Jays v Boston. Series finale. Wednesday April 28.
Second team or is it third tonight? Lefty pitching. I thought both Lind and Overbay destroyed that myth earlier this week. Four changes from last night. Cito doesn’t really worry about being swept here by Boston, it is all about developing the talent. No Lind ? No Snider ? One of the reasons for empty seats Cito. September is different but this is April we want to see the first team bust their butts. How come we don’t see Boston second team? Probably because they want to win this thing, sweep Jays and move on after Yankees. Ah well. Cito sees it differently as always.
Red Sox: Scutaro, Pedroia, Martinez, Youkilis, Drew, Varitek, Beltre, Hall.
Jays: McCoy, Hill, Bautista, Wells, Overbay, Gonzalez, Ruiz, Molina, McDonald.
Cecil v Lester.
Top 1st: Scutaro singles to left. Pedroia grounds to Gonzalez throw to Hill to get Scutaro at second. Pedroia to first. Martinez grounds to Gonzalez on to Hill on to Overbay, Double play ball..15 pitches for Cecil.
Bottom 1st: McCoy, not Lewis tonight. Full count. and walks. Hill having a rough time right now. Will McCoy steal? Yes there he goes, thrown out at second. One down. Hill strikes out. Two down for Bautista. Strikes out looking. 15 pitches for Lester.
Top 2nd: Youkilis fly ball to Bautista on right. One down. Drew, full count and strikes out two down. Varitek, walks, Beltre, two down and one on. 3-1 count. Come on Brett. There we go full count, pops it up to Bautista in right to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd: Wells, there we go Vernon, doubles into left centre, Overbay, come on Lyle bring him in here. Not quite but moves him over as he grounds to first and flip to Lester for the first out. Gonzalez with Vernon at third, full count and strikes out. Come on Alex a bunt would have scoreed Vernon. Ruiz, you have waited for this chance. 3-0 and does not take. Full count. Strikes out. Guy at third with only one down and could not score. This is why Jays are where they are in the table. Unable to bring runners in from scoring position and probably why Cito has kept Ruiz on the bench. Lester 37 pitches.
Top 3rd: Hall, leading off doubles off the fence in right, Over Bautista head that kept on carrying but was catchable. McDonald, bunting,foul. Perfect grounds to Gonzalez, looks runner back to second throw to Overbay at first for the out. One down for Scutaro. Runner going and steals as Molina drops the ball. Perfect pops it up to Johnny Mc at third, two down. Pedroia, lines one to Wells running in from centre for the third out, Nice pitching Brett. 51 pitches though.
Bottom 3rd: Molina, grounds to Scutaro throw to Youkilis at first one down for Johnny Mc. Grounds to Beltre at third throw to Youkilis at first two down for Mike McCoy. Strikes out.50 pitches for Lester. Jays need to push that up bigtime with a few hits.
Top 4th: Martinez fly ball to Vernon in centre, one down. Youkilis strikes out. Two down for Drew. 3-0 count. Full count. Fly ball to McCoy in left for third out. 65 pitches.
Bottom 4th: Hill, average .172 not good. Fly ball to centre, one down. Bautista, lines out to shallow centre, two down for Vernon left out there on third last at bat. Average is 60 points higher than the next hitter, the only one over .300. It is too bad that he has not had any run support this month, he has done more than his share. Full count, strikes out this time. 69 pitch count for Lester.
Top 5th: Varitek, pops it up to Overbay at first, one down. Beltre, strikes out, only the third for Cecil tonight, two down. Hall, 0-2 count. Full count, come on Brett. Hall hanging tough fouling them off not this time pops it up to McDonald for third out but that was along at bat. 82 pitches. I think he will need bullpen tonight.
Bottom 5th: Overbay leading off. Come on Lyle that was the pitch. 1-2. Still not 1--% on pitch selection. Grounds to second throw to first for the out. Gonzalez strikes out, horrible swing. Ruiz, two down. grounds first pitch to short throw to first and Jays go meek and mild with some awful at bats, all three of them. Lester is happy though as it means he will go longer. 79 pitch count.
Top 6th: McDonald doubles to centre wall, One on for Scutaro, bunting? Tries. Ball one. Fakes but Scutaro lines into right centre. Scutaro seems to have been at that first base most of the series. Runners at the corners no outs, Cecil in big trouble here, Problem is that poor Cecil has no run support as last night with Marcum. He has no room at all for error and that must put additional pressure on these young pitchers. Very different pitching with a three run lead. Pedroia, that will do it fly ball to centre, run scores 1-0 Boston and one down , How to bring in a guy from third, Jays consistently unable to do that. Martinez. Brett you need a ground ball here. Pop up to shallow left for McCoy running in, two down. Youkilis two down one on. Lines it over Hill, for a double into centre right. Two on two down for Drew. Roenicke up in bullpen, good no joy for Frasor, still on Cito’s hit list? Drew lines out to Gonzalez. Cecil escapes further damage. But his night is over at 100 pitches. He has kept them in this game but is not going to win without a lot more support.
Bottom 6th: Molina grounds Scutaro at short, throw to first Youkilis at first. McDonald strikes out. McCoy full count and walks. Hill strikes out.
Top 7th: Janssen now pitching. Varitek pops up to Gonzalez at short. One down for Beltre doubles to right. Hermida pinch-hitting for Hall. Hermida grounds to McDonald throw to Overbay, Beltre to third. McDonald singles to left, Beltre scores 2-0 Boston. Scutaro with two down grounds to McDonald at third throw to Hill at second, McDonald out.
Bottom 7th: Jays now running out of bats and closer to Papelbon closing it down. This lack of runs is very troubling, the offence has totally disappeared in the last two games even allowing for with the second team players tonight. One run in 17 innings will not win many games. Hermida in at left field. Bautista leading off strikes out. Wells fouls out to Youkilis at first.
Overbay with two down strikes out. Number eleven for Lester tonight. Lester 119 pitches.
Top 8th: Roenicke now pitching. Pedroia strikes out. Martinez strikes out. Youkilis fly ball to Bautista in right. Three up and down very nice pitching.
Bottom 8th: Bard pitching. Gonzalez leading off doubles to centre. Lind pinch-hitting for Ruiz. Strikes out. Lewis pinch-hitting for Molina. Strikes out. Snider pinch-hitting for McDonald.
Gonzalez takes third, defensive indifference, as with Jays offensive indifference tonight and last night. Snider strikes out. Perhaps Cito knew something benching these three for the game ?
Top 9th: Bautista in at third base. Lind in as designated hitter. Lewis in as right fielder. Buck now catching and pitching Rommie Lewis making debut. Drew grounds to Hill at second throw to Overbay at first. Varitek grounds back to Lewis to make the second out. Beltre singles to centre. Lowell pinch-hitting for Hermida, strikes out. Boston in a hurry to get to the airport and take these three wins home with them
Bottom 9th: Van Every in left field. Papelbon pitching to the top of the Jays order. Do they have any fight ? McCoy fly ball to Drew in right. Hill strikes out. What is wrong with Aaron? Jays down to their last hope Bautista, no fly ball to Van Every in left.
Jays crumble for the second night in a row and lose all three to Boston at home. Deeper and deeper into the hole.
The good: Cecil a good one run performance for six innings. Lewis and Roenicke two scoreless innings.
The bad: Jays waste great pitching performance by Cecil. Hill strikes out three times and average down to .156, has a real problem. Once again no small ball, no steals until the eighth.
The very bad: 0-6 with runners in scoring position, how bad is that?
Tomorrow Oakland is in town but right now Jays need complete overhaul with their hitting or they will be looking forward to the road trip next week.
Pitching has been very good in the last two games but with no run support.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Unimaginative listless Jays ruin good outing by Downs
Boston v Jays Tuesday April 27.
I see Cito read the blog last night and bought a bus ticket to Vegas for Accardo, Jeremy would not be very happy but no one to blame but himself. Hello to Roenicke and Rommie Lewis who had pitched so very well in Dunedin in the spring. Fresh arms for a while at least. I don’t think we will see 25 runs tonight but it could be the team that gets into the bullpen first that wins.
Lineups:
Boston: Scutaro, Pedroia, Martinez, Youkilis, Drew, Ortiz, Beltre, Hermida, McDonald.
Toronto: Same as last night. Lewis, Hill, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Gonzalez, Bautista, Buck, Snider.
Pitching: Marcum v Bucholz
Top 1st: Scutaro, pop up to Hill at second, one down for Pedroia. Lines out to right Snider makes overhead catch, he is starting to get used to that position but has his adventures sometimes misjudging but then so did Rios and he played it a lot longer. Martinez, with two down. Full count. Grounds to Hill throw to Overbay for third out. Nice inning 11 pitches.
Bottom 1st: Lewis leading off, singles up the middle, good start. Fred is staking a place here and making it more difficult for Cito when Encarnacion returns. If nothing else he is a great threat on the bases with his speed. Hill, bounces it in front of Bucholz, no chance to double up Fred throw to first to get Hill but Aaron did his job. Now up to the big bats. Lind high fly ball to left no chance to tag and move up. Two down for Wells, high and inside Vernon not swinging at that one. This will do it doubles right down the third base line into left. Lewis scores easily. 1-0 Jays. Overbay, is he still hot after great 3-5 last night? 3-1 count. Walks him. Two on for Gonzalez. Grounds to Scutaro throw to second for final out. Jays leave two out there. 22 pitch count for Bucholz.
Top 2nd: Youkilis full count, ball three looked fine to me, doesn’t matter Youkilis swings over this one , one down. Drew, Marcum not getting those corner pitches, Drew strikes out on one that looked high. Interesting strike zone tonight. Two down for Ortiz, did not play last night. 3-1 count, being careful full count. Does not like that call, I tend to agree with Ortiz but if umpire is consistent then same for everyone. Hanging in here against Marcum. Walks him. At least he is not going to steal so don’t worry about him Marcum. Two down one on for Beltre, pops it up into centre too shallow for Vernon. Two on for Hermida, full count, singles into left, here comes Ortiz, was running on the count. 1-1 game. McDonald, with two on. Grounds to short throw to first for third out but Boston tie it up. And Marcum threw a lot of pitches here. 34 pitches that inning. Jays need a long outing from the starter tonight and to rest the bullpen.
Bottom 2nd: Bautista leading off hard back at Bucholz, great instinctive play, throw to first one down. Buck .167 average, needs to step it up. Fouling them off at least. Lines out to centre. Two down for another struggling bat, Snider. Just does not look comfortable at all but who would with a .133 average? Pops it up to short. Jays go far too quietly. 35 pitches for Bucholz.
Top 3rd: Scutaro leading off again. Lines it past Marcum’s glove, Hill makes the play at second throw to Overbay at first, one down. Pedroia grounds it slowly to third no throw on the play. Need a double play ball here Shaun. Martinez, fly ball to Lewis in left throw to second holds Pedroia at first. I am surprised he is not trying to steal on Buck. Youkilis. Two down. Grounds to Hill throw to Overbay for third out. But the pitch count is mounting for Marcum. 62 pitches for three innings. That’s a five inning game.
Bottom 3rd: Come in give the guy some run support here. Lewis gives it a long drive to centre, nice swing Fred but out at the wall. One pitch one out. Hill, grounds to Scutaro at short, throw to first for second out. Lind grounds up the middle off the mound to Scutaro makes the play to first for the first out. Three up and won very quickly Jays hitters have no patience. It will be interesting to see the style of Cito’s replacement. Yankees and Boston are both far more patient at the plate and help drive up that pitch count. Here it doesn’t seem to matter but as we saw with Price on Sunday it enabled him to pitch complete game with all the impatient bats of the Jays.
Top 4th: Drew walks, you can’t afford this Shaun, Ortiz, one on grounds t hill underhand throw to Gonzalez throw to Lyle at first double play ball. Beltre grounds to Bautista throw to Overbay you needed that one Shaun. Only seven pitches. 69 pitches.
Bottom 4th: Wells leading off, strikes out swinging on three pitches. Overbay grounds (yes) first pitch to first throw to Bucholz for the second out. Gonzalez first pitch swinging what’s wrong with these guys, singles into centre. Bautista 0-2 now Gonzalez distracting Bucholz, about time let’s steal here. loops it into shallow right. Two on two down for Buck. Your time has come John. Sure first pitch fly ball to right and that ruined that little rally. Buck is on my list for the bench and fast. Did not even give those two a chance for a double steal or put some pressure on Bucholz. I am not yet convinced of his value to this team. 51 pitches. Jays 1/5 with runners in scoring position.
Top 5th: Hermida drops down a great bunt but Marcum agile here gets to it at the line and throw to Overbay for the out. McDonald, lines it at Gonzalez, great play to trap ball, whirl and throw to Overbay for the out. Scutaro, two down. grounds back to Marcum throw to Overbay three up and down here and quick. Only six pitches? Has really helped himself in the last two innings. Has a chance to go two more and help out the bullpen tonight. 75 pitches.
Bottom 5th: Snider 2-2 count. That’s a much better swing but caught at the track in right. I think Travis will be pleased with that swing. Lewis strikes out. Two down for Hill. Singles into left. One on for Lind, now will Aaron try to steal at least? No need Lind singles first pitch into right. That was the same stroke as Travis but it kept down. Two on two down for Wells. Here comes the coach. Pops it up to shallow right. 68 pitches.
Top 6th: Pedroia leading off strikes out. Martinez grounds to Hill throw to Overbay, two down. Youkilis, strikes out on three pitches, does not like the call. But it stays. Marcum another quick inning. 83 pitches.
Bottom 6th: Overbay fly ball to left. One down for Gonzalez. Strikes out swinging. Two down for Bautista. Full count, grounds to first, throw to Bucholz and Jays go awfully quietly. 82 pitch count.
Top 7th: Could be the last inning for both starters. Drew doubles into the left field corner. Marcum in a tight spot here. Ortiz high pop up to Wells in centre. Almost hit the roof. One down for Beltre, 2-0 count, Marcum not as sharp as he was earlier, 3-0, might as well put him on and go for ground ball double play. Walks him. Good advice… Hermida with two on and one down. Downs warming up in Jays bullpen. There’s pitch number 100. Strikes out, very nice Shaun. Two down. McDonald, Cito will give him one more. Good decision Cito, McDonald pops up to Overbay and this inning is over and Marcum;’s evening. He did well to come back from that earlier start with 62 pitches in his first three innings.
Bottom 7th: Now can the Jays hitters get Bucholz out of this game? Pinch hitter for Buck? Not tonight, sigh. Jays have four hitters averaging under .200 Ouch. Grounds off the glove of Bucholz to Pedroia at second, throw to first, one down. Snider another sub-200 hitter. Swings over first pitch. Walks. Take these victories Travis. Lewis, pops it up to Scutaro behind third, two down. Hill now two down and Travis at first. Pops it up to shallow right. Here comes Downs.
Top 8th: Scutaro leading off you know Marco will be patient here. Full count. Strikes out. Very nice Scott. Pedroia. Singles up the middle. Watch him steal. He knows it is Buck. Will Cito regret not pinch hitting last inning for Buck? Downs does have a great pickoff move though. Martinez, singles to right. Overbay was guarding the base with Pedroia. Two on one down. Youkilis. Gregg up in bullpen. Fly ball to Snider in right, two down but Pedroia gets to third on the throw. Martinez has to hold at first. Drew with two down. 2-0 count. No wild swings from Boston hitters. 3-0. Ortiz on deck. There’s a strike. Walks him. Bases loaded for Ortiz. I don’t think Downs will be facing him. Buck out to talk to Downs, Lowell pinch hitting for Ortiz how tough is that? and here comes Cito. Gregg will try to get third out here, this is the game. Come on Kevin 3-0 here. NO walks him on four pitches and the run. 2-1 Boston. McDonald with bases still loaded. Lines it hard back at Gregg for the out, almost a reflex catch but it counts anyway. But Boston get a run and Papelbon will be stirring.
Bottom 8th: The middle of Jays order. Lind leading off. Bucholz out again on 99 pitches. If only Jays hitters had been this patient earlier in the game he would not be pitching now. Ramirez up in bullpen. 3-1 count, hanging tough fouling a few off here, finally fly ball to left, one down for Wells, grounds first pitch to third, throw to first is wild gets away from Youkilis and Vernon off to second. Overbay with runner in scoring position. Lyle tentative here with his swings, and strikes out, that was an awful at bat Lyle. Gonzalez, there goes Vernon but Gonzalez pops it up to centre. Papelbon looking at another save here. Jays have only themselves to blame for undisciplined hitting all evening and allowing Bucholz to last this long. Smiles and congratulations all round in Boston dugout, they know they have this one and the series barring meltdown by Papelbon. 117 pitches for Bucholz. Could have been out an inning earlier if only Jays had some discipline.
Top 9th: Hermida leading off strikes out, one down. McDonald, grounds to Hill throw to Overbay two down. Scutaro singles into left. Pedroia, grounds to Overbay steps on the bag for the third out.
Bottom 9th: No Papelbon, Ramon Ramirez pitching, but Francona not too worried he should be enough for bottom of the Jays order 1/9 tonight. Van Every in left. Bautista high pop up to left, one down. Buck or pinch hitter? Buck, sigh Cito. Buck first pitch fly ball to centre. Two down. Snider last chance. Poor kid. Free bat for someone as it goes flying into crowd. Two strikes against Travis. Grounds back to Ramirez. And Jays lose a stinker. Clueless and flat tonight.
The good: Nothing that I can think about apart from Marcum seven innings.
The bad: Plenty. Poor and total lack of discipline at the plate. 1/7 with runners in scoring position. Seven hits but only one run. Total lack of small ball by the Manager, not one steal all night. No pinch hitting at all. Surely for Buck in the bottom of the ninth. Why sit Ruiz on the bench? Send him to AAA at least he would get in some games. If Terry Francona can lift David Ortiz for pinch hitter surely something Cito. He just appears to be resigned to whatever happens. Not that he has ever been the most imaginative Manager but surely something different. Jays in real danger of getting swept and tomorrow night Gregg will not be available Papelbon will and if Cito is relying on Frasor tomorrow. Oh dear poor fans. Not the home stand we had hoped for and it really doesn’t matter about Oakland series, Jays have to be competitive with Boston and especially when Boston has been playing so badly.
Footnote: Jarrett Hoffpauir hits for the cycle last night in Vegas. Lots of good bats in AAA Cito.
Maybe time to give Travis a break. Dopirak perhaps, Arencibia for Buck, that would be interesting.
I see Cito read the blog last night and bought a bus ticket to Vegas for Accardo, Jeremy would not be very happy but no one to blame but himself. Hello to Roenicke and Rommie Lewis who had pitched so very well in Dunedin in the spring. Fresh arms for a while at least. I don’t think we will see 25 runs tonight but it could be the team that gets into the bullpen first that wins.
Lineups:
Boston: Scutaro, Pedroia, Martinez, Youkilis, Drew, Ortiz, Beltre, Hermida, McDonald.
Toronto: Same as last night. Lewis, Hill, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Gonzalez, Bautista, Buck, Snider.
Pitching: Marcum v Bucholz
Top 1st: Scutaro, pop up to Hill at second, one down for Pedroia. Lines out to right Snider makes overhead catch, he is starting to get used to that position but has his adventures sometimes misjudging but then so did Rios and he played it a lot longer. Martinez, with two down. Full count. Grounds to Hill throw to Overbay for third out. Nice inning 11 pitches.
Bottom 1st: Lewis leading off, singles up the middle, good start. Fred is staking a place here and making it more difficult for Cito when Encarnacion returns. If nothing else he is a great threat on the bases with his speed. Hill, bounces it in front of Bucholz, no chance to double up Fred throw to first to get Hill but Aaron did his job. Now up to the big bats. Lind high fly ball to left no chance to tag and move up. Two down for Wells, high and inside Vernon not swinging at that one. This will do it doubles right down the third base line into left. Lewis scores easily. 1-0 Jays. Overbay, is he still hot after great 3-5 last night? 3-1 count. Walks him. Two on for Gonzalez. Grounds to Scutaro throw to second for final out. Jays leave two out there. 22 pitch count for Bucholz.
Top 2nd: Youkilis full count, ball three looked fine to me, doesn’t matter Youkilis swings over this one , one down. Drew, Marcum not getting those corner pitches, Drew strikes out on one that looked high. Interesting strike zone tonight. Two down for Ortiz, did not play last night. 3-1 count, being careful full count. Does not like that call, I tend to agree with Ortiz but if umpire is consistent then same for everyone. Hanging in here against Marcum. Walks him. At least he is not going to steal so don’t worry about him Marcum. Two down one on for Beltre, pops it up into centre too shallow for Vernon. Two on for Hermida, full count, singles into left, here comes Ortiz, was running on the count. 1-1 game. McDonald, with two on. Grounds to short throw to first for third out but Boston tie it up. And Marcum threw a lot of pitches here. 34 pitches that inning. Jays need a long outing from the starter tonight and to rest the bullpen.
Bottom 2nd: Bautista leading off hard back at Bucholz, great instinctive play, throw to first one down. Buck .167 average, needs to step it up. Fouling them off at least. Lines out to centre. Two down for another struggling bat, Snider. Just does not look comfortable at all but who would with a .133 average? Pops it up to short. Jays go far too quietly. 35 pitches for Bucholz.
Top 3rd: Scutaro leading off again. Lines it past Marcum’s glove, Hill makes the play at second throw to Overbay at first, one down. Pedroia grounds it slowly to third no throw on the play. Need a double play ball here Shaun. Martinez, fly ball to Lewis in left throw to second holds Pedroia at first. I am surprised he is not trying to steal on Buck. Youkilis. Two down. Grounds to Hill throw to Overbay for third out. But the pitch count is mounting for Marcum. 62 pitches for three innings. That’s a five inning game.
Bottom 3rd: Come in give the guy some run support here. Lewis gives it a long drive to centre, nice swing Fred but out at the wall. One pitch one out. Hill, grounds to Scutaro at short, throw to first for second out. Lind grounds up the middle off the mound to Scutaro makes the play to first for the first out. Three up and won very quickly Jays hitters have no patience. It will be interesting to see the style of Cito’s replacement. Yankees and Boston are both far more patient at the plate and help drive up that pitch count. Here it doesn’t seem to matter but as we saw with Price on Sunday it enabled him to pitch complete game with all the impatient bats of the Jays.
Top 4th: Drew walks, you can’t afford this Shaun, Ortiz, one on grounds t hill underhand throw to Gonzalez throw to Lyle at first double play ball. Beltre grounds to Bautista throw to Overbay you needed that one Shaun. Only seven pitches. 69 pitches.
Bottom 4th: Wells leading off, strikes out swinging on three pitches. Overbay grounds (yes) first pitch to first throw to Bucholz for the second out. Gonzalez first pitch swinging what’s wrong with these guys, singles into centre. Bautista 0-2 now Gonzalez distracting Bucholz, about time let’s steal here. loops it into shallow right. Two on two down for Buck. Your time has come John. Sure first pitch fly ball to right and that ruined that little rally. Buck is on my list for the bench and fast. Did not even give those two a chance for a double steal or put some pressure on Bucholz. I am not yet convinced of his value to this team. 51 pitches. Jays 1/5 with runners in scoring position.
Top 5th: Hermida drops down a great bunt but Marcum agile here gets to it at the line and throw to Overbay for the out. McDonald, lines it at Gonzalez, great play to trap ball, whirl and throw to Overbay for the out. Scutaro, two down. grounds back to Marcum throw to Overbay three up and down here and quick. Only six pitches? Has really helped himself in the last two innings. Has a chance to go two more and help out the bullpen tonight. 75 pitches.
Bottom 5th: Snider 2-2 count. That’s a much better swing but caught at the track in right. I think Travis will be pleased with that swing. Lewis strikes out. Two down for Hill. Singles into left. One on for Lind, now will Aaron try to steal at least? No need Lind singles first pitch into right. That was the same stroke as Travis but it kept down. Two on two down for Wells. Here comes the coach. Pops it up to shallow right. 68 pitches.
Top 6th: Pedroia leading off strikes out. Martinez grounds to Hill throw to Overbay, two down. Youkilis, strikes out on three pitches, does not like the call. But it stays. Marcum another quick inning. 83 pitches.
Bottom 6th: Overbay fly ball to left. One down for Gonzalez. Strikes out swinging. Two down for Bautista. Full count, grounds to first, throw to Bucholz and Jays go awfully quietly. 82 pitch count.
Top 7th: Could be the last inning for both starters. Drew doubles into the left field corner. Marcum in a tight spot here. Ortiz high pop up to Wells in centre. Almost hit the roof. One down for Beltre, 2-0 count, Marcum not as sharp as he was earlier, 3-0, might as well put him on and go for ground ball double play. Walks him. Good advice… Hermida with two on and one down. Downs warming up in Jays bullpen. There’s pitch number 100. Strikes out, very nice Shaun. Two down. McDonald, Cito will give him one more. Good decision Cito, McDonald pops up to Overbay and this inning is over and Marcum;’s evening. He did well to come back from that earlier start with 62 pitches in his first three innings.
Bottom 7th: Now can the Jays hitters get Bucholz out of this game? Pinch hitter for Buck? Not tonight, sigh. Jays have four hitters averaging under .200 Ouch. Grounds off the glove of Bucholz to Pedroia at second, throw to first, one down. Snider another sub-200 hitter. Swings over first pitch. Walks. Take these victories Travis. Lewis, pops it up to Scutaro behind third, two down. Hill now two down and Travis at first. Pops it up to shallow right. Here comes Downs.
Top 8th: Scutaro leading off you know Marco will be patient here. Full count. Strikes out. Very nice Scott. Pedroia. Singles up the middle. Watch him steal. He knows it is Buck. Will Cito regret not pinch hitting last inning for Buck? Downs does have a great pickoff move though. Martinez, singles to right. Overbay was guarding the base with Pedroia. Two on one down. Youkilis. Gregg up in bullpen. Fly ball to Snider in right, two down but Pedroia gets to third on the throw. Martinez has to hold at first. Drew with two down. 2-0 count. No wild swings from Boston hitters. 3-0. Ortiz on deck. There’s a strike. Walks him. Bases loaded for Ortiz. I don’t think Downs will be facing him. Buck out to talk to Downs, Lowell pinch hitting for Ortiz how tough is that? and here comes Cito. Gregg will try to get third out here, this is the game. Come on Kevin 3-0 here. NO walks him on four pitches and the run. 2-1 Boston. McDonald with bases still loaded. Lines it hard back at Gregg for the out, almost a reflex catch but it counts anyway. But Boston get a run and Papelbon will be stirring.
Bottom 8th: The middle of Jays order. Lind leading off. Bucholz out again on 99 pitches. If only Jays hitters had been this patient earlier in the game he would not be pitching now. Ramirez up in bullpen. 3-1 count, hanging tough fouling a few off here, finally fly ball to left, one down for Wells, grounds first pitch to third, throw to first is wild gets away from Youkilis and Vernon off to second. Overbay with runner in scoring position. Lyle tentative here with his swings, and strikes out, that was an awful at bat Lyle. Gonzalez, there goes Vernon but Gonzalez pops it up to centre. Papelbon looking at another save here. Jays have only themselves to blame for undisciplined hitting all evening and allowing Bucholz to last this long. Smiles and congratulations all round in Boston dugout, they know they have this one and the series barring meltdown by Papelbon. 117 pitches for Bucholz. Could have been out an inning earlier if only Jays had some discipline.
Top 9th: Hermida leading off strikes out, one down. McDonald, grounds to Hill throw to Overbay two down. Scutaro singles into left. Pedroia, grounds to Overbay steps on the bag for the third out.
Bottom 9th: No Papelbon, Ramon Ramirez pitching, but Francona not too worried he should be enough for bottom of the Jays order 1/9 tonight. Van Every in left. Bautista high pop up to left, one down. Buck or pinch hitter? Buck, sigh Cito. Buck first pitch fly ball to centre. Two down. Snider last chance. Poor kid. Free bat for someone as it goes flying into crowd. Two strikes against Travis. Grounds back to Ramirez. And Jays lose a stinker. Clueless and flat tonight.
The good: Nothing that I can think about apart from Marcum seven innings.
The bad: Plenty. Poor and total lack of discipline at the plate. 1/7 with runners in scoring position. Seven hits but only one run. Total lack of small ball by the Manager, not one steal all night. No pinch hitting at all. Surely for Buck in the bottom of the ninth. Why sit Ruiz on the bench? Send him to AAA at least he would get in some games. If Terry Francona can lift David Ortiz for pinch hitter surely something Cito. He just appears to be resigned to whatever happens. Not that he has ever been the most imaginative Manager but surely something different. Jays in real danger of getting swept and tomorrow night Gregg will not be available Papelbon will and if Cito is relying on Frasor tomorrow. Oh dear poor fans. Not the home stand we had hoped for and it really doesn’t matter about Oakland series, Jays have to be competitive with Boston and especially when Boston has been playing so badly.
Footnote: Jarrett Hoffpauir hits for the cycle last night in Vegas. Lots of good bats in AAA Cito.
Maybe time to give Travis a break. Dopirak perhaps, Arencibia for Buck, that would be interesting.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Eveland digs the big hole but Jays make it close at the end
Jays v Red Sox. Game one of three Monday April 26.
Lineups:
Boston: Scutaro, Pedroia, Youkilis, Lowell, Drew, Varitek, Beltre, Hall, McDonald.
Toronto: Lewis, Hill, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Gonzalez, Bautista, Buck, Snider.
Pitching: Beckett v Eveland
Top 1st: Scutaro first trip back, leading off, singles up the middle, Pedroia with one on. lines hard at Bautista nice catch Jose. Scutaro back to first, one down for Youkilis, singles into left. Red Sox hitting Eveland hard here. Two on for Lowell. Singles into left, Scutaro held at third, and bases are loaded. Eveland in trouble already. Drew with one down. Singles into right here comes the throw Pedroia out at the plate. Nice throw Travis right on the button. 1-0 Boston though. Two down. Varitek, strikes out. Eveland manages to get out of very nasty situation, could have been a lot worse with bases loaded and only one out. Now let’s hope he settles down.
Bottom 1st: Jays need quick answer here against Beckett. Lewis, strikes out. Hill gets hold of this one but long fly ball to left, two quick outs. Patience is not a word in Jays vocabulary at least not with Cito as manager. Lind hammers this one up the middle, just missing Beckett. One on, two down for Vernon. Ball one outside did NOT swing, Vernon not doing that as much this year. Pitchers will have to forget that pitch this year. Vernon gets hold of this one, off the wall in left, just missed, long double, Lind at third. Overbay, pops it up to short. Jays leave two in scoring position, what’s new? But both pitchers shaky this inning.
Top 2nd: Beltre leading off, grounds to Gonzalez, throw to Overbay at first for the out. Hall, Eveland does not have the command he has had earlier this season. Hall, high fly ball to Wells in centre. Eveland escaped there. McDonald strikes out looking. Much better for Dana but there were a few high pitches he lost.
Bottom 2nd: Gonzalez, leading off gets hold of this one but just past foul pole, pops up to Youkilis at first for first down. Bautista grounds back to Beckett, nice play throw to Youkilis at first for second out. Buck, his average sinking fast, 1-24 last at bats, horrible swing at that pitch, 0-2 now full count. That’s much better John, doubles into right centre to the wall. Snider with runner in scoring position, also overdue. Nice swing, hard hit ball but McDonald tracks it down at the wall. Travis gave it a great shot. Jays are hitting Beckett hard but not much joy yet.
Top 3rd: Top of the order again for Boston, Scutaro leading off. Doubles into right field corner, second hit tonight. He has been struggling but obviously likes Toronto cooking. Pedroia, singles into left. Two on no outs, Youkilis, Pedroia stealing not even a throw from Buck. So different from yesterday. Youkilis walks, Bases loaded yet again and this time no outs. Eveland has nothing here tonight. Lowell, pops it up to shallow centre Vernon makes the sliding catch. One down for Drew, strikes out. Two down for Varitek. Singles into centre, two runs score 3-0 Boston. Beltre, with two still on base. Doubles off the wall in right over Snider’s head two more score 5-0 Boston. Walton is out but not much good tonight Eveland is just awful. Hall, wild pitch and Beltre moves up to third base. Accardo up in bullpen. Why not. Full count. Walks him. Number nine batter this inning McDonald. High fly ball out to Snider in right to end this agony for one inning at least. I don’t believe this Jays team will score five against Beckett even though he is not pitching at his best. Eveland 71 pitches after three innings, says it all eight yes eight hits and add in the two walks. And that about sums up his sorry night.
Bottom 3rd: Lewis leading off full count. Off the wall in left, stretches it into a triple, nice speed Fred. The hits are fine it is just getting them when a runner is in scoring position tonight. Hill, can he do it ? even a bunt will do Aaron. Finally a hit when it counts, singles up the middle here comes Lewis and Jays are on the board but a long, long way to go yet. Jays have five hits but only one run to show for it. 5-1. Lind, pops it up to shallow right, no chance for Aaron to move up, one down for Vernon. That should do it; doubles down left field line, Hill can only make it to third, what was wrong there? Overbay, another chance Lyle, you have had so many. Bring them both in, 3-0 count. Beckett’s turn to be in trouble now. Taking both those two down the middle, asking for trouble here Lyle. Count full, that’s the boy Lyle doubles into right centre and Jays get two more back. 5-3 game. Gonzalez can tie this one up with one swing here. Singles up the middle, Overbay to third. Bautista runners at the corners, go ahead run. OH MY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he does it. High fly ball into left field second deck seats three run homerun 6-5 Jays. Buck now with bases empty but only one out. Atchison up in Boston bullpen, strikes out. two down for Snider. 3-0 count. Full count, walks him, ball outside and Travis lays off it, nice at bat Travis. Top of the order again Lewis who started it all with that triple. Travis stealing but Fred strikes out. When did Beckett ever give up six runs in one inning? 40 pitch inning for Beckett and he also is at 72 as Eveland. Jays back in this thing, but who is pitching?
Top 4th: Eveland pitching, ok Cito your call but…for how long? Scutaro leading off, 2-2 tonight. Eveland’s problem appears to be control as he almost hits Scutaro. Full count, walks him. That gamble didn’t work Cito. But Cito leaving him there. Pedroia, Eveland just unable to throw strikes. Accardo back up. Oh boy bounces back to Eveland throw to second not in time that should have been two. Hill was slow to cover and Gonzalez comes in front of bag as he was going for that bounce. Both runners safe and that is finally it for Eveland. His night is definitely not dome here as he has left Accardo with two on base and no outs and Acardo was one of the bullpen culprits who blew the game on Saturday. What does he have tonight? Youkilis singles to Wells in centre, bases loaded no outs. Lowell, wild pitch !!!! Scutaro says thank you very much and this game is tied up. How bad can this team get? 6-6. Runners at second and third. No outs. Strikes out, first out in the inning and one less off Evelands’s line tonight. Drew, 3-0 in danger of loading them up yet again. Drew does not like that call, thought it was ball four. That one is and bases loaded. Cito I don’t think your pitcher has it tonight…. One of Jays problems is that they have no long relief guy who can take four innings. Varitek, need a ground ball here Jeremy. 3-0 count. Single into centre, two more runs score. Why did Accardo ever think he could be a closer ???? 8-6 Boston. Camp now up. Beltre, strikes out, two down. Hall another full count. Accardo up to 30 pitch inning. Ground ball to Bautista throw to first to end this agony. Poor managerial decision to start Eveland and even worse to let Accardo out there. I think he might well be on the bus to Vegas tonight.
Bottom 4th: This game is almost two hours and we are not out of the fourth inning. Beckett gets a new life so I would be very surprised if gives the lead back. Hill leading off. Jays need base runners. Full count. Walks him. Lind, Atchison up again in Boston bullpen. 3-0 count on Adam. walks on four pitches, Two on for Wells. 2-2 tonight. Here comes Francona. Battle of the bullpens now. Interesting everyone on Jays lineup has a hit tonight except Snider. Scott Atchison now pitching. Vernon lines toYoukilis, Hill has to retreat to second, throw bounces into left but no chance to advance. I like Vernon going the other way though. Overbay with one down, strikes out. Two down. Gonzalez, 0-2, hanging tough though, now full count, YES OH BOY what next. High fly ball into left centre, off the glove of Hall in left field, two runs score and Gonzalez has a triple. I think if he had not stood there watching this one thinking it a home run he may well have had an in the park home run. That being said it was one great at bat by Gonzalez down 0-2 and battling back. This game is all tied up yet again 8-8. Bautista with runner at third. Another full count. Strikes out but what a game. 2 hours and 15 minutes…. Some games finish under this time.
Top 5th: Camp now pitching, he may have to go two if he can. McDonald leading off. Grounds to Gonzalez, throw to Overbay one down. Scutaro same play, grounds to Gonzalez throw to Overbay. Two down. Pedroia, singles up the middle just out of reach of Gonzalez. Youkilis, there goes the runner, again no throw. Buck has no chance. Second steal by Pedroia tonight. The difference between Molina and Buck is that Molina always sets up when a runner is on first, and he is the position to make quick throw, Buck never seems to anticipate that and this never has that extra split second to throw. Youkilis singles to Lewis in left and here comes the runner 9-8 Boston. Cito out surely not taking him out. No have no idea what that was, he never appeared when Eveland and Accardo were giving up runs. Lowell, fly ball to Wells and the bleeding has sort of stopped. One run is a pleasant change and certainly Camp gives more confidence out there than the other two had.
Bottom 5th: Boston’s bullpen turn Atchison still out there. Buck swinging at pitch way high. Grounds to short, quick out. Snider first pitch pop up to left, two quick outs. Lewis bounces one to third no chance to throw, Lewis on first, Hill with two down. 3-0 count. Walks on ball four. Two on for Lind. Here comes Francona. 23 hits in this game so far. 12 to Boston 11 Jays. Scott Schoeneweis pitching. Lefty-lefty. Way to go Adam, singles up the middle. Lewis scores easily. 9—9 game. Wells with runners at first and second. Grounds to third tags out Aaron.
Top 6th: Drew leading off fly ball to Lewis in left. One down. Varitek, broken bat single to centre. Janssen up in bullpen. Beltre, singles to centre, another broken bat. Hermida pinch hitting for Hall strikes out. Two down. Oh no here comes Cito. Let him finish it off Cito. Janssen now pitching with two on and two down. Never ever works for you does it Cito. McDonald doubles into left field here comes the run 10-9 Boston. Scutaro with two in scoring position grounds to third Bautista throw to first no good, run scores 11-9. Pedroia, full count, doubles into left corner one run scores, here comes another, Buck tags and drops the ball. 13-9. Pathetic defence not the pitching this inning. Cito should have left Camp in there for one more out. How long does Buck have to stay in there? Youkilis, hits him. Some frustration here Casey? Lowell with two on. Pops it up to Hill to end this one.
Bottom 6th: Can Jays do it again? Overbay facing Schoeneweis 3-0 count. Well there’s one back, Lyle tags this one deep to centre, home run Lyle….. no doubt about that one, 13-10. That’s it for Schoeneweis, so much for percentages and left lefty matchups tonight. Both Lind and Overbay proved it otherwise. Delcarmen now pitching, Gonzalez, pops up to third one down. Bautista fly ball to centre. Buck, lines it out to centre. Jays get one but not enough yet.
Top 7th: Someone has to stop the bleeding here. Will it be Downs? No Cito leaving Janssen out there. Someone has to eat these innings. Leading off Lowell fly ball to Wells in centre one down. Drew strikes out, two down. Beltre, loops it off the end of his bat into left. That ball was about three inches off the ground, a golf shot. Hermida, full count. Strikes him out, Very nice Casey, what might have been with some decent defense last inning.
Bottom 7th: Delcarmen pitching, Snider hitless tonight. The only Jay without. Strikes out again. One down. Top of the order. Lewis, 2-4 tonight. Grounds to second, throw to first two down for Hill. A hit and two walks, Lines it deep to centre but playable to end the inning. Jays hitters are finally running out of steam. We will probably see a 1-0 game tomorrow.
Top 8th: Should be Downs ? Yes it is. McDonald leading off. Strikes out. One down for Scutaro. Three hits and a walk tonight in his return to Toronto. Strikes out looking. Very nice Scott. Two down for Pedroia, Pops it up to Wells in centre, three up and down easy inning for Downs.
Bottom 8th: Okajima now pitching. Jays will probably only get a couple of hitters before Papelbon is in. Lind leading off. 0-2, singles into left, one on for Wells. Full count. Vernon grounds back at Okajima bounces off his leg and both runners safe. Overbay tying run !! Here comes one, Lyle does it again, singles into centre, Lind scores, Vernon to third. 13-11. Still no outs. 34 hits in this game, 16 to Jays. But the run totals are what counts. Daniel Bard now pitching. Gonzalez going for the fence with that swing. Strikes out swinging. Maybe just maybe a little too over eager. One down for Bautista. This will do it fly ball to shallow right deep enough for Vernon to come home. 13-12 game. Two down. Buck now prove me wrong about you John. Runner at first. Just get on base for Travis. Strikes out looking. Man swing the bat, you have seen that low call all night long.
Top 9th: Can Jays bullpen hold now? Game is four hours long. I think everyone is drained. Gregg pitching for Jays. Thank you Cito I thought you might bring in Frasor. Youkilis. Grounds to third throw to Lyle at first one down. Papelbon working in Boston bullpen. Lowell grounds to Gonzalez throw to Overbay two down. Drew with two down, home run cut there, strikes him out same location as Buck’s strikeout.
Bottom 9th: Papelbon facing Snider leading off. Travis the only one without a hit. Come on Travis. Make our night. Papelbon this season 5/5 save/opportunities. Travis strikes out. Top of the order Lewis. Grounds to short, throw to first, two down for Hill. Pops it up to shallow right. Jays lose this marathon slug-fest 13-12.
The very good: Overbay, Lyle had three hits tonight including a home run and a double. His average now .183. Lind, Wells and Overbay each had three hits. Gonzalez two. Bautista had 4 RBIs.
The good: Jays hitters never gave up. Downs and Gregg two scoreless innings to give Jays a chance at the end.
The bad: Eveland just didn’t have it. Was awful. Jays in the hole 5-0 but in retrospect did well to climb back to one at the end. Accardo had nothing again, with Frasor and Tallet the three weaknesses in the bullpen. Janssen was victimized in my book by poor defense behind him on two plays which were outs. Camp should have finished off the one inning. Little things but in the end a one run game, they count. More importantly the momentum for tomorrow’s game which is now with Boston forcing Jays to win both remaining games for the series at home.
Post game: Jays need long relief one way or the other. This has been hidden deficiency with the starters going six or deeper for so long this season. I would send/get rid of anyway possible Accardo and bring up Mills or even Drabek who could also double as a starter if needed. If Tallet is fit then use him. Jays are also short of someone to pitch in extra innings. Also put Molina in at least every other game now. Buck is just not up to it and the word is getting around, run on Buck. Cito out-managed yet again.
Lineups:
Boston: Scutaro, Pedroia, Youkilis, Lowell, Drew, Varitek, Beltre, Hall, McDonald.
Toronto: Lewis, Hill, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Gonzalez, Bautista, Buck, Snider.
Pitching: Beckett v Eveland
Top 1st: Scutaro first trip back, leading off, singles up the middle, Pedroia with one on. lines hard at Bautista nice catch Jose. Scutaro back to first, one down for Youkilis, singles into left. Red Sox hitting Eveland hard here. Two on for Lowell. Singles into left, Scutaro held at third, and bases are loaded. Eveland in trouble already. Drew with one down. Singles into right here comes the throw Pedroia out at the plate. Nice throw Travis right on the button. 1-0 Boston though. Two down. Varitek, strikes out. Eveland manages to get out of very nasty situation, could have been a lot worse with bases loaded and only one out. Now let’s hope he settles down.
Bottom 1st: Jays need quick answer here against Beckett. Lewis, strikes out. Hill gets hold of this one but long fly ball to left, two quick outs. Patience is not a word in Jays vocabulary at least not with Cito as manager. Lind hammers this one up the middle, just missing Beckett. One on, two down for Vernon. Ball one outside did NOT swing, Vernon not doing that as much this year. Pitchers will have to forget that pitch this year. Vernon gets hold of this one, off the wall in left, just missed, long double, Lind at third. Overbay, pops it up to short. Jays leave two in scoring position, what’s new? But both pitchers shaky this inning.
Top 2nd: Beltre leading off, grounds to Gonzalez, throw to Overbay at first for the out. Hall, Eveland does not have the command he has had earlier this season. Hall, high fly ball to Wells in centre. Eveland escaped there. McDonald strikes out looking. Much better for Dana but there were a few high pitches he lost.
Bottom 2nd: Gonzalez, leading off gets hold of this one but just past foul pole, pops up to Youkilis at first for first down. Bautista grounds back to Beckett, nice play throw to Youkilis at first for second out. Buck, his average sinking fast, 1-24 last at bats, horrible swing at that pitch, 0-2 now full count. That’s much better John, doubles into right centre to the wall. Snider with runner in scoring position, also overdue. Nice swing, hard hit ball but McDonald tracks it down at the wall. Travis gave it a great shot. Jays are hitting Beckett hard but not much joy yet.
Top 3rd: Top of the order again for Boston, Scutaro leading off. Doubles into right field corner, second hit tonight. He has been struggling but obviously likes Toronto cooking. Pedroia, singles into left. Two on no outs, Youkilis, Pedroia stealing not even a throw from Buck. So different from yesterday. Youkilis walks, Bases loaded yet again and this time no outs. Eveland has nothing here tonight. Lowell, pops it up to shallow centre Vernon makes the sliding catch. One down for Drew, strikes out. Two down for Varitek. Singles into centre, two runs score 3-0 Boston. Beltre, with two still on base. Doubles off the wall in right over Snider’s head two more score 5-0 Boston. Walton is out but not much good tonight Eveland is just awful. Hall, wild pitch and Beltre moves up to third base. Accardo up in bullpen. Why not. Full count. Walks him. Number nine batter this inning McDonald. High fly ball out to Snider in right to end this agony for one inning at least. I don’t believe this Jays team will score five against Beckett even though he is not pitching at his best. Eveland 71 pitches after three innings, says it all eight yes eight hits and add in the two walks. And that about sums up his sorry night.
Bottom 3rd: Lewis leading off full count. Off the wall in left, stretches it into a triple, nice speed Fred. The hits are fine it is just getting them when a runner is in scoring position tonight. Hill, can he do it ? even a bunt will do Aaron. Finally a hit when it counts, singles up the middle here comes Lewis and Jays are on the board but a long, long way to go yet. Jays have five hits but only one run to show for it. 5-1. Lind, pops it up to shallow right, no chance for Aaron to move up, one down for Vernon. That should do it; doubles down left field line, Hill can only make it to third, what was wrong there? Overbay, another chance Lyle, you have had so many. Bring them both in, 3-0 count. Beckett’s turn to be in trouble now. Taking both those two down the middle, asking for trouble here Lyle. Count full, that’s the boy Lyle doubles into right centre and Jays get two more back. 5-3 game. Gonzalez can tie this one up with one swing here. Singles up the middle, Overbay to third. Bautista runners at the corners, go ahead run. OH MY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he does it. High fly ball into left field second deck seats three run homerun 6-5 Jays. Buck now with bases empty but only one out. Atchison up in Boston bullpen, strikes out. two down for Snider. 3-0 count. Full count, walks him, ball outside and Travis lays off it, nice at bat Travis. Top of the order again Lewis who started it all with that triple. Travis stealing but Fred strikes out. When did Beckett ever give up six runs in one inning? 40 pitch inning for Beckett and he also is at 72 as Eveland. Jays back in this thing, but who is pitching?
Top 4th: Eveland pitching, ok Cito your call but…for how long? Scutaro leading off, 2-2 tonight. Eveland’s problem appears to be control as he almost hits Scutaro. Full count, walks him. That gamble didn’t work Cito. But Cito leaving him there. Pedroia, Eveland just unable to throw strikes. Accardo back up. Oh boy bounces back to Eveland throw to second not in time that should have been two. Hill was slow to cover and Gonzalez comes in front of bag as he was going for that bounce. Both runners safe and that is finally it for Eveland. His night is definitely not dome here as he has left Accardo with two on base and no outs and Acardo was one of the bullpen culprits who blew the game on Saturday. What does he have tonight? Youkilis singles to Wells in centre, bases loaded no outs. Lowell, wild pitch !!!! Scutaro says thank you very much and this game is tied up. How bad can this team get? 6-6. Runners at second and third. No outs. Strikes out, first out in the inning and one less off Evelands’s line tonight. Drew, 3-0 in danger of loading them up yet again. Drew does not like that call, thought it was ball four. That one is and bases loaded. Cito I don’t think your pitcher has it tonight…. One of Jays problems is that they have no long relief guy who can take four innings. Varitek, need a ground ball here Jeremy. 3-0 count. Single into centre, two more runs score. Why did Accardo ever think he could be a closer ???? 8-6 Boston. Camp now up. Beltre, strikes out, two down. Hall another full count. Accardo up to 30 pitch inning. Ground ball to Bautista throw to first to end this agony. Poor managerial decision to start Eveland and even worse to let Accardo out there. I think he might well be on the bus to Vegas tonight.
Bottom 4th: This game is almost two hours and we are not out of the fourth inning. Beckett gets a new life so I would be very surprised if gives the lead back. Hill leading off. Jays need base runners. Full count. Walks him. Lind, Atchison up again in Boston bullpen. 3-0 count on Adam. walks on four pitches, Two on for Wells. 2-2 tonight. Here comes Francona. Battle of the bullpens now. Interesting everyone on Jays lineup has a hit tonight except Snider. Scott Atchison now pitching. Vernon lines toYoukilis, Hill has to retreat to second, throw bounces into left but no chance to advance. I like Vernon going the other way though. Overbay with one down, strikes out. Two down. Gonzalez, 0-2, hanging tough though, now full count, YES OH BOY what next. High fly ball into left centre, off the glove of Hall in left field, two runs score and Gonzalez has a triple. I think if he had not stood there watching this one thinking it a home run he may well have had an in the park home run. That being said it was one great at bat by Gonzalez down 0-2 and battling back. This game is all tied up yet again 8-8. Bautista with runner at third. Another full count. Strikes out but what a game. 2 hours and 15 minutes…. Some games finish under this time.
Top 5th: Camp now pitching, he may have to go two if he can. McDonald leading off. Grounds to Gonzalez, throw to Overbay one down. Scutaro same play, grounds to Gonzalez throw to Overbay. Two down. Pedroia, singles up the middle just out of reach of Gonzalez. Youkilis, there goes the runner, again no throw. Buck has no chance. Second steal by Pedroia tonight. The difference between Molina and Buck is that Molina always sets up when a runner is on first, and he is the position to make quick throw, Buck never seems to anticipate that and this never has that extra split second to throw. Youkilis singles to Lewis in left and here comes the runner 9-8 Boston. Cito out surely not taking him out. No have no idea what that was, he never appeared when Eveland and Accardo were giving up runs. Lowell, fly ball to Wells and the bleeding has sort of stopped. One run is a pleasant change and certainly Camp gives more confidence out there than the other two had.
Bottom 5th: Boston’s bullpen turn Atchison still out there. Buck swinging at pitch way high. Grounds to short, quick out. Snider first pitch pop up to left, two quick outs. Lewis bounces one to third no chance to throw, Lewis on first, Hill with two down. 3-0 count. Walks on ball four. Two on for Lind. Here comes Francona. 23 hits in this game so far. 12 to Boston 11 Jays. Scott Schoeneweis pitching. Lefty-lefty. Way to go Adam, singles up the middle. Lewis scores easily. 9—9 game. Wells with runners at first and second. Grounds to third tags out Aaron.
Top 6th: Drew leading off fly ball to Lewis in left. One down. Varitek, broken bat single to centre. Janssen up in bullpen. Beltre, singles to centre, another broken bat. Hermida pinch hitting for Hall strikes out. Two down. Oh no here comes Cito. Let him finish it off Cito. Janssen now pitching with two on and two down. Never ever works for you does it Cito. McDonald doubles into left field here comes the run 10-9 Boston. Scutaro with two in scoring position grounds to third Bautista throw to first no good, run scores 11-9. Pedroia, full count, doubles into left corner one run scores, here comes another, Buck tags and drops the ball. 13-9. Pathetic defence not the pitching this inning. Cito should have left Camp in there for one more out. How long does Buck have to stay in there? Youkilis, hits him. Some frustration here Casey? Lowell with two on. Pops it up to Hill to end this one.
Bottom 6th: Can Jays do it again? Overbay facing Schoeneweis 3-0 count. Well there’s one back, Lyle tags this one deep to centre, home run Lyle….. no doubt about that one, 13-10. That’s it for Schoeneweis, so much for percentages and left lefty matchups tonight. Both Lind and Overbay proved it otherwise. Delcarmen now pitching, Gonzalez, pops up to third one down. Bautista fly ball to centre. Buck, lines it out to centre. Jays get one but not enough yet.
Top 7th: Someone has to stop the bleeding here. Will it be Downs? No Cito leaving Janssen out there. Someone has to eat these innings. Leading off Lowell fly ball to Wells in centre one down. Drew strikes out, two down. Beltre, loops it off the end of his bat into left. That ball was about three inches off the ground, a golf shot. Hermida, full count. Strikes him out, Very nice Casey, what might have been with some decent defense last inning.
Bottom 7th: Delcarmen pitching, Snider hitless tonight. The only Jay without. Strikes out again. One down. Top of the order. Lewis, 2-4 tonight. Grounds to second, throw to first two down for Hill. A hit and two walks, Lines it deep to centre but playable to end the inning. Jays hitters are finally running out of steam. We will probably see a 1-0 game tomorrow.
Top 8th: Should be Downs ? Yes it is. McDonald leading off. Strikes out. One down for Scutaro. Three hits and a walk tonight in his return to Toronto. Strikes out looking. Very nice Scott. Two down for Pedroia, Pops it up to Wells in centre, three up and down easy inning for Downs.
Bottom 8th: Okajima now pitching. Jays will probably only get a couple of hitters before Papelbon is in. Lind leading off. 0-2, singles into left, one on for Wells. Full count. Vernon grounds back at Okajima bounces off his leg and both runners safe. Overbay tying run !! Here comes one, Lyle does it again, singles into centre, Lind scores, Vernon to third. 13-11. Still no outs. 34 hits in this game, 16 to Jays. But the run totals are what counts. Daniel Bard now pitching. Gonzalez going for the fence with that swing. Strikes out swinging. Maybe just maybe a little too over eager. One down for Bautista. This will do it fly ball to shallow right deep enough for Vernon to come home. 13-12 game. Two down. Buck now prove me wrong about you John. Runner at first. Just get on base for Travis. Strikes out looking. Man swing the bat, you have seen that low call all night long.
Top 9th: Can Jays bullpen hold now? Game is four hours long. I think everyone is drained. Gregg pitching for Jays. Thank you Cito I thought you might bring in Frasor. Youkilis. Grounds to third throw to Lyle at first one down. Papelbon working in Boston bullpen. Lowell grounds to Gonzalez throw to Overbay two down. Drew with two down, home run cut there, strikes him out same location as Buck’s strikeout.
Bottom 9th: Papelbon facing Snider leading off. Travis the only one without a hit. Come on Travis. Make our night. Papelbon this season 5/5 save/opportunities. Travis strikes out. Top of the order Lewis. Grounds to short, throw to first, two down for Hill. Pops it up to shallow right. Jays lose this marathon slug-fest 13-12.
The very good: Overbay, Lyle had three hits tonight including a home run and a double. His average now .183. Lind, Wells and Overbay each had three hits. Gonzalez two. Bautista had 4 RBIs.
The good: Jays hitters never gave up. Downs and Gregg two scoreless innings to give Jays a chance at the end.
The bad: Eveland just didn’t have it. Was awful. Jays in the hole 5-0 but in retrospect did well to climb back to one at the end. Accardo had nothing again, with Frasor and Tallet the three weaknesses in the bullpen. Janssen was victimized in my book by poor defense behind him on two plays which were outs. Camp should have finished off the one inning. Little things but in the end a one run game, they count. More importantly the momentum for tomorrow’s game which is now with Boston forcing Jays to win both remaining games for the series at home.
Post game: Jays need long relief one way or the other. This has been hidden deficiency with the starters going six or deeper for so long this season. I would send/get rid of anyway possible Accardo and bring up Mills or even Drabek who could also double as a starter if needed. If Tallet is fit then use him. Jays are also short of someone to pitch in extra innings. Also put Molina in at least every other game now. Buck is just not up to it and the word is getting around, run on Buck. Cito out-managed yet again.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
"Molina and Morrow Show" not enough today as Frasor self-destructs once again
Rays v Jays Sunday April 25. Series finale and decider.
Lineups: Jays: McCoy, Hill, Lind, Wells, Bautista, Gonzalez, Ruiz, Molina, McDonald.
Rays: Brignac, Crawford, Zobrist, Longoria, Pena, Upton, Burrell, Jaso, Rodriguez.
Pitching: Price v Morrow.
Second team for Jays today. I just don’t get Cito.
I would have thought this was a pretty important game here. Joe Maddon said last night that his team was in full gear right now. He won’t be playing his second team for a while and certainly not against teams from the same division. Plus the Jays had a day off on Thursday. I do agree re Molina though and perhaps he should have been playing the whole series, he is so much better getting the runners stealing. Plus I think he has better bat than Buck. Ruiz for Overbay ? Just as Lyle was getting his swing back he sits him? McCoy for Lewis ? Maybe, but I would have thought he wanted to give Lewis as much time as possible. Playing the percentages I guess. One more season for these debatable moves.
Top 1st: McCoy leading off. Playing left field. McCoy full count, strikes out thinks it is ball four though. Replay supports him. Hill, lines it out to Upton in centre, two down for Lind. DH today, strikes out looking. Jays go quietly
Bottom 1st: Brignac, 3-0 come on Brandon get it down. Full count, walks him. Crawford, that’s what I mean about Molina throws a bullet to first, Brignac just back. You can see Molina getting in to position even as Morrow is winding up. Grounds to Gonzalez, throw to Hill to get Brignac, on to Ruiz at first but you won’t double up Crawford very often. One down for Zobrist, pitch out, Crawford not going. Now he is but YES Jose, gets him beauty of a throw. Perfect throw. I rest my case for Molina over Buck playing against Tampa at least. Two down, full count, and Zobrist strikes out.
Top 2nd: Wells, strikes out. Bautista, full count grounds to short throw to first two down for Gonzalez, crushes this one into centre right, bounces into the stands, for a double. Ruiz, with Gonzalez in scoring position. High fly ball out to right.
Bottom 2nd: Longoria leading off. Grounds back off Morrow’s leg, retrieves and throws him out at first. One down. Pena, strikes out looking, two down. Upton, full count. Walks him. Burrell, Upton going and another great throw by Molina, nails him at second. Jose two for two today. Remember this Cito for when Rays visit Toronto. Molina already worth two bases at minimum.
Top 3rd: Here’s the man himself, Molina leading off. Bat shatters and Price almost walks right into the barrel flying past him, grounds to short throw to first for the out. Jose not the swiftest. Johnny Mc. Lifts this one into left double to the wall. That was his home run swing. One on and in scoring position for McCoy, big chance Mike. 3-0, Price rattled for a change. Walks him on four pitches. His first walk today. Hill with two on. Strikes out. Lind with two down and two on. Runners going, fouls it off. Takes third strike, come on Adam.
Bottom 3rd: Burrell again, left on base when Upton caught stealing. Must be an advantage to the hitter to get this many pitches to look at although coming from the Phillies he may not have seen Morrow before. Strikes out. Jaso grounds to Hill on to Ruiz, two down. Sean Rodriguez, walks him. Third walk today. Oh man unbelievable…. Jaso running and Molina nails him three for three today. How much is that worth?
Top 4th: Now Jays have to capitalize on Molina today. Wells leading off lines it to Brignac at short, one down. Bautista Ooooh gets hold of this one to left, just foul Jose, that was huge hit, facing of the fourth deck . Strikes out, two down. Gonzalez, strikes out. Number seven today for Price.
Bottom 4th: Brignac, grounds to Hill, throw to Ruiz for first out. Crawford, full count, walks him. Here we go again. Crawford going and Molina nails him 4-4 !!! Wow… when was the last time any catcher did that. Out talking to Morrow here, telling him to stop putting these guys on base, I am getting tired of bailing you out here. Two down for Zobrist, come on Brandon, not listening, walks him. Longoria, strikes out looking.
Top 5th: Jays hitter should be inspired by Molina here he is singlehandedly saving them from trouble. Time to get some runs here. Ruiz, down swinging and missing on three pitches, overmatched here by Price, the boy against the man. Molina, trying to do it all for Jays this afternoon. Grounds to short, throw to first for second out. Johnny Mc. A double last at bat. Going the other way this time a flare into right and nice running catch by Rodriguez down the right field line.
Bottom 5th: Pena leading off. Walks another. Number six for Morrow today, only Molina has saved him from deep trouble. Upton, oh man doubles into right, there goes the no hitter. Morrow in deep now with two in scoring position and no outs, Burrell, 3-1 count, full, strikes out, big out for Morrow but still needs two more. Jaso, singles right through Hill’s glove, two runs score 2-0 Rays. That should have been second out at home. But Morrow should not be putting these guys continually on base, Rodriguez strikes out. Two down. Brignac strikes out looking. If Morrow had not walked six today he would be pitching very well.
Top 6th: Jays playing catch up now and against a very good pitcher. May be beyond this group today. Difference is run support, Top of the order. McCoy leading off. First pitch, tries a bunt this is the fifth time I have seen him try this and he has yet to get on base, Mike they are waiting for you to do it. It’s a giveaway, STOP it. Just because it worked in the spring training does not translate into success here. Hill last inning goat, grounds up first base line, two down. Three pitches. Lind has to take one as a result, grounds to second throw to first and Jays go meekly, very meekly… and in my book McCoy takes some heat. This game may be over for the Jays, they just don’t have it.
Bottom 6th: Crawford leading off. Morrow on 94 pitches though. Fly ball out to McCoy in left one down. Zobrist fly ball out to McCoy in left two down. Longoria, full count and singles into left. Pena at bat, Camp up in bullpen. Morrow’s last hitter. Strikes out.
Top 7th: Jays have two hits McDonald !!! and Gonzalez, that says it all today. Outs too much pressure on the pitching they cannot afford to make any mistakes let alone fielding errors by Hill. He has not been given one but Hill has made far tougher plays. Wells, grounds to short throw to first one down. Bautista, finally a hit by the Jays, an excuse me single into right, off the end of the bat but right now this team will take anything they can get. Gonzalez pops it up to first. Two down for Ruiz, balk called well that’s one way of getting to second, Jays will take it, but alas does not matter Ruiz lines it (first pitch) to short for the out. Does not even give Bautista chance for a steal. Price pitch count is so low he will finish this one.
Bottom 7th: Camp now pitching. Upton fly ball to Wells in centre. Burrell hit by a pitch. Jaso singles to right, Burrell to second. Here we go. Bartlett pinch-running for Burrell. Rodriguez grounds to McDonald at third on to Hill over to Ruiz at first, double play ball. Camp ERA .082 ! will Cito bring him out for another inning?
Top 8th: Bartlett in as designated hitter. Molina singles to right. Johnny Mc ???? no pinch hitter here Cito ???? You can see this coming grounds to Longoria at third, on to Rodriguez on to Pena, double play ball. That was 100% Manager foul up. No way should Johnny Mc be hitting there in a 2-0 game. Snider ?????? Overbay ??? We will see if this comes back to hanut the Jays. McCoy pops out Longoria for third out.
Bottom 8th: Here we go again look who is out there. Frasor pitching. Sometimes I wonder which team Cito is coaching for. Surely Camp could do another inning. Well Jason, time to show me at least that you are worthy. Brignac grounds to Gonzalez at short throw to Ruiz at first. So far so good. Crawford grounds to short and beats out the throw. I spoke too soon. The only advantage is that Crawford may be reluctant to try three in a row with this score and stay put. Zobrist full count and walks, Crawford to second. Two on and one down. Longoria, there we go, singles to centre, Crawford scores Zobrist to third. 3-0 Rays. Pena, doubles to right, Zobrist scores 4-0 Rays. Longoria at third and still only one out. Upton strikes out. Two down for Bartlett. Doubles to centre, Longoria and Pena score 6-0 just like that. Frasor has given up four runs and only two outs. He has to go and if Cito does not get rid of this guy this season he has to be out in the summer. Whatever his problem he has lost it. Cito now out to pull him, a little late here Cito, you might as well leave him out there. Valdez now pitching. Jaso, full count and walks. Rodriguez grounds to Gonzalez at short throw to Hill Jaso out to end the inning and embarrassment. Frasor ERA ??? 9.35… and he and Cito thought he was a closer ???
Top 9th: Hill grounds back to Price throw to Pena for the out. Lind strikes out. Wells grounds to Rodriguez at second and throw to Pena to bring an end to this awful, awful game today.
And if they think it will be easier back in Toronto, they have no further to look than see Boston for three, this could be a terrible week for fans and certainly this team has not shown the missing fans they are worth going to Rogers Centre this week.
The good today: Only two people Morrow and Molina. Morrow held the team in this for six and Molina with an incredible 4-4 getting the stealers. For my money any day he should be playing against this Rays side. He is light years better than Buck in throwing out runners.
The bad: The Manager, poor all round performance from the initial selection of the second stringers to the poor management of bullpen and lastly the lack of pinch hitting for McDonald with the game on the line.
Team also 0-4 with runners in scoring position. By comparison Tampa 4/8
The awful: Frasor who just gets worse and worse.
Lineups: Jays: McCoy, Hill, Lind, Wells, Bautista, Gonzalez, Ruiz, Molina, McDonald.
Rays: Brignac, Crawford, Zobrist, Longoria, Pena, Upton, Burrell, Jaso, Rodriguez.
Pitching: Price v Morrow.
Second team for Jays today. I just don’t get Cito.
I would have thought this was a pretty important game here. Joe Maddon said last night that his team was in full gear right now. He won’t be playing his second team for a while and certainly not against teams from the same division. Plus the Jays had a day off on Thursday. I do agree re Molina though and perhaps he should have been playing the whole series, he is so much better getting the runners stealing. Plus I think he has better bat than Buck. Ruiz for Overbay ? Just as Lyle was getting his swing back he sits him? McCoy for Lewis ? Maybe, but I would have thought he wanted to give Lewis as much time as possible. Playing the percentages I guess. One more season for these debatable moves.
Top 1st: McCoy leading off. Playing left field. McCoy full count, strikes out thinks it is ball four though. Replay supports him. Hill, lines it out to Upton in centre, two down for Lind. DH today, strikes out looking. Jays go quietly
Bottom 1st: Brignac, 3-0 come on Brandon get it down. Full count, walks him. Crawford, that’s what I mean about Molina throws a bullet to first, Brignac just back. You can see Molina getting in to position even as Morrow is winding up. Grounds to Gonzalez, throw to Hill to get Brignac, on to Ruiz at first but you won’t double up Crawford very often. One down for Zobrist, pitch out, Crawford not going. Now he is but YES Jose, gets him beauty of a throw. Perfect throw. I rest my case for Molina over Buck playing against Tampa at least. Two down, full count, and Zobrist strikes out.
Top 2nd: Wells, strikes out. Bautista, full count grounds to short throw to first two down for Gonzalez, crushes this one into centre right, bounces into the stands, for a double. Ruiz, with Gonzalez in scoring position. High fly ball out to right.
Bottom 2nd: Longoria leading off. Grounds back off Morrow’s leg, retrieves and throws him out at first. One down. Pena, strikes out looking, two down. Upton, full count. Walks him. Burrell, Upton going and another great throw by Molina, nails him at second. Jose two for two today. Remember this Cito for when Rays visit Toronto. Molina already worth two bases at minimum.
Top 3rd: Here’s the man himself, Molina leading off. Bat shatters and Price almost walks right into the barrel flying past him, grounds to short throw to first for the out. Jose not the swiftest. Johnny Mc. Lifts this one into left double to the wall. That was his home run swing. One on and in scoring position for McCoy, big chance Mike. 3-0, Price rattled for a change. Walks him on four pitches. His first walk today. Hill with two on. Strikes out. Lind with two down and two on. Runners going, fouls it off. Takes third strike, come on Adam.
Bottom 3rd: Burrell again, left on base when Upton caught stealing. Must be an advantage to the hitter to get this many pitches to look at although coming from the Phillies he may not have seen Morrow before. Strikes out. Jaso grounds to Hill on to Ruiz, two down. Sean Rodriguez, walks him. Third walk today. Oh man unbelievable…. Jaso running and Molina nails him three for three today. How much is that worth?
Top 4th: Now Jays have to capitalize on Molina today. Wells leading off lines it to Brignac at short, one down. Bautista Ooooh gets hold of this one to left, just foul Jose, that was huge hit, facing of the fourth deck . Strikes out, two down. Gonzalez, strikes out. Number seven today for Price.
Bottom 4th: Brignac, grounds to Hill, throw to Ruiz for first out. Crawford, full count, walks him. Here we go again. Crawford going and Molina nails him 4-4 !!! Wow… when was the last time any catcher did that. Out talking to Morrow here, telling him to stop putting these guys on base, I am getting tired of bailing you out here. Two down for Zobrist, come on Brandon, not listening, walks him. Longoria, strikes out looking.
Top 5th: Jays hitter should be inspired by Molina here he is singlehandedly saving them from trouble. Time to get some runs here. Ruiz, down swinging and missing on three pitches, overmatched here by Price, the boy against the man. Molina, trying to do it all for Jays this afternoon. Grounds to short, throw to first for second out. Johnny Mc. A double last at bat. Going the other way this time a flare into right and nice running catch by Rodriguez down the right field line.
Bottom 5th: Pena leading off. Walks another. Number six for Morrow today, only Molina has saved him from deep trouble. Upton, oh man doubles into right, there goes the no hitter. Morrow in deep now with two in scoring position and no outs, Burrell, 3-1 count, full, strikes out, big out for Morrow but still needs two more. Jaso, singles right through Hill’s glove, two runs score 2-0 Rays. That should have been second out at home. But Morrow should not be putting these guys continually on base, Rodriguez strikes out. Two down. Brignac strikes out looking. If Morrow had not walked six today he would be pitching very well.
Top 6th: Jays playing catch up now and against a very good pitcher. May be beyond this group today. Difference is run support, Top of the order. McCoy leading off. First pitch, tries a bunt this is the fifth time I have seen him try this and he has yet to get on base, Mike they are waiting for you to do it. It’s a giveaway, STOP it. Just because it worked in the spring training does not translate into success here. Hill last inning goat, grounds up first base line, two down. Three pitches. Lind has to take one as a result, grounds to second throw to first and Jays go meekly, very meekly… and in my book McCoy takes some heat. This game may be over for the Jays, they just don’t have it.
Bottom 6th: Crawford leading off. Morrow on 94 pitches though. Fly ball out to McCoy in left one down. Zobrist fly ball out to McCoy in left two down. Longoria, full count and singles into left. Pena at bat, Camp up in bullpen. Morrow’s last hitter. Strikes out.
Top 7th: Jays have two hits McDonald !!! and Gonzalez, that says it all today. Outs too much pressure on the pitching they cannot afford to make any mistakes let alone fielding errors by Hill. He has not been given one but Hill has made far tougher plays. Wells, grounds to short throw to first one down. Bautista, finally a hit by the Jays, an excuse me single into right, off the end of the bat but right now this team will take anything they can get. Gonzalez pops it up to first. Two down for Ruiz, balk called well that’s one way of getting to second, Jays will take it, but alas does not matter Ruiz lines it (first pitch) to short for the out. Does not even give Bautista chance for a steal. Price pitch count is so low he will finish this one.
Bottom 7th: Camp now pitching. Upton fly ball to Wells in centre. Burrell hit by a pitch. Jaso singles to right, Burrell to second. Here we go. Bartlett pinch-running for Burrell. Rodriguez grounds to McDonald at third on to Hill over to Ruiz at first, double play ball. Camp ERA .082 ! will Cito bring him out for another inning?
Top 8th: Bartlett in as designated hitter. Molina singles to right. Johnny Mc ???? no pinch hitter here Cito ???? You can see this coming grounds to Longoria at third, on to Rodriguez on to Pena, double play ball. That was 100% Manager foul up. No way should Johnny Mc be hitting there in a 2-0 game. Snider ?????? Overbay ??? We will see if this comes back to hanut the Jays. McCoy pops out Longoria for third out.
Bottom 8th: Here we go again look who is out there. Frasor pitching. Sometimes I wonder which team Cito is coaching for. Surely Camp could do another inning. Well Jason, time to show me at least that you are worthy. Brignac grounds to Gonzalez at short throw to Ruiz at first. So far so good. Crawford grounds to short and beats out the throw. I spoke too soon. The only advantage is that Crawford may be reluctant to try three in a row with this score and stay put. Zobrist full count and walks, Crawford to second. Two on and one down. Longoria, there we go, singles to centre, Crawford scores Zobrist to third. 3-0 Rays. Pena, doubles to right, Zobrist scores 4-0 Rays. Longoria at third and still only one out. Upton strikes out. Two down for Bartlett. Doubles to centre, Longoria and Pena score 6-0 just like that. Frasor has given up four runs and only two outs. He has to go and if Cito does not get rid of this guy this season he has to be out in the summer. Whatever his problem he has lost it. Cito now out to pull him, a little late here Cito, you might as well leave him out there. Valdez now pitching. Jaso, full count and walks. Rodriguez grounds to Gonzalez at short throw to Hill Jaso out to end the inning and embarrassment. Frasor ERA ??? 9.35… and he and Cito thought he was a closer ???
Top 9th: Hill grounds back to Price throw to Pena for the out. Lind strikes out. Wells grounds to Rodriguez at second and throw to Pena to bring an end to this awful, awful game today.
And if they think it will be easier back in Toronto, they have no further to look than see Boston for three, this could be a terrible week for fans and certainly this team has not shown the missing fans they are worth going to Rogers Centre this week.
The good today: Only two people Morrow and Molina. Morrow held the team in this for six and Molina with an incredible 4-4 getting the stealers. For my money any day he should be playing against this Rays side. He is light years better than Buck in throwing out runners.
The bad: The Manager, poor all round performance from the initial selection of the second stringers to the poor management of bullpen and lastly the lack of pinch hitting for McDonald with the game on the line.
Team also 0-4 with runners in scoring position. By comparison Tampa 4/8
The awful: Frasor who just gets worse and worse.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
What happened? Jays bullpen implodes and wastes great effirt by Romero
Jays v Rays. Game two of series. Saturday April 24.
Romero v Niemann. Great pitching matchup between two young pitchers.
Lineups: Jays: Lewis, Hill, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Gonzalez, Bautista, Buck, Snider.
Rays: Bartlett, Crawford, Zobrist, Longoria, Pena, Upton, Aybar, Kapler, Jaso.
Top 1st: Lewis fouls out to Longoria at third base, one down. Hill fouls out to Pena at first base. Lind strikes out.
Bottom 1st: Bartlett fly ball to Snider in right field, one down. Crawford strikes out. Two down for Zobrist, singles to right. Longoria infield single to third, Zobrist to second. Pena with two on strikes out.
Top 2nd: Wells fouls out to Jaso catching tonight. Overbay fly ball to Upton in centre field. Gonzalez pops up to Bartlett at short. Jays go quickly.
Bottom 2nd: Upton grounds back to Romero throw to first baseman Overbay. Aybar same play, grounds back to Romero throw to Overbay at first base. Two down for Kapler fly ball out to Wells in centre field.
Top 3rd: Bautista strikes out. Buck strikes out. Snider infield single to short. Lewis strikes out.
Bottom 3rd: Jaso fouls out to Bautista at third, one down. Bartlett grounds to Gonzalez at short, throw to Overbay at first. Crawford doubles to left. One on two down for Zobrist, grounds to Hill at second, throw to Overbay at first for the third out.
Top 4th: Hill leading off strikes out. Lind fly ball to Upton in centre field. Wells strikes out.
Bottom 4th: Longoria walks. Pena grounds to Gonzalez throw to Bautista, Longoria out. Upton grounds to Gonzalez throw to Hill, Pena out. Wild pitch by Romero, Upton to second. Aybar with runner in scoring position grounds out to Bautista at third, throw to Overbay at first.
Top 5th: Overbay, full count, there it goes Lyle, home run to centre and Jays have first run. Good to see Lyle get a good game going, double yesterday and then today that home run. Things are looking up and that will definitely help Vernon in front of him. 1-0 Jays. Gonzalez grounds to Longoria at third, throw to Pena at first. One down. Bautista strikes out. Buck grounds to Bartlett at shirt, throw to Pena at first.
Bottom 5th: Kapler doubles to left. One on. Jaso first pitch swinging, home run to right, just like that, and Rays are in flight with two runs. 2-1 Rays. The first runs off Romero today. Bartlett singles to right. Crawford fly ball to Snider in right one down. Zobrist sacrificing to move runner over, Buck throws to Overbay at first, Bartlett moves to second. Longoria intentional walk. Pena strikes out.
Top 6th: Snider grounds back to Niemann over to Pena at first base. One down for Lewis grounds to Bartlett at shirt, throw to Pena at first. Hill singles to left, his first hit today. Lind, patience here, full count. There it goes Home run for Lind to left field. Jays have the lead 3-2. Wells pops out to short Bartlett.
Bottom 6th: Upton grounds back to Romero throw to Overbay at first. One down. Aybar grounds to Gonzalez error on the play. Aybar at first. Kapler grounds to Gonzalez at shirt on to Hill at second base over to Overbay at first base, double play ball to end this one.
Top 7th: Overbay singles to centre, second hit for Lyle and that is great to see for all Jays fans.Gonzalez strikes out. Overbay stealing and safe at second. Lyle is hot tonight. Bautista hit by a pitch. Buck fly ball out to Upton in centre. Snider one down and two on, full count and walks bases loaded, Overbay to third, Bautista to second. That’s it for Nieman. Choate now pitching.
Lewis strikes out.
Bottom 7th: Jaso full count and walks. Oh no Romero's throw to first gets away and Jaso all the way to third. Error to Ricky. Major trouble now for him with top of the order. Bartlett fly ball to Snider in right field, too shallow for Jason to come home. One down. Crawford grounds back to Romero looks at Jaso and throw to Overbay for second out. Zobrist fouls out to Bautista at third and Romero very fine pitching there with runner at third and no outs.
Top 8th: Cormier now pitching. Hill lines out to Longoria at third. Lind doubles to right. His second hit tonight along with Overbay good to see both of these two getting the hits, Jays will need their bats this year. Wells grounds to Zobrist at second, throw to Pena at first base, Lind movers to third. Overbay intentional walk and Lyle would love that, so would Cito, a week ago they would walk to get to Lyle not to avoid his bat. Wheeler now pitching. Gonzalez strikes out.
Bottom 8th: Downs now pitching. Romero has had a great outing. 105 pitches, three strike outs and three walks but only two runs. Another superb outing and leaves with the narrow one run lead. Longoria singles to centre. Now a great start. Pena walks, Longoria to second. Upton with two on and no outs, this is not good Scott. Upton singles top left, here comes Longoria and Rays have tied this one up negating that great start by Romero. 3-3. Pena at second and that’s it for Downs, Cito gives him the hook. Janssen now pitching. Aybar bunt single to third, Pena to third, Upton to second. Bases are loaded, this is getting worse Brignac pinch-hitting for Kapler. Janssen walks him in and a run, Rays have taken the lead on a walk, 4-3 and bases are still loaded. Jaso, he hits him. A walk and a hit batsman and two RBIs, How bad is that Casey ? 5-3 Rays. Top of the order, this is not looking good for Jays. Singles to left here comes Aybar, here comes Brignac two more score and this is a rout 7-3 Rays. Jason at third. Bartlett to second.
Crawford lines out to Snider in right field. Finally an out. That’s also it for Janssen. Accardo now pitching. Zobrist singles to left, here comes Jason, here comes Bartlett, two more runs and Trays lead 9-3. This inning started 3-2 for the Jays. Cito should have left Romero in there at this rate. Zobrist at second. Longoria fly ball to Snider in right two down, Zobrist to third. Pena pops up to Bautista at third to end this agony. That is by far the worst inning Jays have had this season and for many a season. Ten Rays come to the plate and seven runs score.
Top 9th: Zobrist in at right field. Brignac in at second base. Ekstrom pitching but this will be a formality, Jays hitters must be shelllshocked watching that. Let’s see if they have anything here. Bautista grounds to Longoria at third, throw to Pena at first. Quick first out. Buck fly ball to Zobrist in right field. I hope Cito benches this guy tomorrow and for the Boston series, he is pretty bad right now and cannot catch any runners. Two down for Snider who lines out to Crawford in left field. Jays implode and lose this one 9-3. Totally wasting a superb effort by Romero. The bullpen had nothing today. Not sure why Downs was pitching back to back, but didn’t work.
The very good: Romero with seven innings. Overbay on base three times including Home run and double plus a walk.
The good: Not much. Lind two hit game including home run.
The horrible: Eighth inning collapse of the bullpen. Downs, Janssen and Accardo. The first time it has been that bad with more than one pitcher and let’s hope it will be a very long time before it happens again. Jays 0-4 with runners in scoring position.
Romero v Niemann. Great pitching matchup between two young pitchers.
Lineups: Jays: Lewis, Hill, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Gonzalez, Bautista, Buck, Snider.
Rays: Bartlett, Crawford, Zobrist, Longoria, Pena, Upton, Aybar, Kapler, Jaso.
Top 1st: Lewis fouls out to Longoria at third base, one down. Hill fouls out to Pena at first base. Lind strikes out.
Bottom 1st: Bartlett fly ball to Snider in right field, one down. Crawford strikes out. Two down for Zobrist, singles to right. Longoria infield single to third, Zobrist to second. Pena with two on strikes out.
Top 2nd: Wells fouls out to Jaso catching tonight. Overbay fly ball to Upton in centre field. Gonzalez pops up to Bartlett at short. Jays go quickly.
Bottom 2nd: Upton grounds back to Romero throw to first baseman Overbay. Aybar same play, grounds back to Romero throw to Overbay at first base. Two down for Kapler fly ball out to Wells in centre field.
Top 3rd: Bautista strikes out. Buck strikes out. Snider infield single to short. Lewis strikes out.
Bottom 3rd: Jaso fouls out to Bautista at third, one down. Bartlett grounds to Gonzalez at short, throw to Overbay at first. Crawford doubles to left. One on two down for Zobrist, grounds to Hill at second, throw to Overbay at first for the third out.
Top 4th: Hill leading off strikes out. Lind fly ball to Upton in centre field. Wells strikes out.
Bottom 4th: Longoria walks. Pena grounds to Gonzalez throw to Bautista, Longoria out. Upton grounds to Gonzalez throw to Hill, Pena out. Wild pitch by Romero, Upton to second. Aybar with runner in scoring position grounds out to Bautista at third, throw to Overbay at first.
Top 5th: Overbay, full count, there it goes Lyle, home run to centre and Jays have first run. Good to see Lyle get a good game going, double yesterday and then today that home run. Things are looking up and that will definitely help Vernon in front of him. 1-0 Jays. Gonzalez grounds to Longoria at third, throw to Pena at first. One down. Bautista strikes out. Buck grounds to Bartlett at shirt, throw to Pena at first.
Bottom 5th: Kapler doubles to left. One on. Jaso first pitch swinging, home run to right, just like that, and Rays are in flight with two runs. 2-1 Rays. The first runs off Romero today. Bartlett singles to right. Crawford fly ball to Snider in right one down. Zobrist sacrificing to move runner over, Buck throws to Overbay at first, Bartlett moves to second. Longoria intentional walk. Pena strikes out.
Top 6th: Snider grounds back to Niemann over to Pena at first base. One down for Lewis grounds to Bartlett at shirt, throw to Pena at first. Hill singles to left, his first hit today. Lind, patience here, full count. There it goes Home run for Lind to left field. Jays have the lead 3-2. Wells pops out to short Bartlett.
Bottom 6th: Upton grounds back to Romero throw to Overbay at first. One down. Aybar grounds to Gonzalez error on the play. Aybar at first. Kapler grounds to Gonzalez at shirt on to Hill at second base over to Overbay at first base, double play ball to end this one.
Top 7th: Overbay singles to centre, second hit for Lyle and that is great to see for all Jays fans.Gonzalez strikes out. Overbay stealing and safe at second. Lyle is hot tonight. Bautista hit by a pitch. Buck fly ball out to Upton in centre. Snider one down and two on, full count and walks bases loaded, Overbay to third, Bautista to second. That’s it for Nieman. Choate now pitching.
Lewis strikes out.
Bottom 7th: Jaso full count and walks. Oh no Romero's throw to first gets away and Jaso all the way to third. Error to Ricky. Major trouble now for him with top of the order. Bartlett fly ball to Snider in right field, too shallow for Jason to come home. One down. Crawford grounds back to Romero looks at Jaso and throw to Overbay for second out. Zobrist fouls out to Bautista at third and Romero very fine pitching there with runner at third and no outs.
Top 8th: Cormier now pitching. Hill lines out to Longoria at third. Lind doubles to right. His second hit tonight along with Overbay good to see both of these two getting the hits, Jays will need their bats this year. Wells grounds to Zobrist at second, throw to Pena at first base, Lind movers to third. Overbay intentional walk and Lyle would love that, so would Cito, a week ago they would walk to get to Lyle not to avoid his bat. Wheeler now pitching. Gonzalez strikes out.
Bottom 8th: Downs now pitching. Romero has had a great outing. 105 pitches, three strike outs and three walks but only two runs. Another superb outing and leaves with the narrow one run lead. Longoria singles to centre. Now a great start. Pena walks, Longoria to second. Upton with two on and no outs, this is not good Scott. Upton singles top left, here comes Longoria and Rays have tied this one up negating that great start by Romero. 3-3. Pena at second and that’s it for Downs, Cito gives him the hook. Janssen now pitching. Aybar bunt single to third, Pena to third, Upton to second. Bases are loaded, this is getting worse Brignac pinch-hitting for Kapler. Janssen walks him in and a run, Rays have taken the lead on a walk, 4-3 and bases are still loaded. Jaso, he hits him. A walk and a hit batsman and two RBIs, How bad is that Casey ? 5-3 Rays. Top of the order, this is not looking good for Jays. Singles to left here comes Aybar, here comes Brignac two more score and this is a rout 7-3 Rays. Jason at third. Bartlett to second.
Crawford lines out to Snider in right field. Finally an out. That’s also it for Janssen. Accardo now pitching. Zobrist singles to left, here comes Jason, here comes Bartlett, two more runs and Trays lead 9-3. This inning started 3-2 for the Jays. Cito should have left Romero in there at this rate. Zobrist at second. Longoria fly ball to Snider in right two down, Zobrist to third. Pena pops up to Bautista at third to end this agony. That is by far the worst inning Jays have had this season and for many a season. Ten Rays come to the plate and seven runs score.
Top 9th: Zobrist in at right field. Brignac in at second base. Ekstrom pitching but this will be a formality, Jays hitters must be shelllshocked watching that. Let’s see if they have anything here. Bautista grounds to Longoria at third, throw to Pena at first. Quick first out. Buck fly ball to Zobrist in right field. I hope Cito benches this guy tomorrow and for the Boston series, he is pretty bad right now and cannot catch any runners. Two down for Snider who lines out to Crawford in left field. Jays implode and lose this one 9-3. Totally wasting a superb effort by Romero. The bullpen had nothing today. Not sure why Downs was pitching back to back, but didn’t work.
The very good: Romero with seven innings. Overbay on base three times including Home run and double plus a walk.
The good: Not much. Lind two hit game including home run.
The horrible: Eighth inning collapse of the bullpen. Downs, Janssen and Accardo. The first time it has been that bad with more than one pitcher and let’s hope it will be a very long time before it happens again. Jays 0-4 with runners in scoring position.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Cecil wins a beauty but Frasor and Cito try hard to blow it.
Jays v Rays. Friday April 23.
I like this lineup, although might put in Molina for the running stealers on this team. But for the first time Cito has one through nine hitters with power potential.
Lineups: Jays: Lewis, Hill, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Gonzalez, Bautista, Buck, Snider
Rays: Bartlett, Crawford, Zobrist, Longoria, Pena, Upton, Aybar, Navarro, Kapler
Pitching: Cecil v Garza. Cecil recalled from AAA Vegas for Tallet. I like young Cecil, he could make a strong bid to stay up here this time in the rotation. He narrowly missed out coming north from Dunedin.
Top 1st: Lewis full count and walks. Hill fly ball to centre field Upton. One down, Lind full count and walks, Lewis to second. Wells with two on. Vernon doubles to left, Lewis scores easily, Lind to third. Jays get out early here 1-0 Jays. Overbay with two runners in scoring position strikes out. Poor Lyle. Gonzalez, here we go, singles to centre, here comes Lind, here comes Vernon, 3-0 Jays. Gonzalez moves up to second on the throw. Bautista doubles to centre, Gonzalez scores 4-0 Jays, they are all over Garza here early. Buck hit by a pitch. Snider lines out to right field Kapler. But Jays take big early lead for young Cecil.
Bottom 1st: Bartlett strikes out. Crawford fly ball to centre field Wells. Zobrist strikes out. That's the way to do it Brett, close them down quickly and get those hot hitters out there again. Don't give Garza a chance to relax.
Top 2nd: Lewis singles to left. On base for the second time, he might like that leadoff spot. Hill fouls out to Pena at first. Lind 3-0 and walks on four pitches, Lewis to second. Repeat of first inning. One down two on for Vernon. Fly ball to centre field Upton. Overbay, wild pitch by Garza, Lewis to third, Lind to second. Two in scoring position. Overbay full count and walks. Bases loaded. Gonzalez grounds to short Bartlett on to Zobrist at second base. Overbay out. Jays leave bases loaded, I hope they don’t regret that. They have to pile on the runs against this team.
Bottom. 2nd: Longoria singles to left. Pena, balk by Cecil, Longoria to second. Pena strikes out. Upton, fly ball to Wells, two down. Aybar pops up to Overbay, another nice inning by Cecil. All the pressure is on Garza.
Top 3rd: Bautista doubles to centre, off the glove of Upton. Buck, with one on. Strikes out, just waves at that one. Snider with runner at second one down. grounds to short, Bautista running on the play and out at third. Two down. Lewis, high fly ball to Upton, just gets under that one otherwise that would have been high into the seats, very nice swing Fred, your time will come.
Bottom 3rd: Navarro, lines out to Lewis in left, looks as if he almost lost that in the lights. One down for Kapler, pops up first pitch to Bautista at third. Two down. Bartlett strikes out.
Top 4th: Hill leading off strikes out pulling, come on Aaron the other way. Lind, two walks tonight, we need some hits Adam, grounds to second, throw to Pena at first two down for Wells, Vernon, singles into right, Lyle Overbay, there we go Lyle, sweet swing to double to right centre and Vernon scores 5-0 Jays. Gonzalez, two down and Overbay at second, strikes put looking on three pitches but Lyle has added another here.
Bottom 4th: Crawford grounds to Hill at second throw to Overbay, one down. Zobrist, strikes out, that was ball four. Longoria, with two down and no one on. The best way to see him, minimize his damage strikes out, very nice pitching by Cecil.
Top 5th: Garza on 87 pitches already. This could be his last inning. Bautista doubles over the head of Upton to the wall in centre, Jays hitters hot tonight. Buck with one in scoring position. Jays 3/10 with runners in scoring position tonight already, not good. Rays bullpen working. Buck strikes out. Mound conference here. Snider, 3-0 patience tonight. Pops it up shallow left to Crawford no chance for Jose to move up, two down for Lewis who just missed one last at bat. Bautista stealing third, just in. Risky Jose. Takes strike three, not good Fred with runner at third. Gotta give him a chance. Jays waste that leadoff double. 102 pitch count for Garza though.
Bottom 5th: Pena leading off strikes out on three pitches, seven strikeouts for Cecil tonight, not bad for replacement but in my book he is better starter than Tallet anyway. Upton, fly ball to Snider in right. Two down. Aybar, oh no, gets hold of this pitch into left field seats. 5-1 Jays. Navarro does not like that call, grounds back to Cecil throw to Overbay for the out and end of inning. 62 pitches. Very economical.
Top 6th: Get this one back team. Balfour now pitching for Rays. Hill, way to go Aaron where have you been? pulls this one into left field seats. No doubt about it alt all. Home run Aaron. 6-1 Jays. Lind, Navarro ejected. Whoa excitement here. Navarro had not liked the call at his previous at bat and did not like the ball count on Lind. But you don’t argue those with the umpire he knows that. John Jaso replacing Navarro. Poor Adam on a 2-2 count and now strikes out after that long wait. One down for Vernon 2-3 with a double and a single. Not this time grounds to short, throw to first beats Vernon. Two down for Lyle, strikes out here on three pitches but Aaron got the run back for Cecil.
Bottom 6th: Kapler 3-0 here, full count and walks. One on for Bartlett, fly ball to Lewis in left, one down. Crawford, long fly ball first pitch to Wells in centre, two down. doubles into the gap in left, Kapler scores 6-2 Jays. Longoria, grounds to third, Bautista cannot handle it Rays safe all round. Pena, with two on, nubber in front of the plate off the end of his bat, Buck throws to Overbay for third out, no more damage. 81 pitches for Cecil.
Top 7th: Dan Wheeler now pitching. Gonzalez grounds to short long throw safe, just. Bautista 3-3 all doubles tonight. Choate working in Rays bullpen, high fly ball to right. One down. Buck, high fly ball to the wall in centre, Upton over the shoulder catch right at the wall. Gonzalez should have been tagging there but didn’t think he would get it and has to retreat to first. Choate now pitching with two down and one at first. Snider lefty lefty matchup, poor Travis never gets a break but the good is that it messes up Rays bullpen. Not good Travis don’t wave at them like that. Strikes out.
Bottom 7th: Getting into bullpen territory for Cecil. No pressure now Brett relax. Upton lines it to Bautista first pitch. One down. Aybar, singles into left. Downs warming up. Jaso, first at bat tonight. Strikes out, number eight for Cecil tonight, two down. Kapler, this could be Cecil’s last hitter. 3-0 count. Full count, Oh no….. Home run to left. Two runs score 6-4 Jays. That’s it for young Cecil here’s Cito. Just one pitch he would like back but should not be upset with that outing. Far, far better than Tallet would do. Now the bullpen to hold two runs. Downs in to face Bartlett. Singles into centre. Crawford two down and one on. No, Frasor warming up, no Cito don’t do that to us. Yeah, Crawford grounds to Hill at second, throw to Overbay for the out. Now can the hitters get a couple back here for Cecil ?
Top 8th: Top of the Jays order, Lewis long overdue for a big hit. Choate still pitching, Fred doubles inside the first base bag into the corner. Now bring him in guys. Hill putting him on, intentional walk for Lind, ok Adam make them pay. Two on no outs. Strikes out, that was lousy at bat Adam trying to pull every pitch. Go up the middle a huge gap there or opposite field. Or bunt if you can’t do that. Here comes for Vernon. Cormier pitching. Oh Vernon, gets under first pitch fly ball to centre, two down for Overbay. Grounds first pitch to first. Not good friends at all. Two on and no outs and the big bats cannot even move them over?
Bottom 8th: Back to the bullpen to hold the Rays here. Zobrist, Oh man, get the heart pills out, Frasor pitching. Cito what are you doing to us? Downs had five pitches ! Zobrist full count. Walks him. And you wonder why most of us have problems with Frasor. Longoria, Zobrist stealing and safe on the throw which almost goes into centre field. Fly ball to left, one down, runner holds at second. Pena. Grounds first pitch to Hill throw to Overbay for second out but Zobrist moves to third on the play. Upton, no room for error here. Singles to right, run scores 6-5. Frasor does it again but have to fault Cito here for brining him in especially when Downs had only five pitches. Aybar, Upton steals second. Molina much better catcher in these situations, he should probably play this whole series against this Rays running team. Walks him, two on two down. Now here comes Cito long overdue in this one. I feel so sorry for Cecil to have to watch Frasor blow this one for him. Gregg now pitching, Cito dealing all the pack here. Rodriguez pinch running for Aybar. Fly ball to Wells in centre.
Top 9th: Can Jays get one more here? Soriano pitching, perfect this season 4/4 saves. Jays have an uphill battle here. Gonzalez, strikes out swinging. One down for Bautista. Fly ball to centre Upton, two down for Buck who has done nothing tonight with either bat or glove. Strikes out. Tomorrow Cito please, please put Molina behind the plate.
Bottom 9th: Up to Gregg now and not much room for error thanks to Frasor. Kapler, grounds up the line to Overbay for the out, one down for top of the order now. Bartlett fouling them off here, struck him out looking, very nice pitch Kevin. Two down for the most dangerous player on this team Carl Crawford. Ground rule double into right field corner seats. Zobrist, with runner in scoring position, 3-1 count, full strikes him out looking, this guy Gregg is a cool cat. Very nice pitching under pressure.
Jays win big tonight. Rays were back home flying after 9-1 road trip. To beat them here is excellent for the Jays. With Hill back and this lineup (with maybe just one change at catcher) they will be competitive. Anyone one of the lineup can put one out. Cecil showed just maybe he should be staying put in the rotation. Let’s see another start, probably against Boston next week but this one was a gem.
The excellent: Cecil tonight. 6 2/3 innings and eight strikeouts only one walk. Have to also give a medal to Bautista tonight with three doubles. Gregg save under huge pressure.
The very good: Vernon, Aaron first game back and a home run. We have missed that guy.
Jays eleven hits and five walks. Always had someone on base.
Five hits between Gonzalez and Bautista at number 5 and 6 in the order. Look to see Lyle drop down. Maybe.
The bad: Frasor almost blowing Cecil’s great outing.
The very bad Jays 3/16 with runners in scoring position. If only Jays hitters could improve on this they would be very difficult to beat.
In the “I don’t get it” category tonight: Cito replacing Scott Downs after five pitches and then adding insult to injury bringing in Frasor.
I like this lineup, although might put in Molina for the running stealers on this team. But for the first time Cito has one through nine hitters with power potential.
Lineups: Jays: Lewis, Hill, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Gonzalez, Bautista, Buck, Snider
Rays: Bartlett, Crawford, Zobrist, Longoria, Pena, Upton, Aybar, Navarro, Kapler
Pitching: Cecil v Garza. Cecil recalled from AAA Vegas for Tallet. I like young Cecil, he could make a strong bid to stay up here this time in the rotation. He narrowly missed out coming north from Dunedin.
Top 1st: Lewis full count and walks. Hill fly ball to centre field Upton. One down, Lind full count and walks, Lewis to second. Wells with two on. Vernon doubles to left, Lewis scores easily, Lind to third. Jays get out early here 1-0 Jays. Overbay with two runners in scoring position strikes out. Poor Lyle. Gonzalez, here we go, singles to centre, here comes Lind, here comes Vernon, 3-0 Jays. Gonzalez moves up to second on the throw. Bautista doubles to centre, Gonzalez scores 4-0 Jays, they are all over Garza here early. Buck hit by a pitch. Snider lines out to right field Kapler. But Jays take big early lead for young Cecil.
Bottom 1st: Bartlett strikes out. Crawford fly ball to centre field Wells. Zobrist strikes out. That's the way to do it Brett, close them down quickly and get those hot hitters out there again. Don't give Garza a chance to relax.
Top 2nd: Lewis singles to left. On base for the second time, he might like that leadoff spot. Hill fouls out to Pena at first. Lind 3-0 and walks on four pitches, Lewis to second. Repeat of first inning. One down two on for Vernon. Fly ball to centre field Upton. Overbay, wild pitch by Garza, Lewis to third, Lind to second. Two in scoring position. Overbay full count and walks. Bases loaded. Gonzalez grounds to short Bartlett on to Zobrist at second base. Overbay out. Jays leave bases loaded, I hope they don’t regret that. They have to pile on the runs against this team.
Bottom. 2nd: Longoria singles to left. Pena, balk by Cecil, Longoria to second. Pena strikes out. Upton, fly ball to Wells, two down. Aybar pops up to Overbay, another nice inning by Cecil. All the pressure is on Garza.
Top 3rd: Bautista doubles to centre, off the glove of Upton. Buck, with one on. Strikes out, just waves at that one. Snider with runner at second one down. grounds to short, Bautista running on the play and out at third. Two down. Lewis, high fly ball to Upton, just gets under that one otherwise that would have been high into the seats, very nice swing Fred, your time will come.
Bottom 3rd: Navarro, lines out to Lewis in left, looks as if he almost lost that in the lights. One down for Kapler, pops up first pitch to Bautista at third. Two down. Bartlett strikes out.
Top 4th: Hill leading off strikes out pulling, come on Aaron the other way. Lind, two walks tonight, we need some hits Adam, grounds to second, throw to Pena at first two down for Wells, Vernon, singles into right, Lyle Overbay, there we go Lyle, sweet swing to double to right centre and Vernon scores 5-0 Jays. Gonzalez, two down and Overbay at second, strikes put looking on three pitches but Lyle has added another here.
Bottom 4th: Crawford grounds to Hill at second throw to Overbay, one down. Zobrist, strikes out, that was ball four. Longoria, with two down and no one on. The best way to see him, minimize his damage strikes out, very nice pitching by Cecil.
Top 5th: Garza on 87 pitches already. This could be his last inning. Bautista doubles over the head of Upton to the wall in centre, Jays hitters hot tonight. Buck with one in scoring position. Jays 3/10 with runners in scoring position tonight already, not good. Rays bullpen working. Buck strikes out. Mound conference here. Snider, 3-0 patience tonight. Pops it up shallow left to Crawford no chance for Jose to move up, two down for Lewis who just missed one last at bat. Bautista stealing third, just in. Risky Jose. Takes strike three, not good Fred with runner at third. Gotta give him a chance. Jays waste that leadoff double. 102 pitch count for Garza though.
Bottom 5th: Pena leading off strikes out on three pitches, seven strikeouts for Cecil tonight, not bad for replacement but in my book he is better starter than Tallet anyway. Upton, fly ball to Snider in right. Two down. Aybar, oh no, gets hold of this pitch into left field seats. 5-1 Jays. Navarro does not like that call, grounds back to Cecil throw to Overbay for the out and end of inning. 62 pitches. Very economical.
Top 6th: Get this one back team. Balfour now pitching for Rays. Hill, way to go Aaron where have you been? pulls this one into left field seats. No doubt about it alt all. Home run Aaron. 6-1 Jays. Lind, Navarro ejected. Whoa excitement here. Navarro had not liked the call at his previous at bat and did not like the ball count on Lind. But you don’t argue those with the umpire he knows that. John Jaso replacing Navarro. Poor Adam on a 2-2 count and now strikes out after that long wait. One down for Vernon 2-3 with a double and a single. Not this time grounds to short, throw to first beats Vernon. Two down for Lyle, strikes out here on three pitches but Aaron got the run back for Cecil.
Bottom 6th: Kapler 3-0 here, full count and walks. One on for Bartlett, fly ball to Lewis in left, one down. Crawford, long fly ball first pitch to Wells in centre, two down. doubles into the gap in left, Kapler scores 6-2 Jays. Longoria, grounds to third, Bautista cannot handle it Rays safe all round. Pena, with two on, nubber in front of the plate off the end of his bat, Buck throws to Overbay for third out, no more damage. 81 pitches for Cecil.
Top 7th: Dan Wheeler now pitching. Gonzalez grounds to short long throw safe, just. Bautista 3-3 all doubles tonight. Choate working in Rays bullpen, high fly ball to right. One down. Buck, high fly ball to the wall in centre, Upton over the shoulder catch right at the wall. Gonzalez should have been tagging there but didn’t think he would get it and has to retreat to first. Choate now pitching with two down and one at first. Snider lefty lefty matchup, poor Travis never gets a break but the good is that it messes up Rays bullpen. Not good Travis don’t wave at them like that. Strikes out.
Bottom 7th: Getting into bullpen territory for Cecil. No pressure now Brett relax. Upton lines it to Bautista first pitch. One down. Aybar, singles into left. Downs warming up. Jaso, first at bat tonight. Strikes out, number eight for Cecil tonight, two down. Kapler, this could be Cecil’s last hitter. 3-0 count. Full count, Oh no….. Home run to left. Two runs score 6-4 Jays. That’s it for young Cecil here’s Cito. Just one pitch he would like back but should not be upset with that outing. Far, far better than Tallet would do. Now the bullpen to hold two runs. Downs in to face Bartlett. Singles into centre. Crawford two down and one on. No, Frasor warming up, no Cito don’t do that to us. Yeah, Crawford grounds to Hill at second, throw to Overbay for the out. Now can the hitters get a couple back here for Cecil ?
Top 8th: Top of the Jays order, Lewis long overdue for a big hit. Choate still pitching, Fred doubles inside the first base bag into the corner. Now bring him in guys. Hill putting him on, intentional walk for Lind, ok Adam make them pay. Two on no outs. Strikes out, that was lousy at bat Adam trying to pull every pitch. Go up the middle a huge gap there or opposite field. Or bunt if you can’t do that. Here comes for Vernon. Cormier pitching. Oh Vernon, gets under first pitch fly ball to centre, two down for Overbay. Grounds first pitch to first. Not good friends at all. Two on and no outs and the big bats cannot even move them over?
Bottom 8th: Back to the bullpen to hold the Rays here. Zobrist, Oh man, get the heart pills out, Frasor pitching. Cito what are you doing to us? Downs had five pitches ! Zobrist full count. Walks him. And you wonder why most of us have problems with Frasor. Longoria, Zobrist stealing and safe on the throw which almost goes into centre field. Fly ball to left, one down, runner holds at second. Pena. Grounds first pitch to Hill throw to Overbay for second out but Zobrist moves to third on the play. Upton, no room for error here. Singles to right, run scores 6-5. Frasor does it again but have to fault Cito here for brining him in especially when Downs had only five pitches. Aybar, Upton steals second. Molina much better catcher in these situations, he should probably play this whole series against this Rays running team. Walks him, two on two down. Now here comes Cito long overdue in this one. I feel so sorry for Cecil to have to watch Frasor blow this one for him. Gregg now pitching, Cito dealing all the pack here. Rodriguez pinch running for Aybar. Fly ball to Wells in centre.
Top 9th: Can Jays get one more here? Soriano pitching, perfect this season 4/4 saves. Jays have an uphill battle here. Gonzalez, strikes out swinging. One down for Bautista. Fly ball to centre Upton, two down for Buck who has done nothing tonight with either bat or glove. Strikes out. Tomorrow Cito please, please put Molina behind the plate.
Bottom 9th: Up to Gregg now and not much room for error thanks to Frasor. Kapler, grounds up the line to Overbay for the out, one down for top of the order now. Bartlett fouling them off here, struck him out looking, very nice pitch Kevin. Two down for the most dangerous player on this team Carl Crawford. Ground rule double into right field corner seats. Zobrist, with runner in scoring position, 3-1 count, full strikes him out looking, this guy Gregg is a cool cat. Very nice pitching under pressure.
Jays win big tonight. Rays were back home flying after 9-1 road trip. To beat them here is excellent for the Jays. With Hill back and this lineup (with maybe just one change at catcher) they will be competitive. Anyone one of the lineup can put one out. Cecil showed just maybe he should be staying put in the rotation. Let’s see another start, probably against Boston next week but this one was a gem.
The excellent: Cecil tonight. 6 2/3 innings and eight strikeouts only one walk. Have to also give a medal to Bautista tonight with three doubles. Gregg save under huge pressure.
The very good: Vernon, Aaron first game back and a home run. We have missed that guy.
Jays eleven hits and five walks. Always had someone on base.
Five hits between Gonzalez and Bautista at number 5 and 6 in the order. Look to see Lyle drop down. Maybe.
The bad: Frasor almost blowing Cecil’s great outing.
The very bad Jays 3/16 with runners in scoring position. If only Jays hitters could improve on this they would be very difficult to beat.
In the “I don’t get it” category tonight: Cito replacing Scott Downs after five pitches and then adding insult to injury bringing in Frasor.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
What a Downer. Downs blows Jays comebcak.
Jays v Royals series finale. Wednesday April 21.
Lineups: Royals: DeJesus, Podsednik, Butler, Guillen, Callaspo, Ankiel, Kendall, Gordon, Betancourt.
Jays: Lewis, Gonzalez, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Bautista, Snider, Molina, McDonald.
Marcum v Greinke should be a good pitching game although Greinke has not started the way he did last season.
Top 1st: Jays trying for the sweep here today and a good and noisy crowd with all the school students. The key is for Jays to get them in the game. DeJesus leading off grounds to Overbay one down. Podsednik singles to left. Butler doubles to left, Podsednik to third. Marcum having early problems. Guillen, dangerous guy to have runners on base. There it goes, gets hold of this one and just like that Rays are ahead 3-0. Callaspo fly ball to Lewis in left, two down. Ankiel strikes out. But Jays are in a hole right from the start.
Bottom 1st: Lewis strikes out. Gonzalez full count and walks. One on one down for Lind. Come on Adam grounds to Callaspo on to Betancourt at short on to Butler at first, double play ball. Lind is not timing his hits yet, so many ground ball outs. Not a great start yet.
Top 2nd: Marcum needs a good inning here. Kendall grounds to Gonzalez at short, throw to Overbay for first out. Gordon strikes out. Two down for Betancourt, grounds to Bautista throw to Overbay at first to end this one and give his hitters chance to get back in this one but with Greinke last year’s Cy Young winner pitching, good luck.
Bottom 2nd: Wells strikes out. Overbay strikes out. Bautista strikes out. Greinke humming this afternoon. Must be the open roof.
Top 3rd: Marcum, not much rest there. DeJesus grounds to Johnny Mc playing second today might be his last game for a while as Hill is back on Friday. Throw to Overbay for first out. Podsednik same again, grounds to McDonald throw to Overbay. Two down. Marcum settling down. Spoke too soon Butler singles to right. Guillen again, grounds to Bautista at third throw to Overbay to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd: Snider grounds back to Greinke throws over to first base Butler. One down for Molina grounds to Betancourt at short, throw to Butler. Two down. McDonald fly ball to centre. Ankiel makes the out.
Top 4th: Callaspo fly ball to right field Snider. One down for Ankiel fly ball to left field Lewis.
Kendall with two down grounds to second base McDonald, throw to first Overbay for the out. Marcum is going well now, but Jays need some runs and to get the young crowd raising the noise level here.
Bottom 4th: Lewis leading off, hit by a pitch. That’s ok, anyway you can get on base is fine with me. One on for Gonzalez, connects here with one, low line drive but this is over the wall in left field, two run home run and Jays are back in the game 3-2. Still no outs. Lind strikes out. One down for Wells. Grounds to third, long throw oh that is wild and into the crowd at first base. Something went wrong here, although this new turf has a great bounce. We have seen balls bouncing over the fence in centre this week. Wells safe at second on this error by Gordon. One down and Vernon in scoring position for Overbay, strikes out. Second time today for Lyle. Bautista pops up to second base Callaspo and Vernon is left out there, but Jays get two back on that Gonzalez home run.
Top 5th: Gordon strikes out. Betancourt fouls out to Overbay. Two down. DeJesus strikes out. Marcum really pitching well now but we needed that at the start. Three run lead is too many to give to Greinke.
Bottom 5th: Snider pops out to Betancourt at short. Travis not getting out of the infield today.
Molina fly ball to Ankiel in centre. Two down for McDonald. Johnny Mc grounds to Betancourt at shirt throw to Butler to end the inning.
Top 6th: Podsednik walks. Butler strikes out. Guillen with one on. Podsednik stealing, but great throw by Molina to McDonald to get Podsednik at second. Nice throw Jose. Guillen singles to centre. That would have scored Podsednik, he has speed. Little things but am not sure why he would be stealing anyway with Guillen at the plate unless that was a hit and run. Callaspo grounds to Gonzalez at shirt, throw to first base Overbay to end this one leaving Guillen out there.
Bottom 6th: Lewis pops up to Betancourt at short. One down for Gonzalez fly ball to left field Podsednik. Lind, there we go Adam, hammers this one to the wall in right just misses going out but a long single to right. That was tough, just a little higher and that was out. Wells strikes out.
Top 7th: Ankiel strikes out. Kendall bunting to third safe at first. Gordon at bat, one down one on. Kendall is going but another great throw here by Molina to Gonzalez, nails him. Molina’s second victim today. Making it difficult for Cito here. Gordon grounds to McDonald at second throw to Overbay for third out.
Bottom 7th: Overbay strikes out third time today. Bautista fly ball to Podsednik in left. Snider pops up to Betancourt at short to end the inning.
Top 8th: Janssen now pitching. Betancourt grounds to Gonzalez throw to Overbay. One down. DeJesus bunting, but great anticipation here by Johnny Mc. And throw to Overbay for the out. Great play. Two down for Podsednik, strikes out.
Bottom 8th: Rupe now pitching. Molina singles to left. Here comes Mike McCoy pinch-running for Molina. Johnny Mc bunting here? yes great bunt to Rupe looks at second but throws to first to get McDonald. I think he had a chance at second. McCoy to second. That’s it for Rupe. Parrish now pitching. Lewis singles to right off the fielder's glove, here comes McCoy easily. Jays have tied it up. 3-3. First RBI for Fred Lewis as a Jay, starting to get comfortable and step it up. Lewis steals second. Beats the throw even though he slides through the base. Gonzalez with runner in scoring position strikes out. Lind now with two down and one on, grounds to Butler at first base flip to Parrish covering to leave Lewis out there, but Jays have come back from 0-3 to tie.
Top 9th: Buck now in as catcher. I must admit Molina has looked more like the number one catcher here today. Two great throws to get runners. Now three of four on the season, gives Buck something to work at. Butler grounds to Gonzalez at short, throw to first base Overbay. One down. Guillen grounds to Bautista throw to Overbay to get Guillen, a huge out. Callaspo singles to left. Downs now pitching to Ankiel with runner at first. OH what a play, Downs picks him off with great move, he has to have the best pickoff move of Jays pitchers. Callaspo out. Inning ends without a pitch being throw by Downs. It would be strange if Jays hitters get a run here in bottom of the ninth, Downs would win the game without throwing a pitch.
Bottom 9th: Tejeda now pitching. Jays have the big bats at the plate this inning. Wells strikes out. Overbay fly ball to left field Podsednik. Two down. Bautista strikes out. That few feet on the hit by Lind could have made the difference this afternoon.
Top 10th: Ankiel grounds to Overbay at first, one down. Kendall grounds to Gonzalez throw to Overbay. Two down for Gordon. Oh NO Scott…… Gordon gets hold of this one, home run to centre Royals go ahead 4-3. Betancourt grounds to McDonald throw to Overbay for third out but Jays playing catch up again.
Bottom 10th: Royals closer Soria now pitching. Last chance for Jays here and bottom of the order to do it. Snider strikes out. Buck fly ball to right fielder DeJesus. Two down for McDonald ? Sorry Cito pinch hitter here…. Ruiz on the bench…. What do you have against him, even if they walk him you have top of the order coming up. Johnny Mc. grounds to Betancourt at short throw to Butler at first and Jays give this one away. That is a tough loss as they had come back from three down.
Questionable call by Cito but the usual sound Downs is the goat today.
The good: Two run home run by Gonzalez. Lewis first RBI hit and stolen base. Great defense lead by Molina, with two throws to catch runners stealing second. by McDonald. The crowd, the thousands of school students today gave some life to the game and great noise which the team has not heard for a long time. Casey Janssen 1.2 scoreless innings in relief.
The bad: Marcum three run home run in the first and the winning home run off Scott Downs in the tenth by Royals. Jays 1/5 with runners in scoring position. Overbay striking out three more times today, perhaps he can get it together away from home against the Rays because Jays need his bat. Lyle was in good company today though as Vernon also struck out three times.
Tomorrow an off day, must be golf and then serious series against the Rays and then return home for Monday series against the Red Sox. That should be a noisy crowd albeit the Red Sox nation fans.
CHANGES. Friday Aaron Hill should be back. Both Encarnacion and Tallet go on the disabled list, Cecil is called up from AAA to start on Friday. I would love him to do well and stay here and put Tallet in long relief IF he stays.
Cito has some decisions re lineup changes with Hill back. Does he keep Gonzalez at number two ? or put Aaron in there and move Alex behind Vernon to give him more protection than Lyle is giving right now. And I also think he has a decision at catcher, Molina is playing much better than Buck right now and deserves more playing time.
The very good: Jays AAA Vegas 51 are leading their division right now which speaks well of the depth that we saw in Dunedin in spring training. Brett Wallace playing at third has five home runs in first thirteen games. Brian Dopirak the team leader (with JP Arencibia) nine RBIs.
Lineups: Royals: DeJesus, Podsednik, Butler, Guillen, Callaspo, Ankiel, Kendall, Gordon, Betancourt.
Jays: Lewis, Gonzalez, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Bautista, Snider, Molina, McDonald.
Marcum v Greinke should be a good pitching game although Greinke has not started the way he did last season.
Top 1st: Jays trying for the sweep here today and a good and noisy crowd with all the school students. The key is for Jays to get them in the game. DeJesus leading off grounds to Overbay one down. Podsednik singles to left. Butler doubles to left, Podsednik to third. Marcum having early problems. Guillen, dangerous guy to have runners on base. There it goes, gets hold of this one and just like that Rays are ahead 3-0. Callaspo fly ball to Lewis in left, two down. Ankiel strikes out. But Jays are in a hole right from the start.
Bottom 1st: Lewis strikes out. Gonzalez full count and walks. One on one down for Lind. Come on Adam grounds to Callaspo on to Betancourt at short on to Butler at first, double play ball. Lind is not timing his hits yet, so many ground ball outs. Not a great start yet.
Top 2nd: Marcum needs a good inning here. Kendall grounds to Gonzalez at short, throw to Overbay for first out. Gordon strikes out. Two down for Betancourt, grounds to Bautista throw to Overbay at first to end this one and give his hitters chance to get back in this one but with Greinke last year’s Cy Young winner pitching, good luck.
Bottom 2nd: Wells strikes out. Overbay strikes out. Bautista strikes out. Greinke humming this afternoon. Must be the open roof.
Top 3rd: Marcum, not much rest there. DeJesus grounds to Johnny Mc playing second today might be his last game for a while as Hill is back on Friday. Throw to Overbay for first out. Podsednik same again, grounds to McDonald throw to Overbay. Two down. Marcum settling down. Spoke too soon Butler singles to right. Guillen again, grounds to Bautista at third throw to Overbay to end the inning.
Bottom 3rd: Snider grounds back to Greinke throws over to first base Butler. One down for Molina grounds to Betancourt at short, throw to Butler. Two down. McDonald fly ball to centre. Ankiel makes the out.
Top 4th: Callaspo fly ball to right field Snider. One down for Ankiel fly ball to left field Lewis.
Kendall with two down grounds to second base McDonald, throw to first Overbay for the out. Marcum is going well now, but Jays need some runs and to get the young crowd raising the noise level here.
Bottom 4th: Lewis leading off, hit by a pitch. That’s ok, anyway you can get on base is fine with me. One on for Gonzalez, connects here with one, low line drive but this is over the wall in left field, two run home run and Jays are back in the game 3-2. Still no outs. Lind strikes out. One down for Wells. Grounds to third, long throw oh that is wild and into the crowd at first base. Something went wrong here, although this new turf has a great bounce. We have seen balls bouncing over the fence in centre this week. Wells safe at second on this error by Gordon. One down and Vernon in scoring position for Overbay, strikes out. Second time today for Lyle. Bautista pops up to second base Callaspo and Vernon is left out there, but Jays get two back on that Gonzalez home run.
Top 5th: Gordon strikes out. Betancourt fouls out to Overbay. Two down. DeJesus strikes out. Marcum really pitching well now but we needed that at the start. Three run lead is too many to give to Greinke.
Bottom 5th: Snider pops out to Betancourt at short. Travis not getting out of the infield today.
Molina fly ball to Ankiel in centre. Two down for McDonald. Johnny Mc grounds to Betancourt at shirt throw to Butler to end the inning.
Top 6th: Podsednik walks. Butler strikes out. Guillen with one on. Podsednik stealing, but great throw by Molina to McDonald to get Podsednik at second. Nice throw Jose. Guillen singles to centre. That would have scored Podsednik, he has speed. Little things but am not sure why he would be stealing anyway with Guillen at the plate unless that was a hit and run. Callaspo grounds to Gonzalez at shirt, throw to first base Overbay to end this one leaving Guillen out there.
Bottom 6th: Lewis pops up to Betancourt at short. One down for Gonzalez fly ball to left field Podsednik. Lind, there we go Adam, hammers this one to the wall in right just misses going out but a long single to right. That was tough, just a little higher and that was out. Wells strikes out.
Top 7th: Ankiel strikes out. Kendall bunting to third safe at first. Gordon at bat, one down one on. Kendall is going but another great throw here by Molina to Gonzalez, nails him. Molina’s second victim today. Making it difficult for Cito here. Gordon grounds to McDonald at second throw to Overbay for third out.
Bottom 7th: Overbay strikes out third time today. Bautista fly ball to Podsednik in left. Snider pops up to Betancourt at short to end the inning.
Top 8th: Janssen now pitching. Betancourt grounds to Gonzalez throw to Overbay. One down. DeJesus bunting, but great anticipation here by Johnny Mc. And throw to Overbay for the out. Great play. Two down for Podsednik, strikes out.
Bottom 8th: Rupe now pitching. Molina singles to left. Here comes Mike McCoy pinch-running for Molina. Johnny Mc bunting here? yes great bunt to Rupe looks at second but throws to first to get McDonald. I think he had a chance at second. McCoy to second. That’s it for Rupe. Parrish now pitching. Lewis singles to right off the fielder's glove, here comes McCoy easily. Jays have tied it up. 3-3. First RBI for Fred Lewis as a Jay, starting to get comfortable and step it up. Lewis steals second. Beats the throw even though he slides through the base. Gonzalez with runner in scoring position strikes out. Lind now with two down and one on, grounds to Butler at first base flip to Parrish covering to leave Lewis out there, but Jays have come back from 0-3 to tie.
Top 9th: Buck now in as catcher. I must admit Molina has looked more like the number one catcher here today. Two great throws to get runners. Now three of four on the season, gives Buck something to work at. Butler grounds to Gonzalez at short, throw to first base Overbay. One down. Guillen grounds to Bautista throw to Overbay to get Guillen, a huge out. Callaspo singles to left. Downs now pitching to Ankiel with runner at first. OH what a play, Downs picks him off with great move, he has to have the best pickoff move of Jays pitchers. Callaspo out. Inning ends without a pitch being throw by Downs. It would be strange if Jays hitters get a run here in bottom of the ninth, Downs would win the game without throwing a pitch.
Bottom 9th: Tejeda now pitching. Jays have the big bats at the plate this inning. Wells strikes out. Overbay fly ball to left field Podsednik. Two down. Bautista strikes out. That few feet on the hit by Lind could have made the difference this afternoon.
Top 10th: Ankiel grounds to Overbay at first, one down. Kendall grounds to Gonzalez throw to Overbay. Two down for Gordon. Oh NO Scott…… Gordon gets hold of this one, home run to centre Royals go ahead 4-3. Betancourt grounds to McDonald throw to Overbay for third out but Jays playing catch up again.
Bottom 10th: Royals closer Soria now pitching. Last chance for Jays here and bottom of the order to do it. Snider strikes out. Buck fly ball to right fielder DeJesus. Two down for McDonald ? Sorry Cito pinch hitter here…. Ruiz on the bench…. What do you have against him, even if they walk him you have top of the order coming up. Johnny Mc. grounds to Betancourt at short throw to Butler at first and Jays give this one away. That is a tough loss as they had come back from three down.
Questionable call by Cito but the usual sound Downs is the goat today.
The good: Two run home run by Gonzalez. Lewis first RBI hit and stolen base. Great defense lead by Molina, with two throws to catch runners stealing second. by McDonald. The crowd, the thousands of school students today gave some life to the game and great noise which the team has not heard for a long time. Casey Janssen 1.2 scoreless innings in relief.
The bad: Marcum three run home run in the first and the winning home run off Scott Downs in the tenth by Royals. Jays 1/5 with runners in scoring position. Overbay striking out three more times today, perhaps he can get it together away from home against the Rays because Jays need his bat. Lyle was in good company today though as Vernon also struck out three times.
Tomorrow an off day, must be golf and then serious series against the Rays and then return home for Monday series against the Red Sox. That should be a noisy crowd albeit the Red Sox nation fans.
CHANGES. Friday Aaron Hill should be back. Both Encarnacion and Tallet go on the disabled list, Cecil is called up from AAA to start on Friday. I would love him to do well and stay here and put Tallet in long relief IF he stays.
Cito has some decisions re lineup changes with Hill back. Does he keep Gonzalez at number two ? or put Aaron in there and move Alex behind Vernon to give him more protection than Lyle is giving right now. And I also think he has a decision at catcher, Molina is playing much better than Buck right now and deserves more playing time.
The very good: Jays AAA Vegas 51 are leading their division right now which speaks well of the depth that we saw in Dunedin in spring training. Brett Wallace playing at third has five home runs in first thirteen games. Brian Dopirak the team leader (with JP Arencibia) nine RBIs.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Jays win behind Vernon's power and great bullpen.
Jays v Royals Game two. Tuesday April 20.
Lineups: Royals: De Jesus, Bloomquist, Butler, Guillen, Callaspo, Ankiel, Kendall, Maier, Bettancourt.
Jays: Lewis, Gonzalez, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Bautista, Buck, Snider, McCoy
Pitching: Eveland v Davies.
Top 1st: DeJesus grounds to Overbay at first, throw to Eveland covering, one down. Bloomquist singles to centre. Butler grounds to Gonzalez, very nice play to this right on to McCoy at second on to Overbay, double play ball to end the inning.
Bottom 1st: Lewis doubles to left. Gonzalez fly ball to Ankiel in centre field, Lewis moves up to third. Lind sac fly to Ankiel in centre, Lewis scores. 1-0 Jays. Wells grounds to Callaspo at second, throw to Butler at first to end the inning.
Top 2nd: Guillen singles to centre. Callaspo singles to left, Guillen to second. Ankiel grounds to Overbay throw to Eveland, one down. Guillen to third, Callaspo to second. Kendall singles to right. Guillen scores 1-1 game. Callaspo to third. Maier sac fly to Wells, Callaspo scores. 2-1 Royals. Betancourt singles to centre, Kendall to third. DeJesus strikes out.
Bottom 2nd: Overbay full count and walks. Bautista grounds to Betancourt on to second base Callaspo over to first base Butler, double play ball. Buck walks. Snider fouls out to Bloomquist at third.
Top 3rd: Bloomquist doubles just inside third base bag, into left corner. Butler with runner in scoring position lines it to Lewis in left for first out. Guillen, full count. runner going but Guillen fouls out. Strikes out swinging, two down. Callaspo, doubles off left field wall, run scores 3-1 Royals, Eveland is not dominating tonight. Ankiel, two down and one in scoring position, full count. Walks. Kendall with two on, here comes the pitching coach. Fly ball to Wells in centre for third out, but Royals get another. Time for Jays bats to get moving here.
Bottom 3rd: McCoy first at bat tonight. Full count, Davies obviously did not go to the same school with Frasor, working very quickly. Strikes out looking. Lewis, strikes out. Two down for Gonzalez. Gets hold of it but just a long liner to Maier in left field for third out.
Top 4th: Eveland 62 pitches in first three innings. Maier leading off, strikes out at one in the dirt. One down for Betancourt. Singles up the middle. De Jesus they have Betancourt picked off, Overbay tags him out. Nice move by Eveland which Betancourt misjudged. Full count. Bounces one to McCoy nice play to flip it to Overbay for third out. Eveland at 78 pitches though. Not good. Cito will need some long relief tonight. Eveland can help himself though.
Bottom 4th: Lind, strikes out chasing a ball head high, not a good at bat Adam. Wells, GOODBYE ball, Vernon hammers this high off the facing on third deck in left. 3-2 Kansas. Overbay, strikes out looking. Two down for Bautista, rolls it to short, throw to first and inning is over but Jays get a big one back. 89 pitches, may get another one in.
Top 5th: Bloomquist, singles into right corner Royals hit number eight. Butler, grounds to Bautista throw to McCoy on to Overbay, double play ball to rescue Eveland here. Two down for Guillen. Camp up in Jays bullpen. Poor guy he had an inning last night, but that’s Cito he will go to same pitcher over and over again until they fail him. Guillen fly ball out to Wells.
Bottom 5th: Buck leading off. Fly ball out to right field. One down for Snider, has been working on going to left and centre and not pulling the ball. Not this time. Grounds to Callaspo at second throw to first for the second out. McCoy, fly ball to right and this inning is over.
Top 6th: Eveland out there, Callaspo leading off. 3-0 and walks him on four, just does not have it tonight. Ankiel, bounces one to McCoy at second too shallow for double play throw to first for one out. That’s it for Dana tonight. Camp now pitching. Callaspo at second. Kendall, home run swing and misses it. Fly ball to Snider in shallow right, runner has to hold, two down for Maier. High fly ball to Wells for third out. Camp does his job. Texas beating Boston 5-2. Not a happy time for Red Sox fans.
Bottom 6th: Lewis first pitch lines to centre nice running catch by De Jesus. Gonzalez. Grounds to third, throw to first for second very quick out. It will be good to get Aaron back in the number two spot. Lind, takes one but has no choice with the two quick outs, grounds to first for third out. No problem at all for Davies, Jays hitters making it so easy for him.
Top 7th: Camp still out there. Bettancourt pops up first pitch to Gonzalez, the malaise is spreading to Royals hitters. One down for De Jesus, strikes out looking, two down. Bloomquist 3-0 come on Camp. Walks on four pitches. Butler, singles up the middle. Two on two down for Guillen, be careful here Shawn. Frasor now up in bullpen. Be very careful Shawn…. Guillen bounces grounder to third throw to Overbay for third out leaving two on.
Bottom 7th: Wells, doubles first pitch to left field wall over the head of Maier. Now bring him in Lyle. Action in Royals bullpen. Full count on Lyle. Hammers this one to the wall, Ankiel drops the ball as he turns, Vernon had to hold or he would have scored easily, Lyle at second. Two in scoring position with no outs. Come on Bautista. Singles up the middle here comes Vernon, Lyle scrambles back to third just in to beat the throw. This game is all tied up, 3-3 and Jays have Lyle at third and Jose at first still no outs. Jays have to capitalize here. Buck, perfect, dribbler off the end of the bat up third base line, no chance for throw anywhere, Lyle scores, Buck safe at first and Bautista at second 4-3 Jays. That’s it for Davies, too bad as he pitched so well but Jays finally get to him. Slams his mitt on the bench in dugout. Rupe pitching Snider bunting ?? Come on Cito.. Now swinging. Singles into left, practice paying off evidently. Bases loaded and still no outs for McCoy. Jays have a chance here to blow this game wide open. Called third strike, come on McCoy you have to swing here with bases loaded. Lewis, his chance here one down with bases loaded. Oh no.,…..checks his swing but ball dribbles of the end it up third throw home to get Jose, throw to first to get Lewis and you can tell how fast that play was to double up Lewis. But Jays go empty and that will hurt bigtime. Bases loaded with one out and McCoy and Lewis could not do the job. A mark against Fred there.
Top 8th: Don’t go away, heart medication time. Frasor now out there with a one run lead. Callaspo leading off. Royals will be pleased to get off the hook there. A base hit would have been a three run deficit. Callaspo strikes out. One down. Ankiel, grounds to Overbay throw to Frasor for second out. Kendall singles into left. Maier, one on, two down. full count. Oh boy Maier gets hold of this one JUST and I do mean just foul in right field corner that was a two run shot missed by inches. High fly ball to Vernon for the third out. Relax everyone.
Bottom 8th: Top of Jays order, need to get insurance here. Rupe still pitching. Gonzalez, leading off, 0-3 tonight. Strikes out swinging. Gregg up in Jays bullpen. Lind, with one down, high fly ball to Ankiel. Wells with two down, Vernon 2-3 tonight. Does it again, is this guy hot or what? Doubles into left field corner, his second double of the night. Now Lyle, PLEASE….. That’s it for Rupe. Dusty Hughes Lefty- lefty matchup, Lyle grounds first pitch to first.
Top 9th: Gregg now pitching with one run lead. Here we go….. Bettancourt leading off. Grounds to Bautista at third, throw to Overbay for the out. One down. DeJesus grounds to McCoy throw to Overbay for second out. Bloomquist 2-3 tonight with two singles. Pops it up, to shallow right, McCoy and Snider mess it up and ball drops, off glove of McCoy.. Error on McCoy that was Travis’ ball running in from right. That’s was third out. Royals get reprieve. Butler now with runner on. Pitch bounces away from Buck, runner moves to second, this is not good here friends. Strikes him out, way to go Kevin. This guy is COOL…
Jays win a come from behind game. Tried to give it away in bottom of the ninth but Gregg kept his cool. Eveland struggled early and too many pitches but his bullpen helps him out tonight.
The very good tonight: Vernon with three extra base hits home run and two doubles.
The good two double plays. Bullpen of Camp, Frasor and Gregg 3.2 scoreless innings. Jays turn two double plays. Overbay another double and that average creeping up. Snider hitting opposite field. Royals outhit Jays 10-8 but Jays hits counted.
The bad: Fielding error in the ninth. Runners in scoring position 4/8 but does not show how bases were loaded twice and Jays hitters could not bring run in. Lewis and Bautista both grounding into double plays and of course the bad error by McCoy. BUT friends it is another W and that is what counts at the end of the season.
Jays look for the sweep tomorrow to tie this home stand 5-5. Marcum pitching and school day which means loads of NOISE…. Although the last two school games I have attended the opposing teams have taken the crowd out of the game.
Lineups: Royals: De Jesus, Bloomquist, Butler, Guillen, Callaspo, Ankiel, Kendall, Maier, Bettancourt.
Jays: Lewis, Gonzalez, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Bautista, Buck, Snider, McCoy
Pitching: Eveland v Davies.
Top 1st: DeJesus grounds to Overbay at first, throw to Eveland covering, one down. Bloomquist singles to centre. Butler grounds to Gonzalez, very nice play to this right on to McCoy at second on to Overbay, double play ball to end the inning.
Bottom 1st: Lewis doubles to left. Gonzalez fly ball to Ankiel in centre field, Lewis moves up to third. Lind sac fly to Ankiel in centre, Lewis scores. 1-0 Jays. Wells grounds to Callaspo at second, throw to Butler at first to end the inning.
Top 2nd: Guillen singles to centre. Callaspo singles to left, Guillen to second. Ankiel grounds to Overbay throw to Eveland, one down. Guillen to third, Callaspo to second. Kendall singles to right. Guillen scores 1-1 game. Callaspo to third. Maier sac fly to Wells, Callaspo scores. 2-1 Royals. Betancourt singles to centre, Kendall to third. DeJesus strikes out.
Bottom 2nd: Overbay full count and walks. Bautista grounds to Betancourt on to second base Callaspo over to first base Butler, double play ball. Buck walks. Snider fouls out to Bloomquist at third.
Top 3rd: Bloomquist doubles just inside third base bag, into left corner. Butler with runner in scoring position lines it to Lewis in left for first out. Guillen, full count. runner going but Guillen fouls out. Strikes out swinging, two down. Callaspo, doubles off left field wall, run scores 3-1 Royals, Eveland is not dominating tonight. Ankiel, two down and one in scoring position, full count. Walks. Kendall with two on, here comes the pitching coach. Fly ball to Wells in centre for third out, but Royals get another. Time for Jays bats to get moving here.
Bottom 3rd: McCoy first at bat tonight. Full count, Davies obviously did not go to the same school with Frasor, working very quickly. Strikes out looking. Lewis, strikes out. Two down for Gonzalez. Gets hold of it but just a long liner to Maier in left field for third out.
Top 4th: Eveland 62 pitches in first three innings. Maier leading off, strikes out at one in the dirt. One down for Betancourt. Singles up the middle. De Jesus they have Betancourt picked off, Overbay tags him out. Nice move by Eveland which Betancourt misjudged. Full count. Bounces one to McCoy nice play to flip it to Overbay for third out. Eveland at 78 pitches though. Not good. Cito will need some long relief tonight. Eveland can help himself though.
Bottom 4th: Lind, strikes out chasing a ball head high, not a good at bat Adam. Wells, GOODBYE ball, Vernon hammers this high off the facing on third deck in left. 3-2 Kansas. Overbay, strikes out looking. Two down for Bautista, rolls it to short, throw to first and inning is over but Jays get a big one back. 89 pitches, may get another one in.
Top 5th: Bloomquist, singles into right corner Royals hit number eight. Butler, grounds to Bautista throw to McCoy on to Overbay, double play ball to rescue Eveland here. Two down for Guillen. Camp up in Jays bullpen. Poor guy he had an inning last night, but that’s Cito he will go to same pitcher over and over again until they fail him. Guillen fly ball out to Wells.
Bottom 5th: Buck leading off. Fly ball out to right field. One down for Snider, has been working on going to left and centre and not pulling the ball. Not this time. Grounds to Callaspo at second throw to first for the second out. McCoy, fly ball to right and this inning is over.
Top 6th: Eveland out there, Callaspo leading off. 3-0 and walks him on four, just does not have it tonight. Ankiel, bounces one to McCoy at second too shallow for double play throw to first for one out. That’s it for Dana tonight. Camp now pitching. Callaspo at second. Kendall, home run swing and misses it. Fly ball to Snider in shallow right, runner has to hold, two down for Maier. High fly ball to Wells for third out. Camp does his job. Texas beating Boston 5-2. Not a happy time for Red Sox fans.
Bottom 6th: Lewis first pitch lines to centre nice running catch by De Jesus. Gonzalez. Grounds to third, throw to first for second very quick out. It will be good to get Aaron back in the number two spot. Lind, takes one but has no choice with the two quick outs, grounds to first for third out. No problem at all for Davies, Jays hitters making it so easy for him.
Top 7th: Camp still out there. Bettancourt pops up first pitch to Gonzalez, the malaise is spreading to Royals hitters. One down for De Jesus, strikes out looking, two down. Bloomquist 3-0 come on Camp. Walks on four pitches. Butler, singles up the middle. Two on two down for Guillen, be careful here Shawn. Frasor now up in bullpen. Be very careful Shawn…. Guillen bounces grounder to third throw to Overbay for third out leaving two on.
Bottom 7th: Wells, doubles first pitch to left field wall over the head of Maier. Now bring him in Lyle. Action in Royals bullpen. Full count on Lyle. Hammers this one to the wall, Ankiel drops the ball as he turns, Vernon had to hold or he would have scored easily, Lyle at second. Two in scoring position with no outs. Come on Bautista. Singles up the middle here comes Vernon, Lyle scrambles back to third just in to beat the throw. This game is all tied up, 3-3 and Jays have Lyle at third and Jose at first still no outs. Jays have to capitalize here. Buck, perfect, dribbler off the end of the bat up third base line, no chance for throw anywhere, Lyle scores, Buck safe at first and Bautista at second 4-3 Jays. That’s it for Davies, too bad as he pitched so well but Jays finally get to him. Slams his mitt on the bench in dugout. Rupe pitching Snider bunting ?? Come on Cito.. Now swinging. Singles into left, practice paying off evidently. Bases loaded and still no outs for McCoy. Jays have a chance here to blow this game wide open. Called third strike, come on McCoy you have to swing here with bases loaded. Lewis, his chance here one down with bases loaded. Oh no.,…..checks his swing but ball dribbles of the end it up third throw home to get Jose, throw to first to get Lewis and you can tell how fast that play was to double up Lewis. But Jays go empty and that will hurt bigtime. Bases loaded with one out and McCoy and Lewis could not do the job. A mark against Fred there.
Top 8th: Don’t go away, heart medication time. Frasor now out there with a one run lead. Callaspo leading off. Royals will be pleased to get off the hook there. A base hit would have been a three run deficit. Callaspo strikes out. One down. Ankiel, grounds to Overbay throw to Frasor for second out. Kendall singles into left. Maier, one on, two down. full count. Oh boy Maier gets hold of this one JUST and I do mean just foul in right field corner that was a two run shot missed by inches. High fly ball to Vernon for the third out. Relax everyone.
Bottom 8th: Top of Jays order, need to get insurance here. Rupe still pitching. Gonzalez, leading off, 0-3 tonight. Strikes out swinging. Gregg up in Jays bullpen. Lind, with one down, high fly ball to Ankiel. Wells with two down, Vernon 2-3 tonight. Does it again, is this guy hot or what? Doubles into left field corner, his second double of the night. Now Lyle, PLEASE….. That’s it for Rupe. Dusty Hughes Lefty- lefty matchup, Lyle grounds first pitch to first.
Top 9th: Gregg now pitching with one run lead. Here we go….. Bettancourt leading off. Grounds to Bautista at third, throw to Overbay for the out. One down. DeJesus grounds to McCoy throw to Overbay for second out. Bloomquist 2-3 tonight with two singles. Pops it up, to shallow right, McCoy and Snider mess it up and ball drops, off glove of McCoy.. Error on McCoy that was Travis’ ball running in from right. That’s was third out. Royals get reprieve. Butler now with runner on. Pitch bounces away from Buck, runner moves to second, this is not good here friends. Strikes him out, way to go Kevin. This guy is COOL…
Jays win a come from behind game. Tried to give it away in bottom of the ninth but Gregg kept his cool. Eveland struggled early and too many pitches but his bullpen helps him out tonight.
The very good tonight: Vernon with three extra base hits home run and two doubles.
The good two double plays. Bullpen of Camp, Frasor and Gregg 3.2 scoreless innings. Jays turn two double plays. Overbay another double and that average creeping up. Snider hitting opposite field. Royals outhit Jays 10-8 but Jays hits counted.
The bad: Fielding error in the ninth. Runners in scoring position 4/8 but does not show how bases were loaded twice and Jays hitters could not bring run in. Lewis and Bautista both grounding into double plays and of course the bad error by McCoy. BUT friends it is another W and that is what counts at the end of the season.
Jays look for the sweep tomorrow to tie this home stand 5-5. Marcum pitching and school day which means loads of NOISE…. Although the last two school games I have attended the opposing teams have taken the crowd out of the game.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Power and speed plus excellent pitching from Morrow win this for Jays tonight
Monday April 19th.
Jays open series with Royals. Need a win tonight after being swept by the Angels. But to be fair Jays had some good pitching form Romero and could/should have won that one with some decent hitting, but the bats have gone south. Perhaps this series might help them get them back but I hope they don’t think Royals are any pushover.
Morrow v Bannister.
Royals: DeJesus, Callaspo, Butler.Guillen, Ankiel, Pena, Gordon, Maier, Betancourt.
Jays: Lewis, Gonzalez, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Bautista, Snider, Molina, McCoy.
Top 1st: DeJesus 3-0 and walks on four pitches. Not what Morrow wanted to start with.
Callaspo, wild pitch, DeJesus to second. Callaspo grounds to Gonzalez at short, throw to third base Bautista back to shortstop Gonzalez, run down in play, DeJesus out. Butler grounds to second base McCoy throw to Gonzalez on to first base Overbay, Callaspo out. Inning ending double play ball. That helps Morrow a great deal.
Bottom 1st: Lewis grounds to third base Gordon throw to Butler at first. Gonzalez fly ball to centre field Ankiel. Two down. Lind grounds to first base Butler flip to Bannister covering to end this inning.
Top 2nd: Guillen grounds to Bautista at third, throw to first base Overbay. Ankiel strikes out. Two down. Pena fly ball to to left field Lewis.
Bottom 2nd: Wells strikes out. Overbay with one down, gets a very nice supporting hand from the fans, everyone wants Lyle to succeed they know he cares unlike someone like Rios last season. doubles to left. There is a very nice supporting poster in right centre, “We believe in Lyle O “ And it is very true, we all hope tonight will be the breakout night. Bautista full count and walks.
Snider grounds to first base Butler throw to Bannister, Overbay moves to third, Bautista to second. Molina grounds to shortstop Betancourt throw to first base Butler for third out.
Top 3rd: Gordon strikes out. Maier strikes out. Betancourt fly ball to centre field Wells.
Bottom 3rd: McCoy singles to centre. Lewis strikes out but McCoy stealing on the play and safe at second. Gonzalez strikes out on wild pitch which gets away, throw to first but Gonzalez beats it out and coming home is McCoy, great heads up running by McCoy. The catcher should now have throws to first .Jays go out ahead 1-0. Lind full count and walks, Gonzalez to second.
Wells strikes out. Bannister wild pitch, Gonzalez to third, Lind to second. Overbay 2-2 pitch going down to first, was he hit ? Didn’t look like it from our seats. No, scorer calls interference by the catcher, not his inning. Bases loaded for Bautista fouls out to right field DeJesus. Bases left full but Jays are at least ahead.
Top 4th: DeJesus grounds to first base Overbay who takes it himself to the bag, one down. Callaspo fly ball to Wells in centre field. Butler grounds to Gonzalez at short, throw to first base Overbay
Bottom 4th: Snider leading off, full count, and no doubt about this one, a Travis special, there she goes a moon shot to right but drops over the right field fence. 2-0 Jays. Molina grounded out, shortstop Betancourt to first baseman Butler. McCoy fly ball to left field Maier. Two down. Lewis fly ball to centre field Ankiel.
Top 5th: Guillen strikes out. Ankiel strikes out. Pena strikes out.
Bottom 5th: Gonzalez fouls out to first base Butler. One down for Lind, lines out to second base Callaspo. Two down. Wells doubles to centre. Overbay walks, Bautista with two on and two down. There it goes a blast to left on the first pitch, home run from the moment it left the bat, three runs score and Jays are ahead 5-0. Snider strikes out. But Jays have broken this one open.
Top 6th: Gordon full count and walks, come on Brandon. Maier grounds out to second base McCoy throw to first base Overbay, Gordon to second. No change for double play. Betancourt singles to left, Gordon to third. There goes the no hitter but Morrow has pitched so well and should have other chances later. DeJesus singles to right. Here comes first run for Royals. Gordon scores Betancourt to second. Callaspo strikes out. Butler grounds back to Morrow throw to first base Overbay.
Bottom 6th: Molina strikes out. McCoy infield single to short. Great speed again. McCoy stealing bases, now at second. Lewis four pitches and walks. Two on for Gonzalez, doubles to centre McCoy scores, Lewis moves to third, he could probably have come home he was really moving on that play. He adds a whole new speed dimension to the Jays attack. 6-1 Jays. Mendoza pitching. Still only one out. Lind grounds to shortstop Betancourt throw to first base Butler. Two down for Wells, Vernon fouls out to Betancourt at short.
Top 7th: Guillen singles to left, one on. Ankiel strikes out. Pena grounds to short Gonzalez steps on the bag and throws to first base Overbay, Guillen out. Double play ball.
Bottom 7th: Overbay walks, on base four times tonight. Bautista with one on there it goes, first pitch hammered to left home run as soon as it left the bat, his second consecutive home run and two more RBIs to add to the three last inning. Jays ahead 8-1. Snider singles to centre. Molina lines out to left field Maier. McCoy doubles to right, Snider to third, had to hold up in event catch made on that play. Tejeda now pitching. Lewis strikes out. Two down. Gonzalez fouls out to first base Butler.
Top 8th: That’s enough for Morrow great outing tonight. Camp now pitching. Gordon grounds to short Gonzalez throw to first base Overbay. One down. Maier doubles to right. One on one down for Betancourt, he strikes out. DeJesus grounds to McCoy at second throw to first base Overbay for third out.
Bottom 8th: Farnsworth now pitching. Jays have gone deep into Royals bullpen tonight which is good. Lind strikes out. Wells fouls one off his foot, that was painful, Vernon hobbling around, full count and walks. Will he come out for pinch runner? No, so I guess not as bad as it looked. Overbay on base four times tonight singles to centre for his second hit. Wells to second. Bautista now can he get three home runs here in three at bats? Already has five RBIs great chance here to add three more. Fly ball to centre Ankiel. Two down for Snider lines out to right field DeJesus.
Top 9th: Janssen pitching. Callaspo grounds to Overbay throw to Janssen. One down.
Butler fly ball to Lewis. Two down. Guillen singles to centre. Ankiel with two down and one on, grounds to Overbay flip to Janssen and this game is in the books. Jays win convincingly 8-1.
The very good. The bats have emerged. Bautista looking good again, McCoy an excellent night and Lyle Overbay perfect tonight, on base five times, two walks, interference call and two hits double and a single and two runs. Lyle will be very happy guy tonight.
Morrow of course an outstanding night.
Big questions though.
What happens when Encarnacion returns and that could be as early as tomorrow.
Bautista is playing very well at third but if he returns to right then where does Travis go ? Presumably Lewis will stay in left and Lind DH.
And on Friday Aaron Hill is back who goes down? I say from here Ruiz, as McCoy has proven himself far too valuable with bat and glove as well as his speed. He can play any position infield or outfield. Both he and Lewis are also adding some much needed speed to this team and of course Hill is also no slouch. This gives Cito several more options.
Jays eleven hits tonight everyone except Lind and Molina, with McCoy three and Lyle two and Bautista of course with two hits, two home runs and five RBIs. Six walks for Jays lots more patience at bat tonight, 2/13 with runners in scoring position and still score the eight runs. But something to be concerned about. Left eleven on base. Four doubles and three home runs, seven extra base hits out of the eleven. Something to criticise but the end result is a BIG W.
Jays open series with Royals. Need a win tonight after being swept by the Angels. But to be fair Jays had some good pitching form Romero and could/should have won that one with some decent hitting, but the bats have gone south. Perhaps this series might help them get them back but I hope they don’t think Royals are any pushover.
Morrow v Bannister.
Royals: DeJesus, Callaspo, Butler.Guillen, Ankiel, Pena, Gordon, Maier, Betancourt.
Jays: Lewis, Gonzalez, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Bautista, Snider, Molina, McCoy.
Top 1st: DeJesus 3-0 and walks on four pitches. Not what Morrow wanted to start with.
Callaspo, wild pitch, DeJesus to second. Callaspo grounds to Gonzalez at short, throw to third base Bautista back to shortstop Gonzalez, run down in play, DeJesus out. Butler grounds to second base McCoy throw to Gonzalez on to first base Overbay, Callaspo out. Inning ending double play ball. That helps Morrow a great deal.
Bottom 1st: Lewis grounds to third base Gordon throw to Butler at first. Gonzalez fly ball to centre field Ankiel. Two down. Lind grounds to first base Butler flip to Bannister covering to end this inning.
Top 2nd: Guillen grounds to Bautista at third, throw to first base Overbay. Ankiel strikes out. Two down. Pena fly ball to to left field Lewis.
Bottom 2nd: Wells strikes out. Overbay with one down, gets a very nice supporting hand from the fans, everyone wants Lyle to succeed they know he cares unlike someone like Rios last season. doubles to left. There is a very nice supporting poster in right centre, “We believe in Lyle O “ And it is very true, we all hope tonight will be the breakout night. Bautista full count and walks.
Snider grounds to first base Butler throw to Bannister, Overbay moves to third, Bautista to second. Molina grounds to shortstop Betancourt throw to first base Butler for third out.
Top 3rd: Gordon strikes out. Maier strikes out. Betancourt fly ball to centre field Wells.
Bottom 3rd: McCoy singles to centre. Lewis strikes out but McCoy stealing on the play and safe at second. Gonzalez strikes out on wild pitch which gets away, throw to first but Gonzalez beats it out and coming home is McCoy, great heads up running by McCoy. The catcher should now have throws to first .Jays go out ahead 1-0. Lind full count and walks, Gonzalez to second.
Wells strikes out. Bannister wild pitch, Gonzalez to third, Lind to second. Overbay 2-2 pitch going down to first, was he hit ? Didn’t look like it from our seats. No, scorer calls interference by the catcher, not his inning. Bases loaded for Bautista fouls out to right field DeJesus. Bases left full but Jays are at least ahead.
Top 4th: DeJesus grounds to first base Overbay who takes it himself to the bag, one down. Callaspo fly ball to Wells in centre field. Butler grounds to Gonzalez at short, throw to first base Overbay
Bottom 4th: Snider leading off, full count, and no doubt about this one, a Travis special, there she goes a moon shot to right but drops over the right field fence. 2-0 Jays. Molina grounded out, shortstop Betancourt to first baseman Butler. McCoy fly ball to left field Maier. Two down. Lewis fly ball to centre field Ankiel.
Top 5th: Guillen strikes out. Ankiel strikes out. Pena strikes out.
Bottom 5th: Gonzalez fouls out to first base Butler. One down for Lind, lines out to second base Callaspo. Two down. Wells doubles to centre. Overbay walks, Bautista with two on and two down. There it goes a blast to left on the first pitch, home run from the moment it left the bat, three runs score and Jays are ahead 5-0. Snider strikes out. But Jays have broken this one open.
Top 6th: Gordon full count and walks, come on Brandon. Maier grounds out to second base McCoy throw to first base Overbay, Gordon to second. No change for double play. Betancourt singles to left, Gordon to third. There goes the no hitter but Morrow has pitched so well and should have other chances later. DeJesus singles to right. Here comes first run for Royals. Gordon scores Betancourt to second. Callaspo strikes out. Butler grounds back to Morrow throw to first base Overbay.
Bottom 6th: Molina strikes out. McCoy infield single to short. Great speed again. McCoy stealing bases, now at second. Lewis four pitches and walks. Two on for Gonzalez, doubles to centre McCoy scores, Lewis moves to third, he could probably have come home he was really moving on that play. He adds a whole new speed dimension to the Jays attack. 6-1 Jays. Mendoza pitching. Still only one out. Lind grounds to shortstop Betancourt throw to first base Butler. Two down for Wells, Vernon fouls out to Betancourt at short.
Top 7th: Guillen singles to left, one on. Ankiel strikes out. Pena grounds to short Gonzalez steps on the bag and throws to first base Overbay, Guillen out. Double play ball.
Bottom 7th: Overbay walks, on base four times tonight. Bautista with one on there it goes, first pitch hammered to left home run as soon as it left the bat, his second consecutive home run and two more RBIs to add to the three last inning. Jays ahead 8-1. Snider singles to centre. Molina lines out to left field Maier. McCoy doubles to right, Snider to third, had to hold up in event catch made on that play. Tejeda now pitching. Lewis strikes out. Two down. Gonzalez fouls out to first base Butler.
Top 8th: That’s enough for Morrow great outing tonight. Camp now pitching. Gordon grounds to short Gonzalez throw to first base Overbay. One down. Maier doubles to right. One on one down for Betancourt, he strikes out. DeJesus grounds to McCoy at second throw to first base Overbay for third out.
Bottom 8th: Farnsworth now pitching. Jays have gone deep into Royals bullpen tonight which is good. Lind strikes out. Wells fouls one off his foot, that was painful, Vernon hobbling around, full count and walks. Will he come out for pinch runner? No, so I guess not as bad as it looked. Overbay on base four times tonight singles to centre for his second hit. Wells to second. Bautista now can he get three home runs here in three at bats? Already has five RBIs great chance here to add three more. Fly ball to centre Ankiel. Two down for Snider lines out to right field DeJesus.
Top 9th: Janssen pitching. Callaspo grounds to Overbay throw to Janssen. One down.
Butler fly ball to Lewis. Two down. Guillen singles to centre. Ankiel with two down and one on, grounds to Overbay flip to Janssen and this game is in the books. Jays win convincingly 8-1.
The very good. The bats have emerged. Bautista looking good again, McCoy an excellent night and Lyle Overbay perfect tonight, on base five times, two walks, interference call and two hits double and a single and two runs. Lyle will be very happy guy tonight.
Morrow of course an outstanding night.
Big questions though.
What happens when Encarnacion returns and that could be as early as tomorrow.
Bautista is playing very well at third but if he returns to right then where does Travis go ? Presumably Lewis will stay in left and Lind DH.
And on Friday Aaron Hill is back who goes down? I say from here Ruiz, as McCoy has proven himself far too valuable with bat and glove as well as his speed. He can play any position infield or outfield. Both he and Lewis are also adding some much needed speed to this team and of course Hill is also no slouch. This gives Cito several more options.
Jays eleven hits tonight everyone except Lind and Molina, with McCoy three and Lyle two and Bautista of course with two hits, two home runs and five RBIs. Six walks for Jays lots more patience at bat tonight, 2/13 with runners in scoring position and still score the eight runs. But something to be concerned about. Left eleven on base. Four doubles and three home runs, seven extra base hits out of the eleven. Something to criticise but the end result is a BIG W.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Angels sweep hapless Jays despite another gem from Romero
Jays v Angels. Sunday April 18. Series finale with Angels already 2-1.
Romero v Santana
Lineups: Angels: Aybar, Kendrick, Abreu, Matsui, Morales, Rivera, Mathis, Wood, Willits.
Jays: Lewis, Gonzalez, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Bautista, Buck, Snider, McDonald.
Top 1st: Aybar fly ball out to Wells in centre. One down for Kendrick grounds to third base Bautista throw to Overbay at first. Abreu strikes out. Good first inning for Ricky
Bottom 1st: Lewis starting for Jays today after his pinch hitting yesterday, grounds to second base Kendrick throw to Morales at first. Gonzalez strikes out. Lind grounds to Aybar at short throw to Morales at first to end the inning.
Top 2nd: Matsui fly ball to Wells in centre, one down. Morales grounds back to Romero throw to first base Overbay. Two down. Rivera fly ball to Snider in right to end the inning. Another fine inning by Romero.
Bottom 2nd: Wells grounds to Aybar at short, throw to Morales at first. Overbay is he happier with that RBI hit yesterday? strikes out. Bautista doubles to centre. Buck grounds to third base Wood throw to Morales at first. Busy guy Morales so far.
Top 3rd: Mathis grounds to Bautista at third throw to Overbay at first, one down.
Wood strikes out. Willits 3-0 and walks on four pitches. One on two down for Aybar. Wild pitch by Romero, Willits moves up to second. Aybar strikes out.
Bottom 3rd: Snider, grounds to Morales at first one down. McDonald, come on Johnny Mc. not first pitch, you of all people. Grounds out to Wood at third, throw to Morales. Lewis doubles down first base line, into the corner, his first hit for the Jays. Gonzalez, Lewis steals second ooooh never make the third out ??? but great to see finally someone who has speed and uses it…… Gonzalez strikes out.
Top 4th: Kendrick, singles to short, long throw not in time. Wild pitch Kendrick moves to second. Come on Ricky settle down here. grounds to Overbay for the out but Kendrick at third. That wild pitch prevented a double play there. Matsui, Wow lines it hard at McDonald, No chance for Kendrick there. Morales strikes out with great curve, Morales still with bat on his shoulder. Great pitching Ricky.
Bottom 4th: Lind, singles up the middle, one on for Wells, off the end of his bat in front of the plate, Lind thrown out at second but no double play. Overbay with one on one down. High fly ball to centre, but not enough for Vernon to tag and get to second. The good from that is that Lyle made great contact with the ball, we have to be optimistic for the guy. Bautista, full count, strikes out looking, not good Jose, gotta swing or at least make contact.
Top 5th: Rivera, singles into left, Mathis with one on first pitch swinging. Very nice, grounds to Gonzalez throw to McDonald over to first double play ball. Nice play. Wood, lines it hard at Gonzalez, knocks it down but fumbles the pick up and falls over, no chance for throw. Error, that was playable, no error called. Home scorer, that was definitely a play. Willits with two down. Full count. Grounds to second McDonald throw to Overbay for the out.
Bottom 5th: Time to get some run support for Romero here Jays. Buck first pitch grounds to short, throw to first one down. Snider his average sinking fast now. It will be interesting to see his playing time when Encarnacion gets back because Bautista and Lewis will be in the outfield. Lines it at first. Two down. McDonald, first pitch fly ball to out. I am getting fed up with this wild swinging by Jays hitters on the first pitch. This was their problem last season. You would think Johnny Mc in particular would want to stay out there as long as he could as he is out of the lineup at the end of the week when Aaron gets back. 57 pitches for Santana. 70 for Romero and he has been helped by a first pitch double play. Santana will go complete game whereas Angels will be into Jays bullpen.
Top 6th: Aybar leading off, doubles into Lewis left centre. Kendrick bunting, Pops it up nice play Lyle. One down. Abreu, Romero starting to lose that sharpness, full count, Angels far more patient than Jays hitters, I wonder if their hitting coach is looking for a new job. Bounces back to Romero, Kendrick back to second throw to Overbay for the second out. Matsui doubles to centre wall. You can’t leave a ball up in the middle of the plate for Matsui. Angels ahead 1-0. Morales, grounds to Gonzalez throw to Overbay for the out but damage is done here and the way the Jays hitters are right now that should be enough for an Angels win today unless there is a big turnaround.
Bottom 6th: Top of the order Lewis, the only one to solve Santana this afternoon. Great swing but just gets under it and pops it up to Abreu in right. Gonzalez with one down, exactly the same play on two pitches. Lind, first pitch, fly ball to centre and Jays go in five pitches, that is bush league, Jays hitters are making it so easy for Santana. This game won’t even last two hours.
Top 7th: Rivera, more pitches already than three Jays players. Strikes out. Mathis, grounds to Gonzalez, throw to Overbay, two down. Wood, high fly ball to Wells in centre at the wall makes the catch. Romero is doing more than enough to keep this team in this one but he can’t hit for them as well, someone has to get going and soon before this game is over.
Bottom 7th: Santana with 63 pitches….That is ridiculous. Sorry Cito but that is not good. Wells to lead off, what are the odds of first pitch out. Easy, first pitch grounds to third throw to first and there he goes. Vernon is so predictable. One down. Overbay, can’t afford a one pitch out. and of course he has to take and the pitcher knows that strike right down the middle. Grounds to first two down. Oh boy. Bautista, full count, where did this patience come from??? Looks at third strike though (again). Angels pitchers will be sorry to leave Toronto, these Jays hitters are making them all look like Cy Young.
Top 8th: Romero over the 100 pitches about 30 !!! more than Santana, Willits leading off. Downs up in bullpen. Walks him, Aybar with one on, bunting? Yes. Romero takes it looks at second but no chance and throw to first for the out. Willits at second. Kendrick, strikes out. Two down. grounds to McDonald throw to Overbay for third out leaving lead off single on base.
Bottom 8th: Rock bottom hitting today by Jays, have six more chances but I am not betting on them doing it today. It looks as it will they will have to wait for Hill to give them a kick start on Friday. It will be interesting to see Lewis and Hill leading off at the top. Buck leading off. Santana at 75 yes 75 pitch count. Buck grounds to third, throw to first one down. Snider, average at .111 fly ball to centre, perhaps it is time to end this experiment with Travis and send him back to AAA he is really doing nothing here. Ruiz for McDonald, thank you Cito. High fly ball out to centre and Jays go not quietly but meekly. This game is not even two hours.
Top 9th: McCoy in for Johnny Mc and I for one am happy with that today. Downs now pitching, Romero gave it everything in his 111 pitches but if his team can’t even score one run then it is all for naught. Matsui leading off. Doubles to the wall in centre ground rule double as it bounces over the wall. Napoli pinch running for Matsui at second. Nobody out. Morales, doubles into right through Lyle’s legs, oh boy, error on that one, “annus horribulus” for Lyle right now. Run scores 2-0 Angels. Rivera, strikes out looking. Mathis, doubles to the wall in left centre, run scores 3-0 Angels. That will clear the crowd out. Wood, Mathis stealing third and safe with no throw. Grounds to Gonzalez, Mathis coming home that was stupid. Out easily. Jays get a break for a change today. Two down. Wood at first. Willits, grounds to Overbay steps on first, that would have been easier play for Mathis but that’s fine with the Jays, now all they need is three runs off Santana. Don’t bet the house on that.
Bottom 9th: Jays shut out today but Santana only half the story, the undisciplined hitting once again a huge contributor, until they get that under control there will be lots more complete games pitched against them and Lewis leading off. Santana starts at 84 pitches. Ridiculous. Just needs to throw strikes here. Full count, perhaps Lewis might just be the guy to teach this lot some patience, Strikes out. Angels bullpen up but I don’t think they need it today. Gonzalez, pops it up to second, two down, Lind. Fouling a few off here nut too little too late, where was this earlier? Another full count. Finally gets hold of one, home run to right centre but consolation run I am afraid, 3-1 Angels. Wells and does not swing at first pitch. This team must be so difficult to coach, lines it to centre, This game is over, Complete game for Santana but if every Jays player had taken just one more pitch he would have been out of the game a lot earlier.
Angels sweep the Jay in three here at home, how bad is that?
The good: Romero, did everything expected from him and more, and should have had a win but it is very difficult to win a game without run support. Jays four hits and two for Lind so maybe that’s a plus, someone I don’t care who it is has to start hitting. I like debut of Lewis and his speed and finally someone stealing.
The bad: Every Jays hitter except for Lewis, yes even Lind with his home run. Undisciplined every one of them. Wild swings, first pitch outs and leading to Santana going the distance with such a low pitch count. Downs awful, 25 pitches for one inning and two runs which put the game out of reach. He may have been due for this but not a great game to choose to give up runs and as it turned out important runs with Lind’s home run in the ninth.
Major changes needed Cito…. This is not the way to get fans into Rogers Centre. Jays have now lost five out of seven home games on this stand including the sweep today by the Angels. If they think Kansas will be a pushover, forget it, the Royals must be really looking forward to getting some cheap wins against this Jays team. Jays will have to play a whole lot better to even get a win from Kansas.
Snider now at .108 and I am now thinking it would be better for everyone to move him to AAA. Overbay hitless today and now at .080. We can’t have two hitters with averages like that. Time for change Cito.
Jays pitchers 136 pitches. Santana 106 and therein lies one of the differences on this one.
Romero v Santana
Lineups: Angels: Aybar, Kendrick, Abreu, Matsui, Morales, Rivera, Mathis, Wood, Willits.
Jays: Lewis, Gonzalez, Lind, Wells, Overbay, Bautista, Buck, Snider, McDonald.
Top 1st: Aybar fly ball out to Wells in centre. One down for Kendrick grounds to third base Bautista throw to Overbay at first. Abreu strikes out. Good first inning for Ricky
Bottom 1st: Lewis starting for Jays today after his pinch hitting yesterday, grounds to second base Kendrick throw to Morales at first. Gonzalez strikes out. Lind grounds to Aybar at short throw to Morales at first to end the inning.
Top 2nd: Matsui fly ball to Wells in centre, one down. Morales grounds back to Romero throw to first base Overbay. Two down. Rivera fly ball to Snider in right to end the inning. Another fine inning by Romero.
Bottom 2nd: Wells grounds to Aybar at short, throw to Morales at first. Overbay is he happier with that RBI hit yesterday? strikes out. Bautista doubles to centre. Buck grounds to third base Wood throw to Morales at first. Busy guy Morales so far.
Top 3rd: Mathis grounds to Bautista at third throw to Overbay at first, one down.
Wood strikes out. Willits 3-0 and walks on four pitches. One on two down for Aybar. Wild pitch by Romero, Willits moves up to second. Aybar strikes out.
Bottom 3rd: Snider, grounds to Morales at first one down. McDonald, come on Johnny Mc. not first pitch, you of all people. Grounds out to Wood at third, throw to Morales. Lewis doubles down first base line, into the corner, his first hit for the Jays. Gonzalez, Lewis steals second ooooh never make the third out ??? but great to see finally someone who has speed and uses it…… Gonzalez strikes out.
Top 4th: Kendrick, singles to short, long throw not in time. Wild pitch Kendrick moves to second. Come on Ricky settle down here. grounds to Overbay for the out but Kendrick at third. That wild pitch prevented a double play there. Matsui, Wow lines it hard at McDonald, No chance for Kendrick there. Morales strikes out with great curve, Morales still with bat on his shoulder. Great pitching Ricky.
Bottom 4th: Lind, singles up the middle, one on for Wells, off the end of his bat in front of the plate, Lind thrown out at second but no double play. Overbay with one on one down. High fly ball to centre, but not enough for Vernon to tag and get to second. The good from that is that Lyle made great contact with the ball, we have to be optimistic for the guy. Bautista, full count, strikes out looking, not good Jose, gotta swing or at least make contact.
Top 5th: Rivera, singles into left, Mathis with one on first pitch swinging. Very nice, grounds to Gonzalez throw to McDonald over to first double play ball. Nice play. Wood, lines it hard at Gonzalez, knocks it down but fumbles the pick up and falls over, no chance for throw. Error, that was playable, no error called. Home scorer, that was definitely a play. Willits with two down. Full count. Grounds to second McDonald throw to Overbay for the out.
Bottom 5th: Time to get some run support for Romero here Jays. Buck first pitch grounds to short, throw to first one down. Snider his average sinking fast now. It will be interesting to see his playing time when Encarnacion gets back because Bautista and Lewis will be in the outfield. Lines it at first. Two down. McDonald, first pitch fly ball to out. I am getting fed up with this wild swinging by Jays hitters on the first pitch. This was their problem last season. You would think Johnny Mc in particular would want to stay out there as long as he could as he is out of the lineup at the end of the week when Aaron gets back. 57 pitches for Santana. 70 for Romero and he has been helped by a first pitch double play. Santana will go complete game whereas Angels will be into Jays bullpen.
Top 6th: Aybar leading off, doubles into Lewis left centre. Kendrick bunting, Pops it up nice play Lyle. One down. Abreu, Romero starting to lose that sharpness, full count, Angels far more patient than Jays hitters, I wonder if their hitting coach is looking for a new job. Bounces back to Romero, Kendrick back to second throw to Overbay for the second out. Matsui doubles to centre wall. You can’t leave a ball up in the middle of the plate for Matsui. Angels ahead 1-0. Morales, grounds to Gonzalez throw to Overbay for the out but damage is done here and the way the Jays hitters are right now that should be enough for an Angels win today unless there is a big turnaround.
Bottom 6th: Top of the order Lewis, the only one to solve Santana this afternoon. Great swing but just gets under it and pops it up to Abreu in right. Gonzalez with one down, exactly the same play on two pitches. Lind, first pitch, fly ball to centre and Jays go in five pitches, that is bush league, Jays hitters are making it so easy for Santana. This game won’t even last two hours.
Top 7th: Rivera, more pitches already than three Jays players. Strikes out. Mathis, grounds to Gonzalez, throw to Overbay, two down. Wood, high fly ball to Wells in centre at the wall makes the catch. Romero is doing more than enough to keep this team in this one but he can’t hit for them as well, someone has to get going and soon before this game is over.
Bottom 7th: Santana with 63 pitches….That is ridiculous. Sorry Cito but that is not good. Wells to lead off, what are the odds of first pitch out. Easy, first pitch grounds to third throw to first and there he goes. Vernon is so predictable. One down. Overbay, can’t afford a one pitch out. and of course he has to take and the pitcher knows that strike right down the middle. Grounds to first two down. Oh boy. Bautista, full count, where did this patience come from??? Looks at third strike though (again). Angels pitchers will be sorry to leave Toronto, these Jays hitters are making them all look like Cy Young.
Top 8th: Romero over the 100 pitches about 30 !!! more than Santana, Willits leading off. Downs up in bullpen. Walks him, Aybar with one on, bunting? Yes. Romero takes it looks at second but no chance and throw to first for the out. Willits at second. Kendrick, strikes out. Two down. grounds to McDonald throw to Overbay for third out leaving lead off single on base.
Bottom 8th: Rock bottom hitting today by Jays, have six more chances but I am not betting on them doing it today. It looks as it will they will have to wait for Hill to give them a kick start on Friday. It will be interesting to see Lewis and Hill leading off at the top. Buck leading off. Santana at 75 yes 75 pitch count. Buck grounds to third, throw to first one down. Snider, average at .111 fly ball to centre, perhaps it is time to end this experiment with Travis and send him back to AAA he is really doing nothing here. Ruiz for McDonald, thank you Cito. High fly ball out to centre and Jays go not quietly but meekly. This game is not even two hours.
Top 9th: McCoy in for Johnny Mc and I for one am happy with that today. Downs now pitching, Romero gave it everything in his 111 pitches but if his team can’t even score one run then it is all for naught. Matsui leading off. Doubles to the wall in centre ground rule double as it bounces over the wall. Napoli pinch running for Matsui at second. Nobody out. Morales, doubles into right through Lyle’s legs, oh boy, error on that one, “annus horribulus” for Lyle right now. Run scores 2-0 Angels. Rivera, strikes out looking. Mathis, doubles to the wall in left centre, run scores 3-0 Angels. That will clear the crowd out. Wood, Mathis stealing third and safe with no throw. Grounds to Gonzalez, Mathis coming home that was stupid. Out easily. Jays get a break for a change today. Two down. Wood at first. Willits, grounds to Overbay steps on first, that would have been easier play for Mathis but that’s fine with the Jays, now all they need is three runs off Santana. Don’t bet the house on that.
Bottom 9th: Jays shut out today but Santana only half the story, the undisciplined hitting once again a huge contributor, until they get that under control there will be lots more complete games pitched against them and Lewis leading off. Santana starts at 84 pitches. Ridiculous. Just needs to throw strikes here. Full count, perhaps Lewis might just be the guy to teach this lot some patience, Strikes out. Angels bullpen up but I don’t think they need it today. Gonzalez, pops it up to second, two down, Lind. Fouling a few off here nut too little too late, where was this earlier? Another full count. Finally gets hold of one, home run to right centre but consolation run I am afraid, 3-1 Angels. Wells and does not swing at first pitch. This team must be so difficult to coach, lines it to centre, This game is over, Complete game for Santana but if every Jays player had taken just one more pitch he would have been out of the game a lot earlier.
Angels sweep the Jay in three here at home, how bad is that?
The good: Romero, did everything expected from him and more, and should have had a win but it is very difficult to win a game without run support. Jays four hits and two for Lind so maybe that’s a plus, someone I don’t care who it is has to start hitting. I like debut of Lewis and his speed and finally someone stealing.
The bad: Every Jays hitter except for Lewis, yes even Lind with his home run. Undisciplined every one of them. Wild swings, first pitch outs and leading to Santana going the distance with such a low pitch count. Downs awful, 25 pitches for one inning and two runs which put the game out of reach. He may have been due for this but not a great game to choose to give up runs and as it turned out important runs with Lind’s home run in the ninth.
Major changes needed Cito…. This is not the way to get fans into Rogers Centre. Jays have now lost five out of seven home games on this stand including the sweep today by the Angels. If they think Kansas will be a pushover, forget it, the Royals must be really looking forward to getting some cheap wins against this Jays team. Jays will have to play a whole lot better to even get a win from Kansas.
Snider now at .108 and I am now thinking it would be better for everyone to move him to AAA. Overbay hitless today and now at .080. We can’t have two hitters with averages like that. Time for change Cito.
Jays pitchers 136 pitches. Santana 106 and therein lies one of the differences on this one.
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