The Frank and Jesse Show.

Saturday April 5, 2008. Jays v Boston in Toronto.

Jays win 10-2... Red Sox Nation not only in mourning but halfway down to the canvas.. (an Angelo tribute)

The very good: Frank's home run, and Litsch.
The good: Pitching, pitching and more pitching, we have to recognise the kudos. Good fielding, good batting all-round, and only three runners left in scoring position, oh so different from Yankee stadium earlier this week. Zaun's bunt to move two runners over.
Jays keep Papelbon sitting again for second day..... and now have a 6-0 consecutive wins record against Boston.

Note: even better news Rays demolish Yankees for second straight game...6-3. This was Pettite pitching not the 5th rookie. Maddon has these Rays full of confidence and swagger, carrying on from their great Spring. It will be very interesting division this summer, and I am sure the Yankees are not too thrilled that they have 18 games against the Rays.... Confidence in young players can do a great deal. Gomes HR of Pettite and 4 rbis...

Lineups:
Jays: Eckstein, Stairs, Rios, Wells, Thomas, Overbay, Hill, Scutaro, Zaun and pitching Litsch
Boston: Lugo, Pedroia, Ortiz, Ramirez, Lowell, Drew, Varitek, Casey, Crisp and pitching Bucholz.

The game Jesse not 100% playing with fire with this lineup and giving up three walks but more than good enough for #5 in rotation. If the bats do their job he will be ok this season. Gives up run in first inning to Boston.
Bottom of 2nd Toronto tie 1-1. Boston retake lead in 4th for the last time.
The Jays reply immediately with three runs in bottom of 4th. 4-2 Jays.
Jesse follows with scoreless inning and Tallet shuts down Boston in his inning. Then the heavens open on Boston with six runs by end of the inning. Frank's two run home run so good to see.
Jays 10-2 and the bullpen closes the gates. Wolfe, Frasor and Randy Wells with his major league debut scoreless inning to close out. Tallet has now pitched in 3 of the five games four shutout innings. Randy Wells did walk Pedrioia to bring Ortiz up but that was nerves not a deathwish.
This bullpen continues from their great spring and if the bats can just give them a few runs support it could be an interesting season for the Jays.
Interesting to remember last April with Tomo Okha and Victor Zabrano in the lineup, does anyone ?

Hits from 2 doubles from Rios, two hits and three rbis from Eckstein, this guy is a great acquisition to date, and does help a little to not see Johnny Mac out there. Wells a single and rbi, Thomas two hits including his home run to center on a 94 mph fastball to silence (today at least) some of his critics that he cannot get around fastballs anymore.

Buckholz had Stairs number today with Matt striking out three times.
Singles and rbis from both Overbay and Zaun round out a good hitting afternoon for Toronto. Zaun's rbi hit was good to see as he had been 1-7 with runners in scoring position this week. Casey was given error on play but it was not as bad as the nonchalant play by Ramirez to the single by Thomas which dropped in front of him as he almost walked to the ball. Wells was able to get to 3B on the play and Overbay brought him in with his single.
Zaun's bunt enabled Eckstein to bring them both in with hit off Snyder who had just replaced Corey. Eckstein as with Scutaro have been great acquisitions for execution.

I want to mention Scutaro separately. This guy has been such an excellent acquisition for Jays and bonus with Rolen's injury to see him every day. Today no rbis or hits but walks twice and scores both times.
These are the little things that are not highlighted but should be. Plus his defence at 3B has been almost perfect, duplicating the great catch of the previous night to save bases and possible runs. It will be difficult for Gibbons to keep this guy out of lineup when Rolen returns. Trivia, interesting play made by Scutaro in front of Hill ! to get Ortiz out... (shift was on)

Now big question tomorrow will be can the Jays lower the boom on Boston. Show no mercy friends and make a big statement. Halladay has not had the greatest support from his team in the last two starts including Dunedin with the five error inning game. Time to give him support.