Jays beat World Champs again. Where was Waldo ?

March 6, 2009. Jays v Phillies at Knology Park.

Ok friends give me a break, it was a night game and then the fireworks…sometimes you have to wait for the good news.

Lineups: Phillies: Bruntlett, Giles, Ibanez, Dobbs, Mayberry jr, Jenkins, Cervanak, Ozuna, Paulino and C. Ho Park pitching.
Jays reply with: Inglett, Hill, Lind, Overbay, Lane, Emaus, Snider, Barrett, McDonald and Halladay pitching. This outfield could be the one for the future. Lind, Lane and Snyder.
Lane seems to have played every game this week and paid off bigtime tonight.

Game notes: Halladay superb. Just like his last outing, he is ready for Day 1. Walked one but had no problems with his three innings. Park was almost as good and it was pitcher’s duel for three. Cito uses six of his regular pithers tonight.

Jays get a huge blast from Lane, having just put one wide into left field bullpen the previous pitch, made no mistake next pitch over right centre field and without any wind to help him. I am sure that Cito is coaching this guy, he is definitely a keeper but that outfield is overcrowded right now. Lane has good speed as well, much faster than Adam Lind. JP has lots of very good young insurance if he wants to trade Alex or even Vernon.
It was the Jays pitching first team tonight. Tallet followed Halladay and had an awful inning, then Fast Forward Frasor. This guy was slow last season, tonight he was taking 25 seconds between pitches, I timed the guy. His poor infield could have gone for a coffee. And of course we all pray that he does not get anyone on base and sure enough he did and that made it even worse. He did manage to get out of the inning however with little damage, but oh so slow…. League, Camp, Accardo, finished it off.
Johnny Mac had a good sac fly at bat. And turned a great double play with Aaron, we missed those two last season. Brad Aameus had another good hit.
Bottom of the Jays 8th Lydon with two out double breaks the 3-3 tie.
Accardo made it interesting getting runner on in the top of the 9th but managed the win. A much better outing for Jeremy tonight than his last one.
League and Tallet had trouble but Camp was three up and down and gave Frasor a lesson on pitching fast. He was less than 5 seconds between pitches. Give me the ball and throw it.
My vote for NL MVP Mayberry jr had a rough night tonight but I still think he could be another Longoria.

This is the second win over the Phillies for Jays in just over a week, more games to come but this is good morale booster for young Jays team without Vernon and Rolen tonight. Lyle Overbay on his return to Jays after that triple hernia surgerylooked great in batting practice hitting 3 of 4 out of the park in one stretch but in the game tentative. He had one at bat where he didn’t even swing before being struck out on four pitches. BUT had a great diving save at 1B.
Inglett is not a leadoff guy, but who is with this team ? One “ to be determined”.

Where is Waldo ??? I don’t get Cito, and probably never will. The guy is Manager and a hitting specialist, so where is he during batting practice tonight ? With his pitchers? having a sleep ? a meeting with other coaching staff. Who knows, but whereas most managers are out there looking at the spring talent, Cito was nowhere to be seen. Manuel in the other dugout was meeting with two of his players, Girardi is always out there, running around, and in action, Maddon always out there but Cito ….. ambles out at the back of the line tonight just before the anthem starts.

BUT a story to his credit…. Evidently he has been working with Alex Rios this spring, changing his batting stance and moving his feet closer, he noticed that “last season” (sic) his feet were too wide apart, so friends we expect big things of Alex this season. Not sure why they didn’t make the change last season if they had noticed it but ….. will watch for Puerto Rico to win the World Baseball Classic.

Other news, don’t you love the Yankees, noting that A-Rod may be out for a long time, the comment from Yankee land is that they will just have to trade up for another 3rd base… How would you like to be Ransom and the guys in the AAA and the other Yankee farm teams? Lou Gehrig would never have got a chance with this organization.
Rays have sold out every ticketed game this spring. Jays will see them next week at Knology and Maddon has just started his starting rotation.
Phillies Brett Myers has lost 35 pounds this winter now only 222 lbs.
BJ Ryan should feel happier, Joba Chamberlain walked four of the five batters that he faced in his first inning against Canada yesterday.

Ozzie Jay remember Vancouver Sue from last year ? she is back again this year, on the Phillies dugout for a contest and won a free drink at Kelly’s.

Go Ernie on Saturday……against Team USA in Toronto.

Next game for the Jays, Cincinatti on Saturday at Knology Park and VFW day.