strikes out on three pitches.
Bottom of 4th. Wells lines to 2b. Thomas single to LF, two hits for Frannk in consecutive games, rejoice.... Overbay flies to RF, Hill lines ot LF, pinch runner for Thomas out at plate... The 3B coach has not had much success this spring sending runners, far too many thrown out at plate.
Top of 5th. Mathews in RF, Coats at CF, Watson at 1B and Klosterman at 2B. I like Klosterman, will be good backup one day for Hill.
Perez bounces to 1B, nice play, one down, grounder to SS Johnny Mac, two down, Borun flies to CF, good inning for McGowan.
Bottom of 5th. Scutaro flies to CF. Barajas double of the wall in left and just beats throw, Johnny Mac grounds to SS, Barajas in rundown, but lets Johnny Mac get to 2B, Watson double off the RF wall, Johnny Mac scores, Mathews strikes out. That rundown by Barajas enabled the run. 1-0 Jays.
Top of 6th. Pence grounds to 2B, Erstad single, Wigginton with runner going fouls off, pops up to Johnny Mac, Cruz runner going and steals 2B, double into RF scores Erstad, Loretta 2 run HR to LF, 3-1 Astros, Newhan grounds to 1B. Not a good inning for McGowan.
Bottom of 6th. Coats HR to right centre no doubt about it, this kid is good, Butler walks, Phillips single to CF, Klosterman good bunt in front of home plate runner out at 3B, two on one out, Luna 3 run HR 5-3, Barajas double off the wall in LF, his second double, Johnny Mac single through the hole at SS, runner had to hold, on to 3B, end of road for Locke, it is very hot out there and six innings is a lot in this heat. Moehler in to pitch. Watson sac fly scores Barajas runner at 3B, 6-3 Jays, Mathews hit and run on grounds to 1B to end very good comeback half inning by Jays after going down 3-1 in top. BUT note it is the second team guys again with the hits. Rios, Wells and Thomas are in the showers. JP was sitting in his chair behind home plate and would have been pleased with future but no too happy with big guys lack of production yet again. Might hae second thoughts about big $ for Rios with Coats and Lind in the wings..... just a thought JP.
Top of 7th. McGowan still in there, Perez strikes out, Quintero flies to LF, Bourn grounds to Johnny Mac. Very nice inning by McGowan. He is ready for next week.
Bottom of 7th. Coats with Valverde pitching grounds to 2B, Butler strikes out, Phillips grounds to 2B.
Attendance for spring training is announced at 64,444 average attendance 4,623. Higher than 2007.
Top of 8th. Downs now pitching, intimidating for opposition to see the depth of this Jays bullpen.
Kratz catching, this guy is huge. Abercrombie grounds to SS, nice throw by Johnny Mac, Towles strikes out, fly ball to rght centre, nice catch by Mathews. Good inning by Downs.
Bottom of 8th. Klosterman singles to LF, Luna double to wall off Newhan's glove in CF, Klosterman is motoring and scores from 1B with great slide at plate to avoid tag, this kid has great hands, speed and can hit, I like the future at 2B, 7-3 Jays. Philips grounds to 2B, fumbles it, Luna at 3B and runner safe at 1B, surely an error but scorer very charitable or he may have gone home last game at Knology, Johnny Mac single to RF, Luna scores 8-3. Watson strikes out, Mathews grounds to SS double play but damage is already done.
Top of 9th Frasor pitching. Gornult grounds to SS Johny Mac turns to throw and drops ball, runner at 1B, Boprun flies to CF, Accardo into finish off. Newhan grounds to 3B double play to end.
Great game for Jays and the second stringers.
Astros 3 runs 4 hits and 3 errors.
Jays 8 runs 14 hits and 0 errors.
Astros didn't take any.
Surprise at the gate, Angelo Dundee was in to sign his new book and also throw out 1st pitch. Very nice guy, had my photo taken with him. He was talking great stories to everyone. My dad would have loved to meet him, he was a great supporter of Ali or Cassius as he was.
Lineups: Astros:Bourn, Pence, Erstad, Wigginton, Jose Cruz Jr !, Loretta, Newhan, Tomas Perez ( a Jays reunion to day), Quintero, amd pitching Brandon Locke.
Jays: Eckstein, Stewart, Rios, Wells, Thomas, Overbay, Hill, Scutaro, Barajas, and McGowan pitching. First time I have seen McGowan this spring.
The game. Top of 1st. Bourn walks, Pence hard back to McGowan who gets lead rnner at 2B, Erstad at bat and Pence gets caught stealing by Barajas on furst pitch, great throw. Jays have been much better this season catching runners. Erstad then doubles down rf line, expensive out by Pence would have scored on the double, Wigginton lines out to CF. Nice inning McGowan. Sharp.
Bottom of 1st.Eckstein grounds to SS, Stewart flies to RF, Rios single to LF, Wells walks, two on two out for Thomas. No heroics today... strikes out after fouling several pitches out of stadium. Jays leave two on.
Top of 2nd. Cruz strikes out, Loretta grounds to SS, Newhan grounds to 2B easy out for Hil, Nice ining for McGowan.
Bottom of 2nd. Overbay liner to LF nice sliding catch by Cruz in LF., Hill grounder on the line to 3B, Scutaro making most of his chances now with Rolen out, singles to right centre, Barajas at bat, Scutaro is going, steals 2nd and throw goes into centre and moves up to 3B. Barajas shatters bat and thrown out at 1B.
Top of 3rd. Perez flies out to LF, Quintero hardliner back to McGowan throws him out at 1B, Bourn strikes out, on three pitches. Very nice inning from McGowan.
Bottom of 3rd.Eckstein down the line to 1B one down, Stewart hard grounder to 3B, error on the play and Stewart at 1B, Rios grounds to SS double play.
Top of 4th. Pence grounds to 2B, Erstadt walks on four pitches, McGowan being much too fine, Wigginton pops up to Rios in shallow right centre behind 2B, Cruz walks, Loretta walks to load bases, McGowan is losing something. Newhan strikes out on three pitches.
Bottom of 4th. Wells lines to 2b. Thomas single to LF, two hits for Frannk in consecutive games, rejoice.... Overbay flies to RF, Hill lines ot LF, pinch runner for Thomas out at plate... The 3B coach has not had much success this spring sending runners, far too many thrown out at plate.
Top of 5th. Mathews in RF, Coats at CF, Watson at 1B and Klosterman at 2B. I like Klosterman, will be good backup one day for Hill.
Perez bounces to 1B, nice play, one down, grounder to SS Johnny Mac, two down, Borun flies to CF, good inning for McGowan.
Bottom of 5th. Scutaro flies to CF. Barajas double of the wall in left and just beats throw, Johnny Mac grounds to SS, Barajas in rundown, but lets Johnny Mac get to 2B, Watson double off the RF wall, Johnny Mac scores, Mathews strikes out. That rundown by Barajas enabled the run. 1-0 Jays.
Top of 6th. Pence grounds to 2B, Erstad single, Wigginton with runner going fouls off, pops up to Johnny Mac, Cruz runner going and steals 2B, double into RF scores Erstad, Loretta 2 run HR to LF, 3-1 Astros, Newhan grounds to 1B. Not a good inning for McGowan.
Bottom of 6th. Coats HR to right centre no doubt about it, this kid is good, Butler walks, Phillips single to CF, Klosterman good bunt in front of home plate runner out at 3B, two on one out, Luna 3 run HR 5-3, Barajas double off the wall in LF, his second double, Johnny Mac single through the hole at SS, runner had to hold, on to 3B, end of road for Locke, it is very hot out there and six innings is a lot in this heat. Moehler in to pitch. Watson sac fly scores Barajas runner at 3B, 6-3 Jays, Mathews hit and run on grounds to 1B to end very good comeback half inning by Jays after going down 3-1 in top. BUT note it is the second team guys again with the hits. Rios, Wells and Thomas are in the showers. JP was sitting in his chair behind home plate and would have been pleased with future but no too happy with big guys lack of production yet again. Might hae second thoughts about big $ for Rios with Coats and Lind in the wings..... just a thought JP.
Top of 7th. McGowan still in there, Perez strikes out, Quintero flies to LF, Bourn grounds to Johnny Mac. Very nice inning by McGowan. He is ready for next week.
Bottom of 7th. Coats with Valverde pitching grounds to 2B, Butler strikes out, Phillips grounds to 2B.
Attendance for spring training is announced at 64,444 average attendance 4,623. Higher than 2007.
Top of 8th. Downs now pitching, intimidating for opposition to see the depth of this Jays bullpen.
Kratz catching, this guy is huge. Abercrombie grounds to SS, nice throw by Johnny Mac, Towles strikes out, fly ball to rght centre, nice catch by Mathews. Good inning by Downs.
Bottom of 8th. Klosterman singles to LF, Luna double to wall off Newhan's glove in CF, Klosterman is motoring and scores from 1B with great slide at plate to avoid tag, this kid has great hands, speed and can hit, I like the future at 2B, 7-3 Jays. Philips grounds to 2B, fumbles it, Luna at 3B and runner safe at 1B, surely an error but scorer very charitable or he may have gone home last game at Knology, Johnny Mac single to RF, Luna scores 8-3. Watson strikes out, Mathews grounds to SS double play but damage is already done.
Top of 9th Frasor pitching. Gornult grounds to SS Johny Mac turns to throw and drops ball, runner at 1B, Boprun flies to CF, Accardo into finish off. Newhan grounds to 3B double play to end.
Great game for Jays and the second stringers.
Astros 3 runs 4 hits and 3 errors.
Jays 8 runs 14 hits and 0 errors.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Fireworks
I agree with my Vancouver friend.... they really need to step it up....
Wednesday March 26 Night game v Cincinatti Reds at Knology Park. They have beatne them already this spring perhaps chance to win a game.
Batting practice Frank has 5 home runs... Yeah.... hits the trees in left field. But what's this ? So does Lyle, Zaun and even Johnny Mac... mist be a full moon out there or no wind...
Coats also sparying the ball everywhere, I like this guy, he will be a great asset in the outfield.
Lineups: Reds.
Freel,Keppinger,Hatteberg,Votto,Cabrera,Phillips, Hairston jr, Green,Ross, and pitching Haring.
Jays: 1st team sort of.... Eckstein, Stewart, Rios, Wells, Thomas, Overbay, Hill, Scutaro, Zaun and Jesse Litsch pitching. Interesting to see where Rolen will fit into this lineup.
Top of 1st. Freel grounds into the hole at 2B nice play Hill, Oh where were you yesterday Aaron? Keppinger grounds to Scutaro at 3B, Hatteberg grounds into the hole Scutaro great play in front of Eckstein to throw him out. Nice pitching Jesse and great fielding.
Bottom of 1st. Eckstein takes 6 pitches before flying out to shallow centre, Stewart flies to RF, Rios what's with the Mohawk Alex ? single to 2B 2B throws away balls, yesterday's ghosts are still out there. Rios on 1B Wells at bat. First pitch swinging flies to CF, come on Vernon give Alex a chance to steal at least, take some pitches.
Top of 2nd. Votto high fly to CF first pitch, Cabrera grounds into hole between 1B and 2B Hill dives and stops but cannot throw, scorer gives error ??? come on that was a difficult play. Phillips grounds to 3B, double play, nice turn by Aaron. Another good inning by Jesse.
Bottom of 2nd. Thomas flies to RF., Overbay flies to CF, Hill flies to RF, Haring also pitching well.
Top of 3rd. Hairston hit, Green grounds to 3B difficult play but fumbles, another error... borderline scorer come on, but nothing like yesterday's errors. Runners both safe two on no-one out. Ross strikes out. Freel grounds to SS, great double play by Hill upended on the play but held his ground. Jesse out of trouble, still no Red hits.
Bottom of 3rd. Scutaro strikes out, Zaun flies to LF, Eckstein double to CF over the head of CF playing him too shallow, this little guy has some power, Stewart called third strike.
Top of 4th. Keppinger grounds to SS, Hatteberg grounds to 2B, Votto grounds to 2B. Great pitching Jesse and thank you Aaron for playing tonight.
Bottom of 4th. The big bats... HA! Rios lines to RF a great diving catch by Hairston, Wells takes some pitches and lines single to CF. What will Frank do ? grounds to 2B, easy double play.....
Top of 5th. Cabrera flies to CF, Phillips bounces to 3B, Haisrton grounds to SS. Broken record nice pitching Jesse.
Bottom of 5th. Overbay single to CF, Hill runner going fouls off, next pitch same hit and run play this time to LF and Overbay to 3B, Scutaro grounds to 3B run scores, Hill also safe at 2B, Zaun grounds to 1B, runners at 2B and 3B, Eckstein single to RF, run scores but Hill out at plate, catcher waiting for him, hmmmm 3B coach error scorer, bad call to send him, but worse to come Eckstein is also caught at 1B by catcher's throw having rounded base too far. Wierd double play.
Top of 6th. Green strikes out, Ross in front of Zaun to throw him out at 1B, where was Gregg yesterday ? Stubbs grounds to 3B. Another great inning by Jesse.
Bottom of 6th. Haring still pitching. Stewart grounds to SS throw just beats Shannon at 1B, Rios exactly same play, two down, Wells grounds to 1B.
Top of 7th. Coats in for Stewart, Ah ! this must be the management strategy for Reed's replacement. Bring in Coats defensively for Stewart at end of game plus add another great bat.
Keppinger single to CF breaks up no-hitter for Jesse but gets nice applause from crowd. Ketteberg single to RF, Votto walks, bases loaded, no outs, Cabrera grounds to SS, run scores, Phillips flies to CF run scores, just like that game is tied, error on pitcher for not getting throw by Vernon to plate, wild pitch runner to 2B, this is not Jesse's inning, Hairston fly to CF. 2-2.
Bottom of 7th. Fireworks... Big Frank yes it's true folks, hits a HR... and hits the screen in CF, finally...... 3-2 Jasy and end of Haring. Bray pitching. Overbay walks, Hill bunts ! to 3B Overbay to 2B and Hill almost beats throw great hustle, Aaron is worth every cent, Scutaro doubles of CF wall, Overbasy scores, 4-2 Jays. Zaun double to LF Hill scores 5-2, Eckstein single to 2B, Zaun at 3B, new pitcher Lincoln, Coats single to CF, (I do like Buck Coats, consistently good all spring) run scores 6-2. Rios flies to RF, Wells shatters bat which flies past pitcher's mound.
Jays 6-2
Top of 8th. Tallet pitching. Johhny Mac in at SS, Barajas at 1B (to get a bat I guess) Mathews in RF, Butler in LF. Green flies to CF, Bako strikes out, Stubbs walks, Castron lines to RF runer to 3B but great throw by Mathews in RF, Hatterberg strikes out. Another nice inning form tallet who has also had good spring.
Bottom of 8th. Affeldt pitching. Watson grounds to 2B, Barajas gets his bat, single to LF, Hill strikes out, Luna grounds to 3B and beats out throw to 1B but umpire gives bad call and calls him out. No way... he was 15 ft in front of me and beat that throw, most of the crowd let the umpire know as well... but this is spring folks af fireworks to come...
Top of 9th. League pitching. Votto strikes out. Double to RF, Philips single to CF run scores 6-3, wild pitch runner to 2B, come on Brandon, strikeout and Rosales grounds to 2B, fitting for Hill to end good game.
Reds 3 runs on 5 hits
Jays 6 runs on 13 hits and 3 errors ( but 2 of those very borderline)
Great pitching by Jesse and the bullpen.
Superb fielding especially by Hill.
Fireworks followed the game... great ending...
Wednesday March 26 Night game v Cincinatti Reds at Knology Park. They have beatne them already this spring perhaps chance to win a game.
Batting practice Frank has 5 home runs... Yeah.... hits the trees in left field. But what's this ? So does Lyle, Zaun and even Johnny Mac... mist be a full moon out there or no wind...
Coats also sparying the ball everywhere, I like this guy, he will be a great asset in the outfield.
Lineups: Reds.
Freel,Keppinger,Hatteberg,Votto,Cabrera,Phillips, Hairston jr, Green,Ross, and pitching Haring.
Jays: 1st team sort of.... Eckstein, Stewart, Rios, Wells, Thomas, Overbay, Hill, Scutaro, Zaun and Jesse Litsch pitching. Interesting to see where Rolen will fit into this lineup.
Top of 1st. Freel grounds into the hole at 2B nice play Hill, Oh where were you yesterday Aaron? Keppinger grounds to Scutaro at 3B, Hatteberg grounds into the hole Scutaro great play in front of Eckstein to throw him out. Nice pitching Jesse and great fielding.
Bottom of 1st. Eckstein takes 6 pitches before flying out to shallow centre, Stewart flies to RF, Rios what's with the Mohawk Alex ? single to 2B 2B throws away balls, yesterday's ghosts are still out there. Rios on 1B Wells at bat. First pitch swinging flies to CF, come on Vernon give Alex a chance to steal at least, take some pitches.
Top of 2nd. Votto high fly to CF first pitch, Cabrera grounds into hole between 1B and 2B Hill dives and stops but cannot throw, scorer gives error ??? come on that was a difficult play. Phillips grounds to 3B, double play, nice turn by Aaron. Another good inning by Jesse.
Bottom of 2nd. Thomas flies to RF., Overbay flies to CF, Hill flies to RF, Haring also pitching well.
Top of 3rd. Hairston hit, Green grounds to 3B difficult play but fumbles, another error... borderline scorer come on, but nothing like yesterday's errors. Runners both safe two on no-one out. Ross strikes out. Freel grounds to SS, great double play by Hill upended on the play but held his ground. Jesse out of trouble, still no Red hits.
Bottom of 3rd. Scutaro strikes out, Zaun flies to LF, Eckstein double to CF over the head of CF playing him too shallow, this little guy has some power, Stewart called third strike.
Top of 4th. Keppinger grounds to SS, Hatteberg grounds to 2B, Votto grounds to 2B. Great pitching Jesse and thank you Aaron for playing tonight.
Bottom of 4th. The big bats... HA! Rios lines to RF a great diving catch by Hairston, Wells takes some pitches and lines single to CF. What will Frank do ? grounds to 2B, easy double play.....
Top of 5th. Cabrera flies to CF, Phillips bounces to 3B, Haisrton grounds to SS. Broken record nice pitching Jesse.
Bottom of 5th. Overbay single to CF, Hill runner going fouls off, next pitch same hit and run play this time to LF and Overbay to 3B, Scutaro grounds to 3B run scores, Hill also safe at 2B, Zaun grounds to 1B, runners at 2B and 3B, Eckstein single to RF, run scores but Hill out at plate, catcher waiting for him, hmmmm 3B coach error scorer, bad call to send him, but worse to come Eckstein is also caught at 1B by catcher's throw having rounded base too far. Wierd double play.
Top of 6th. Green strikes out, Ross in front of Zaun to throw him out at 1B, where was Gregg yesterday ? Stubbs grounds to 3B. Another great inning by Jesse.
Bottom of 6th. Haring still pitching. Stewart grounds to SS throw just beats Shannon at 1B, Rios exactly same play, two down, Wells grounds to 1B.
Top of 7th. Coats in for Stewart, Ah ! this must be the management strategy for Reed's replacement. Bring in Coats defensively for Stewart at end of game plus add another great bat.
Keppinger single to CF breaks up no-hitter for Jesse but gets nice applause from crowd. Ketteberg single to RF, Votto walks, bases loaded, no outs, Cabrera grounds to SS, run scores, Phillips flies to CF run scores, just like that game is tied, error on pitcher for not getting throw by Vernon to plate, wild pitch runner to 2B, this is not Jesse's inning, Hairston fly to CF. 2-2.
Bottom of 7th. Fireworks... Big Frank yes it's true folks, hits a HR... and hits the screen in CF, finally...... 3-2 Jasy and end of Haring. Bray pitching. Overbay walks, Hill bunts ! to 3B Overbay to 2B and Hill almost beats throw great hustle, Aaron is worth every cent, Scutaro doubles of CF wall, Overbasy scores, 4-2 Jays. Zaun double to LF Hill scores 5-2, Eckstein single to 2B, Zaun at 3B, new pitcher Lincoln, Coats single to CF, (I do like Buck Coats, consistently good all spring) run scores 6-2. Rios flies to RF, Wells shatters bat which flies past pitcher's mound.
Jays 6-2
Top of 8th. Tallet pitching. Johhny Mac in at SS, Barajas at 1B (to get a bat I guess) Mathews in RF, Butler in LF. Green flies to CF, Bako strikes out, Stubbs walks, Castron lines to RF runer to 3B but great throw by Mathews in RF, Hatterberg strikes out. Another nice inning form tallet who has also had good spring.
Bottom of 8th. Affeldt pitching. Watson grounds to 2B, Barajas gets his bat, single to LF, Hill strikes out, Luna grounds to 3B and beats out throw to 1B but umpire gives bad call and calls him out. No way... he was 15 ft in front of me and beat that throw, most of the crowd let the umpire know as well... but this is spring folks af fireworks to come...
Top of 9th. League pitching. Votto strikes out. Double to RF, Philips single to CF run scores 6-3, wild pitch runner to 2B, come on Brandon, strikeout and Rosales grounds to 2B, fitting for Hill to end good game.
Reds 3 runs on 5 hits
Jays 6 runs on 13 hits and 3 errors ( but 2 of those very borderline)
Great pitching by Jesse and the bullpen.
Superb fielding especially by Hill.
Fireworks followed the game... great ending...
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
How do you spell embarrrrassssment ?
The story of today's game... embarrassment, full moon and wierd.
Tuesday March 25 Jays v Rays at Knology Park. Rays win 10-0.
This was THE strangest game I have seen in along long time, all 10 runs scored in one inning, 9 before an out. AND 5 yes 5 errors in the inning.
Good news was that Frank Thomas hit three home runs, of course that was in batting practice.
To the game.
Lineups:
Rays: Johnson, Crawford, Pena, Upton, Floyd, Hinske, Gomes, Navarro, Cannizaro and pitching Hammel... I tell you this Rays side will be no pushover in the season.
Jays: 2nd team. Stewart, Overbay, Rios, Thomas, Barajas, Luna, Coats, Mcdonald, Tolisano (remember THAT name) and Halladay pitching.
I think the Jays thought Halladay could wn this one on his own. No Rolen, Scutaro, Eckstein, Hill ( and it showed) no Wells.
Top of 1st. Johnson grounds to 2B, Crawford single to centre, Crawford running as grounder to 1B . BJ Upton strikes out. Nice inning by Halladay.
Bottom of 1st. Stewart single to RF, Overbay grounds to 2B, double play, Rios grounds to 3B.
Top of 2nd. Floyd grounds to 2B nice play, Hinske stries out, Gomes singles to centre, Navarro flies to RF Rios great catch at the wall. Another good inning by Halladay.
Bottom of 2nd. Thomas strikes out, Barajas single to RF, Luna with hit and run on fouls off and then strikes out, Coats passed ball, Barajas to 2B, Coats grounds out to 1B.
Hammel is also pitching very well.
Top of 3rd. Cannizaro single to CF, Johnson lines one to Halladay great catch throws to 1B for double play. Crawford grounds to 2B nice play, throw to 1B. Another great Halladay inning.
Bottom of 3rd. Mcadonald strikes out, Tolisano bounces to 3B nice hustle down line but 2 down, Stewart grounds to 2B. The calm before the storm....
Top of 4th. Pena strikes out for second time. Upton grounds to 2B, Tolisano isgetting loads of work today... Floyd walks, Hinske grounds to 2B. Echo for Halladay nice inning.
Bottom of 4th. Overbay grounds to 1B, Rios flies to CF, Thomas doubles !!!! to RF centre, as the wag behind me says Frank turns the triple into a double, no matter I will take it. Barajas lines to 3B.
Top of the 5th. Chicken Little was right, the roof falls in. The inning was SO strange I am not sure I have captured it all for posterity but here goes.
Gomes HR to LF, 1-0 Rays. Navarro single to LF, Cannizaro at bat, runner going, grounds to 2B, Tolisano fumbles ball, error, 2 runners on, Halladay in trouble for first time in game, Johnson bunts in front of plate, Halladay throws to 3B, runnersafe and also at 1B, ( he is now wishing so hard he had thrown to 1B) bases are loaded still no outs.
Crawford grounds to 2B (Tolisano remember) drops ball, and then throws away into crowd at 1B. Two more errors. Pena doubles to RF two more runs, Rays 5-0 and Halladay is seething, he should have been out of this inning. Still no outs.... crowd in disbelief...
Upton double down LF line run scores, 6-0 Floyd at bat, passed ball, runner to 3B, Floyd grounds to 1B Overbay.... through his legs !!!! another error, and run scores, 7-0. and still only one out.
Hinske double to CF, run scores, 8-0, Gomes singles to CF, throw to 2B, SS error, and as Hinske had already stopped at 3B, continues to home, another error, 9-0. That is it for Halladay who walks to dugout burning the ground with his stare...
New pitcher Connor Falkenburg. Navarro grounds to 2B an out!!! what's that ? runner to 3B, Cannizaro single to RF, runner scores, Johnson grounds to SS, Crawford flies to LF. mercifully inning is over. 10 runs score and 5 errors.
Bottom of 5th. What will the famed Jays bats do ? Fight back of course and start to whittle away at lead... in your dreams with this team.
Trevor Miller pitching for Rays, Luna strikes out, I don't know what the Jays see in this guy. Coats strikes out, Macdonald flies to RF. I think that is an excellent summary of the Jays bats this spring.
Top of 6th. Downs pitching. Pena strikes out, Upton lines to Tolisano, who knokcks ball down and saves double, but incredibly still in the game !!!! can anyone else play 2B? His confidence level must be ruined for life. Floyd pops up to catcher, Guzman pinch htting strikes out, very nice inning by Downs, Jays really needed that one.
Bottom of 6th. Tolisano at bat, the crowd is merciful to the guy, how would YOU like to be in his shoes right now? Glover pitching. Tolisano flies to LF, Stewart strikes out, Overbay single to LF, Rios flies to RF. The bats have come to life.....
Top of 7th. Frasor pitching. Gomes grounds to 3B, Weber walks, Cannizaro lines to Puna who makes nice catch, Johnson single to CF, Rodriguez strikes out.
Bottom of 7th. Wheeler pitching. Attendance announced at 4,130 still half full amazing or just masochistic ?
Thomas (getting more bp) strikes out. Barajas grounds to SS, Luna flies to RF... WOW... and JP believes this team can contend..... by the way JP has already left his seat behind home plate. Has more work to do on Rios' contract.
Top of 8th. Accardo pitching. Difeluce strikes out, Richard strikes out. Riggins grounds to 2B. Nice pitching Jeremy.
Bottom of 8th. Reyes pitching. Coats flies to CF, Johny Mac flies to CF, Klosterman (new 2B for Tolisano who is now on the bus out of town) flies to LF.
Top of 9th. Zach Giles pitching friends.... Guzman grounds to 2B, Padroza hard liner to 2B, great catch, that is Klosterman.. where was he earlier in game? Weber flies to LF. Good inning by Giles.
Bottom of 9th. Troy Percival pitching. Big comeback by Jays with heavy bats at plate. Stewart, Overbay and Rios. Stewart singles to centre and tries for double, is thrown out a mile, what a bonehead play by Stewart. Overbay strikes out, Rios strikes out.
Rays 10 runs (in one inning) 12 hits ad no errors.
Jays 0 runs, 5 hits, and 5 errors... must be a MLB record somewhere.
Hard to analyse this one but obviously Roy did not pitch badly, he had no chance with that many errors. Tolisano is not for the majors.
Bullpen good, once again scoreless innings.
Looks like Hinske might be Rays 3B. Makes sense to Maddon now that Longoria is at AAA. The outfield is set and Hinske is playing well. A way to get his bat into lineup and he did play 3B for Jays.
This Rays team I say it again is a good young team and full of swagger and confidence right now leading the league. I agree with Maddon they can take that into the regular season whereas Jays have nothing to take apart from good pitching.
Jays bats, what more can be said ? I have seen Cito Gaston around camp but he was not visible today, he may be more involved with younger guys and if he is he is doing a very good job, they have been highlight of the spring so far. Lind, Lydon, Coats and Snyder to name a few.
But first team heavies have disappeared. Six home runs this spring and Scutaro and Eckstein with two of them are hardly the heavies.
I also have a suggestion for Frank and that is to dump his iron bar. Swinging that thing before his at bats is not helping him. His timing is shot when he goes to bat, swinging through most of his pitches. Nothing to lose Frank.
Fireworks tomorrow evening, perhaps an opportunity for some hiting of timber by the big guys.
Tuesday March 25 Jays v Rays at Knology Park. Rays win 10-0.
This was THE strangest game I have seen in along long time, all 10 runs scored in one inning, 9 before an out. AND 5 yes 5 errors in the inning.
Good news was that Frank Thomas hit three home runs, of course that was in batting practice.
To the game.
Lineups:
Rays: Johnson, Crawford, Pena, Upton, Floyd, Hinske, Gomes, Navarro, Cannizaro and pitching Hammel... I tell you this Rays side will be no pushover in the season.
Jays: 2nd team. Stewart, Overbay, Rios, Thomas, Barajas, Luna, Coats, Mcdonald, Tolisano (remember THAT name) and Halladay pitching.
I think the Jays thought Halladay could wn this one on his own. No Rolen, Scutaro, Eckstein, Hill ( and it showed) no Wells.
Top of 1st. Johnson grounds to 2B, Crawford single to centre, Crawford running as grounder to 1B . BJ Upton strikes out. Nice inning by Halladay.
Bottom of 1st. Stewart single to RF, Overbay grounds to 2B, double play, Rios grounds to 3B.
Top of 2nd. Floyd grounds to 2B nice play, Hinske stries out, Gomes singles to centre, Navarro flies to RF Rios great catch at the wall. Another good inning by Halladay.
Bottom of 2nd. Thomas strikes out, Barajas single to RF, Luna with hit and run on fouls off and then strikes out, Coats passed ball, Barajas to 2B, Coats grounds out to 1B.
Hammel is also pitching very well.
Top of 3rd. Cannizaro single to CF, Johnson lines one to Halladay great catch throws to 1B for double play. Crawford grounds to 2B nice play, throw to 1B. Another great Halladay inning.
Bottom of 3rd. Mcadonald strikes out, Tolisano bounces to 3B nice hustle down line but 2 down, Stewart grounds to 2B. The calm before the storm....
Top of 4th. Pena strikes out for second time. Upton grounds to 2B, Tolisano isgetting loads of work today... Floyd walks, Hinske grounds to 2B. Echo for Halladay nice inning.
Bottom of 4th. Overbay grounds to 1B, Rios flies to CF, Thomas doubles !!!! to RF centre, as the wag behind me says Frank turns the triple into a double, no matter I will take it. Barajas lines to 3B.
Top of the 5th. Chicken Little was right, the roof falls in. The inning was SO strange I am not sure I have captured it all for posterity but here goes.
Gomes HR to LF, 1-0 Rays. Navarro single to LF, Cannizaro at bat, runner going, grounds to 2B, Tolisano fumbles ball, error, 2 runners on, Halladay in trouble for first time in game, Johnson bunts in front of plate, Halladay throws to 3B, runnersafe and also at 1B, ( he is now wishing so hard he had thrown to 1B) bases are loaded still no outs.
Crawford grounds to 2B (Tolisano remember) drops ball, and then throws away into crowd at 1B. Two more errors. Pena doubles to RF two more runs, Rays 5-0 and Halladay is seething, he should have been out of this inning. Still no outs.... crowd in disbelief...
Upton double down LF line run scores, 6-0 Floyd at bat, passed ball, runner to 3B, Floyd grounds to 1B Overbay.... through his legs !!!! another error, and run scores, 7-0. and still only one out.
Hinske double to CF, run scores, 8-0, Gomes singles to CF, throw to 2B, SS error, and as Hinske had already stopped at 3B, continues to home, another error, 9-0. That is it for Halladay who walks to dugout burning the ground with his stare...
New pitcher Connor Falkenburg. Navarro grounds to 2B an out!!! what's that ? runner to 3B, Cannizaro single to RF, runner scores, Johnson grounds to SS, Crawford flies to LF. mercifully inning is over. 10 runs score and 5 errors.
Bottom of 5th. What will the famed Jays bats do ? Fight back of course and start to whittle away at lead... in your dreams with this team.
Trevor Miller pitching for Rays, Luna strikes out, I don't know what the Jays see in this guy. Coats strikes out, Macdonald flies to RF. I think that is an excellent summary of the Jays bats this spring.
Top of 6th. Downs pitching. Pena strikes out, Upton lines to Tolisano, who knokcks ball down and saves double, but incredibly still in the game !!!! can anyone else play 2B? His confidence level must be ruined for life. Floyd pops up to catcher, Guzman pinch htting strikes out, very nice inning by Downs, Jays really needed that one.
Bottom of 6th. Tolisano at bat, the crowd is merciful to the guy, how would YOU like to be in his shoes right now? Glover pitching. Tolisano flies to LF, Stewart strikes out, Overbay single to LF, Rios flies to RF. The bats have come to life.....
Top of 7th. Frasor pitching. Gomes grounds to 3B, Weber walks, Cannizaro lines to Puna who makes nice catch, Johnson single to CF, Rodriguez strikes out.
Bottom of 7th. Wheeler pitching. Attendance announced at 4,130 still half full amazing or just masochistic ?
Thomas (getting more bp) strikes out. Barajas grounds to SS, Luna flies to RF... WOW... and JP believes this team can contend..... by the way JP has already left his seat behind home plate. Has more work to do on Rios' contract.
Top of 8th. Accardo pitching. Difeluce strikes out, Richard strikes out. Riggins grounds to 2B. Nice pitching Jeremy.
Bottom of 8th. Reyes pitching. Coats flies to CF, Johny Mac flies to CF, Klosterman (new 2B for Tolisano who is now on the bus out of town) flies to LF.
Top of 9th. Zach Giles pitching friends.... Guzman grounds to 2B, Padroza hard liner to 2B, great catch, that is Klosterman.. where was he earlier in game? Weber flies to LF. Good inning by Giles.
Bottom of 9th. Troy Percival pitching. Big comeback by Jays with heavy bats at plate. Stewart, Overbay and Rios. Stewart singles to centre and tries for double, is thrown out a mile, what a bonehead play by Stewart. Overbay strikes out, Rios strikes out.
Rays 10 runs (in one inning) 12 hits ad no errors.
Jays 0 runs, 5 hits, and 5 errors... must be a MLB record somewhere.
Hard to analyse this one but obviously Roy did not pitch badly, he had no chance with that many errors. Tolisano is not for the majors.
Bullpen good, once again scoreless innings.
Looks like Hinske might be Rays 3B. Makes sense to Maddon now that Longoria is at AAA. The outfield is set and Hinske is playing well. A way to get his bat into lineup and he did play 3B for Jays.
This Rays team I say it again is a good young team and full of swagger and confidence right now leading the league. I agree with Maddon they can take that into the regular season whereas Jays have nothing to take apart from good pitching.
Jays bats, what more can be said ? I have seen Cito Gaston around camp but he was not visible today, he may be more involved with younger guys and if he is he is doing a very good job, they have been highlight of the spring so far. Lind, Lydon, Coats and Snyder to name a few.
But first team heavies have disappeared. Six home runs this spring and Scutaro and Eckstein with two of them are hardly the heavies.
I also have a suggestion for Frank and that is to dump his iron bar. Swinging that thing before his at bats is not helping him. His timing is shot when he goes to bat, swinging through most of his pitches. Nothing to lose Frank.
Fireworks tomorrow evening, perhaps an opportunity for some hiting of timber by the big guys.
Sarasota - night game. Cincinnatti Reds 5- Toronto 3.
Jays away in Sarasota. 5 hits in a losing cause.
Here's the test for Jays fans.
Jackson, Coats, Jerolman, and Kratz.... four of the five hits..... ???
The other was Wells, who at least does seem to be getting some consistency. Buck Coats should definitely be going north he has been good all spring.
Kratz (C) hit was a double and Jackson (SS) was a triple. There is a lot of speed in the minors but zilch in the big team apart from Rios and Wells.
Jays once again leave a load on base. 8 this time and two double plays.
Left-hander Jesse Carlson, competing for a spot in the Blue Jays bullpen, pitched the first inning so he could face some of the Reds' top hitters. He gave up a single and induced a double-play grounder from Ken Griffey Jr.
Shaun Marcum followed Carlson and gave up Adam Dunn's solo homer and a two-run shot by Joey Votto. Gosling finished off the game. Marcum went six innings, giving up five runs and seven hits with six strikeouts and only one walk.
"When he was down, he was good," manager Gibbons said. "And when he was up, he got hit." (I love these Gibbonsisms, perhaps I will start a line of Jays t-shirts with the quotes of the season)
Marcum is now scheduled to pitch in a minor league game on Saturday when Jays first team are wrapping up Spring training with two in Philadelphia. Marcum will start Toronto's home opener against Boston on April 4.
Cincinnati's Homer Bailey gave another off-the-plate performance. The 21-year-old pitcher failed to last five innings in a start that will go a long way in deciding his immediate future. Bailey walked six in 4 1-3 innings, throwing only 42 strikes out of 84 pitches. In the fifth inning alone, he threw 21 pitches - only six strikes - while walking the bases loaded. At that point, manager Dusty Baker decided he had seen enough.
"He's looking better," Baker said. "He's got to find a way to eliminate those walks. He's got the stuff. Six walks - in the big leagues, that will haunt you."
The former first-round pick came into spring training hoping to win a spot in the rotation, but struggled with his control while two others passed him by. Right-handers Johnny Cueto and Edison Volquez have moved ahead of him, leaving Bailey and Josh Fogg essentially competing for the last spot in the rotation.
Baker decided to start Bailey in the major league game Monday night instead of having him throw against minor leaguers earlier in the day. In his most important start of the spring, Bailey would have center stage.
"Yeah, it's a big start for Homer," Baker said before the game. "It's not do-or-die, but it could sure help his cause a lot."
The right-hander kept his pitches to a minimum at the outset, the main thing he hadn't done all spring. The longer he went, the more he lost his touch.
"That's probably the first time I've gone on three days' rest since A-ball, and I just got a little tired," Bailey said. "I think I've thrown all right. There's always a few things you can work on - maybe those one or two batters where I kind of lose focus and end up walking them. If I cut those out, it's not so bad."
Tuesday the Jays are at home for the Rays, more speed again...
Interesting to see Hinkse playing for a place in the Rays squad. Last night 3 at bats, 2 hits, 2 runs and 1 rbi from his HR AND he had a stolen base. Maddon is sending his whole team to steal this season.
Incidentally Reed Johnson is attracting attention from a number of clubs including the Rays...
The Vancouver fan has left Knology Park after taking in several games, the Jays, Dunedin and the fans will miss her enthusiastic support and batting practice photography and her reminder to Frank to moderate his language as he returns to the dugout after popping up for the 99th time this spring.. Thaks for the great memories Jess.
By the way Vancouver is well represented here, I have seen Granville Island Brewing shirts behind home plate, in right and left field stands, in the berm at Bright House Field and behind the Jays dugout...even downtown Dunedin, great marketing and great shirt. Thank you Granville.
Jays away in Sarasota. 5 hits in a losing cause.
Here's the test for Jays fans.
Jackson, Coats, Jerolman, and Kratz.... four of the five hits..... ???
The other was Wells, who at least does seem to be getting some consistency. Buck Coats should definitely be going north he has been good all spring.
Kratz (C) hit was a double and Jackson (SS) was a triple. There is a lot of speed in the minors but zilch in the big team apart from Rios and Wells.
Jays once again leave a load on base. 8 this time and two double plays.
Left-hander Jesse Carlson, competing for a spot in the Blue Jays bullpen, pitched the first inning so he could face some of the Reds' top hitters. He gave up a single and induced a double-play grounder from Ken Griffey Jr.
Shaun Marcum followed Carlson and gave up Adam Dunn's solo homer and a two-run shot by Joey Votto. Gosling finished off the game. Marcum went six innings, giving up five runs and seven hits with six strikeouts and only one walk.
"When he was down, he was good," manager Gibbons said. "And when he was up, he got hit." (I love these Gibbonsisms, perhaps I will start a line of Jays t-shirts with the quotes of the season)
Marcum is now scheduled to pitch in a minor league game on Saturday when Jays first team are wrapping up Spring training with two in Philadelphia. Marcum will start Toronto's home opener against Boston on April 4.
Cincinnati's Homer Bailey gave another off-the-plate performance. The 21-year-old pitcher failed to last five innings in a start that will go a long way in deciding his immediate future. Bailey walked six in 4 1-3 innings, throwing only 42 strikes out of 84 pitches. In the fifth inning alone, he threw 21 pitches - only six strikes - while walking the bases loaded. At that point, manager Dusty Baker decided he had seen enough.
"He's looking better," Baker said. "He's got to find a way to eliminate those walks. He's got the stuff. Six walks - in the big leagues, that will haunt you."
The former first-round pick came into spring training hoping to win a spot in the rotation, but struggled with his control while two others passed him by. Right-handers Johnny Cueto and Edison Volquez have moved ahead of him, leaving Bailey and Josh Fogg essentially competing for the last spot in the rotation.
Baker decided to start Bailey in the major league game Monday night instead of having him throw against minor leaguers earlier in the day. In his most important start of the spring, Bailey would have center stage.
"Yeah, it's a big start for Homer," Baker said before the game. "It's not do-or-die, but it could sure help his cause a lot."
The right-hander kept his pitches to a minimum at the outset, the main thing he hadn't done all spring. The longer he went, the more he lost his touch.
"That's probably the first time I've gone on three days' rest since A-ball, and I just got a little tired," Bailey said. "I think I've thrown all right. There's always a few things you can work on - maybe those one or two batters where I kind of lose focus and end up walking them. If I cut those out, it's not so bad."
Tuesday the Jays are at home for the Rays, more speed again...
Interesting to see Hinkse playing for a place in the Rays squad. Last night 3 at bats, 2 hits, 2 runs and 1 rbi from his HR AND he had a stolen base. Maddon is sending his whole team to steal this season.
Incidentally Reed Johnson is attracting attention from a number of clubs including the Rays...
The Vancouver fan has left Knology Park after taking in several games, the Jays, Dunedin and the fans will miss her enthusiastic support and batting practice photography and her reminder to Frank to moderate his language as he returns to the dugout after popping up for the 99th time this spring.. Thaks for the great memories Jess.
By the way Vancouver is well represented here, I have seen Granville Island Brewing shirts behind home plate, in right and left field stands, in the berm at Bright House Field and behind the Jays dugout...even downtown Dunedin, great marketing and great shirt. Thank you Granville.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Shortage of Canadian lumber
Sunday March 23 Phillies at Knology Park.
Phillies 15- Toronto 7
Not the best of days for the Jays. Losing Reed as outright release and Rolen in fielding practice, losing nail and breaking knuckle on his finger and that was before game started.
Then the game itself which demonstrated how unready the Jays big bats really are.
Phillies are a very good all-round team. I have seen them many times in last three weeks and the starting day lineup (obviously unlike the Jays) has selected itself every game. Reminds me of the 1992-3 Jays. This team didn't win the division with minor league players.
Lineups:
Phillies. Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Snelling, Jenkins, Feliz, Bruntlett, Ruiz and pitching Hamels.
Jays: Eckstein, Stewart, Rios, Wells, Thomas, Hill, Overbay, Scutaro, Barajas, and pitchign Burnett.
Game itself:
Top of 1st. Rollins grounds to 1B, Victorino grounds to 2B, two quickouts. Utley HR to RF, 1-0.
Howard strikes out. Quick inning for Burnett and he pitched well to tough lineup. One bad pitch.
Bottom of 1st. Hamels, this guy is an excellent pitcher. Eckstein strikes out. Shannon single to right centre, Rios drives back to pitcher double play ball.
Top of 2nd. Snelling strikes out, Jekins pops to SS, Feliz grounder to Burnett who throws away at 1B. Bruntlett flies to CF. Another good inning by Burnett.
Bottom of 2nd. Wells flies to CF, nice catch. Thomas, yes, you are right, pops up to 1B in foul territory but loses in background, no error, the first Easter egg for Phillies.Thomas grounds to 3B, Hill pops up behind 1B, three converge and Brantlett again drops ball, rough day at the office but the scorer is generous and gives him another Easter egg. Overbay strikes out.
Top of 3rd. Ruiz grounds to 2B, Rollins exactly the same play, Burnett is throwing high percentage of strikes and effectively for those ground balls. Victorino flies to CF. Another excellent and quick inning by Burnett.
Bottom of 3rd. Scutaro lines hard to Rollins superb catch diving to his right, this guy is a gold glover, Barajas flies to LF, Eckstein lines single to LF, Stewart ground to SS. Both pitchers are throwing well and fast. 40 minutes for first three innings !
Top of 4th. All good things come to an end. Utley lines single to CF, Howrad strikes out again, Snelling hard liner to Hill very nice leaping catch, two down... Jenkins double to RF, Snelling scores, Feliz base hit to LF, Jenkins scores, 3-0 Phillies just like that. Brantlett not his day anyway, pops up to Hill.
Not a bad inning by Burnett but with two outs 2 runs.... ouch.
Bottom of 4th. Rios grounds to 3B, Wells triple of wall in CF, Thomas at bat..... strikes out... I have news for you Frank, contrary to your interview in Tampa paper you are not ready for this season. Vernon will not score many runs this way with Thomas behind him. Very frustrating to see this. Thomas must have had 150 game pitches this spring and connected on less than five for his average. Some DH. Hill grounds to SS leaving Vernon at 3B.
Top of 5th. Ruiz grounds to 3B. Rollins single to RF, Victorino, passed ball Rollins to 2B Victorino single to RF, Rollins holds at 3B, a vote of respect for Alex's arm as Rollins has speed, Utley walks, bases loaded for Howard who has already struck out twice this game, Howard walks, run scores, bases still loaded, Snelling sac fly to left ( Frank please note) run scores, Jenkins grounds to 2B. Phillies 5- Jay 0. Phillies 7 hits Jays 4.
Bottom of 5th. Overbay grounds to SS, gets glove on it but base hit, should have been another error but scorer is giving out Easter eggs today, Scutaro HR to LF, 2 runs score, Barajas walks, Ecsktein grounds to SS but cannot turn two with Eckstein beating out throw. Stewart flies to CF, runner holds, Rios not his day either, flies to right centre. Phillies 5- Jays 2.
Top of 6th. The ouch inning... first one at least. Stairs in LF, Johnny Mac at SS. Burnett still pitching. Feliz to SS, great save by Johny Mac in the hole and throw to 1B. Brantlett walks, Ruiz hit and run on double scores Brantlett from 1B. 6-2. Burnett is finished for day. League pitching. Not his day either.Taguchi walks, Olmedo double down left, runs scores. Men on 2B and 3B for pinch hitter John Donald.... 3 run home run .... 10-2 Phillies. Snelling at bat hit by League, what is that for ?? pay back ??? not today Brandon. Jenkins at bat and strikes out.
Bottom of 6th. The big bats for Jay to get back in the game .... Ha! Wells at least is playing his heart out, double to follow his earlier triple, Thomas to bring him in ???? walks... that's great perfect double play fodder... he is a liability on base. Hill long fly to CF great catch at the wall, Overbay double of the wall, Wells scores, Thomas at 3B, ( Gibbons has left him in game to give him more much needed at bats), Scutaro filling in nicely for Rolen at 3B and with his bat, single to LF, Frank scores, is this his first run of the spring ? Hamels out of game. Barajas sac fly to bring in Cannon (pinch runner for Overbay) Johnny Mac passed ball, Mathews strikes out leaving two on. Phillies 10 Jays 5.
Top of 7th. Helms grounds to 2B, Bartlett strikes out, Ruiz flies to CF. Much better inning from League.
Bottom of 7th. Dunedin High School team now playing....Watson strikes out,Shaffit walks, Thomas still in there for the batting practice, it works, a single ! to RF, Diaz at bat, hit by pitch, (payback by Phillies for Frank's single ?) but bases now loaded,. Kreuzer ! single to LF, run scores 10-6 bases still loaded, Luna at bat sac flu run scores, 10-7. Barajas in the hole at SS, bases loaded again, Johnnny Mac pops up to RF. The minors do it again.... but game is getting interesting.
Top of 8th. Parrish pitching. Taguchi single, Olmedo bouncer to SS Johnny Mac not in time this time, two on for yes John Donald again... you got it... 3run HR, his second of the game and he is not even in the lineup... Frank oh Frank.... Dobbs strikes out, Snellingflies to CF, double to CF, Helms at bat 2 run HR 15-7 Phillies. Brantellt strikes out... This was worst inning by Parrish of the Spring... up until now he has been almost perfect..
Bottom of 8th. Gordon pitching. Mathews single to RF, Watson strikes out, Shoffit strikes out. Luizza ( I told you the minor guys)... strikes out.
Top of 9th. 5,389 attendance today. Most are waiting for the Easter egg hunt after game.
Shawn Camp pitching. Ruiz double down LF line, Taguchi grounds to 1B, runner to 3B, Olmedia strikes out, Donald (oh no !) grounds to 3B.
Bottom of 9th.Knotts pitching, Diaz single to LF, Kreuzer to SS double play, Luna grounds to 3B.
This game is over.
Phillies 15- Toronto 7
Not the best of days for the Jays. Losing Reed as outright release and Rolen in fielding practice, losing nail and breaking knuckle on his finger and that was before game started.
Then the game itself which demonstrated how unready the Jays big bats really are.
Phillies are a very good all-round team. I have seen them many times in last three weeks and the starting day lineup (obviously unlike the Jays) has selected itself every game. Reminds me of the 1992-3 Jays. This team didn't win the division with minor league players.
Lineups:
Phillies. Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Snelling, Jenkins, Feliz, Bruntlett, Ruiz and pitching Hamels.
Jays: Eckstein, Stewart, Rios, Wells, Thomas, Hill, Overbay, Scutaro, Barajas, and pitchign Burnett.
Game itself:
Top of 1st. Rollins grounds to 1B, Victorino grounds to 2B, two quickouts. Utley HR to RF, 1-0.
Howard strikes out. Quick inning for Burnett and he pitched well to tough lineup. One bad pitch.
Bottom of 1st. Hamels, this guy is an excellent pitcher. Eckstein strikes out. Shannon single to right centre, Rios drives back to pitcher double play ball.
Top of 2nd. Snelling strikes out, Jekins pops to SS, Feliz grounder to Burnett who throws away at 1B. Bruntlett flies to CF. Another good inning by Burnett.
Bottom of 2nd. Wells flies to CF, nice catch. Thomas, yes, you are right, pops up to 1B in foul territory but loses in background, no error, the first Easter egg for Phillies.Thomas grounds to 3B, Hill pops up behind 1B, three converge and Brantlett again drops ball, rough day at the office but the scorer is generous and gives him another Easter egg. Overbay strikes out.
Top of 3rd. Ruiz grounds to 2B, Rollins exactly the same play, Burnett is throwing high percentage of strikes and effectively for those ground balls. Victorino flies to CF. Another excellent and quick inning by Burnett.
Bottom of 3rd. Scutaro lines hard to Rollins superb catch diving to his right, this guy is a gold glover, Barajas flies to LF, Eckstein lines single to LF, Stewart ground to SS. Both pitchers are throwing well and fast. 40 minutes for first three innings !
Top of 4th. All good things come to an end. Utley lines single to CF, Howrad strikes out again, Snelling hard liner to Hill very nice leaping catch, two down... Jenkins double to RF, Snelling scores, Feliz base hit to LF, Jenkins scores, 3-0 Phillies just like that. Brantlett not his day anyway, pops up to Hill.
Not a bad inning by Burnett but with two outs 2 runs.... ouch.
Bottom of 4th. Rios grounds to 3B, Wells triple of wall in CF, Thomas at bat..... strikes out... I have news for you Frank, contrary to your interview in Tampa paper you are not ready for this season. Vernon will not score many runs this way with Thomas behind him. Very frustrating to see this. Thomas must have had 150 game pitches this spring and connected on less than five for his average. Some DH. Hill grounds to SS leaving Vernon at 3B.
Top of 5th. Ruiz grounds to 3B. Rollins single to RF, Victorino, passed ball Rollins to 2B Victorino single to RF, Rollins holds at 3B, a vote of respect for Alex's arm as Rollins has speed, Utley walks, bases loaded for Howard who has already struck out twice this game, Howard walks, run scores, bases still loaded, Snelling sac fly to left ( Frank please note) run scores, Jenkins grounds to 2B. Phillies 5- Jay 0. Phillies 7 hits Jays 4.
Bottom of 5th. Overbay grounds to SS, gets glove on it but base hit, should have been another error but scorer is giving out Easter eggs today, Scutaro HR to LF, 2 runs score, Barajas walks, Ecsktein grounds to SS but cannot turn two with Eckstein beating out throw. Stewart flies to CF, runner holds, Rios not his day either, flies to right centre. Phillies 5- Jays 2.
Top of 6th. The ouch inning... first one at least. Stairs in LF, Johnny Mac at SS. Burnett still pitching. Feliz to SS, great save by Johny Mac in the hole and throw to 1B. Brantlett walks, Ruiz hit and run on double scores Brantlett from 1B. 6-2. Burnett is finished for day. League pitching. Not his day either.Taguchi walks, Olmedo double down left, runs scores. Men on 2B and 3B for pinch hitter John Donald.... 3 run home run .... 10-2 Phillies. Snelling at bat hit by League, what is that for ?? pay back ??? not today Brandon. Jenkins at bat and strikes out.
Bottom of 6th. The big bats for Jay to get back in the game .... Ha! Wells at least is playing his heart out, double to follow his earlier triple, Thomas to bring him in ???? walks... that's great perfect double play fodder... he is a liability on base. Hill long fly to CF great catch at the wall, Overbay double of the wall, Wells scores, Thomas at 3B, ( Gibbons has left him in game to give him more much needed at bats), Scutaro filling in nicely for Rolen at 3B and with his bat, single to LF, Frank scores, is this his first run of the spring ? Hamels out of game. Barajas sac fly to bring in Cannon (pinch runner for Overbay) Johnny Mac passed ball, Mathews strikes out leaving two on. Phillies 10 Jays 5.
Top of 7th. Helms grounds to 2B, Bartlett strikes out, Ruiz flies to CF. Much better inning from League.
Bottom of 7th. Dunedin High School team now playing....Watson strikes out,Shaffit walks, Thomas still in there for the batting practice, it works, a single ! to RF, Diaz at bat, hit by pitch, (payback by Phillies for Frank's single ?) but bases now loaded,. Kreuzer ! single to LF, run scores 10-6 bases still loaded, Luna at bat sac flu run scores, 10-7. Barajas in the hole at SS, bases loaded again, Johnnny Mac pops up to RF. The minors do it again.... but game is getting interesting.
Top of 8th. Parrish pitching. Taguchi single, Olmedo bouncer to SS Johnny Mac not in time this time, two on for yes John Donald again... you got it... 3run HR, his second of the game and he is not even in the lineup... Frank oh Frank.... Dobbs strikes out, Snellingflies to CF, double to CF, Helms at bat 2 run HR 15-7 Phillies. Brantellt strikes out... This was worst inning by Parrish of the Spring... up until now he has been almost perfect..
Bottom of 8th. Gordon pitching. Mathews single to RF, Watson strikes out, Shoffit strikes out. Luizza ( I told you the minor guys)... strikes out.
Top of 9th. 5,389 attendance today. Most are waiting for the Easter egg hunt after game.
Shawn Camp pitching. Ruiz double down LF line, Taguchi grounds to 1B, runner to 3B, Olmedia strikes out, Donald (oh no !) grounds to 3B.
Bottom of 9th.Knotts pitching, Diaz single to LF, Kreuzer to SS double play, Luna grounds to 3B.
This game is over.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Alas poor Reed
Will do today's game in a later blog but the big news today was the outright release of Reed.
NOT unexpected as mentioned here several times in last few weeks.
Reed has not played well and there is a traffic jam at LF. Shannon and Matt Stairs are definitely ready but Reed has seemed as if he were still suffering from his back.
Did he try to come back too early last season ? but was definitely not contending this spring. But thanks Reed for the five years of great memories and may you return to form and find a good new home.
Yesterday's games were both rained out. Jays did get one inning in at Yankee land and Phillies-Tigers game in Clearwater managed three. Pudge has put on some bulk this off season. Interesting. Loved Kenny Rogers innings. He still has it.... would have been an interesting game.
Today's game needs a separate blog today as Jays lose 15-7 ouch bigtime.... but weather at least was great after yesterday's rain.
NOT unexpected as mentioned here several times in last few weeks.
Reed has not played well and there is a traffic jam at LF. Shannon and Matt Stairs are definitely ready but Reed has seemed as if he were still suffering from his back.
Did he try to come back too early last season ? but was definitely not contending this spring. But thanks Reed for the five years of great memories and may you return to form and find a good new home.
Yesterday's games were both rained out. Jays did get one inning in at Yankee land and Phillies-Tigers game in Clearwater managed three. Pudge has put on some bulk this off season. Interesting. Loved Kenny Rogers innings. He still has it.... would have been an interesting game.
Today's game needs a separate blog today as Jays lose 15-7 ouch bigtime.... but weather at least was great after yesterday's rain.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Tigers lose
Friday March 21. Jays in Lakeland visiting Tigers.
Jays win 5-3
Jesse Litsch sends down 16 in a row and cements that fifth spot.
Although he gives up two home runs, this is not a bad outing for Jesse against a very strong Tigers side.
Litcsh six innings, three runs, three hits and six strikeouts.
The home runs were Sheffield and Rodriguez, nothing to be ashamed about Jesse.
Jays bullpen once again three scoreless innings, this time from Carlson.
Jays answer with 11 hits. Dontrelle Willis not at his best, gives up seven of the eleven hits.
The bad: Toronto leaves nine more on base.
Doubles from Shannon and Reed still fighting for that left field spot but Stairs has also shown both of them that he can fill in there just as well. I agree that Reed may the trade bait. He is definitely not the Reed he was two seasons ago and before his back surgery.
Barajas also a double and stolen bases from Luna, Johnny Mac (another for him) and Klosterman. What's with this running game this spring ? Seems like more stolen bases than all of last season.... Here is hoping that it continues into the season.
Rios caught stealing.
Big article in USA Today on Frank who thinks he is fine..... I think he must be referring to his off-season surgery definitely not his hitting.
Jays win 5-3
Jesse Litsch sends down 16 in a row and cements that fifth spot.
Although he gives up two home runs, this is not a bad outing for Jesse against a very strong Tigers side.
Litcsh six innings, three runs, three hits and six strikeouts.
The home runs were Sheffield and Rodriguez, nothing to be ashamed about Jesse.
Jays bullpen once again three scoreless innings, this time from Carlson.
Jays answer with 11 hits. Dontrelle Willis not at his best, gives up seven of the eleven hits.
The bad: Toronto leaves nine more on base.
Doubles from Shannon and Reed still fighting for that left field spot but Stairs has also shown both of them that he can fill in there just as well. I agree that Reed may the trade bait. He is definitely not the Reed he was two seasons ago and before his back surgery.
Barajas also a double and stolen bases from Luna, Johnny Mac (another for him) and Klosterman. What's with this running game this spring ? Seems like more stolen bases than all of last season.... Here is hoping that it continues into the season.
Rios caught stealing.
Big article in USA Today on Frank who thinks he is fine..... I think he must be referring to his off-season surgery definitely not his hitting.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Purists
OK, for the record and for all those purists who asked about the three Jays minors who struck out against Chamberlain yesterday.
Patterson, Shoffit and Hatch... ???? Well you did ask.
They looked as if they are all still in High School and may be...
The point was that Chamberlain did not exactly have a bottom of the 9th Game 7 World Series experience with these kids despite the euphoria by Yankee nation fans world wide.
But I am sure he was pleased that he could still strike out high school players.
Patterson, Shoffit and Hatch... ???? Well you did ask.
They looked as if they are all still in High School and may be...
The point was that Chamberlain did not exactly have a bottom of the 9th Game 7 World Series experience with these kids despite the euphoria by Yankee nation fans world wide.
But I am sure he was pleased that he could still strike out high school players.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Yankees.....
Jays at Knology Park for a change.... sold out game for Yankees in town.
BUT Yankees not taking it that seriously.
No Jeter, no Rodriguez, no Porsada, No Giambi... Fans are very upset.
My Vancouver colleague has my seat behind the dugout, I am behind home plate under the media box. ESPN is televising Jays for second consecutive day.
Lineups: Yankees. Damon, Cabrera,Cano, Duncan, Betemit, Ransom, Molina, Green, and Ian Kennedy pitching.
Jays have first team lineup Eckstein, Rios, Wells, Rolen, Thomas, Stairs, Overbay, Hill, Zaun and pitching Davis ? well almost the first team lineup.
Top of 1st. Damon walks, Cabrera drives into double play, Cano grounds to 1B.
Bottom of 1st. Leadoff double by Eckstein, tries for triple, needs a perfect throw to get him and they do. Question Eckstein on this one with big bats behind him a leadoff double would have been fine . Rios pops up to shallow RF, Wells single to LF would have scored Eckstein easily. Rolen flies to RF. Jays lost a chance to get ahead.
Top of 2nd Matsui lines to Eckstein, Duncan flare into centre, Belemit double to CF Duncan scores, 1-0 NYY. Ransom lines down 3B line, Rolen playing off the line, run scores 2-0 NYY. Ransom on 2B. Molina breaks bat out at 1B runner to 3B two out. Green pops up to Overbay.
Bottom of 2nd. Thomas (yes pops up) to 1B, Frank cannot buy a hit 3 for 34 this spring.. hardly DH stuff, Stairs strikes out, Overbay strikes out. Kennedy looking like Cy Young.
Top of 3rd. Damon flies out to Stairs catching in front of Wells, Cabrera flies to RF. Cano past a diving Rolen into left. Cano steals second, Matsui walks, this pitcher is a carbon copy of Frasor dead slow.... worse with runners on. Betemit off the wall in centre, two score no throw to plate which might have caught one. Ransom strikes out. 4-0 Yankees. 5 hits. Jays two hits no runs.
Bottom of 3rd. Kennedy still pitching, why not. Hill double to LF, Hill has been one of the few in lineup with any consistency, Zaun moves Hill over to 3B. Eckstein grounds to SS, Hill scores, 4-1, Rios doubles to LF, Wells strikes out.... Jays just cannot bring them in today. JP is sitting down below me must not be a happy guy at this stage of Spring training.
Top of 4th. League pitching. Molina grounds to SS, Green grounds to 3B, Duncan under Rolen's glove, not a great day at 3B today. Damon bounces one at home plate, throw to 1B.
Bottom of 4th. Kennedy still pitching. Rolen doubles to centre, at least his bat is ok today, Frank oh no.... pops up to catcher. Stairs strikes out, Overbay grounds to SS, Rolen left at 2B.Top of 5th. Accardo pitching. Cano dirive to LF Stairs cannot catch but traps and throes hinm out at @B trying to stretch single. Matsui broken bat single to shallow centre, Duncan flies to RF, Betemit two run HR to right, Rios just turns his head to watch it go. No doubt at all from moment it was hit. Yankees taking it to Toronto this afternoon 6-1. Ransom single to shallow CF, Rolen knows down sharo drive to save run, nice play, two on at 1B and 2B Green grounds to 3B, runner out at 2B. Yankees 6 runs on 11 hits.
Bottom of 5th Kennedy still out there. Hill grounds to SS, Zaun pops to shallow left, Kennedy leaves game to good applause. Eckstein pops up to SS, Rios walks, Wells walks, bases loaded. Rolen grounds to 3B. Same old refrain.
Top of 6th Frasor pitching , oh no.... this game will last another hour. Damon lines to shallow left, Cabrera soft liner to RF, Damon goes to 3B, Cano double run scores 7-1 NYY,Carson hit by Frasor, Duncan passed ball, both runners move up, I do hope Frasor is pencilled in for AAA this season, Betemit strikes out.
Bottom of 6th. Thomas at bat, one wag shouts "please, please Frank don't pop up..." (he is speaking for every fan in the ballpark, it is painful to watch). He answer all our prayers, sort of and strikes out. Stairs grounds to 2B, nice stop, but Stairs beats out throw, Overbay walks, two on yet again, Mathews pinch running for Stairs, Hill (thank you baseball gods) doubles to CF, run scores, runners hold at 2B and 3B, Zaun strikes out, Eckstein grounds to 2B.
Top of 7th. Gonzalez grounds to 3B, Molina strikes out, Engberg ? walks, Lane lines up the middle, two on, for Cabrera grounds to 3B.
Bottom of 7th. Chamberlain pitching, Yankees serious... Strikes out three minors.... first team is hiding in some hole underground with this performance, leaving the wrap up to the minors.
Top of 8th. Castro lines up the middle, Carson walks, Duncan, yes Duncan still in there John Gibbons, strikes out, Betelimt, pops to Cannon, very nice overhead catch in foul territory, Gonzalez at bat, passed ball moves the runners, to 2B and 3B. grounds to 2B.
Bottom of 8th... Guess who ? Thomas at bat... a single to RF, the crowd rises to its feet, (just kidding friends... but I guess it is a start.)Mathews lines to 2B, Cannon flies to RF, Lopez pops to 2B
Top of 9th Wolfe pitching. three up three down, Bottom of 9th. NO Chamberlain but Jays strikeout ground to 2B and fly out to RF... pathetic.
Not a game that Jays will want to read about. They have a long way to go to get the bats in sync. They are getting hits (some) but leaving too many runners in scoring position. Looks as if Reed is out of there. Hill is fine, so are Alex, Stairs, Rolen, but the rest of the batting is not ready, they are being saved from embarrassment right now by the pitchers with a couple of exceptions.
Detroit tomorrow....
BUT Yankees not taking it that seriously.
No Jeter, no Rodriguez, no Porsada, No Giambi... Fans are very upset.
My Vancouver colleague has my seat behind the dugout, I am behind home plate under the media box. ESPN is televising Jays for second consecutive day.
Lineups: Yankees. Damon, Cabrera,Cano, Duncan, Betemit, Ransom, Molina, Green, and Ian Kennedy pitching.
Jays have first team lineup Eckstein, Rios, Wells, Rolen, Thomas, Stairs, Overbay, Hill, Zaun and pitching Davis ? well almost the first team lineup.
Top of 1st. Damon walks, Cabrera drives into double play, Cano grounds to 1B.
Bottom of 1st. Leadoff double by Eckstein, tries for triple, needs a perfect throw to get him and they do. Question Eckstein on this one with big bats behind him a leadoff double would have been fine . Rios pops up to shallow RF, Wells single to LF would have scored Eckstein easily. Rolen flies to RF. Jays lost a chance to get ahead.
Top of 2nd Matsui lines to Eckstein, Duncan flare into centre, Belemit double to CF Duncan scores, 1-0 NYY. Ransom lines down 3B line, Rolen playing off the line, run scores 2-0 NYY. Ransom on 2B. Molina breaks bat out at 1B runner to 3B two out. Green pops up to Overbay.
Bottom of 2nd. Thomas (yes pops up) to 1B, Frank cannot buy a hit 3 for 34 this spring.. hardly DH stuff, Stairs strikes out, Overbay strikes out. Kennedy looking like Cy Young.
Top of 3rd. Damon flies out to Stairs catching in front of Wells, Cabrera flies to RF. Cano past a diving Rolen into left. Cano steals second, Matsui walks, this pitcher is a carbon copy of Frasor dead slow.... worse with runners on. Betemit off the wall in centre, two score no throw to plate which might have caught one. Ransom strikes out. 4-0 Yankees. 5 hits. Jays two hits no runs.
Bottom of 3rd. Kennedy still pitching, why not. Hill double to LF, Hill has been one of the few in lineup with any consistency, Zaun moves Hill over to 3B. Eckstein grounds to SS, Hill scores, 4-1, Rios doubles to LF, Wells strikes out.... Jays just cannot bring them in today. JP is sitting down below me must not be a happy guy at this stage of Spring training.
Top of 4th. League pitching. Molina grounds to SS, Green grounds to 3B, Duncan under Rolen's glove, not a great day at 3B today. Damon bounces one at home plate, throw to 1B.
Bottom of 4th. Kennedy still pitching. Rolen doubles to centre, at least his bat is ok today, Frank oh no.... pops up to catcher. Stairs strikes out, Overbay grounds to SS, Rolen left at 2B.Top of 5th. Accardo pitching. Cano dirive to LF Stairs cannot catch but traps and throes hinm out at @B trying to stretch single. Matsui broken bat single to shallow centre, Duncan flies to RF, Betemit two run HR to right, Rios just turns his head to watch it go. No doubt at all from moment it was hit. Yankees taking it to Toronto this afternoon 6-1. Ransom single to shallow CF, Rolen knows down sharo drive to save run, nice play, two on at 1B and 2B Green grounds to 3B, runner out at 2B. Yankees 6 runs on 11 hits.
Bottom of 5th Kennedy still out there. Hill grounds to SS, Zaun pops to shallow left, Kennedy leaves game to good applause. Eckstein pops up to SS, Rios walks, Wells walks, bases loaded. Rolen grounds to 3B. Same old refrain.
Top of 6th Frasor pitching , oh no.... this game will last another hour. Damon lines to shallow left, Cabrera soft liner to RF, Damon goes to 3B, Cano double run scores 7-1 NYY,Carson hit by Frasor, Duncan passed ball, both runners move up, I do hope Frasor is pencilled in for AAA this season, Betemit strikes out.
Bottom of 6th. Thomas at bat, one wag shouts "please, please Frank don't pop up..." (he is speaking for every fan in the ballpark, it is painful to watch). He answer all our prayers, sort of and strikes out. Stairs grounds to 2B, nice stop, but Stairs beats out throw, Overbay walks, two on yet again, Mathews pinch running for Stairs, Hill (thank you baseball gods) doubles to CF, run scores, runners hold at 2B and 3B, Zaun strikes out, Eckstein grounds to 2B.
Top of 7th. Gonzalez grounds to 3B, Molina strikes out, Engberg ? walks, Lane lines up the middle, two on, for Cabrera grounds to 3B.
Bottom of 7th. Chamberlain pitching, Yankees serious... Strikes out three minors.... first team is hiding in some hole underground with this performance, leaving the wrap up to the minors.
Top of 8th. Castro lines up the middle, Carson walks, Duncan, yes Duncan still in there John Gibbons, strikes out, Betelimt, pops to Cannon, very nice overhead catch in foul territory, Gonzalez at bat, passed ball moves the runners, to 2B and 3B. grounds to 2B.
Bottom of 8th... Guess who ? Thomas at bat... a single to RF, the crowd rises to its feet, (just kidding friends... but I guess it is a start.)Mathews lines to 2B, Cannon flies to RF, Lopez pops to 2B
Top of 9th Wolfe pitching. three up three down, Bottom of 9th. NO Chamberlain but Jays strikeout ground to 2B and fly out to RF... pathetic.
Not a game that Jays will want to read about. They have a long way to go to get the bats in sync. They are getting hits (some) but leaving too many runners in scoring position. Looks as if Reed is out of there. Hill is fine, so are Alex, Stairs, Rolen, but the rest of the batting is not ready, they are being saved from embarrassment right now by the pitchers with a couple of exceptions.
Detroit tomorrow....
Red Sox nation in mourning
Jays in Fort Myers for Boston send off to Japan.
Big news of course was the hour long delay of the game by Boston team refusing to play Jays in support of payment for coaches and other support staff going to Japan. Eventually settled. I wonder what ESPN did whilst waiting...
Halladay not pitching, nor against Yankees tomorrow. So that both teams do not see him before first week of season. Boston also holding back DiceK although he was pitching minor game against Rochester.
Tallet pitched two good scoreless innings. Gibbons had already rewarded him earlier with spot in the bullpen.
Camp relieves and gets into trouble with three hits including Youklis 3run HR. Bullpen then holds Boston scoreless for rest of game.
1st inning. Jays start well with hits but Wells thrown out at home.
4th Jays 4 hits in first 4 innings but no runs.
5th Top. Javier Lopez pitching. Hill tries bunt and strikes out. Zaun grounds to 2nd Reed strikeouts
Bottom of 5th Parrish pitching. Pop up to Rolen, ground to SS and fly ball to CF. 3 up 3 down.6th
Top of 6th. Timlin pitching. 42 this year.... Eckstein walks, Stewart flies to shallow right centre. Rios lines to wall in LF. Wells already with a single today grounds to SS.
Bottom of 6th Parrish. Sean Casey grounds to 1B. Ortiz walks, pinch runner. Parrish pick him off. This is the second pick off that Parrish has had this spring... great move. Dribbler up the line, Parrish retrieves and throws runner out. Another nice inning by Parrish. This guy has to go north with the team.
Top of 7th. Delcarme pitching. Scutaro flare to left for base hit. Overbay also single today strikes out. Hill 0-2 today but batting .444 this spring with 6 rbis. Flies to CF. Zaun pops up.
Bottom 7th Wells pitching. Good catch by Thigpen in LF and a great catch by Reed in CF. Sox go 1,2,3. They are in hurry to get away to Japan... fans are already forming a farewell path... grounds staff giving out foam fingers...! so much for spontanaity in the nation.
Top of 8th. Okajima pitching. Reed flies to CF, Johnny Mac out to a great catch in LF. Stewart double to to LF. Watson walks, Mathews rbi liner to RF. 3-1 Boston. Two on for Scutaro, walks to load bases. Okajima pulled out of game. Can't have his confidence ruined in Spring.
Cannon goes to full count and a high fly ball to CF drops ball in wind and sun ???? whatever excuse Red Sox wants, 3 runs score on the double... this is Jays game 4-3.
Cannon at 2nd running on play and great throw by Centre to get him at plate. The second time today Jays caught at plate. But they have delayed Sox victory parade to bus for Japan flight.
Bottom of 8th. Three up and down... they are in a hurry now to get to Papelbon.
Top of the 9th. To the annointed one. Hits Sal Fasano. Sal is mad..... and then STEALS 2nd.... Sal Fusano stealing off Papelbon. "Don't hit me".
Macdonald at bat and strikes out. Santos at bat and quick out BUT what's this ???? Sal is caught stealing 3rd.... I think ! that must have been a hit and run... unless the sun has got to Sal...
Bottom of 9th, grounds to SS, pop up to pitcher and strikeout ends this steal by the Jays at the end of the game. Just to let Boston know they are still around...
Jays 4 runs on 9 hits and no errors. Boston 3 runs all in the third on 3 hits and no errors.Jays will definitely take this one...
Now Boston take off on huge road trip before they hit Toronto... will be very interesting to see how they do in those ten days.
But then again Jays have to be ready in April and right now in my opinion there are huge question marks about the lineup.
Bullpen appears to definitely be ready.
Yankees tomorrow... another sellout at Knology Park.
Big news of course was the hour long delay of the game by Boston team refusing to play Jays in support of payment for coaches and other support staff going to Japan. Eventually settled. I wonder what ESPN did whilst waiting...
Halladay not pitching, nor against Yankees tomorrow. So that both teams do not see him before first week of season. Boston also holding back DiceK although he was pitching minor game against Rochester.
Tallet pitched two good scoreless innings. Gibbons had already rewarded him earlier with spot in the bullpen.
Camp relieves and gets into trouble with three hits including Youklis 3run HR. Bullpen then holds Boston scoreless for rest of game.
1st inning. Jays start well with hits but Wells thrown out at home.
4th Jays 4 hits in first 4 innings but no runs.
5th Top. Javier Lopez pitching. Hill tries bunt and strikes out. Zaun grounds to 2nd Reed strikeouts
Bottom of 5th Parrish pitching. Pop up to Rolen, ground to SS and fly ball to CF. 3 up 3 down.6th
Top of 6th. Timlin pitching. 42 this year.... Eckstein walks, Stewart flies to shallow right centre. Rios lines to wall in LF. Wells already with a single today grounds to SS.
Bottom of 6th Parrish. Sean Casey grounds to 1B. Ortiz walks, pinch runner. Parrish pick him off. This is the second pick off that Parrish has had this spring... great move. Dribbler up the line, Parrish retrieves and throws runner out. Another nice inning by Parrish. This guy has to go north with the team.
Top of 7th. Delcarme pitching. Scutaro flare to left for base hit. Overbay also single today strikes out. Hill 0-2 today but batting .444 this spring with 6 rbis. Flies to CF. Zaun pops up.
Bottom 7th Wells pitching. Good catch by Thigpen in LF and a great catch by Reed in CF. Sox go 1,2,3. They are in hurry to get away to Japan... fans are already forming a farewell path... grounds staff giving out foam fingers...! so much for spontanaity in the nation.
Top of 8th. Okajima pitching. Reed flies to CF, Johnny Mac out to a great catch in LF. Stewart double to to LF. Watson walks, Mathews rbi liner to RF. 3-1 Boston. Two on for Scutaro, walks to load bases. Okajima pulled out of game. Can't have his confidence ruined in Spring.
Cannon goes to full count and a high fly ball to CF drops ball in wind and sun ???? whatever excuse Red Sox wants, 3 runs score on the double... this is Jays game 4-3.
Cannon at 2nd running on play and great throw by Centre to get him at plate. The second time today Jays caught at plate. But they have delayed Sox victory parade to bus for Japan flight.
Bottom of 8th. Three up and down... they are in a hurry now to get to Papelbon.
Top of the 9th. To the annointed one. Hits Sal Fasano. Sal is mad..... and then STEALS 2nd.... Sal Fusano stealing off Papelbon. "Don't hit me".
Macdonald at bat and strikes out. Santos at bat and quick out BUT what's this ???? Sal is caught stealing 3rd.... I think ! that must have been a hit and run... unless the sun has got to Sal...
Bottom of 9th, grounds to SS, pop up to pitcher and strikeout ends this steal by the Jays at the end of the game. Just to let Boston know they are still around...
Jays 4 runs on 9 hits and no errors. Boston 3 runs all in the third on 3 hits and no errors.Jays will definitely take this one...
Now Boston take off on huge road trip before they hit Toronto... will be very interesting to see how they do in those ten days.
But then again Jays have to be ready in April and right now in my opinion there are huge question marks about the lineup.
Bullpen appears to definitely be ready.
Yankees tomorrow... another sellout at Knology Park.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Off-days, preparation and youth
Jays off day... What an oxymoron...in Spring training.
BUT it gives me the opportunity to raise a point that has interested me since being here last couple of weeks. That is the preparedness of the players.
There are two very distinct approaches here. One the Jays approach, look at all the rookies, donlt play the big guys more than 3 innings if that. the other is play the potential starting team every game and also give them more than two at bats and three inings of work.
The Jays are the former of course and show their record is 7-12, One excellent example of the latter are the Rays at 13-4 after yesterday's game.
The upside of the Jays approach is that they do get to see the young guys in action but the obvious downside is that very few of the big guys are ready yet. Thomas, Wells, Johnson are prime examples. White Sox Chair Jerry Reinsdforf says today in USA Today that their worst recrod in spring training last year carried over into the regaular season. But more importantly he said "Last year we not only had a bad record, but the effort wasn't there. You can't just turn on a switch on opening day."
My observation of the Jays is that there are too many of them ambling through the motions. There is no urgency of effort. Wins in April are very important in a division where 90 wins will not be enough for playoff spot.
I compare this to the Rays that I have now seen several times this spring. I have mentioned before their cockiness, aggressiveness and hustle but it compares to the lack of the same by many of the Jays especially now the younger guys have gone.
This week Jays play Boston today, Yankees tomorrow and Detroit at the weekend, it will be very interesting to see if they prove me wrong.
Whilst the Jays were off Phillies were playing the Rays at home and I met a wonderful very knowledgable Phillies fan welcome Jack to the blog.
Tuesday March 18 2008 at Bright House Field. Phillies and Rays two very good teams today.
Good crowd and great weather. 77F at game time.Seems to be a different quieter crowd than yesterday, no Rays bp. Rays are the team to beat this Spring with a 13-3 record the best in Grapefruit league.
Longoria is definitely one phenom to watch, his superb fielding let alone his bat. The Rays all round are a very exciting team to watch this season and are going to make a big impact on the East division. Their confidence right now is sky high and they play hard and exciting ball. With their youth they don't know failure.
Lineups:
Phillies: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Feliz, Jenkins, Coste and Hamels pitching.
Rays: Johnson, Crawford, Pena, Gomes,Navarro, Longoria,Brignac, Weber, and Garza pitching. National League rules no DH. Rays have the Yankee killers in lineup. Johnson at 2B leading off and "protect his back" Gomes at RF.
The game:
Top of 1st. Johnson (where are the cheers ?) strikes out, Crawford lines to SS, Pena flies out to RF. Good first inning by Hamels.
Bottom of 1st. Garza pitching. Rollins flies to CF nice catch by Crawford, Victorino running bunt, high throw by Garza into crowd at first, Victorino at 2B, error on pitcher. Utley passed ball allows Victorino to 3B, Utley walks, Howard sac fly to LF run scores Victorino, Burrell flies to shallow right nice catch. 1-0 Phillies.
Top of 2nd. Gomes (gets booed ?? not in Toronto, must be some Yankee fans here today) high pop up to 3B, Navarro strikes out on 3 pitches, Longoria grounds to SS. Nice inning by Hamels, he is pitching very well.
Bottom of 2nd. Jenkins ex- Brewer, strikeout, Feliz grounds to 2B, Coste comebacker to Garza throws to 1B. 80F.
Top of 3rd. Hamels smoking... Brignac, Weber and Garza on strikeouts. This guy is good. Still no hits.
Bottom of 3rd. Hamels grounds to SS, Rollins walks, Victorino at bat with Rollins showing steal, Victorino flies to LF, Utley pops up to 2B. Garza has settled down also. Still a no-hitter for both.
Top of 4th. Johnson out at 1B, Crawford pops up to 3B, Pena flies out to CF. Another quick inning, both pitchers doing well with advantage to Hamels.
Bottom of 4th Garza still pitching. Howard strikes out, Burrell base hit to LF breaking no hitter. Jenkins HR to RF, two runs score Phillies 3-0. Jenkins is going to be a good additon to very heavy htting lineup. Feliz flies to LF, Coste grounds to SS. Both pitchers have really been pitching well the score does not reflect the pitching.
Top of 5th.Gomes strikes out, Navarro grounds to 3B, Longora HR to LF 3-1 Philies. First hit against Hamels. Brignac base hit to RF, runner on 1B, steals second on first pitch... old Toronto friend Fred McGriff is first base coach for Rays.Weber flies out to left centre.
Bottom of 5th. Hanmels at bat flies to LF, Rollins stretches out a single into a double and on errant throw goes to 3B, speed kills... Victorino sac fly to RF, Rollins scores. 4-1 Phillies, Utley fly ball to RF lost in background by fielder, Utley on at 1B, Hamels grounds to SS, fielder's choice at 2B.
Top of 6th. Garza nice base hit to RF. Error at 2B, Johnson dribbler down 3B, out at 1B. Crawford strikes out, Pena grounds to 2B. Hamels six innings two hits seven strikeouts. VERY nice. Bottom of 6th. Garza still pitching despite being out on base for last ten minutes as lead off and has been out on field since bottom of 5th inning. Will this affect him at all ? it is very hot out there.Burrell strikes out, Jenkins walks, Garza tiring ? Feliz drives to 3B great play and doubles up Jenkins at 1B. Now Garza can hit the showers he should not be upset at this game. Six innings four hits three strikeouts.
Top of 7th. Castro pitching. Gomes walks, Navarro doubles to LF, Longoria walks, bases loaded, you can't give these Rays any small advantage. Brignac sac fly to RF Gomes scores, Navarro on throw to 3B. 4-2 Phillies. Weber grounds to SS double play. Breathe again Phillies fans.
Bottom of 7th. Rays pitcher Miller sidearm delivery. Coste fly ball to RF, Snelling walks. Maddon out to change pitchers quickly, unusual in Spring to see this. The only other time I have seen this was for injury but it seems the custom to let the pitcher get out of trouble and leave them in until end of inning, BUT Maddon is making a statement with this Rays side this Spring. New pitcher Howell, Smith pops o SS, Olmeda attempts bunt ? with two out strikes out.
Top of 8th. Gary Knotts pitching Giminez grounds to 1B, Hinske (yes Eric of Toronto fame, now with the Rays) grounds to 2B, Rodriguez dribbler down 1B Knotts collects it himself for out.
Bottom of 8th.Howell pitching for Rays, Jaysen Werth (this is like a Jays reunion) strikes out, Bruntlett, strikes out, Dobbs grounds to SS.
Top of 9th. Madson pitching Richards at bat fly ball to LF, Joel Guzman pop up to 1B, Josh Paul flies out to CF.Phillies win a very good entertaining game.
Although Rays lose I still maintain they are a very different team in 2008 and beware any team in the East who takes them lightly.
Phillies: 4 runs, 4 hits and 1 error Rays: 2 runs, 4 hits and 2 errors with game ending temperature 82F.
Tonight major Jays fan flying in from Vancouver to join me for three games... should be an interesting week ahead, I am looking forward to it and seeing whether or not the Jays really are serious...
BUT it gives me the opportunity to raise a point that has interested me since being here last couple of weeks. That is the preparedness of the players.
There are two very distinct approaches here. One the Jays approach, look at all the rookies, donlt play the big guys more than 3 innings if that. the other is play the potential starting team every game and also give them more than two at bats and three inings of work.
The Jays are the former of course and show their record is 7-12, One excellent example of the latter are the Rays at 13-4 after yesterday's game.
The upside of the Jays approach is that they do get to see the young guys in action but the obvious downside is that very few of the big guys are ready yet. Thomas, Wells, Johnson are prime examples. White Sox Chair Jerry Reinsdforf says today in USA Today that their worst recrod in spring training last year carried over into the regaular season. But more importantly he said "Last year we not only had a bad record, but the effort wasn't there. You can't just turn on a switch on opening day."
My observation of the Jays is that there are too many of them ambling through the motions. There is no urgency of effort. Wins in April are very important in a division where 90 wins will not be enough for playoff spot.
I compare this to the Rays that I have now seen several times this spring. I have mentioned before their cockiness, aggressiveness and hustle but it compares to the lack of the same by many of the Jays especially now the younger guys have gone.
This week Jays play Boston today, Yankees tomorrow and Detroit at the weekend, it will be very interesting to see if they prove me wrong.
Whilst the Jays were off Phillies were playing the Rays at home and I met a wonderful very knowledgable Phillies fan welcome Jack to the blog.
Tuesday March 18 2008 at Bright House Field. Phillies and Rays two very good teams today.
Good crowd and great weather. 77F at game time.Seems to be a different quieter crowd than yesterday, no Rays bp. Rays are the team to beat this Spring with a 13-3 record the best in Grapefruit league.
Longoria is definitely one phenom to watch, his superb fielding let alone his bat. The Rays all round are a very exciting team to watch this season and are going to make a big impact on the East division. Their confidence right now is sky high and they play hard and exciting ball. With their youth they don't know failure.
Lineups:
Phillies: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Feliz, Jenkins, Coste and Hamels pitching.
Rays: Johnson, Crawford, Pena, Gomes,Navarro, Longoria,Brignac, Weber, and Garza pitching. National League rules no DH. Rays have the Yankee killers in lineup. Johnson at 2B leading off and "protect his back" Gomes at RF.
The game:
Top of 1st. Johnson (where are the cheers ?) strikes out, Crawford lines to SS, Pena flies out to RF. Good first inning by Hamels.
Bottom of 1st. Garza pitching. Rollins flies to CF nice catch by Crawford, Victorino running bunt, high throw by Garza into crowd at first, Victorino at 2B, error on pitcher. Utley passed ball allows Victorino to 3B, Utley walks, Howard sac fly to LF run scores Victorino, Burrell flies to shallow right nice catch. 1-0 Phillies.
Top of 2nd. Gomes (gets booed ?? not in Toronto, must be some Yankee fans here today) high pop up to 3B, Navarro strikes out on 3 pitches, Longoria grounds to SS. Nice inning by Hamels, he is pitching very well.
Bottom of 2nd. Jenkins ex- Brewer, strikeout, Feliz grounds to 2B, Coste comebacker to Garza throws to 1B. 80F.
Top of 3rd. Hamels smoking... Brignac, Weber and Garza on strikeouts. This guy is good. Still no hits.
Bottom of 3rd. Hamels grounds to SS, Rollins walks, Victorino at bat with Rollins showing steal, Victorino flies to LF, Utley pops up to 2B. Garza has settled down also. Still a no-hitter for both.
Top of 4th. Johnson out at 1B, Crawford pops up to 3B, Pena flies out to CF. Another quick inning, both pitchers doing well with advantage to Hamels.
Bottom of 4th Garza still pitching. Howard strikes out, Burrell base hit to LF breaking no hitter. Jenkins HR to RF, two runs score Phillies 3-0. Jenkins is going to be a good additon to very heavy htting lineup. Feliz flies to LF, Coste grounds to SS. Both pitchers have really been pitching well the score does not reflect the pitching.
Top of 5th.Gomes strikes out, Navarro grounds to 3B, Longora HR to LF 3-1 Philies. First hit against Hamels. Brignac base hit to RF, runner on 1B, steals second on first pitch... old Toronto friend Fred McGriff is first base coach for Rays.Weber flies out to left centre.
Bottom of 5th. Hanmels at bat flies to LF, Rollins stretches out a single into a double and on errant throw goes to 3B, speed kills... Victorino sac fly to RF, Rollins scores. 4-1 Phillies, Utley fly ball to RF lost in background by fielder, Utley on at 1B, Hamels grounds to SS, fielder's choice at 2B.
Top of 6th. Garza nice base hit to RF. Error at 2B, Johnson dribbler down 3B, out at 1B. Crawford strikes out, Pena grounds to 2B. Hamels six innings two hits seven strikeouts. VERY nice. Bottom of 6th. Garza still pitching despite being out on base for last ten minutes as lead off and has been out on field since bottom of 5th inning. Will this affect him at all ? it is very hot out there.Burrell strikes out, Jenkins walks, Garza tiring ? Feliz drives to 3B great play and doubles up Jenkins at 1B. Now Garza can hit the showers he should not be upset at this game. Six innings four hits three strikeouts.
Top of 7th. Castro pitching. Gomes walks, Navarro doubles to LF, Longoria walks, bases loaded, you can't give these Rays any small advantage. Brignac sac fly to RF Gomes scores, Navarro on throw to 3B. 4-2 Phillies. Weber grounds to SS double play. Breathe again Phillies fans.
Bottom of 7th. Rays pitcher Miller sidearm delivery. Coste fly ball to RF, Snelling walks. Maddon out to change pitchers quickly, unusual in Spring to see this. The only other time I have seen this was for injury but it seems the custom to let the pitcher get out of trouble and leave them in until end of inning, BUT Maddon is making a statement with this Rays side this Spring. New pitcher Howell, Smith pops o SS, Olmeda attempts bunt ? with two out strikes out.
Top of 8th. Gary Knotts pitching Giminez grounds to 1B, Hinske (yes Eric of Toronto fame, now with the Rays) grounds to 2B, Rodriguez dribbler down 1B Knotts collects it himself for out.
Bottom of 8th.Howell pitching for Rays, Jaysen Werth (this is like a Jays reunion) strikes out, Bruntlett, strikes out, Dobbs grounds to SS.
Top of 9th. Madson pitching Richards at bat fly ball to LF, Joel Guzman pop up to 1B, Josh Paul flies out to CF.Phillies win a very good entertaining game.
Although Rays lose I still maintain they are a very different team in 2008 and beware any team in the East who takes them lightly.
Phillies: 4 runs, 4 hits and 1 error Rays: 2 runs, 4 hits and 2 errors with game ending temperature 82F.
Tonight major Jays fan flying in from Vancouver to join me for three games... should be an interesting week ahead, I am looking forward to it and seeing whether or not the Jays really are serious...
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Jays away in Bradenton. Pittsburgh 4-Toronto 1.
Burnett allowed four runs and four hits in four innings for Toronto. He also walked four and struck out none.
Bullpen of Gallo, Ryan, Accardo and League finished off with four innings of scoreless ball.
Five hits for Jays, Eckstein, Scutaro, Thomas, Hill and yet another Overbay double.
Reed Johnson scored Toronto's only rbi with sacrifice fly in the 9th.
Frank gets a hit ??? Frustrating to watch him this Spring, flailing away just like last year until May, June ??? Surely there is a solution.. But if he finishes with 100 rbis is anyone complaining, but it must bug people like Stairs.
Zach Duke pitched five scoreless innings Monday allowing only three hits, struck out one and walked none. Duke was bothered by elbow tendinitis throughout much of last season and went 3-8 with a 5.53 ERA in 20 games. He is pitching without pain this spring."Being healthy makes all the difference in the world," Duke said. "You can't even begin to understand what a difference it makes to be able to get full extension with your arm and be able to finish your pitches.''
Since giving up five runs in two innings by Cincinnati in his spring debut, Duke has given up just two runs in 12 innings in his last three starts."I thought Zach pitched really well," Pittsburgh manager John Russell said. "His sinker was really good and he complemented by throwing all of his other pitches for strikes.''
Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan pitched one scoreless inning for the second time this spring."I was sore and didn't feel as sharp as I was my first time out," Ryan said. "But I made some good pitches and battled through it and put up a zero.''
Freddy Sanchez, Jason Bay and Nate McLouth each drove in a run for Pittsburgh.Notes:
Toronto Armando Benitez, who agreed to a minor league deal last week, could appear in a major league game as soon as Friday. Yankees are at Knology Park on Thursday so they may hold him back until after that game.
Phillies, Monday March 17, 2008 at Bright House Field. Phillies and Cleveland Indians.
Huge crowd another sell-out and great weather. 77F at game time.St Patrick's day, a mass of green, must be some Irish in Philadelphia :)
Lineups:
Phillies: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Feliz, Werth, Ruiz and Durbin pitching.
Indians: Cabrera, Dellucci, Peralta, Martinez, Garko, Francisco, Marte, Snyder and Lee pitching. National League rules no DH.
The game:Top of 1st. Cabrera base hit to first error by pitcher on throw to 1st Cabrera on 2B. Dellucci walks, Peralta flies to CF, runners hold. Martinez long fly out to left centre, Garko flies to CF. Durbin escapes damage.
Bottom of 1st Rollins grounds to SS, Victorino single to shallow left, Utley at bat Lee throws ball away, Victorino tries for third and is thrown out by great throw. Manager argues that ball under tarp is two bases, loses argument. Utley triple off right field wall, expensive mistake by Victorino, Howard at bat strikes out.
Top of 2nd. Francisco single to left, Marte pop up to shallow RF Snyder shatters bat in double play ball.
Bottom of 2nd Burrell strikes out on nasty pitch from Lee, Feliz grounds to SS, 2 out. Werth lines base hit to RF , Werth moves to 2B on ball in front of catcher. Ruiz lines to LF drops ball, Werth scores 1-0. Durbin on base with high bouncer to SS. Ruiz to 2nd. Two on for Rollins and two out. Rollins lines bouncer at 3B who cannot handle, run scores 2-0. Rollins on 2nd Durbin on 3rd. error on play at 3B, Victorino does exactly same play but no error at3B, Durbin and Rollins runs cross, 4-0 Phillies. Victorino 2rbis and on 2B, Marte at 3B having rough day... Bloop into RF centre, Victorino scores 5-0, Howard with defensive shift on flies to LF. 5-0 Phillies on 8 hits. Big inning for Phillies, crowd very happy.
Top of 3rd. Lee batting, flies to shallow CF, Cabrera grounds to 2B. Dellucci high fly ball Rollins makes catch at 2B
Bottom of 3rd. Burrell base hit to CF, Feliz a bullet liner to 1B doubles up Burrell. Werth high fly ball to LF.
Top of 4th. Peralta double to LF Martinez grounds to SS Peralta to 3B, Garko one on one out grounds to SS, Peralta scores 5-1, Francisco flies to RF.
Bottom of 4th Ruiz hit to Peralta, unable to throw to 1B. Durbin bunting pops up to catcher Martinez, Rollins double to LF, Ruiz on 3B Victorino lines to CF Ruiz scores Rollins holds at 2B. 6-1 Phillies, Utley walks, Howard grounds to 2B.
Top of 5th. Marte walks, Snyder pops up behind 3B, Aaron Herr pinch hitting, two run blast to LF. 6-3. Cabrera rolls one out to 2B, Dellucci strikes out. Now 81F...
Bottom of 5th. New pitcher for Indians Kobayashi.Burrell walks, Feliz grounds to 3B force at 2B. not in time for double play, Feliz at 1B. Werth pops to 2B, Ruiz lines to LF.
Top of 6th. Condrey pitching for Phillies, Peralta base hit to LF. Martinez grounds to 2B double play. Garko grounds ot 2B.
Bottom of 6th. Belancourt pitching for Indians. Bruntlett strikes out, Taguchi strikes out, Olmeda strikes out.
Top of 7th. Romero pitching for Phillies. Francisco grounds to SS. fan makes great catch holding three bottles, the beer is saved. biggest cheer of the day. Marte walks, Snyder grounds into double play.
Bottom of 7th. Crowd thinning now, it is very hot out there especially in the berm areas. Guy proposes on his knee at 3B she accepts more cheers....this is St Patricks day... I wonder what would have happened if she had said no ???
Snelling strikes out but on base as ball goes to the backstop. Casey Smith strikes out, Burrell strikes out, Feliz also strikes out. Nice inning by Betancourt
Top of 8th. Darensbourg pitching for Phillies. Jamey Carroll strikes out, Cabrera walks, Dellucci double play.
Bottom of 8th. Elarton pitching. Wes Helms walks, Ruiz wild pitch over Ruiz's head Helms moves to 2B. Pitcher in discomfort and is out of game. Replacement Ruiz on 3-1 count. Base hit to RF. Helms to 3B two on.Brintlett hit by pitch, bases loaded none out. Taguchi grounds to 3B gets lead runner at home plate, bases still loaded. Olmedo pops to SS. Snelling bases still loaded, flies to RF. Terrible inning bases loaded none out could not add to score.
Attendance announced at 10,119 second largest crowd ever at Spring training for Phillies. Lots of families here this week as March break for those south of border.
Top of 9th. Gordon pitching. Jason Tyner strikes out, Martinez doubles off top of LF wall, umpire calls HR no dispute from Phillies. 6-4 Phillies. Garko long fly ball to wall caught up against wall. Francisco grounds to 3B.
Phillies win 6-4 on 12 hits and 6 for Indians.
Game ending temperature is 82F ! at 3.45pm. Sorry Ontario....
Burnett allowed four runs and four hits in four innings for Toronto. He also walked four and struck out none.
Bullpen of Gallo, Ryan, Accardo and League finished off with four innings of scoreless ball.
Five hits for Jays, Eckstein, Scutaro, Thomas, Hill and yet another Overbay double.
Reed Johnson scored Toronto's only rbi with sacrifice fly in the 9th.
Frank gets a hit ??? Frustrating to watch him this Spring, flailing away just like last year until May, June ??? Surely there is a solution.. But if he finishes with 100 rbis is anyone complaining, but it must bug people like Stairs.
Zach Duke pitched five scoreless innings Monday allowing only three hits, struck out one and walked none. Duke was bothered by elbow tendinitis throughout much of last season and went 3-8 with a 5.53 ERA in 20 games. He is pitching without pain this spring."Being healthy makes all the difference in the world," Duke said. "You can't even begin to understand what a difference it makes to be able to get full extension with your arm and be able to finish your pitches.''
Since giving up five runs in two innings by Cincinnati in his spring debut, Duke has given up just two runs in 12 innings in his last three starts."I thought Zach pitched really well," Pittsburgh manager John Russell said. "His sinker was really good and he complemented by throwing all of his other pitches for strikes.''
Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan pitched one scoreless inning for the second time this spring."I was sore and didn't feel as sharp as I was my first time out," Ryan said. "But I made some good pitches and battled through it and put up a zero.''
Freddy Sanchez, Jason Bay and Nate McLouth each drove in a run for Pittsburgh.Notes:
Toronto Armando Benitez, who agreed to a minor league deal last week, could appear in a major league game as soon as Friday. Yankees are at Knology Park on Thursday so they may hold him back until after that game.
Phillies, Monday March 17, 2008 at Bright House Field. Phillies and Cleveland Indians.
Huge crowd another sell-out and great weather. 77F at game time.St Patrick's day, a mass of green, must be some Irish in Philadelphia :)
Lineups:
Phillies: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Feliz, Werth, Ruiz and Durbin pitching.
Indians: Cabrera, Dellucci, Peralta, Martinez, Garko, Francisco, Marte, Snyder and Lee pitching. National League rules no DH.
The game:Top of 1st. Cabrera base hit to first error by pitcher on throw to 1st Cabrera on 2B. Dellucci walks, Peralta flies to CF, runners hold. Martinez long fly out to left centre, Garko flies to CF. Durbin escapes damage.
Bottom of 1st Rollins grounds to SS, Victorino single to shallow left, Utley at bat Lee throws ball away, Victorino tries for third and is thrown out by great throw. Manager argues that ball under tarp is two bases, loses argument. Utley triple off right field wall, expensive mistake by Victorino, Howard at bat strikes out.
Top of 2nd. Francisco single to left, Marte pop up to shallow RF Snyder shatters bat in double play ball.
Bottom of 2nd Burrell strikes out on nasty pitch from Lee, Feliz grounds to SS, 2 out. Werth lines base hit to RF , Werth moves to 2B on ball in front of catcher. Ruiz lines to LF drops ball, Werth scores 1-0. Durbin on base with high bouncer to SS. Ruiz to 2nd. Two on for Rollins and two out. Rollins lines bouncer at 3B who cannot handle, run scores 2-0. Rollins on 2nd Durbin on 3rd. error on play at 3B, Victorino does exactly same play but no error at3B, Durbin and Rollins runs cross, 4-0 Phillies. Victorino 2rbis and on 2B, Marte at 3B having rough day... Bloop into RF centre, Victorino scores 5-0, Howard with defensive shift on flies to LF. 5-0 Phillies on 8 hits. Big inning for Phillies, crowd very happy.
Top of 3rd. Lee batting, flies to shallow CF, Cabrera grounds to 2B. Dellucci high fly ball Rollins makes catch at 2B
Bottom of 3rd. Burrell base hit to CF, Feliz a bullet liner to 1B doubles up Burrell. Werth high fly ball to LF.
Top of 4th. Peralta double to LF Martinez grounds to SS Peralta to 3B, Garko one on one out grounds to SS, Peralta scores 5-1, Francisco flies to RF.
Bottom of 4th Ruiz hit to Peralta, unable to throw to 1B. Durbin bunting pops up to catcher Martinez, Rollins double to LF, Ruiz on 3B Victorino lines to CF Ruiz scores Rollins holds at 2B. 6-1 Phillies, Utley walks, Howard grounds to 2B.
Top of 5th. Marte walks, Snyder pops up behind 3B, Aaron Herr pinch hitting, two run blast to LF. 6-3. Cabrera rolls one out to 2B, Dellucci strikes out. Now 81F...
Bottom of 5th. New pitcher for Indians Kobayashi.Burrell walks, Feliz grounds to 3B force at 2B. not in time for double play, Feliz at 1B. Werth pops to 2B, Ruiz lines to LF.
Top of 6th. Condrey pitching for Phillies, Peralta base hit to LF. Martinez grounds to 2B double play. Garko grounds ot 2B.
Bottom of 6th. Belancourt pitching for Indians. Bruntlett strikes out, Taguchi strikes out, Olmeda strikes out.
Top of 7th. Romero pitching for Phillies. Francisco grounds to SS. fan makes great catch holding three bottles, the beer is saved. biggest cheer of the day. Marte walks, Snyder grounds into double play.
Bottom of 7th. Crowd thinning now, it is very hot out there especially in the berm areas. Guy proposes on his knee at 3B she accepts more cheers....this is St Patricks day... I wonder what would have happened if she had said no ???
Snelling strikes out but on base as ball goes to the backstop. Casey Smith strikes out, Burrell strikes out, Feliz also strikes out. Nice inning by Betancourt
Top of 8th. Darensbourg pitching for Phillies. Jamey Carroll strikes out, Cabrera walks, Dellucci double play.
Bottom of 8th. Elarton pitching. Wes Helms walks, Ruiz wild pitch over Ruiz's head Helms moves to 2B. Pitcher in discomfort and is out of game. Replacement Ruiz on 3-1 count. Base hit to RF. Helms to 3B two on.Brintlett hit by pitch, bases loaded none out. Taguchi grounds to 3B gets lead runner at home plate, bases still loaded. Olmedo pops to SS. Snelling bases still loaded, flies to RF. Terrible inning bases loaded none out could not add to score.
Attendance announced at 10,119 second largest crowd ever at Spring training for Phillies. Lots of families here this week as March break for those south of border.
Top of 9th. Gordon pitching. Jason Tyner strikes out, Martinez doubles off top of LF wall, umpire calls HR no dispute from Phillies. 6-4 Phillies. Garko long fly ball to wall caught up against wall. Francisco grounds to 3B.
Phillies win 6-4 on 12 hits and 6 for Indians.
Game ending temperature is 82F ! at 3.45pm. Sorry Ontario....
Monday, March 17, 2008
Michelle Smith ? Gaylord Perry and Maris.
Jays away at Fort Myers
Toronto 8 Minnesota 3.
Good win for Jays with McGowan pitching five innings and three runs on seven hits for the win.
A 14 hit game for the bats.
Johnny Mac had three singles and also walked, Marco Scutaro a two-run double. Barajas, Butler also had doubles. Catcher Brian Jeroloman had three hits, including a double and two RBI.
Major change of Toronto the big running game ? Luna, Shoffit and McDonald all had stolen bases...Johnny Mac was also caught stealing...
Toronto bullpen once again solid with Carlson, Wells and Nelson giving four one hit innings of relief.
Canadian Justin Morneau also added two hits and knocked in a run.
Livan Hernandez yielded six runs on nine hits over four-plus innings in his first start of the spring.
Blogmeister went to Legends Game at Bright House Field.
Hosted by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni this has become an annual Spring event in Clearwater.
Preceded by a clinic for 250 young children in the afternoon by eight differetn players each coaching specific skills. batting practice proved that Mark Whittten still has the power although slower bat speed, former Yankee Marty Rogosky hooking every ball foul into left field and sure enough in th game flies to left. Many of the legends were steps slower both in the field and pitching but who noticed. This was a game for the purists and nostalgia buffs. All the money raised was for children's hospital foundation. There were silent auctions, raffles and autographs signing to round out the event.
American League team: Manager Jeff Torburg. (with Ron Diaz local tv personality) Mike Alstott, (Tampa Bucs) Wade Boggs, Matt Bryant, Bert Campanaris, Doug Creek, Mike Cuellar, John Doherty, Dick Drago, Ryne Duyren, Colin Egglesfield, Lenny Faedo, Bob Feller, Rollie Fingers, Jerry Fosnow, Mudcat Grant, Jim Hannan,Mike Heath, Darold Knowlees, Eric Lally, Ron LeFlore, Jason Mauloni, Gene Michael, John O'Donoghue, Dave Osterberg, Mike Proly, Marty Rogowsky, Richie Sceinblum, Billy Simons, Bobby Thigpen,(father of Curtis), Jon Warden and former Jay Mark Whiten.
National League: Manager Danny Ozark. (with Ian Beckles local tv personality) Tarry Allvord, Zachary Ty Bryan (Home Improvement), Bill Campbell, Orestes Destrade, Doug Drabek,, Darrell Evans, Rick Folkers, Bob Firsch, Ken Frailing, Von Hayes, Ferguson Jenkins. Ray Judy, Francis Scott Key, Dace Kingman, Steve Lennon, Kevin Maris ( son of Roger ) Daniel Lee Martin, Michael McCoy, Gaylord Perry, Denis Phillips, Michael Pittman (Tampa Buc), Ron Robinson, Joe Sambito, Elton Shaw, Michele Smith, Mathew Sommerville, Michael Spurlock (Tampa Buc), Brian Tollberg, Pat Williams and Robin Zander.
The game itself was a blast from the past. When would you ever see Gaylord Perry pitching to Wade Boggs ? or Bob Feller who pitched in 1948 ? Most of the crowd were not born when most of the legends were playing but it was very entertaining.
National league win in bottom of 7th 3-2 after losing most of the game 2-0. Gaylord Perry and Bob Feller pitching were the highlights for me but also the National ringer in the 4th with Michelle Smith USA gold medallist fast ball pitcher, struck out the side including Mark Whitten. This woman can really pitch, pitching from shortened mound the batters had no answer to her and most did not even touch her pitches.
Kevin Maris had a hit to delight of crowd, the Bucs also did well, obviously great all round athletes, Spurlock showed his fantastic speed beating out throw to first. For the rest Jon Warden was the comic relief throughout and also losing pitcher in 7th!, Zachary Ty Bryan was teamed with Wade Boggs in Home Run competition and did extremely well, obviously played before !
Fun to see Bobby Thigpen pitching to Darrell Evans. Wade Boggs didn't disappoint with the only home run of the evening.
The evening was rounded out by singing appearance of John Ridriguez the singing policeman from New York. The US Army baseball team played for both sides. Army colour guard paraded flags.
It was an evening dripping with sentimentality but ghosts of the past and a pastiche of the American national game and perfect combination for spring training in Florida.
Toronto 8 Minnesota 3.
Good win for Jays with McGowan pitching five innings and three runs on seven hits for the win.
A 14 hit game for the bats.
Johnny Mac had three singles and also walked, Marco Scutaro a two-run double. Barajas, Butler also had doubles. Catcher Brian Jeroloman had three hits, including a double and two RBI.
Major change of Toronto the big running game ? Luna, Shoffit and McDonald all had stolen bases...Johnny Mac was also caught stealing...
Toronto bullpen once again solid with Carlson, Wells and Nelson giving four one hit innings of relief.
Canadian Justin Morneau also added two hits and knocked in a run.
Livan Hernandez yielded six runs on nine hits over four-plus innings in his first start of the spring.
Blogmeister went to Legends Game at Bright House Field.
Hosted by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni this has become an annual Spring event in Clearwater.
Preceded by a clinic for 250 young children in the afternoon by eight differetn players each coaching specific skills. batting practice proved that Mark Whittten still has the power although slower bat speed, former Yankee Marty Rogosky hooking every ball foul into left field and sure enough in th game flies to left. Many of the legends were steps slower both in the field and pitching but who noticed. This was a game for the purists and nostalgia buffs. All the money raised was for children's hospital foundation. There were silent auctions, raffles and autographs signing to round out the event.
American League team: Manager Jeff Torburg. (with Ron Diaz local tv personality) Mike Alstott, (Tampa Bucs) Wade Boggs, Matt Bryant, Bert Campanaris, Doug Creek, Mike Cuellar, John Doherty, Dick Drago, Ryne Duyren, Colin Egglesfield, Lenny Faedo, Bob Feller, Rollie Fingers, Jerry Fosnow, Mudcat Grant, Jim Hannan,Mike Heath, Darold Knowlees, Eric Lally, Ron LeFlore, Jason Mauloni, Gene Michael, John O'Donoghue, Dave Osterberg, Mike Proly, Marty Rogowsky, Richie Sceinblum, Billy Simons, Bobby Thigpen,(father of Curtis), Jon Warden and former Jay Mark Whiten.
National League: Manager Danny Ozark. (with Ian Beckles local tv personality) Tarry Allvord, Zachary Ty Bryan (Home Improvement), Bill Campbell, Orestes Destrade, Doug Drabek,, Darrell Evans, Rick Folkers, Bob Firsch, Ken Frailing, Von Hayes, Ferguson Jenkins. Ray Judy, Francis Scott Key, Dace Kingman, Steve Lennon, Kevin Maris ( son of Roger ) Daniel Lee Martin, Michael McCoy, Gaylord Perry, Denis Phillips, Michael Pittman (Tampa Buc), Ron Robinson, Joe Sambito, Elton Shaw, Michele Smith, Mathew Sommerville, Michael Spurlock (Tampa Buc), Brian Tollberg, Pat Williams and Robin Zander.
The game itself was a blast from the past. When would you ever see Gaylord Perry pitching to Wade Boggs ? or Bob Feller who pitched in 1948 ? Most of the crowd were not born when most of the legends were playing but it was very entertaining.
National league win in bottom of 7th 3-2 after losing most of the game 2-0. Gaylord Perry and Bob Feller pitching were the highlights for me but also the National ringer in the 4th with Michelle Smith USA gold medallist fast ball pitcher, struck out the side including Mark Whitten. This woman can really pitch, pitching from shortened mound the batters had no answer to her and most did not even touch her pitches.
Kevin Maris had a hit to delight of crowd, the Bucs also did well, obviously great all round athletes, Spurlock showed his fantastic speed beating out throw to first. For the rest Jon Warden was the comic relief throughout and also losing pitcher in 7th!, Zachary Ty Bryan was teamed with Wade Boggs in Home Run competition and did extremely well, obviously played before !
Fun to see Bobby Thigpen pitching to Darrell Evans. Wade Boggs didn't disappoint with the only home run of the evening.
The evening was rounded out by singing appearance of John Ridriguez the singing policeman from New York. The US Army baseball team played for both sides. Army colour guard paraded flags.
It was an evening dripping with sentimentality but ghosts of the past and a pastiche of the American national game and perfect combination for spring training in Florida.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
A win and some cuts
Jays 4 Pirates 1.
Nice win on a very windy and HOT day in Dunedin... After all that cool rain yesterday temperatures are in the 80's today and the winds are constant...
Good: Hallady pitching, hitting Overbay, Stairs and the cannon from Cannon.
Game lineups
Pirates: Morgan, McCutchen, Gomez, Nady, Paulino, Walker, Bixler, Chavez, Wilson and pitching Snell.
Jays: Eckstein, Rios, Wells, Rolen, Thomas, Stairs, Overbay, Hill, Zaun and Halladay pitching.
Jays have their first team out today.
Top of 1st. Halladay pitching well. Grounder to 2B one down, Grounder to 3B two down grounds to 2B. Three up and down. Roy keeping it down. Smart guy on a day like today with that wind.
Bottom of 1st. Eckstein grounds to 3B, Rios double off RF wall, Wells flies to LF, Rolen walks, two one two out. Thomas high pop up to shallow centre... wasted opportunity already.
Top of 2nd. Strikeout, base hit to right one on one out, Fly ball to centre two down, grounds to SS another fine inning for Halladay.
Bottom of 2nd. Stairs strikes out. Overbay double to CF, same as yseterday,Lyle is starting to get in that double groove. Hill walks, two on. Zaun hit and run stays out of double play but Zaun out. Two in scoring position for Eckstein flies to RF... three already left in scoring position in first two innings.
Top of 3rd. Grounder to 1B, base hit to centre, strike out, two out. Fly ball to Wells in CF. another good inning by Halladay. in the groove today.
Bottom of 3rd. Rios full count flies to CF, will not go out in this wind. Wells single, right centre, Wells on first for Rolen double to left. Runners at second and third yet again. Thomas at bat strikes out. Ouch... Stairs double off right centre wall finally, two runs score.
Overbay strikes out but Jays 2-0. Could be many more by now.
Top of 4th. Halladay still pitching. Ground ball to 3B, strike out and ground ball to 3B... fine inning yet again for Halladay.
Bottom of 4th. Hill line drive out to LF, Zaun strikes out, Eckstein grounds to SS. Three up and down.
Top of 5th. Halladay again.. Stewart in LF for Stairs. Base hit to right centre, nice cut off by Wells to save double, Base hit to left two on and first sign of trouble for Halladay, bunt to Halladay throw to 3B gets lead runner, strikeout and ground ball to Hill at 2B ends inning.
Bottom of 5th. Rios very hot hit to 3B no chance, hot hit by Wells to 2b another error, two on. Rolen double play, Rios at third Thomas at bat... strike out... Not a good day at the park for Thomas... yet another Jay left in scoring position.
Top of 6th. Luna in at 3B, Sanchez in at SS, Watson in RF and Reed Johnson at CF. Frasor now pitching... Oh no.... watch the clock...
Base hit to CF, Pop up to Sanchez, stolen base what a surprise ! with Frasor pitching, has to be the slowest pitcher in the majors... Walks the next batter, no surprise here, double steal imminent. Frasor saves the day with two strikeouts. He has great stuff but takes forever to get it across especially with runners on. Must drive coaches crazy.
Bottom of 6th. Stewart lead off grounds to SS but Shannon is seeing ball much better than two weeks ago, his hittin at bp was really in the groove. Overbay single to right, this guy also is seeing ball well now. Perhaps one of them can talk to Frank.. Cannon pinch running for Overbay almost gets picked off, Hill strikes out, Zaun pops up to SS.
Top of 7th. Wolfe now pitching, Single to left, Pop up to Zaun, one out. Base hit to LF. Two on.
Grounds to 1B, runnesr at second and third, two out. Strike out. Wolfe gets out of trouble.
Bottom of 7th. Sancghez strikes out, Watson flies to left. Reed bullet double down left field line, Luna flies out to RF.
Top of 8th. Wolfe still pitching. Bouncer to 2B, one down, HR to CF, finall one gets out.. 2-1 Jays. 8 hits each but two errors costly for Pirates. Grounder to SS, Pop up to 3B and Wolfe out of more trouble.
Bottom of 8th. Thomas !!! still in the game... needs the practice badly.. another fly ball to shallow centre, still needs the practice.. I hope we are not going to get last years "slow starter" stuff. Very frustrating to watch with all the runners in scoring position.Stewart first pitch swinging, pops up. Two down and Cannon connects, and I mean connects, HR over RF wall. Great hit. 3-1 Jays.
Gutierez loop single Kratz now catching double off wall in right centre, Gutierez scores 4-1 Jays. Two runs from the young guys with two outs. Sanvhez grounds to 1B. Jays 10 hits Pirates 8 hits and two errors.
Top of 9th Shawn Kemp pitching. Error at SS. Base hit to left field two on no one out, trouble brewing.... Double play ball, and liner to Shannon in left finishes it off.
Jays win.
The cuts.... Rumours before the game were that Lind and Coats had gone and that Reed was on the trading block. JP was in media scrum but there were no official announcements. Lind and Coats have been great this spring, hitting consistently. The only reason they are going down is to give them daily games rather than sitting on bench in Toronto. Both these guys are ready for majors. Reed is the odd one out. Stewart and Stairs are both playing so well the outfield is a traffic jam. Maybe Reed's back is still not 100%. but he is not number one right now in left.
Nice win on a very windy and HOT day in Dunedin... After all that cool rain yesterday temperatures are in the 80's today and the winds are constant...
Good: Hallady pitching, hitting Overbay, Stairs and the cannon from Cannon.
Game lineups
Pirates: Morgan, McCutchen, Gomez, Nady, Paulino, Walker, Bixler, Chavez, Wilson and pitching Snell.
Jays: Eckstein, Rios, Wells, Rolen, Thomas, Stairs, Overbay, Hill, Zaun and Halladay pitching.
Jays have their first team out today.
Top of 1st. Halladay pitching well. Grounder to 2B one down, Grounder to 3B two down grounds to 2B. Three up and down. Roy keeping it down. Smart guy on a day like today with that wind.
Bottom of 1st. Eckstein grounds to 3B, Rios double off RF wall, Wells flies to LF, Rolen walks, two one two out. Thomas high pop up to shallow centre... wasted opportunity already.
Top of 2nd. Strikeout, base hit to right one on one out, Fly ball to centre two down, grounds to SS another fine inning for Halladay.
Bottom of 2nd. Stairs strikes out. Overbay double to CF, same as yseterday,Lyle is starting to get in that double groove. Hill walks, two on. Zaun hit and run stays out of double play but Zaun out. Two in scoring position for Eckstein flies to RF... three already left in scoring position in first two innings.
Top of 3rd. Grounder to 1B, base hit to centre, strike out, two out. Fly ball to Wells in CF. another good inning by Halladay. in the groove today.
Bottom of 3rd. Rios full count flies to CF, will not go out in this wind. Wells single, right centre, Wells on first for Rolen double to left. Runners at second and third yet again. Thomas at bat strikes out. Ouch... Stairs double off right centre wall finally, two runs score.
Overbay strikes out but Jays 2-0. Could be many more by now.
Top of 4th. Halladay still pitching. Ground ball to 3B, strike out and ground ball to 3B... fine inning yet again for Halladay.
Bottom of 4th. Hill line drive out to LF, Zaun strikes out, Eckstein grounds to SS. Three up and down.
Top of 5th. Halladay again.. Stewart in LF for Stairs. Base hit to right centre, nice cut off by Wells to save double, Base hit to left two on and first sign of trouble for Halladay, bunt to Halladay throw to 3B gets lead runner, strikeout and ground ball to Hill at 2B ends inning.
Bottom of 5th. Rios very hot hit to 3B no chance, hot hit by Wells to 2b another error, two on. Rolen double play, Rios at third Thomas at bat... strike out... Not a good day at the park for Thomas... yet another Jay left in scoring position.
Top of 6th. Luna in at 3B, Sanchez in at SS, Watson in RF and Reed Johnson at CF. Frasor now pitching... Oh no.... watch the clock...
Base hit to CF, Pop up to Sanchez, stolen base what a surprise ! with Frasor pitching, has to be the slowest pitcher in the majors... Walks the next batter, no surprise here, double steal imminent. Frasor saves the day with two strikeouts. He has great stuff but takes forever to get it across especially with runners on. Must drive coaches crazy.
Bottom of 6th. Stewart lead off grounds to SS but Shannon is seeing ball much better than two weeks ago, his hittin at bp was really in the groove. Overbay single to right, this guy also is seeing ball well now. Perhaps one of them can talk to Frank.. Cannon pinch running for Overbay almost gets picked off, Hill strikes out, Zaun pops up to SS.
Top of 7th. Wolfe now pitching, Single to left, Pop up to Zaun, one out. Base hit to LF. Two on.
Grounds to 1B, runnesr at second and third, two out. Strike out. Wolfe gets out of trouble.
Bottom of 7th. Sancghez strikes out, Watson flies to left. Reed bullet double down left field line, Luna flies out to RF.
Top of 8th. Wolfe still pitching. Bouncer to 2B, one down, HR to CF, finall one gets out.. 2-1 Jays. 8 hits each but two errors costly for Pirates. Grounder to SS, Pop up to 3B and Wolfe out of more trouble.
Bottom of 8th. Thomas !!! still in the game... needs the practice badly.. another fly ball to shallow centre, still needs the practice.. I hope we are not going to get last years "slow starter" stuff. Very frustrating to watch with all the runners in scoring position.Stewart first pitch swinging, pops up. Two down and Cannon connects, and I mean connects, HR over RF wall. Great hit. 3-1 Jays.
Gutierez loop single Kratz now catching double off wall in right centre, Gutierez scores 4-1 Jays. Two runs from the young guys with two outs. Sanvhez grounds to 1B. Jays 10 hits Pirates 8 hits and two errors.
Top of 9th Shawn Kemp pitching. Error at SS. Base hit to left field two on no one out, trouble brewing.... Double play ball, and liner to Shannon in left finishes it off.
Jays win.
The cuts.... Rumours before the game were that Lind and Coats had gone and that Reed was on the trading block. JP was in media scrum but there were no official announcements. Lind and Coats have been great this spring, hitting consistently. The only reason they are going down is to give them daily games rather than sitting on bench in Toronto. Both these guys are ready for majors. Reed is the odd one out. Stewart and Stairs are both playing so well the outfield is a traffic jam. Maybe Reed's back is still not 100%. but he is not number one right now in left.
A hitter, pitcher and team to watch
Jays on the road to the Rays.
Jays 4 Rays 8
The very good: BJ Ryan's first (game) inning since surgery last April 14th . An amazing return before predicted.
Pitches one inning, two strikeouts.
In his words ""We didn't hold anything back. We moved it around both sides of the plate, threw a couple of good breaking balls and a couple of crummy ones. But I figured that's what was going to happen." Great news for Jays. It will be a couple of days before the physical reaction but great to see.
The rest of the game was not too good. Jesse Litsch not a great outing but not bad either.
4 and 2/3 innings 3 unearned runs but control was missing with the three walks.
Scott Downs and Accardo continued their great spring but Tallett was tagged for four earned runs, a hbp and the game.
Doubles from Wells, Overbay and Hisnke ! (for the Rays) and HR from Rios.
Rays phenom third base Evan Longoria hit the two run home run in the eighth and is batting .333 with 7 rbis in 24 at bats this spring.
A game to be remembered for Jays fans for Ryan's return.
Meantime over at Bright Field House... Atlanta hammered the Phillies. 9-1.
Although rain delayed the start and continued throughout the game Atlanta came out hitting.... Grand slam in second by Yunel Escobar and three run homer in third by Scott Thurman put this one away early.
Rosario trying for the fifth spot in rotation did not help matters by two walks and two hit batters.
Very erratic and ineffective but he was followed by equally erratic and ineffective Youman.
The Braves had twelve hits but two of them accounted for seven of the nine runs. It seemed as if every bat was on base. Dobbs relied with his single HR in the second but that was it from the Phillies.
Great disappointment to yet another sell-out crowd at Bright.
The hitter.... a guy named Francouer... Braves RF.
Watch for this guy Jays fans when the Braves hit Toronto later this season.... he is the hardest hitter I have seen this spring. In bp he hit more moonshot home runs than I have seen in bp this spring and I mean moonshots. Didn't miss a hit. Almost every other hit was out of the park, the others merely hit the roof of Frenchys in left field. Watch that fifth deck in left field when this guy gets to Toronto.
Jays 4 Rays 8
The very good: BJ Ryan's first (game) inning since surgery last April 14th . An amazing return before predicted.
Pitches one inning, two strikeouts.
In his words ""We didn't hold anything back. We moved it around both sides of the plate, threw a couple of good breaking balls and a couple of crummy ones. But I figured that's what was going to happen." Great news for Jays. It will be a couple of days before the physical reaction but great to see.
The rest of the game was not too good. Jesse Litsch not a great outing but not bad either.
4 and 2/3 innings 3 unearned runs but control was missing with the three walks.
Scott Downs and Accardo continued their great spring but Tallett was tagged for four earned runs, a hbp and the game.
Doubles from Wells, Overbay and Hisnke ! (for the Rays) and HR from Rios.
Rays phenom third base Evan Longoria hit the two run home run in the eighth and is batting .333 with 7 rbis in 24 at bats this spring.
A game to be remembered for Jays fans for Ryan's return.
Meantime over at Bright Field House... Atlanta hammered the Phillies. 9-1.
Although rain delayed the start and continued throughout the game Atlanta came out hitting.... Grand slam in second by Yunel Escobar and three run homer in third by Scott Thurman put this one away early.
Rosario trying for the fifth spot in rotation did not help matters by two walks and two hit batters.
Very erratic and ineffective but he was followed by equally erratic and ineffective Youman.
The Braves had twelve hits but two of them accounted for seven of the nine runs. It seemed as if every bat was on base. Dobbs relied with his single HR in the second but that was it from the Phillies.
Great disappointment to yet another sell-out crowd at Bright.
The hitter.... a guy named Francouer... Braves RF.
Watch for this guy Jays fans when the Braves hit Toronto later this season.... he is the hardest hitter I have seen this spring. In bp he hit more moonshot home runs than I have seen in bp this spring and I mean moonshots. Didn't miss a hit. Almost every other hit was out of the park, the others merely hit the roof of Frenchys in left field. Watch that fifth deck in left field when this guy gets to Toronto.
Friday, March 14, 2008
BJ day
Yesterday's game
Toronto 5 - Cleveland 9
Second team playing, no Rios, Wells, Eckstein, Rolen or Thomas.
The good: Zaun's HR and double, he has not been on fire this spring, Overbay single, Coats double, this guy is really pushing for inclusion in the 40, Reed also had double.
Not so good: Marcum and Parrish, but only one outing. I would still put my money on both of them.
Notes: Benitez has signed minor contract for $700,000 if he makes team. He could be the steal of the season...
Correction to yesterday's blog re Yankees and Rays. It was of course Elliot Johnson NOT Crawford who broke Cervelli's wrist with plate collision last week.
Tampa media today continues to still berate Girardi for hypocritical attitude towards Duncan having slammed Johnson last week. I intend to agree the situations are very different, it is very clear that Duncan had his spikes up as he went in, especially as he was already out ten feet from the bag.
Today Jays away again in St. Petersburg but this is the first chance for B J Ryan, all eyes and hopes... Litsch also pitching, he is trying to get that last spot and so far has proven far better than Chacin.
So my money on the April lineup is Halladay, Burnett, McGowan, Marcum and Litsch.
Met a fan yesterday who managed to get Overbay to sign his Brewers ! bobblehead. Said the Brewers fans wore toilet seats over their heads when Lyle was batting. Was a huge favourite in Milwaukee.
Today blogmeister's game is at Bright Field for first glimpse of Atlanta. Game is already sold out. Third sellout at Bright that I have been to, they love their baseball although winning the division title last season might help.
Toronto 5 - Cleveland 9
Second team playing, no Rios, Wells, Eckstein, Rolen or Thomas.
The good: Zaun's HR and double, he has not been on fire this spring, Overbay single, Coats double, this guy is really pushing for inclusion in the 40, Reed also had double.
Not so good: Marcum and Parrish, but only one outing. I would still put my money on both of them.
Notes: Benitez has signed minor contract for $700,000 if he makes team. He could be the steal of the season...
Correction to yesterday's blog re Yankees and Rays. It was of course Elliot Johnson NOT Crawford who broke Cervelli's wrist with plate collision last week.
Tampa media today continues to still berate Girardi for hypocritical attitude towards Duncan having slammed Johnson last week. I intend to agree the situations are very different, it is very clear that Duncan had his spikes up as he went in, especially as he was already out ten feet from the bag.
Today Jays away again in St. Petersburg but this is the first chance for B J Ryan, all eyes and hopes... Litsch also pitching, he is trying to get that last spot and so far has proven far better than Chacin.
So my money on the April lineup is Halladay, Burnett, McGowan, Marcum and Litsch.
Met a fan yesterday who managed to get Overbay to sign his Brewers ! bobblehead. Said the Brewers fans wore toilet seats over their heads when Lyle was batting. Was a huge favourite in Milwaukee.
Today blogmeister's game is at Bright Field for first glimpse of Atlanta. Game is already sold out. Third sellout at Bright that I have been to, they love their baseball although winning the division title last season might help.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Ty Cobb's been gone a long time..
More later on that one..
Yesterday double header for blogmeister.. Day game Jays Pirates at Knology Park and night game Phillies and Reds at Bright Field.
Jays 4- Pirates 1
Lineups:
Pirates: McCloth, Wilson, Sanchez, Bay, LaRoche, Nady, Paulino, Bautitista, Rivas, pitching Duke.
Jays: Eckstein,Rios, wells, Thomas, Rolen, Hill, Johnson, Barajas,Scutaro amd picthing Burnett.
The good. Burnett picthing and all the bullpen support for five scoreless innings, great fielding and Scutaro in particular, Rios bullet from right to catch LaRoche, Lind, Wells HR, Hill on base three times.
The bad: Nothing on this day...
The game: Top of 1st. Lead off double, bunt to third, Burnett settles with two strikeouts to end inning.
Bottom of 1st. Eckstein double left field line, Rios sacrifices him to 3rd. Wells ground to SS Eck scores. good small ball play. Jays 1-0 Thomas grounds to SS.
Top of 2nd : LaRoche into left field corner and tries to run on Rios... nails him... suicide and his father coaches Jays, LaRoche should have known better. Great throw by Rios.
Burnett goes 3-0 on Polino but strikes him out to end inning. Pitching well.
Bottom of 2nd. Rolen grounds to SS, Hill base hit to centre, caught stealing at second, looked to me like delayed steal he was so late leaving, Reed base hit to centre, Barajas strikes out.
Top of 3rd. two doubles and score is 1-1. Burnett walks next batter two one one out, double play to end inning. Burnett has four hits but is getting out of trouble. Still unable to throw all his pitcehs with that broken nail on his index finger, but pitching well with two pitches.
Bottom of 3rd Scutaro lines off pitchers leg, ouch, but still thrown out at first. Eckstein grounds to SS hustles but cannot beat throw, this guy can run.. Rios grounds to SS three up three down.
Top of 4th Burnett still pitching, two strike outs and a fly ball to Reed in left field. Burnett very good outing considering his finger problem.
Bottom of 4th. Wells HR to left, great hit.... 2-1 Jays. Thomas grounds to 3rd, Rolen flies to shallow right,Hill second single off the top of right wall just missing HR. This guy has made a living of that in last two seasons... Reed flies to right.
Top of 5th. Jason Frasor pitching, immediately the speed of game slows. This guy is SO slow.........
Rivas walks. McCloth single to left, Rivas speeds to 3B, two on two out, Frasor srikes out Wilson to end inning.
Bottom of 5th Barajas pops up to 1st, Scutaro pops up to 2nd, Eckstein pops up to 2B.
Top of 6th Brian Wolfe pitching. Scutaro great throw to get runner at first, Base hit to right followed by double play by Hill tagging runner and throwning out at first. Some great fielding by Jays today.
Bottom of 6th. Rios long fly to CF, Vernon grounds to SS, Frank strikes out... not the best of innings for heart of order..
Top of 7th. Lind and Lyden in for Rios and Wells. Pop up to Hill behind 1st, same play to get the second bat, Wolfe strikes out batter to end inning. Nice innings work. Bullpen is strength of this team.
Bottom of 7th. Luna in for Rolen, strikes out on horrible at bat... no threat to take Scott's job. Hill walks, great afternoon for him on base percentage has soared. Inglett pinch runner and steals second, he has redemeemd himself in blogmeisters eyes from his gaffe last week. Reed hit on full count, two on. Coats replaces Reed at first, might also be replacing him one day period. Barajas hits a bullet to SS great catch and doubles up Ingllet off second, great play.
Top of 8th. Wells pitching. First two at bats Scutaro turns two nice plays at SS, ground ball to Diaz at 3B replacing Luna. Very nice inning by Wells.
Bottom of 8th. Scutaro loop ball over 2nd, Josh Kreuzer hit by pitch, two on, Lind again base hit to right, this guy has been money in the bank this spring, 3-1 Jays. Lyden hopper to first throw at plate Kreuzer out. Watson single to centre, where do they get these minors ? Lind scores 4-1 Jays, Diaz at bat double play.
Top of 9th. Banks pitching for Jays.
Grounds to 2nd, pops up to 2nd and fly ball ot centre, this games is in the books for Jays.
Note on Janssen loss for season. I don't believe that this will hurt the Jays at all. From what I have seen to date, the bullpen has been magnificent and there is a lot of depth to cover this loss.
Now to Ty Cobb above.... the big story here in this area is the Rays and Yankees uproar, following Crawford's charge and breaking arm of Yankees catcher. Yesterday payback by Duncan with high slide into 2B drawing blood from his spikes on Iwamaura. Gomes charges from outfield on Duncan already thrown out of game by 2B umpire.
Duncan says his father had always coached him "to knock ball out of 2B glove" ! (hence the spikes on the thigh ?)
Gomes equally inane comment, "we had always been taught since T-ball !!! to watch our teammate's back" ! (sic) and yes, very sick....
These two meet twice more this Spring and 18 times in regular season.... I guess the good news is that Clemens at least is not pitching for Yankees to provide paybacks. But seriously this Rays team is young, cocky, agressive and very fast on bases. If they start off well they can provide some early upsets.
Night game at Bright Field... Reds all over Phillies 6-1. Home Runs create most of damage.
Lineups for posterity...
Reds: Hopper, Freel, Patterson, Dickerson, Philips, Hatteberg, Keppinger, Hairston Jr., Colina and pitching Arroyo.
Phillies: Rollins Dobbs,Utley, Howard,Burrell, Jenkins, Feliz, Werth (Jayson), Ruiz and pitching Madson.
Great fielding clinic by Rollins at SS. this guy is so good.
Home runs three of them, great starting pitching by both Arroyo and Madson.
So nice to watch a nigh game, this field is magnificent and had crowd of 9,300 sell-out ! This is larger crowd than some teams get in late September.
Note also: Blogmeister gets third ball of the spring, this one courtesy of Phillies pitchers as I watched warmups... thanks guys...
Yesterday double header for blogmeister.. Day game Jays Pirates at Knology Park and night game Phillies and Reds at Bright Field.
Jays 4- Pirates 1
Lineups:
Pirates: McCloth, Wilson, Sanchez, Bay, LaRoche, Nady, Paulino, Bautitista, Rivas, pitching Duke.
Jays: Eckstein,Rios, wells, Thomas, Rolen, Hill, Johnson, Barajas,Scutaro amd picthing Burnett.
The good. Burnett picthing and all the bullpen support for five scoreless innings, great fielding and Scutaro in particular, Rios bullet from right to catch LaRoche, Lind, Wells HR, Hill on base three times.
The bad: Nothing on this day...
The game: Top of 1st. Lead off double, bunt to third, Burnett settles with two strikeouts to end inning.
Bottom of 1st. Eckstein double left field line, Rios sacrifices him to 3rd. Wells ground to SS Eck scores. good small ball play. Jays 1-0 Thomas grounds to SS.
Top of 2nd : LaRoche into left field corner and tries to run on Rios... nails him... suicide and his father coaches Jays, LaRoche should have known better. Great throw by Rios.
Burnett goes 3-0 on Polino but strikes him out to end inning. Pitching well.
Bottom of 2nd. Rolen grounds to SS, Hill base hit to centre, caught stealing at second, looked to me like delayed steal he was so late leaving, Reed base hit to centre, Barajas strikes out.
Top of 3rd. two doubles and score is 1-1. Burnett walks next batter two one one out, double play to end inning. Burnett has four hits but is getting out of trouble. Still unable to throw all his pitcehs with that broken nail on his index finger, but pitching well with two pitches.
Bottom of 3rd Scutaro lines off pitchers leg, ouch, but still thrown out at first. Eckstein grounds to SS hustles but cannot beat throw, this guy can run.. Rios grounds to SS three up three down.
Top of 4th Burnett still pitching, two strike outs and a fly ball to Reed in left field. Burnett very good outing considering his finger problem.
Bottom of 4th. Wells HR to left, great hit.... 2-1 Jays. Thomas grounds to 3rd, Rolen flies to shallow right,Hill second single off the top of right wall just missing HR. This guy has made a living of that in last two seasons... Reed flies to right.
Top of 5th. Jason Frasor pitching, immediately the speed of game slows. This guy is SO slow.........
Rivas walks. McCloth single to left, Rivas speeds to 3B, two on two out, Frasor srikes out Wilson to end inning.
Bottom of 5th Barajas pops up to 1st, Scutaro pops up to 2nd, Eckstein pops up to 2B.
Top of 6th Brian Wolfe pitching. Scutaro great throw to get runner at first, Base hit to right followed by double play by Hill tagging runner and throwning out at first. Some great fielding by Jays today.
Bottom of 6th. Rios long fly to CF, Vernon grounds to SS, Frank strikes out... not the best of innings for heart of order..
Top of 7th. Lind and Lyden in for Rios and Wells. Pop up to Hill behind 1st, same play to get the second bat, Wolfe strikes out batter to end inning. Nice innings work. Bullpen is strength of this team.
Bottom of 7th. Luna in for Rolen, strikes out on horrible at bat... no threat to take Scott's job. Hill walks, great afternoon for him on base percentage has soared. Inglett pinch runner and steals second, he has redemeemd himself in blogmeisters eyes from his gaffe last week. Reed hit on full count, two on. Coats replaces Reed at first, might also be replacing him one day period. Barajas hits a bullet to SS great catch and doubles up Ingllet off second, great play.
Top of 8th. Wells pitching. First two at bats Scutaro turns two nice plays at SS, ground ball to Diaz at 3B replacing Luna. Very nice inning by Wells.
Bottom of 8th. Scutaro loop ball over 2nd, Josh Kreuzer hit by pitch, two on, Lind again base hit to right, this guy has been money in the bank this spring, 3-1 Jays. Lyden hopper to first throw at plate Kreuzer out. Watson single to centre, where do they get these minors ? Lind scores 4-1 Jays, Diaz at bat double play.
Top of 9th. Banks pitching for Jays.
Grounds to 2nd, pops up to 2nd and fly ball ot centre, this games is in the books for Jays.
Note on Janssen loss for season. I don't believe that this will hurt the Jays at all. From what I have seen to date, the bullpen has been magnificent and there is a lot of depth to cover this loss.
Now to Ty Cobb above.... the big story here in this area is the Rays and Yankees uproar, following Crawford's charge and breaking arm of Yankees catcher. Yesterday payback by Duncan with high slide into 2B drawing blood from his spikes on Iwamaura. Gomes charges from outfield on Duncan already thrown out of game by 2B umpire.
Duncan says his father had always coached him "to knock ball out of 2B glove" ! (hence the spikes on the thigh ?)
Gomes equally inane comment, "we had always been taught since T-ball !!! to watch our teammate's back" ! (sic) and yes, very sick....
These two meet twice more this Spring and 18 times in regular season.... I guess the good news is that Clemens at least is not pitching for Yankees to provide paybacks. But seriously this Rays team is young, cocky, agressive and very fast on bases. If they start off well they can provide some early upsets.
Night game at Bright Field... Reds all over Phillies 6-1. Home Runs create most of damage.
Lineups for posterity...
Reds: Hopper, Freel, Patterson, Dickerson, Philips, Hatteberg, Keppinger, Hairston Jr., Colina and pitching Arroyo.
Phillies: Rollins Dobbs,Utley, Howard,Burrell, Jenkins, Feliz, Werth (Jayson), Ruiz and pitching Madson.
Great fielding clinic by Rollins at SS. this guy is so good.
Home runs three of them, great starting pitching by both Arroyo and Madson.
So nice to watch a nigh game, this field is magnificent and had crowd of 9,300 sell-out ! This is larger crowd than some teams get in late September.
Note also: Blogmeister gets third ball of the spring, this one courtesy of Phillies pitchers as I watched warmups... thanks guys...
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Yankees, BJ and Benitez
Yesterday's game in Tampa..
NYY 6-Jays 1
The good: Stewart continues to hit, sorry Reed. Double also from Hill.
The bullpen continues to shine... Davis, Purcey, Carlson and Machi.... !!! one run in 6 innings. Davis 4 strikeouts...
The bad: Chacin continues to disappoint, the second bad outing. gives up four runs, five hits in two innings, game over.
The game:
Yankees get on Chacin immediately. First inning four runs. A-Rod HR at least it was not in Dunedin. Lane ?? (lf) adds 2 hits in 3 abs, scores twice and rbi with HR. Abreu does rest of damage with 2rbis in 2 hits, 3ab.
Wang meantime shows Chacin how with 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
Wells caught stealing. Other hits for Jays all singles. Reed, Wells, Overbay and Thigpen
One to forget...
News of Benitez siging to minor contract.. interesting if he still has it will be good insurance in bullpen. JP maintains Jays can never have enough arms.
But big news is BJ Ryan pitching tomorrow. Unfortunately it will not be at Knology Park but great news. He has pitched simulated games this spring with no ill effects so far... so if all goes well tomorrow maybe we will get to see him pitch at Knology Park later.
Interesting quote from Damon in St. Petersburg Times today. "I think the Jays may be the team to beat in our division" he said in Tampa. "I think their pitching top to bottom, is the best in both leagues, and they've made improvement. You can't predict anything. If the Rays get off to a good start, they can go with a lot of confidence. And it could be a totally different division".
( From what I have seen of Rays this spring I would agree, they could be a scary team this season. Blogmeister)
Today big double header for blogmeister... Jays and Pirates afternoon at Knology Park and Reds and Phillies this evening at Bright Networks Field. Should be an interesting day...
Trivia question. Who is the Jay dude with huge (and I mean huge) black Hummer ??? in Jays parking lot each gameday...
NYY 6-Jays 1
The good: Stewart continues to hit, sorry Reed. Double also from Hill.
The bullpen continues to shine... Davis, Purcey, Carlson and Machi.... !!! one run in 6 innings. Davis 4 strikeouts...
The bad: Chacin continues to disappoint, the second bad outing. gives up four runs, five hits in two innings, game over.
The game:
Yankees get on Chacin immediately. First inning four runs. A-Rod HR at least it was not in Dunedin. Lane ?? (lf) adds 2 hits in 3 abs, scores twice and rbi with HR. Abreu does rest of damage with 2rbis in 2 hits, 3ab.
Wang meantime shows Chacin how with 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
Wells caught stealing. Other hits for Jays all singles. Reed, Wells, Overbay and Thigpen
One to forget...
News of Benitez siging to minor contract.. interesting if he still has it will be good insurance in bullpen. JP maintains Jays can never have enough arms.
But big news is BJ Ryan pitching tomorrow. Unfortunately it will not be at Knology Park but great news. He has pitched simulated games this spring with no ill effects so far... so if all goes well tomorrow maybe we will get to see him pitch at Knology Park later.
Interesting quote from Damon in St. Petersburg Times today. "I think the Jays may be the team to beat in our division" he said in Tampa. "I think their pitching top to bottom, is the best in both leagues, and they've made improvement. You can't predict anything. If the Rays get off to a good start, they can go with a lot of confidence. And it could be a totally different division".
( From what I have seen of Rays this spring I would agree, they could be a scary team this season. Blogmeister)
Today big double header for blogmeister... Jays and Pirates afternoon at Knology Park and Reds and Phillies this evening at Bright Networks Field. Should be an interesting day...
Trivia question. Who is the Jay dude with huge (and I mean huge) black Hummer ??? in Jays parking lot each gameday...
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Report card
Yesterday's game was in Kissimee with the Astros, Jays sent a split squad.
Astros 4-Jays 3
A brief summary. Halladay pitching gave up three of the runs but was not unhappy. He used the innings to get used to Barajas, pitching to him for first time. Said some things worked others didn't. The bullpen once again gave a good account. They have been one of highlights in first ten days and augurs well for season in event of any injuries.
Berkman did the damage to Jays HR, triple and double. Would be nice to see a Jay that hot.
However four doubles from Jays including Rios.
A blogmeister report card on the Jays to date based on first ten days....
A+ definitely John Parrish. His three innings with seven strikeouts has been pitching highlight to date. Scott Rolen bat and glove.
A. Adam Lind, Eckstein, Buck Coats, Hill, Jesse Litsch although his last outing on Sunday was a gem with six strikeouts, Matt Stairs, Marcum, Halladay and the bullpen Thorpe, Accardo, League, de Jong.
A- Alex Rios, Joe Inglett, Scutaro, Shannon Stewart, overall base stealing for offence, catchers and throwing out runners.
B + Wells, Thigpen especially his glove,
B. Thomas, Zaun, Barajas, Reed Johnson, Burnett, overall fielding and runners in scoring position.
C. the rest........
If they headed north today I would include Lind, Coats, Stewart, Parrish and Thorpe in the 40.
Will be interesting to do another mid-term report next week.......
Astros 4-Jays 3
A brief summary. Halladay pitching gave up three of the runs but was not unhappy. He used the innings to get used to Barajas, pitching to him for first time. Said some things worked others didn't. The bullpen once again gave a good account. They have been one of highlights in first ten days and augurs well for season in event of any injuries.
Berkman did the damage to Jays HR, triple and double. Would be nice to see a Jay that hot.
However four doubles from Jays including Rios.
A blogmeister report card on the Jays to date based on first ten days....
A+ definitely John Parrish. His three innings with seven strikeouts has been pitching highlight to date. Scott Rolen bat and glove.
A. Adam Lind, Eckstein, Buck Coats, Hill, Jesse Litsch although his last outing on Sunday was a gem with six strikeouts, Matt Stairs, Marcum, Halladay and the bullpen Thorpe, Accardo, League, de Jong.
A- Alex Rios, Joe Inglett, Scutaro, Shannon Stewart, overall base stealing for offence, catchers and throwing out runners.
B + Wells, Thigpen especially his glove,
B. Thomas, Zaun, Barajas, Reed Johnson, Burnett, overall fielding and runners in scoring position.
C. the rest........
If they headed north today I would include Lind, Coats, Stewart, Parrish and Thorpe in the 40.
Will be interesting to do another mid-term report next week.......
Monday, March 10, 2008
Pitching and hitting
Toronto 9 Phillies 4...
Great game for Toronto, perfect pitching and timely hitting. An excellent win over a very good team.
Lineups:
Toronto: Eckstein, Stairs, Wells, Rolen, Thomas, Overbay, Hill, Zaun, Johnson and pitching Litsch
Phillies: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Feliz, Jenkins, Dobbs, Ruiz, and pitching Kendrick
The good: Jesse great four innings seven strikeouts, great timely hitting all round. Wells four rbis.
Bullpen tremendous after Jesse's four innings. They have been exellent the last three games after blowing 6-0 lead and losing in ninth on wednesday.
Attendance: 9420 sellout.
The bad: nothing today. Jays put it together all round.
The game: Top of first, Eckstein lines to 3B, Stairs base hit through middle, Wells double play ball.
Bottom of first. Rollins strikes out, Victorino strikes out, Utley grounds to Litsch, great first inning by Jesse.
Top of second... The sky falls in on Kendrick....
Rolen (widely booed here at Bright Networks Field) answers with base hit left centre, Thomas flies out to LF, Overbay walks Rolen at 2nd. Hill of the wall double Rolen and Overbay score 2-0 Jays. Zaun walks on four pitches, Reed Johnson base hit to centre, Hill scores. 3-0 Jays. Ecsktein double over 3B, Zaun scores, 4-0 Jays.
Johnson at 3B. Stairs strikes out. Two on two out. Wells single down 3B line, Johnson and Eckstein score. 6-0 Jays,
Full count to Rolen with Wells running, base hit to centre, Wells to 3B. Thomas grounds to 3B.. Jays send 11 men to plate 6 runs on 6 hits. Second time in five days they have scored 6 in an inning also in second... Great start... not for Kendrick...
Bottom of second. Howard replies with moon shot home run 10 feet from your blogmeister in right centre out of park into the river. 6-1 Jays.. settle down Jesse.
Feliz, good bat protecting Howard this season, double off the wall, Dobbs grounds to short, Jenkins out, Taguchi strikes out. Jesse escapes damage, kept his cool...and is throwing strikes.
Top of third. Overbay base hit to centre, Hill base hit to LF, Zaun walks, bases loaded. Reed pops up to 3B, Eckstein walks (this guy is going to be huge for Jays this season.. patient,and great obp.) Overbay scores, 7-1 Jays.
Bases still loaded, Stairs pops up, runners hold. Wells base hit his second of the game, Hill and Zaun score, 9-1 Jays. Rolen at bat, booed again and hit by pitcher... bases loaded again.. Thomas flies to RF... leaves bases loaded.
End of inning 9-1 Jays..10 hits in two innings. Could have been much higher if Frank had connected but enough for Jesse to hold.
Botom of third. Ruiz strikes out, Rolins strikes out, Victorino grounds to second.... Great pitching by Jesse... he is doing sufficient to hold that fifth spot in rotation.
Top of fourth. Overbay walks, Hills pops up to 1B. Zaun flies out to RF fence almost but not quite Gregg, Reed grounds to 3B.
Bottom of fourth Jesse still pitching and throwing strikes. Utley flies out to CF, Howard strikes out a huge strikeout for Jesse after the HR in first by Howard, Feliz pops up to 2B. Great pitching by Jesse against the heart of a strong batting order that could hurt any pitcher.
Top of fifth. Johnny Mac.in for Eckstein. strikes out, Stewart in for Stairs base hit to centre, Shannon has been hot the last couple of games and is seeing ball well, it will be tough to leave him behind if he maintains this form, Coats for Wells, double play ball inning over.
Bottom of fifth. Jenkins strikes out Dobbs double down RF, Taguchi double to centre runner scores, 9-2 Jays. Ruiz base hit and Santos in for Rolen, error at 3B, the boo birds are unhappy that Scott is not in there, Rollins grounds to 2B runner scores 9-3 Jays. Victorino huge hit to RF and Reed great catch against the wall to end inning.
Top of sixth. Santos grounds out, Sinder in for Reed grounds out, Overbay hit to centre, Inglett in for Hill paased ball, Overbay to 2B, Inglett on base with bobbled ball, Overbay to 3B, Zaun pops up on full count and leaves two on.
Bottom of sixth. Uttley strikes out, Howard pops up a mile high, (fortunately not a line drive into the river again) Feliz HR to left, this guy is very good.... 9-4... Jenkins pops up to SS.
Top of seventh. Three up three down Snider, Macdonald, and Stewart.
Bottom of seventh. Bull pen continues to hold lead for Jays.
Top of eighth. Coats grounds to 1B, Santos off left feld wall for long single, Snider and Thigpen quick outs,
Bottom of eighth. Wells pitching. Bohn grounds to Thigpen at, Brunlett strikes out, Snelling great hit down 1B huge dive by Thigpen to save at least a double, King strikes out.
Top of ninth. Inglett pops up to 3B, Robinzon Diaz in for Zaun, grounds to SS. Lind base hit to right, Lind is very hot this week, Macdonald first hit of game base hit to right, two on. Watson grounds to 1B.
Bottom of ninth. Three up three down, De Jong pitching. Jenkins strikes out, Dobbs striks out, Taguchi flies out to Coats at CF.
Jays win 9-4, 15 hits to Phillies 6 hits with 1 error each.
Great game for Toronto, perfect pitching and timely hitting. An excellent win over a very good team.
Lineups:
Toronto: Eckstein, Stairs, Wells, Rolen, Thomas, Overbay, Hill, Zaun, Johnson and pitching Litsch
Phillies: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Feliz, Jenkins, Dobbs, Ruiz, and pitching Kendrick
The good: Jesse great four innings seven strikeouts, great timely hitting all round. Wells four rbis.
Bullpen tremendous after Jesse's four innings. They have been exellent the last three games after blowing 6-0 lead and losing in ninth on wednesday.
Attendance: 9420 sellout.
The bad: nothing today. Jays put it together all round.
The game: Top of first, Eckstein lines to 3B, Stairs base hit through middle, Wells double play ball.
Bottom of first. Rollins strikes out, Victorino strikes out, Utley grounds to Litsch, great first inning by Jesse.
Top of second... The sky falls in on Kendrick....
Rolen (widely booed here at Bright Networks Field) answers with base hit left centre, Thomas flies out to LF, Overbay walks Rolen at 2nd. Hill of the wall double Rolen and Overbay score 2-0 Jays. Zaun walks on four pitches, Reed Johnson base hit to centre, Hill scores. 3-0 Jays. Ecsktein double over 3B, Zaun scores, 4-0 Jays.
Johnson at 3B. Stairs strikes out. Two on two out. Wells single down 3B line, Johnson and Eckstein score. 6-0 Jays,
Full count to Rolen with Wells running, base hit to centre, Wells to 3B. Thomas grounds to 3B.. Jays send 11 men to plate 6 runs on 6 hits. Second time in five days they have scored 6 in an inning also in second... Great start... not for Kendrick...
Bottom of second. Howard replies with moon shot home run 10 feet from your blogmeister in right centre out of park into the river. 6-1 Jays.. settle down Jesse.
Feliz, good bat protecting Howard this season, double off the wall, Dobbs grounds to short, Jenkins out, Taguchi strikes out. Jesse escapes damage, kept his cool...and is throwing strikes.
Top of third. Overbay base hit to centre, Hill base hit to LF, Zaun walks, bases loaded. Reed pops up to 3B, Eckstein walks (this guy is going to be huge for Jays this season.. patient,and great obp.) Overbay scores, 7-1 Jays.
Bases still loaded, Stairs pops up, runners hold. Wells base hit his second of the game, Hill and Zaun score, 9-1 Jays. Rolen at bat, booed again and hit by pitcher... bases loaded again.. Thomas flies to RF... leaves bases loaded.
End of inning 9-1 Jays..10 hits in two innings. Could have been much higher if Frank had connected but enough for Jesse to hold.
Botom of third. Ruiz strikes out, Rolins strikes out, Victorino grounds to second.... Great pitching by Jesse... he is doing sufficient to hold that fifth spot in rotation.
Top of fourth. Overbay walks, Hills pops up to 1B. Zaun flies out to RF fence almost but not quite Gregg, Reed grounds to 3B.
Bottom of fourth Jesse still pitching and throwing strikes. Utley flies out to CF, Howard strikes out a huge strikeout for Jesse after the HR in first by Howard, Feliz pops up to 2B. Great pitching by Jesse against the heart of a strong batting order that could hurt any pitcher.
Top of fifth. Johnny Mac.in for Eckstein. strikes out, Stewart in for Stairs base hit to centre, Shannon has been hot the last couple of games and is seeing ball well, it will be tough to leave him behind if he maintains this form, Coats for Wells, double play ball inning over.
Bottom of fifth. Jenkins strikes out Dobbs double down RF, Taguchi double to centre runner scores, 9-2 Jays. Ruiz base hit and Santos in for Rolen, error at 3B, the boo birds are unhappy that Scott is not in there, Rollins grounds to 2B runner scores 9-3 Jays. Victorino huge hit to RF and Reed great catch against the wall to end inning.
Top of sixth. Santos grounds out, Sinder in for Reed grounds out, Overbay hit to centre, Inglett in for Hill paased ball, Overbay to 2B, Inglett on base with bobbled ball, Overbay to 3B, Zaun pops up on full count and leaves two on.
Bottom of sixth. Uttley strikes out, Howard pops up a mile high, (fortunately not a line drive into the river again) Feliz HR to left, this guy is very good.... 9-4... Jenkins pops up to SS.
Top of seventh. Three up three down Snider, Macdonald, and Stewart.
Bottom of seventh. Bull pen continues to hold lead for Jays.
Top of eighth. Coats grounds to 1B, Santos off left feld wall for long single, Snider and Thigpen quick outs,
Bottom of eighth. Wells pitching. Bohn grounds to Thigpen at, Brunlett strikes out, Snelling great hit down 1B huge dive by Thigpen to save at least a double, King strikes out.
Top of ninth. Inglett pops up to 3B, Robinzon Diaz in for Zaun, grounds to SS. Lind base hit to right, Lind is very hot this week, Macdonald first hit of game base hit to right, two on. Watson grounds to 1B.
Bottom of ninth. Three up three down, De Jong pitching. Jenkins strikes out, Dobbs striks out, Taguchi flies out to Coats at CF.
Jays win 9-4, 15 hits to Phillies 6 hits with 1 error each.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Great win
Toronto 4 Detroit 3
Very entertaining and well played game, the best for the Jays this Spring. Weather could have been a factor with wind again but did not interfere. The home runs were all moon shots.
Lineups. Detroit: Granderson, Polanco, Jones, Carbrera,Thames, Hessman, Skelton, St. Pierre, Santiago, and pitching Bonderman.
Toronto: Eckstein, Rios, Wells, Rolen, Stairs, Overbay, Stewart, Hill, Fasano and Marcum pitching.
The very good: Pitching today by Jays. Marcum three good innings, Parris exceptional three innings 7 strikeouts of a very good batting team.
Frasor, Chacin and Romero complete the game.
Good: Rolen home run and Stewart two base hits.
Bad: Defence and the big guys hitless... Wells, Rios, Overbay. and base running two caught stealing.
The game: Top of the 1st. Three up three down.. Marcum pitching very well.
Botom of 1st 3 up 3 down, Bonedrman equally impressive.
2nd Marcum two quick outs but then Hessman moonshot home run to left into the trees.
Tigers 1-0.
Bottom of second Rolen leadoff home run... into left field same area as Hessman's 1-1.
Stairs hit batsman, Overbay base hit two on no outs, Stewart moves them both over with dribbler down first base line, Hill triple... Stairs and Overbay score 3-1 Jays. Fasano hit batsman, Bonderman's second hbp in the inning. Eckstein grounds into double play.
Top of third Marcum in trouble. Walk, base hit, hbp, bases loaded. One out and Rolen misses hopper, Tigers score error to Rolen. 3-2 Jays.
Bottom of third. 3 up 3 down, Rios, Wells and Rolen... Bonderman ptching better.
Top of 4th Parrish pitching. Very well.. great inning 3 up 3 down. throwing strikes.
Bottom of 4th Stairs grounds out , Overbay flies out, Stewart double of wall, Hill strikes out leaving Stewart at second.
Top of 5th. Parrish another great inning strikes out the side but Polanco hits home run 3-3.
Bottom of 5th. Eckstein hit, leaves game, Wells walks on 4 pitches, Rolen strike out to end inning.
Top of 6th Parrish out for third inning. Two more strikeouts to end with 7 for 3 innings relief..
Bottom of 6th. Barajas ph for Stairs pops up to SS. Overbay pops to 3B, Stewart another double to centre, his second of game. Hill ab. Scutaro caught stealing third, broke too late for ball in dirt.
Top of 7th. Jason Frasor pitching. 3 up 3 down, very good inning.
Bottom of 7th. Hill continues bat from 6th. bloop single to centre, Inglett pinch runer, caught stealing. Scutaro walks. Reed Johnson pops up.
Top of 8th. Chacin pitching...double of wall maybe catchable by Vernon but Coats in. Two on but Chacin strikes out Thames.
Bottom of 8th. Coats base hit single but error on to 2nd. Luna a double Coats beats very good throw, perfect slide. Jays 4 Tigers 3. Barajas moves Luna to 3rd. Thigpen gorunds to SS. Matt Watson ground to 2nd
Top of 9th Romero puitching. Hessman base hit to left, next batter double play ball. Bse hit bobled by SS. next batter flies out to left. Jays win.
Very entertaining and well played game, the best for the Jays this Spring. Weather could have been a factor with wind again but did not interfere. The home runs were all moon shots.
Lineups. Detroit: Granderson, Polanco, Jones, Carbrera,Thames, Hessman, Skelton, St. Pierre, Santiago, and pitching Bonderman.
Toronto: Eckstein, Rios, Wells, Rolen, Stairs, Overbay, Stewart, Hill, Fasano and Marcum pitching.
The very good: Pitching today by Jays. Marcum three good innings, Parris exceptional three innings 7 strikeouts of a very good batting team.
Frasor, Chacin and Romero complete the game.
Good: Rolen home run and Stewart two base hits.
Bad: Defence and the big guys hitless... Wells, Rios, Overbay. and base running two caught stealing.
The game: Top of the 1st. Three up three down.. Marcum pitching very well.
Botom of 1st 3 up 3 down, Bonedrman equally impressive.
2nd Marcum two quick outs but then Hessman moonshot home run to left into the trees.
Tigers 1-0.
Bottom of second Rolen leadoff home run... into left field same area as Hessman's 1-1.
Stairs hit batsman, Overbay base hit two on no outs, Stewart moves them both over with dribbler down first base line, Hill triple... Stairs and Overbay score 3-1 Jays. Fasano hit batsman, Bonderman's second hbp in the inning. Eckstein grounds into double play.
Top of third Marcum in trouble. Walk, base hit, hbp, bases loaded. One out and Rolen misses hopper, Tigers score error to Rolen. 3-2 Jays.
Bottom of third. 3 up 3 down, Rios, Wells and Rolen... Bonderman ptching better.
Top of 4th Parrish pitching. Very well.. great inning 3 up 3 down. throwing strikes.
Bottom of 4th Stairs grounds out , Overbay flies out, Stewart double of wall, Hill strikes out leaving Stewart at second.
Top of 5th. Parrish another great inning strikes out the side but Polanco hits home run 3-3.
Bottom of 5th. Eckstein hit, leaves game, Wells walks on 4 pitches, Rolen strike out to end inning.
Top of 6th Parrish out for third inning. Two more strikeouts to end with 7 for 3 innings relief..
Bottom of 6th. Barajas ph for Stairs pops up to SS. Overbay pops to 3B, Stewart another double to centre, his second of game. Hill ab. Scutaro caught stealing third, broke too late for ball in dirt.
Top of 7th. Jason Frasor pitching. 3 up 3 down, very good inning.
Bottom of 7th. Hill continues bat from 6th. bloop single to centre, Inglett pinch runer, caught stealing. Scutaro walks. Reed Johnson pops up.
Top of 8th. Chacin pitching...double of wall maybe catchable by Vernon but Coats in. Two on but Chacin strikes out Thames.
Bottom of 8th. Coats base hit single but error on to 2nd. Luna a double Coats beats very good throw, perfect slide. Jays 4 Tigers 3. Barajas moves Luna to 3rd. Thigpen gorunds to SS. Matt Watson ground to 2nd
Top of 9th Romero puitching. Hessman base hit to left, next batter double play ball. Bse hit bobled by SS. next batter flies out to left. Jays win.
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