Halladay complete game gem to beat Boston and win series

Toronto v Boston. Game three.

Series decider with Halladay pitching and he himself needs to get back in win column after four no win games.

Lineups: Boston: Drew, Pedroia, Youkilis, Ortiz, Bay, Ellsbury, Varitek, Kotsay, Green and Lester pitching.
Toronto: Scutaro, Hill, Lind, Rolen, Overbay, Rios, Millar, Barajas, Bautista and Halladay pitching. Vernon still out sick. Will this be one of Halladay’s last home outings? One more after today before July 31 trading deadline.

The very good: A classic 2hr15 complete game by Halladay. Making a huge statement to everyone. 105 pitches 78/27 strikes compared to Lester 112 pitches with 66/44. Six hits each but the four walks hurt Lester today. Halladay no walks and another reason why he is so valuable to this team.
The good: Barajas all three rbis. Two stolen bases by Rios and Hill. Three doubles by Jays. Rios two hits and a stolen base. And of course winning this series with Boston, a huge statement not only for Jays to start second half on right footing, but also because there are nine games remaining with Boston and the confidence level will be higher knowing that they can take a series from this team, however of course much depends on today’s starter and whether or not he will be with them for the last two months of this season. Overbay and Rios getting on base for Barajas. Lyle in particular very hot this series.

The bad: Jays 2/10 with runners in scoring position. Far too many players hitless today. MY major concern is with Hill and his slump, it affects not just the start of each game and by adding pressure on Lind but Jays need Aaron’s bat to get on base for Lind and Rolen behind him.

Top 1st: Drew leading off strikes out. Nice start Roy. Pedroia grounds to Scutaro but safe at first. Youkilis doubles to left, Pedroia to third. One down two in scoring position, Trouble brewing. Ortiz, easy, sac fly to Bautista in right, Pedroia scores and Youkilis moves to third on play, Execution Cito, this is one major reason why Jays are so far behind the rest of the field. 1-0 Boston. Bay with two down fly ball to Rios in centre today for Wells still suffering from flu.
Bottom 1st: Can Jays reply? Scutaro, fly ball to Ellsbury in centre. Hill with one down lines to Green at short, two down for Lind, strikes out. Not quite the response Cito or Halladay would have liked.

Top 2nd: Ellsbury grounds to third, Rolen throw to Overbay. Varitek grounds to second, Hill throw to Overbay. Two down. Kotsay singles to centre. Green, Kotsay stealing and safe at second. Francona is taking every chance this afternoon to get the runs against Halladay, perhaps Cito should take note, Jays will need it against Lester. Green strikes out. 22 pitches for Halladay.
Bottom 2nd: Rolen strikes out. Overbay walks. Rios 3-0 and walks on four pitches, Overbay to second. Millar with two on, great chance here to make up for yesterday Kevin. Pops up to catcher Varitek. Two down for Barajas, did not play yesterday. That’s the way Rod, doubles to left, here comes Overbay and Rios behind him. 2-1 Jays. Two down for Bautista fly ball to Ellsbury but Jays are out ahead. Lester at 36 pitches and 18 strikes and 18 balls. Needs to cut down on the balls if he hopes to win this one.

Top 3rd: Top of the order again, Drew grounds to Scutaro throw to Overbay. One down. Pedroia singles to left. Youkilis singles to right, Pedroia to second. Ortiz grounds to Overbay throw to Scutaro, Youkilis out Pedroia to third, Ortiz safe at first. Bay with two on and two down. Fly ball to Rios.
Bottom 3rd: Scutaro 3-0 walks on four pitches. Hill grounds back to Lester throw to second Pedroia to get Scutaro, no chance for two, Hill safe at first. Lind with one down. Hill stealing and safe at second. Aaron may be having rough time with his bat but he is bringing his glove and other skills. Lind strikes out. Rolen fly ball to centre Ellsbury.

Top 4th: Ellsbury, grounds to second Hill, throw to Overbay. One down. Varitek strikes out. Kotsay, grounds to second Hill throw to first base Overbay. Halladay keeping his pitch count down.
Bottom 4th: Overbay grounds to Kotsay at first base Kotsay. Rios strikes out. Millar grounds back to Lester, throw wide at first and Millar safe on error by Lester. Barajas with one on, singles to left, Millar to second. Bautista 3-0 and walks on four pitches, bases loaded, great chance here for Jays. Millar to third, Barajas to second. Scutaro grounds back to Lester throw to first base Kotsay. Golden opportunity lost here.

Top 5th: Green strikes out. Top of the order, Drew grounds to second Hill throw to Overbay. Pedroia fly ball to centre Rios. This team does not deserve Halladay when he pitches his hearty out and the hitters perform so miserably.
Bottom 5th: Hill strikes out. Lind strikes out. Jays hitters not helping Halladay much today. Rolen fly ball to Drew in right.

Top 6th: Youkilis grounds to Rolen throw to first base Overbay. One down for Ortiz, singles to centre. Bay grounds to Rolen throw to Hill to get lead runner Ortiz. Ellsbury fouls out to Rolen.
Bottom 6th: Overbay doubles to centre. We have been here many times before, they owe Halladay one here. Rios, singles to left, Overbay to third. That’s the way Alex. Millar pops up to second base Pedroia. Oh Kevin, I don’t think you will be invited back to the party playing the way you have this weekend. Barajas, earlier hero can he do it again? Alex stealing and safe at second, no umpire calling him back, evidently catcher’s glove hit the umpire, umpire interference, interesting call. No luck here for Jays today. There he is going again, and safe this time without a throw. Overbay at third and Alex at second, with only one out, they have to do something. That’s better than nothing Rod, sac fly to Ellsbury in centre, Lyle scores 3-1 Jays. Bautista but with two down fouls out to first base Kotsay. Jays get one but once again could have had more with decent clutch hitting.

Top 7th: Varitek pops up to Hill. One down for Kotsay, strikes out. Green strikes out. Three up and down again, Halladay just giving a clinic out there.
Bottom 7th: Scutaro grounds to short Green throw to first base Kotsay. One down for Hill, 0-19 now, fly ball to centre Ellsbury. Aaron needs a break Cito. 0-20. Lind also hitless today, there you go Adam, doubles to centre and keeps his hit streak going at eleven. Rolen, with Lind in scoring position but two down, fly ball to left Bay takes it in foul ground.

Top 8th: Drew fouls out to Barajas. Pedroia fly ball to right field Bautista. Two down. Youkilis grounds to Rolen throw to Overbay. Three up and down, Halladay like clockwork and still under 100 pitch count. He will be out in the ninth. With a complete game he gives bullpen yet another day off and with tomorrow an off-day they will have two days of much needed rest before Cleveland on Tuesday. Halladay gives so much to this team in so many ways.
Bottom 8th: Delcarmen pitching. Overbay fly ball to Bay in left. Rios singles to right. Alex having a better game. Millar grounds to third Youkilis on to second Pedroia, throw to first Kotsay, double play ball. Kevin having a rough time right now, can’t do much right with the bat. Should have given Alex a shot at stealing here.

Top 9th: Last chance for Boston and they have the right guys to do it here. But the crowd sensing something here. Ortiz fly ball to right Bautista. On your feet everyone. Jays crowd can make noise if there is something to shout about. Bay fouls out to Barajas. Two down, crowd still on their feet. Ellsbury strikes out. Halladay blows that past him to end another complete game.

Will we see Roy again here in Jays uniform? Not if Pat Gillick has anything to do with it. But can Phillies give Jays what they want?