Phillies raise the white flag as Jays storm back in the ninth to tie this one up.

Wednesday March 18, 2009. Jays v Phillies at Bright House.

Lineups: Jays: Adams, Bautista, Lane, Millar, Rolen, Snyder, Barrett, Thigpen, Emaus and Litsch pitching.
Phillies: Utley, Cairo, Dobbs, Werth, Stars, Feliz, Coste, Paulino and Happ pitching.

This one had everything, another last inning heroics by these young Jays. Last week Thigpen walk off HR to win, today the minions score three to tie, but definitely win a moral victory as Phillies Manager Manuel calls it a day and no extra innings. It would have been much too disastrous for Jays to win this one from World Champs…

Jays get some power and runs from Lane and Ameus HRs but Phillies go ahead with three from Werth to take 7-4 lead.
Bisenius made it interesting in the top of the ninth with his two walks and three hits to get Jays to score three and to tie it up.

Alex who / Vernon who ??? This was a minions win friends today backed by power from Jason Lane (who else?) with his fifth??? home run of spring and Brad Ameus showing his power hitting his second HR.
Jesse Litsch had a good outing going 4.2 innings facing twenty two hitters, four runs, two walks and three strikeouts.

Scott Richmond was inconsistent one hitter perfect the next losing control and the big one a three run HR by (ex-Jay) Jayson Werth although he had not been helped by his fielding team. By the way wherever did Jayson get his swagger ? I guess a World Series ring does that to some players, too bad.
Richmond faced fourteen in 3.1 innings with three hits, three runs, one walk and four strikeouts.

Accardo was superb in bottom of the ninth to close this one but the heroes today were the little guys. We will probably never see them in Toronto but they showed more grit than we get from some of the big guys in battling back 7-4 down in the ninth.
Bright House scorer showing some bias today not going errors to home side by throwing ball away and not turning a double play with the throw and another dropping ball in LF. However scorer was quick to give Jays LF Haerther one on an identical play in LF.

Haerther (more later) went 2-2 but had his big one in the ninth to bring in two runners and make it a one run game. And more than made up for error in LF.
Emaus second HR of season, Lane’s fifth.
Barrett helped his slim chances with two doubles today, but brings his average to.167

Howie Clark kept it going in the ninth with his single. Howie only had four games with the Twins in 2008. Good to see you back Howie.

Adams caught stealing with Millar at the plate… Kevin was not amused.

8,373 another sellout. (of ticketed seats.

Cody Haerther ?? OK friends in Ingoldisthorpe, Woking Jay and Netherlands Jay. Who IS Cody Lee Haerther ? apart from the guy batting 1,000. 2-2 today.
Cody Lee Haerther (traditionally Cody Lee Hærther) (they will have fun with that on scoreboards) (born July 14, 1983 in Valencia California is an outfielder in Jays organization
Haerther was drafted out of high school by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 6th round (192nd overall) of the 2002 MLB Draft. Haerther began his professional career for the Johnson City Cardinals the Cardinals Rookie team,in 2003. His .332 batting average in 63 games led all Cardinals minor leaguers in the organization. He played both third base and outfield but made the complete transition to the outfield after the season.
Haerther spent the 2004 season in Single-A Peoria. He played in just 86 games due to a stress fracture in his left tibia which ended his season on July 22. In those 86 games played, he had a .316batting average with 5 home runs. His .374 batting average in June made him the organization's minor league player of the month. In 2005, he split the year, playing for the High Single-A Palm Beach Cardinals and the Double-A Springfield Cardinals. He began showing some power, hitting a combined 18 home runs in 112 games, with a .307 batting average. Haerther began the 2006 season in Double-A and wound up playing there for the whole season. His batting average dropped to .275 and he struggled against lefties. His contract was purchased by the St. Louis Cardinals following the season on November 20, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft.
In 2007, Haerther spent the season again in Double-A but only played in 37 games due to a wrist injury and a broken hand. After the season, the Cardinals placed Haerther on waivers, hoping to pass him through. However, the Jays claimed him on November 18. He was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on November 20, and was reclaimed by the Cardinals on November 22. Haerther was selected by the Blue Jays in the 2008 Rule 5 Draft. (Note somebody in front office obviously likes this guy..)
So there you have it… will we see him again ?? If not thank you Cody Lee for a great game today and totally shutting down the Phillies crowd who were preparing for celebration.

Tomorrow big game with Janssen going against Burnett..

Footnote: Dissing Alex yesterday obviously encouraged him to show his worth and responded with the HR against the USA and two hits… I won’t mention the errors Alex, you will have a tough enough time when you rejoin the Jays. Whilst you were away we have been spoiled with HR power from Lane and Millar, apart from Lind and Snider battling for your job…