Optimism pays off but not for Jays or Yankees today.

Monday March 23,2009. Jays v Reds.

Lineups: Jays: Inglett DH !, what waste of a good bench bat, Hill, Rios, Wells, Rolen, Ruiz, Chavez, McDonald and Ricky Romero pitching.(and didn’t hit)
Reds: Hopper, Dickerson, Toronto’s own Joey Votto, Rosales, Bruce, Keppinger, Gonzalez, Hanigan, pitching but also number nine hitter Volquez.

Jays had not much luck today for second game in a row despite starting many of Opening Day lineup. The disturbing thing to me however is the lack of offence, no runs today from a lineup that had many of opening day hitters. Jays were in fact shut out as the Reds get runs in the first, fifth and eighth innings to do more than necessary to beat this team today.

Very disappointing performance by the Jays. Rios and Wells with their six at bats had a walk for Alex and a single to Vernon to show for it.
We have been spoiled all spring by Millar, Lane, Lind, Snider and Emaus. Cito don’t plan to go far through the season with these two underperforming again, fans patience with them is running out.
Jays get hits from Hill (two) raising his average to .314, Wells, Rolen and Chavez each had the others. Three walks Rolen, Rios and Bautista but no value at all if no one can bring them in.

Pitching was a lot better than yesterday Romero looking at a rotation spot, went five innings giving up seven hits but only two runs. He did his job by keeping Jays in the game.
Burres had a good two scoreless relief innings with two strikeouts. And Accardo not sharp in his one inning two hits today including a triple to Janish, and one run.

Rolen his second triple of the week. Hill a stolen base and Rios an assist with a great throw getting Bruce at third base. Reds were running on Romero and Chavez could only get Dickerson stealing once today.
Tomorrow Jays get the Phillies at Dunedin.
Which Jays team will show up to play?


Monday March 23, 2009. Phillies v Yankees at Bright House. Phillies win 8-3.
Lineups: Yankees: Posada, Damon, Texeira, Nady, Cano, Ransom, Cabrera, Pena, and Wang pitching.
Phillies: Bruntlett (three hits today), Werth, Uttley, Howard, Ibanez, Stairs, Donald, Paulino and Happ pitching and batting number nine.


At Bright House whilst Jays were on the road, Phillies take on the Yankees. Long rain delay.. which started right at the end of Yankees batting practice and game was delayed at least forty minutes. Rain? Yes Rain, in Clearwater. The first this guy has seen in four weeks and everyone was very happy to see it to help with the drought conditions.

Yankees get beaten up in this one…in front of sellout of course. Phillies win going away 8-3. But for this fan the big thrill was seeing Matt Stairs hit that HR. They love Stairs at Bright House and he connected on one from Bruney in the sixth to break this open with two rbis in the four run inning.

Wang gave the Yankees five good innings giving up three earned runs. Happ for the Phillies more than matched with him with his five innings and only two runs. Ibanez three hits today including two doubles. Bruntlett and Ibanez combined for six of the twelve hits by Phillies. Jayson Werth and Donald both had stolen bases.
Cairo had a two run HR in the seventh for the Phillies but Yankees today could not get the ball over the fence. They will be back on Thursday at Bright House. Jeter should be back from the WBC.
Only 67 today with a wind and rain…. Felt like Toronto.

The optimist… The guy at bright House who has been selling raincoats all Spring throughout the drought.. Today he struck it rich….

Yes Ingoldisthorpe Jay, Michelle Smith was playing last night but women do not normally play in the spring training games, this was an exhibition charity game. The old-timers traveling around raising money.
Melbourne Jay, your friends at Bright House missed you today.