Jays beat Rays 3-1 in Dunedin

Friday March 13, 2009. Jays v Rays in Dunedin.

Lineups: Rays: Elliot Johnson, Ruggiano, Zobrist, Ensberg, Richard, Riggans, Brignac, Olmeda, Kennedy, and Carlos Hernandez pitching.
Jays: Inglett, Emaus, Lind, Millar, Rolen, Lane, Snider, McDonald, Barrett, and Brett Cecil starting.

Rays first trip to Dunedin this spring and Maddon send most of his second team and Jays win this one easily 3-1.
A game that both managers are looking at for their rotation starters. Cito has Brett Cecil and David Purcey fighting for that rotation spot and from this seat, Purcey wins this one today. Cecil had some control problems earlier and walks three. But gives up only one hit in his 3 2/3 innings. His pitch count was at 70 by the fourth, 27 alone in the third inning. “Four walks is not really me, hasn’t been me in the last couple of years. I’d rather give up four home runs than four walks.” (Cecil) Hmmmm!

Purcey shuts the door on Rays for the last four innings, four hits and two strikeouts.
In comparison Maddon had Hernandez also pitching for a rotation spot go four innings give up three runs on four hits and also walked four with two strikeouts.
Jason Hammel also trying for Rays rotation spot had two hits and a walk in the last three innings but this game was over by then. Hammel has much better era this spring than Hernandez, and 11 strikeouts compared to 5, and only two walks compared to five for Hernandez. Jeremy Accardo by the way had a much better outing and went 1 1/3 inning with just the one run, more importantly his control was there and today at least no walks.
Cito shows today at least that he has a far better bench and bullpen and the Jays record shows that now.
Interesting stat yesterday that Jays have 13 HRs half way through this spring compared to only 15 for the whole of last spring. And this is without Wells or Rios.

Pitching has been excellent and there are at least five now pitching for rotation spots after Halladay and Litsch. Purcey, Cecil, Clement, Mills and Richmond who has missed the last ten days pitching for Canada.
For my money Clement should be number three if he can continue his first few weeks showing. He also has the major league experience over the others.
Cecil and Purcey, either or both. Richmond still has to show this spring the promise that he showed last year to earn a spot and Mills may take a long relief role.
The word on McGowan continues to be non-committal on a return time. A few weeks ago it was mid-season, now the mantra is that “we will not rush him”.
As for converting Janssen to a starter he has not yet pitched more than an inning and with the others pitching so well he may remain as a seventh inning set up.

Relief Catcher position is still unsettled between Barrett and Chavez. Although they still keep putting Thigpen out there he has not shown that he is in the serious running. Barrett had a terrible defensive game on Friday, totally misjudging a pop up behind the plate and making no attempt. I don’t think his boss JP sitting 20 feet behind would have been impressed with that total lack of effort. To add to his agony the Rays were running all afternoon stealing three bases, Barrett’s throws were not in time and one almost sailed into center field.
Jays pitchers should take some blame for this as everyone knows Maddon will run, run, run even with his second team.

Good to see more offence from Emaus a double and a triple today and two rbis Although he will probably not make the team he has been great backup for Aaron Hill at second base and JP must be pleased with that infield insurance. I hope we see him again in September call up. Incidentally he has a much better bat than Aaron.
Lind also had a good two hit afternoon, gradually getting that swing going. Millar had the other rbi with his one hit of the afternoon and cementing his position on the roster. Jason Lane had a second rough afternoon, he is hitting them hard but no results. He certainly does not believe in walking much, swings at almost everything.

Good to see Yankees pitching struggling. Chien-Ming Wang gave up six hits and seven runs in 1 2/3 innings today. "Everything was flat. Arm was behind my body. Second inning (when he faced ten batters) ball was up."

Really good news. John Mayberry jr of the Phillies and my tip for NL rookie of year, now hitting .270 with three HRs and 10 rbis.

Ingoldisthorpe Jay, Jays had an off day on Thursday… and so did I…. No game at Bright House either.