Lane and Campbell win this one big for Jays.

Saturday March 7, 2009, Jays v Cincinatti Reds at Dunedin.

Lineups: Reds: Hopper, Keppinger, Bruce, Philips, Nix, Frazier, Ward, Gonzalez, Hanigan, and Bailey pitching.
Jays: Inglett, Hill, Lind, Millar, Lane, Campbell, Snider, Thigpen, Adams and Jesse Litsch pitching.

First my apology to Jesse Carlson for omitting him last night, sorry Jesse especially when you had a good inning.

Today an explosion by Jays hitters 16 hits but the day belongs to young Jason Lane 3 for 3 today to add to his already impressive week’s work. Lane is now 10-20 in his eight games and 20 total bases and include 3 HRs. No HR’s today but two singles and another double. This kid is good…
Not to be outdone Campbell had two more hits a double and a triple his first of the season.
This was a good win against Reds who have already beaten the Yankees, Boston, Phillies and the Rays this spring.

Add in some good pitching by Litsch, Romero, Heyhurst and Wolfe and another HR from Kevin Millar, his second of the spring and that was the game.

Played in 80 degree heat today friends this one was HOT….Inglett playing at SS today, Jays Mr. utility man so far.

Hayhurst strikes out the side in the 8th and Wolfe goes three up and down to seal this one. Hayhurst now has 4 innings of work so far and has seven strikeouts. He might just be a JP steal from the Padres. One to watch.
Jesse Litsch another good outing.

My starting pitching lineup so far: Halladay, Litsch, Clement, Cecil and Mills. Would not be bad at all. Of course Richmond and Romero still hope for glory and there is a month to go before season starts. Will see how they shake out in four weeks. Richmond can do his cause a lot of good by pitching well for Canada in the WBC.

Today some small ball from Baker in the second inning, scores the Reds first run following lead off walk and after Thigpen cannot track ball in the dirt.
Bottom of the second, Jays threaten with Lane leadoff single and Snyder hit but Thigpen pops it up. Why is Thigpen still with the club ?? Chavez and Barrett are far better back-ups for Barajas.
Third inning another chance for Jays but Hill is doubled off on a line drive to SS.
Romero had much better control this outing and was able to get out of trouble after Adams had dropped foul ball.

Lane lead of the second and fourth innings with singles before his third hot in three at bats today in the sixth. Great day’s work, perhaps there is a leadoff guy Cito. By the way Waldo did appear this time before the anthems even though it may have been Baker as the catalyst. But Cito it was a great shot to see you and Baker side by side for the anthems…

Everyone was in on the hitting act today, Coats gets his first hit of the spring, and even Joe Inglett a single to lead off the 7th.

The rough: Poor Lydon gets the winning run last night and learns he is cut along with pitchers Santos, McLeary and Castro and Phillips, Cooper and Fahey.

Tomorrow Jays away but the first Spring Report card is due…

Ernie and the Canadians losing in the north…. But overall a great day for this Jays team that is certainly raising many eyebrows by their play to date, and without the big guns of Wells, Rios, Rolen, Overbay and Barajas… The bench depth is great to see and something the Yankees would love to have as if they cared when they have the Steinbrenner bank.

Cito you are doing something rght with this young group.... I give you an A.