Canada too much for Cito’s second team.

Tuesday March 3rd 2009 Jays v Canada

Ernie gets his revenge on return to Dunedin. I don’t understand this Jays Manager. Not that I ever have.
Big Canadian crowd in town today and yet he puts out his second stringers. The only opening Day guy in starting lineup today is likely to be Johnny Mac.
Come on Cito the fans pay your salary give them some entertainment. Millar and Overbay were hitting well in batting practice, at least give them a couple of bats and give the fans something for three innings. By the way where ARE you during the anthems? Last minute strategy with the pitchers ??? We wanted to see you shake Ernie’s hand exchanging the lineups. Ah well. Ernie had the last laugh.

This game was over on paper before we started today and that is a big shame for the fans. The Canadian lineup of Barnwell, Martin, Votto, Morneau, Bay, Teahen, Stairs, Koskie, Orr and Richmond pitching was impressive to read. Canadian baseball doing well…. 24 of the 28 in Canada’s roster are represented in 19 MLB’s teams.

Good to see Vernon Wells hitting them out in practice and perhaps he is not far off if only as DH. Lyle also seemed to have his stroke.

Jays lineup… Inglett, Adams, Campbell, Lane, Barret, Ruiz, Loewen, Coats, MacDonald, and Mike Maroth pitching.

Game recap: Jays took the early lead in bottom of 1st. Canada gets it back with two in the top of 2nd and then a third in 3rd inning.
Jays tie it up again going into the 4th but then Canada starts to move ahead with two in the 6th and one in the 8th.
Jays answer in the bottom of 8th but too late. Jays once again get their hits (11 ) today but cannot bring those hitters home.
Doubles by Adams, Ruiz and Loewen and a triple by Lydon showing great speed. Mathews gets a HR in the 8th. Campbell, Lane, Loewen and Mathews get the rbis for Toronto.
9 left on base.
One nice double play by Adams and McDonald but Adams missed a putout earlier when he fumbled a screamer right at him. No error given but the consensus around me at least was that it should have been given. So far Adams once again has not shown why he should stay up with the club.
Another double play by Emaus and Dopirak. Emaus had another strong at bat.

Mike Maroth like Romero yesterday had early control trouble walking three in two innings. Struck out three and gave up two runs. Beam and Ray had hitless innings each, Ray had one walk.
Scott Richmond pitching for Canada and hoping for a starting position in Jays lineup went 2.2 innings, four hits, two runs one walk and two strikeouts.

All the Canadians received a nice hand from the crowd, the biggest cheers were for ex-Jays Matt Stairs, Ernie Whitt and Corrie Koskie. A large group from Quebec loved their local heroes including Phillipe Aumont. Larry Walker was first base coach for Canada.
Young teenager Brett Lawrie came into the game at the end, nice touch Ernie, class act.

Dutch Jay, one for you, Mark Teahen (KC). Two great fielding plays in RF. One a catch at the wall and another strong throw to the plate to save a run. Koskie also looking strong.

Temperature today 68 with a 10 mph wind out to RF less than yesterday.
Attendance 2405.

Will be interesting to see Cito's lineup tomorrow to face USA, I would wager it will NOT be the second string.

BTW where was Chad today ??? "Take me out to the ballpark" in the seventh was left to an extremely out of tune crowd when they realised he was not there.

Tomorrow Jays face the USA.