Game two of three. Indians v Jays. Saturday July 31.
Lineups: Indians: Crowe, Cabrera, Choo, Santana, LaPorta, Duncan Nix, Donald, Gimenez.
Jays: Lewis, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Encarnacion, Molina. ( NO Travis in the lineup yet.)
Pitching: Cecil v Tomlin, Westbrook scratch before the game. Trade anyone?
Trade deadline this afternoon, will Alex touch anyone today? Will this be Bautista’s last game? I think he is the only one most fans want to see stay behind. Looks like a good crowd. Weather is good roof is open and Caribana is in full swing as we have the first pitch.
Top 1st: Crowe leading off 3-0, here we go, come on Cecil throw a strike. Grounds to Escobar throw to Overbay at first. One down for Cabrera, fly ball to Bautista in right. Two down for Choo, strikes out.
Bottom 1st: Lewis leading off grounds to Cabrera throw to LaPorta at first, come on Fred that was a total lack of effort, ambling down to first. You should know that things happen, balls get dropped. I hope this is not a trend, we saw the same with Escobar in last night’s game. Escobar fly ball to Crowe. Two down. Good to see that Bautista gets a great reception from the large crowd today, fly ball to Crowe. Not this time for Jose.
Top 2nd: Santana leading off grounds to Escobar throw to Overbay at first. One down
LaPorta full count and walks on ball four. Cecil slowing down his delivery. Duncan singles to left, LaPorta to second. Cecil in trouble already. Nix grounds back to Cecil throw to Escobar at short on to Overbay at first double play ball rescues Brett here..
Bottom 2nd: Wells leading off strikes out. Lind one down, strikes out. Two down for Hill, strikes out. Tomlin strikes out the side. You know this is supposed to be the heart of Jays batting order. Not this season. I wonder if a new Manager will shakeup the order?
Top 3rd. Donald leading off 3-0, ball four, walks on four pitches. Gimenez strikes out Crowe fly ball to Lewis in left. One down. Cabrera, wild pitch, Donald moves to second. Cabrera grounds to Encarnacion throw to Overbay at first to finish the inning. So far Cecil has looked far shakier than Tomlin. I never realised before how slow Cecil pitches or is it just today?
Bottom 3rd: Overbay leading off, ball four, takes a walk to first. One on for Encarnacion lines to Duncan in left, one down, one on. Molina singles to left, Overbay to second. Lewis grounds to LaPorta at first, off his glove, Lewis safe on error by LaPorta, Overbay to third, Molina to second. Bases are loaded with only one out. Escobar pops up to LaPorta. Two down. Bautista grounds back to Tomlin jumps high to get this and throw LaPorta at first..
Top 4th: Choo leading off singles to right. One on for Santana, singles to left, Choo to second. LaPorta lined out to shortstop Escobar. One down two on. Duncan walks, bases are loaded with only one down. Choo to third, Santana to second. Nix strikes out. Donald nowhere to out him Brett. Ball four, another walk, the second in the inning, but this one hurts. Here comes Choo and Cleveland goes out ahead on a walk. 1-0 Cleveland. Gimenez bases still loaded grounds to Encarnacion steps on bag to end this one but the e-walks by Cecil are the difference right now..
Bottom 4th: Wells leading off grounds to Cabrera at short throw to LaPorta at first.
Lind with one down, lines to Duncan in left. Hill with two down, singles to left. Overbay strikes out.
Top 5th: Crowe leading off grounds to Overbay at first. steps on the bag, one down. Cabrera doubles to right. Choo fly ball to Lewis in left. Two down for Santana, pops it up to Hill.
Bottom 5th: Encarnacion leading off fly ball to Duncan in left, one down for Molina, lines first pitch to centre, but this one is carrying and just over the wall, hits the concrete and bounces back into the field. 1-1 game. That ball kept on going. Lewis grounds to first base LaPorta throw to Tomlin. Escobar two down, strikes out.
Top 6th: LaPorta leading off strikes out. One down. For some reason Cecil has now speeded up his delivery, long overdue in my book. Duncan doubles to right. Nix with one on pops up to Escobar. Duncan holds. Donald another full count, ball four. That is five walks given up by Cecil. Gimenez with two on and two down strikes out to get Cecil out of trouble, but that has to be his last out pitch count is 114 pitches and it seemed like 200 from this seat.
Bottom 6th: Bautista leading off 3-0 and ball four, walks on four pitches. Wells with one on singles to left, Bautista to second and going to third, stops and retreats, No No….. diving back in but too late. Bautista out at second. Duncan’s throw to Cabrera at short and quick relay was right on the button. That could be huge. Instead of two and no outs we have one at first and one down. That’s it for Tomlin, did an excellent job today on three days rest and for Westbrook whom we hear has been traded. Lewis now pitching.
Lind hammers this one a rocket to right but right at LaPorta at first and steps on the bag to get Vernon off the bag, double play ball. That innings was horror story for Jays hitters.
Top 7th: Tallet now pitching. I honestly do hope he does well. Crowe leading off grounds to Overbay at first. flip to Tallet covering for first down. Cabrera ball four. You tell me has there ever been a first inning where Tallet has NOT walked a hitter? Not in my memory. Choo lines this down the left field line bounces foul into the crowd, no it bounces off the wall, Lewis fumbles the rebound, here comes the relay to Escobar, not in time to get Cabrera scoring all the way from first. That was not good by the Jays there. Error to Lewis and quite rightly we noted his lack of hustle today in the very first inning running to first base on ground out. But he should have been over to that wall faster and handle the rebound much better. I think he thought like most if us that it was going into the crowd. But unlike most of us Fred you are trained professional who should know how to hustle and field better than that. It was not hit hard; no way should the runner score from first on that play. When the Giants were recently in town, Lewis made a bad error in left and two Giants fans sitting behind me at the game said this poor fielding was one of the knocks on Lewis in San Francisco. But again it comes back to the leadoff walk by Tallet. 2-1 Cleveland for Santana fly ball to Lewis. Cito has seen enough of Tallet, here comes Frasor. LaPorta pops up to Overbay at first.
Bottom 7th: Hill leading off fly ball to Crowe in centre one down. Overbay full count and walks. That’s it for Tallet, not soon enough for me. Smith now pitching. Encarnacion grounds to Nix at third, off his glove, and beats the throw safe on the error to Nix, Overbay to second. A rally here by the Jays. Molina grounds back to pitcher Smith throw to Donald to get Lyle at second on to first baseman LaPorta, Encarnacion out. Double play ball.
Top 8th: Frasor still out there. Duncan leading off strikes out. One down for Nix singles to left. One down one on for Donald pops it up behind first to Hill. Two down for number nine hitter Gimenez, strikes out. Good inning for Frasor.
Bottom 8th: Marte in at third. Lewis leading off fly to Duncan in left, one down. Escobar grounds back to Smith throw to LaPorta at first. Bautista grounds to Marte at third to Cabrera to LaPorta. Only needed one out guys
Top 9th: Downs now pitching. That looks like good news. It is only 3.30 and obviously not traded. Not sure Alex would risk him an injury if he were still in trade talks. That’s fine with me, take Tallet instead Yankees. Crowe leading off grounds to Hill at second, throw to Overbay at first. One down. Cabrera fly ball to Wells in centre. Two down for Choo, grounds to Hill at second throw to Overbay at first to end the inning.
Bottom 9th: Crowd really into the game now, rally time; I can use my rally towel…. The all you can eat section have the towels today not many in my location which means not many for last night’s game unless they have left them at home. Perez pitching. Wells leading off singles first pitch back up the middle, good start one on. Lind, OH ! goes down, hit by a pitch, looks like his ankle, here comes the trainer and Cito, Adam in real pain here, being helped off, that’s it for him today Wells to second and Wise pinch-running for Lind. He is the winning run here so it may turn out much better to have that great speed of Wise at first in this situation. Two on and no outs, the rally towels are really in full motion now. Hill bunting and perfect just in front of hm. Throw gets him at first but both runners move up. Wells to third, Wise to second. Overbay with two in scoring position but no they are not pitching to Lyle, intentional walk ball four and bases are loaded with only one out. Encarnacion, hmm no pinch hitter? Edwin strikes out. Two down. Snider pinch-hitting for Molina getting a great ovation from the crowd here. Bases loaded poor guy. His first at bat since the injury and rehab in May, this is a tough assignment with the game on the line. Perez 2-0 Snider patient here, now swinging misses a 96 mph fast ball, strike two on a 95 mph fast ball, just cannot catch up with these, now he fouls on off, strikes out leaving the bases full. Jays 0/6 with runners in scoring position. Indians even worse 0/11, that would hurt. But when one run is scored walking from bases loaded and winning run from an error, it was hardly a convincing win today. Lots of questions on this game Cito. Nothing worked for him there today.
Did he tell Hill to bunt? If so what was his plan regarding the open base knowing that Lyle would probably be walked? Did he think of pinch hitting for Encarnacion ? would make more sense than for Molina who already had a home run today. John Buck had been subbed for Ecarnacion and standing on deck would the Indians have walked Overbay? And of course why was Buck not pinch hitting for Molina ? surely he had better chance of hitting a 95 mph pitch than Travis who has not seen one since May.
The good: Am still trying to think of something here. Great pitching by Tomlin and a highlight reel catch by in left field for the Indians but nothing for Jays today beyond no trade of Bautista.
The bad: Too much today, starting with Cecil which was very, very slow between pitches. I think it was a contributor to the rest of the team back on their heels all afternoon trying to keep awake... Five walks are far too many. Lewis had a lousy game but hustling is something anyone can do regardless of how their hitting is going. The good news is that the outfield is now overcrowded and if Fred continuers that style of play he will make it easier for Cito to bench him. Tallet, well we have said the same thing all season long, and continues to walk hitters.
Cito bringing Travis into the game in the 9th. I tell you why I think it was a bad decision regardless of what he did. It was obvious that he was overmatched by those fast ball from Perez. He only got his bat on one of the four. GHE has not seen 96-96mph in New Hampshire. How could his timing be back so quickly. My decision? Would use Buck. However I can see Cito sitting (resting!) Lewis tomorrow and putting Travis in the lineup.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Marcum wins one with power support from Bautista and Lewis
Game one of three Indians v Jays. Friday July 30.
Alex making trades that most fans are having problems understanding. Why for Dose and now ??? But so far you have to believe in him as Fred Lewis and Yunel Escobar have come through for him bigtime. Sounds as if he is a great talent at 19.
Rumors still around Downs, even Bautista, deadline tomorrow not that means moves have to end then. Alex is in the driver’s seat and interesting to hear the other GMs saying the price is too high. Sorry guys. This GM is serious about contending. You need Downs then Jays want…. The other good news today Travis Snider is back not in the lineup tonight but he is back first time since May 14. Caribana weekend in Toronto, loads of tourists in town, south of the border. Always huge crowds for the event, I hope we can hear the music tomorrow afternoon as the parade takes most of the day to go west.
Lineups: Indians: Crowe, Cabrera, Choo, Santana, Kearns, LaPorta, Duncan, Nix, Donald.
Jays: Lewis, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Buck, Encarnacion. (no change for Cito….never changes does he not when things are working well? But he will have decisions to make soon with Snider back in camp)
Pitching: Marcum. V Masterson.
Top 1st: Crowe leading off. 1-2, strikes out swinging, one down. (Asdrubal) Cabrera, strikes out, two down for Choo. Grounds first pitch hard to right great diving stop by Hill and from his knees makes great throw to get him. Highlight reel Aaron.12 pitches for Marcum.
Bottom 1st: Lewis, grounds first pitch to Donald at second. throw to LaPorta at first for the out. Escobar grounds back up the middle but bounces off Masterson to Donald at second throw to LaPorta at first two down. Three pitches two outs. Bautista, great reception for the crowd, it will be interesting to see how big the crowds are tomorrow and Sunday as I think many are excited about what he has been doing. 1-2 count, singles into right. Wells with one on two down. 1-2 strikes out swinging. Pitch count 12.
Top 2nd: Santana leading off. Pops up to Buck. One down for Kearns, 1-2 count. Strikes out looking, two down. LaPorta, 1-2, full count. Pops up to Marcum for third out. Pitch count 26.
Bottom 2nd: Lind leading off. 0-2 count. Lines it to Kearns in left for the out. One down for Hill, 3-1 count. Full count. Bounces it high to third, Masterson makes great play to get to it and throw Hill out at first. Two down, Overbay, lines it off the glove of Cabrera at short, into left field, one on for Buck, 2-0 count, singles into centre, Lyle to third on the play. Two on for Encarnacion. Pops up to second for third out. This will be Travis’s spot when he comes back this weekend. 33 pitch count.
Top 3rd: Duncan leading off. 2-2 count, strikes out swinging, number four tonight. Nix, 1-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Donald, with two down. Marcum 36 pitches 26 strikes impressive. 2-2 count, full count. Pops up to Encarnacion for third out. Pitch count 42.
Bottom 3rd: Lewis, not swinging at the first pitch as before. Yes Fred. Gets hold of this one, lines this one over the fence in right centre, 1-0 Jays. Escobar, 2-2 count, grounds to third, Nix throw to first for the out. Bautista, fans love this guy listen to that reception, definitely the fan favourite right now. 2-2 count. Full count. Ball four way inside. One on one down. Wells, Pops up to shallow left for the out, Bautista almost caught out there if Kearns had been faster there. Two down for Lind. 2-2, lines it to Choo in right for the out. 54 pitch count.
Top 4th: Crowe leading off. Grounds back up the middle Escobar makes great play. Hill was already ducking when Escobar reached the ball. Cabrera, with one down. 0-2 count. Strike three looking. Number six tonight. Two down for Choo, 2-1 count. grounds to Overbay throw to Marcum for the out at first. 53 pitch count.
Bottom 4th: Jays need to give Marcum some run support here. Hill leading off.0-2 count. Pulls this one into left past both the diving infielders. One on for Overbay. Singles into centre, two on, they were listening to me. Bring them in now John. 0-2 count, strikes out swinging ball way outside. One down for Encarnacion. 2-0 count. That’s the way Edwin, lines it into centre, here comes Hill, throw right there but just safe. Ball gets away anyway. 2-0 Jays. Runners at first and second for Lewis. Bounces this one high to second but no chance to get Lewis at first, bases loaded for Escobar. Hitless tonight, big chance Yunel to blow this game open. 0-2 count. 2-2, way outside, full count. Big pitch here. Take or swing. Singles to left, here comes Overbay, 3-0 Jays. Bases still loaded for Bautista, this could be interesting. Huge swing out of the zone turns himself around, 0-2. OH MAN is this guy hot…. Hammers this to centre this one is out of here, here comes Encarnacion, here comes Lewis and here comes Escobar and finally the hero Bautista, grand slam Jose, 7-0 Jays. Wells doubles down the line into left. Lind grounds to second throw to first, Lind out but Vernon moves to third, Hill again grounds back to Masterson throw to first for the third out. 87 pitch count. That is rough with beaten up bullpen for Cleveland.
Top 5th: Marcum now with a good lead to pitch here. Santana leading off. 0-2 count. Full count. Grounds off the glove of Overbay Hill cannot make the throw, his shoe comes off, first hit to Indians. They had time to make the out. I hope this is not a one hitter Aaron or you will be persona non grata. How can your shoe come off? Kearns, doubles off the glove of Encarnacion but that was a bullet, to Lewis in left, Hill off the hook. They give error to Encarnacion, not sure about that it was a reflex play to get his glove down. Hit so hard. Fly ball to Lewis in left one down Santana scores. 7-1 Jays. Duncan with runner at second, one down. 1-1, full count, strikes out swinging, two down and strikeout number seven for Marcum. Nix, 1-2 count, another full count. Strikes out swinging. Pitch count 74.
Bottom 5th: Overbay with two singles tonight. 2-2 count. Strikes out swinging. One down. Buck grounds first pitch to third, throw to first for second out. Score has changed the call on Encarnacion to a double not an error. Encarnacion with two down. 2-2 count. Pops up to Kearns in left. 100 pitch count, but may have to stay out there with the bullpen troubles.
Top 6th: Donald leading off 0-2 count. 2-2, full count. Grounds to Escobar at second, throw in the dirt at first, gets away from Overbay, one on. Error to Escobar. Crowe, fly ball to Lewis in left one down. Cabrera, lines it to Bautista in right, two down. Choo, 1-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Problem with all the strikeouts though is the pitch count. Now 89. May only get one more inning.
Bottom 6th: Lewis leading off, Masterson still soaking up the innings, grounds back to Masterson throw to first for the out. Escobar, wants to amend for that throwing error. 2-0 count. That will help as he singles back up the middle. Bautista, great roar from this crowd. Lines it back at Masterson off the pitcher into centre, Escobar goes to third. Two on one down for Wells, Germano working in Indians bullpen. Vernon the forgotten guy in this lineup with Bautista playing so well. Ball gets away from catcher to the wall; here comes Escobar, 8-1 Jays. Bautista to second. 110 pitches for Masterson. 3-1 count. Ball four. Now here comes the Manager. Enough is enough. Really It was that one inning in the fourth when six runs were scored and although Jays have threatened bigtime all game, it would be a 2-1 game without that one bad inning. Justin Germano first team season debut, has been in AAA until today. Lind pops up to left for the second out. Hill, 0-2 and strikes out swinging. Leaves runner on. Jays 4/10 tight with runners in scoring position.
Top 7th: Santana leading off. Very nice, long drive to centre but Vernon makes nice running catch over the shoulder. One down. Kearns, lines this back at Marcum into centre, one on one down. Gimenez pinch running for Kearns at first. 2-1, Casey Janssen warming up in bullpen. 3-1, full count, pops up high to Lewis in left. Two down. Duncan, 1-2 count, strikes out swinging to ends this one and probably his night as he is way over the 100 pitches at 105. Ten strikeouts tonight.
Bottom 7th: Overbay doubles first pitch to the wall in left, Buck with runner in scoring position. Full count. Grounds to third, throw to first for the out. Overbay holds at second. Encarnacion 1-2 strikes out swinging, two down. Lewis, pitch hits him on the thigh as he tries to jump out of the way. Two on for Escobar, grounds first pitch to third, throw to second to get Lewis for third out. Jays leave that leadoff double at second.
Top 8th: Janssen now pitching. Nix leading off. 0-2 count. strikes out swinging, one down. Donald, 0-2 count. singles into centre. One on one down for Crowe, 0-2 count. Grounds to third, throw to Overbay gets away at first. One down but two on for Cabrera, 0-2 count, full count, strikes out swinging on ball four outside, two down for Choo. 1-2 count, grounds to Hill at second, makes it interesting as he knocks it down and just makes the throw to first to end the inning.
Bottom 8th: Bautista leading off. Three hits tonight. 0-2 count. 2-2 count. Full count. Ball four, on base every at bat with the two walks. One on for Wells, first pitch (sigh) pops up to shallow centre, Travis Snider pinch running for Bautista, easing him in gradually? Lind with one down. 2-2 count. Pops up to Gimenez in left. Two down for Hill. 0-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Travis didn’t get to do much but he would love being out there again.
Top 9th: Camp to finish it off. Travis in right. Santana leading off. Grounds to Hill, throw to Overbay, one down. Gimenez, 1-2 count, strikes out swinging, two down. LaPorta with two down, fly ball to Wells in centre to end this one. Jays win big 8-1 with fourteen hit attack.
The excellent: Marcum one run seven innings and ten strikeouts, win number ten. Bautista with the grand slam and 31st home run of the season and not yet August. Multi-hit games for Lewis (including his home run number seven), Escobar, Bautista and Overbay.
Does Cito make the move tomorrow? Putting Travis at right and Bautista at third, rest Encarnacion or perhaps Travis will DH?
Tampa beats Yankees in NY. Jays pick up one. Boston losing to the Tigers 6-1 in the 8th . in Boston.
The bad ? no not tonight. Memo to Aaron though to tape his shoes on.
Alex making trades that most fans are having problems understanding. Why for Dose and now ??? But so far you have to believe in him as Fred Lewis and Yunel Escobar have come through for him bigtime. Sounds as if he is a great talent at 19.
Rumors still around Downs, even Bautista, deadline tomorrow not that means moves have to end then. Alex is in the driver’s seat and interesting to hear the other GMs saying the price is too high. Sorry guys. This GM is serious about contending. You need Downs then Jays want…. The other good news today Travis Snider is back not in the lineup tonight but he is back first time since May 14. Caribana weekend in Toronto, loads of tourists in town, south of the border. Always huge crowds for the event, I hope we can hear the music tomorrow afternoon as the parade takes most of the day to go west.
Lineups: Indians: Crowe, Cabrera, Choo, Santana, Kearns, LaPorta, Duncan, Nix, Donald.
Jays: Lewis, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Buck, Encarnacion. (no change for Cito….never changes does he not when things are working well? But he will have decisions to make soon with Snider back in camp)
Pitching: Marcum. V Masterson.
Top 1st: Crowe leading off. 1-2, strikes out swinging, one down. (Asdrubal) Cabrera, strikes out, two down for Choo. Grounds first pitch hard to right great diving stop by Hill and from his knees makes great throw to get him. Highlight reel Aaron.12 pitches for Marcum.
Bottom 1st: Lewis, grounds first pitch to Donald at second. throw to LaPorta at first for the out. Escobar grounds back up the middle but bounces off Masterson to Donald at second throw to LaPorta at first two down. Three pitches two outs. Bautista, great reception for the crowd, it will be interesting to see how big the crowds are tomorrow and Sunday as I think many are excited about what he has been doing. 1-2 count, singles into right. Wells with one on two down. 1-2 strikes out swinging. Pitch count 12.
Top 2nd: Santana leading off. Pops up to Buck. One down for Kearns, 1-2 count. Strikes out looking, two down. LaPorta, 1-2, full count. Pops up to Marcum for third out. Pitch count 26.
Bottom 2nd: Lind leading off. 0-2 count. Lines it to Kearns in left for the out. One down for Hill, 3-1 count. Full count. Bounces it high to third, Masterson makes great play to get to it and throw Hill out at first. Two down, Overbay, lines it off the glove of Cabrera at short, into left field, one on for Buck, 2-0 count, singles into centre, Lyle to third on the play. Two on for Encarnacion. Pops up to second for third out. This will be Travis’s spot when he comes back this weekend. 33 pitch count.
Top 3rd: Duncan leading off. 2-2 count, strikes out swinging, number four tonight. Nix, 1-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Donald, with two down. Marcum 36 pitches 26 strikes impressive. 2-2 count, full count. Pops up to Encarnacion for third out. Pitch count 42.
Bottom 3rd: Lewis, not swinging at the first pitch as before. Yes Fred. Gets hold of this one, lines this one over the fence in right centre, 1-0 Jays. Escobar, 2-2 count, grounds to third, Nix throw to first for the out. Bautista, fans love this guy listen to that reception, definitely the fan favourite right now. 2-2 count. Full count. Ball four way inside. One on one down. Wells, Pops up to shallow left for the out, Bautista almost caught out there if Kearns had been faster there. Two down for Lind. 2-2, lines it to Choo in right for the out. 54 pitch count.
Top 4th: Crowe leading off. Grounds back up the middle Escobar makes great play. Hill was already ducking when Escobar reached the ball. Cabrera, with one down. 0-2 count. Strike three looking. Number six tonight. Two down for Choo, 2-1 count. grounds to Overbay throw to Marcum for the out at first. 53 pitch count.
Bottom 4th: Jays need to give Marcum some run support here. Hill leading off.0-2 count. Pulls this one into left past both the diving infielders. One on for Overbay. Singles into centre, two on, they were listening to me. Bring them in now John. 0-2 count, strikes out swinging ball way outside. One down for Encarnacion. 2-0 count. That’s the way Edwin, lines it into centre, here comes Hill, throw right there but just safe. Ball gets away anyway. 2-0 Jays. Runners at first and second for Lewis. Bounces this one high to second but no chance to get Lewis at first, bases loaded for Escobar. Hitless tonight, big chance Yunel to blow this game open. 0-2 count. 2-2, way outside, full count. Big pitch here. Take or swing. Singles to left, here comes Overbay, 3-0 Jays. Bases still loaded for Bautista, this could be interesting. Huge swing out of the zone turns himself around, 0-2. OH MAN is this guy hot…. Hammers this to centre this one is out of here, here comes Encarnacion, here comes Lewis and here comes Escobar and finally the hero Bautista, grand slam Jose, 7-0 Jays. Wells doubles down the line into left. Lind grounds to second throw to first, Lind out but Vernon moves to third, Hill again grounds back to Masterson throw to first for the third out. 87 pitch count. That is rough with beaten up bullpen for Cleveland.
Top 5th: Marcum now with a good lead to pitch here. Santana leading off. 0-2 count. Full count. Grounds off the glove of Overbay Hill cannot make the throw, his shoe comes off, first hit to Indians. They had time to make the out. I hope this is not a one hitter Aaron or you will be persona non grata. How can your shoe come off? Kearns, doubles off the glove of Encarnacion but that was a bullet, to Lewis in left, Hill off the hook. They give error to Encarnacion, not sure about that it was a reflex play to get his glove down. Hit so hard. Fly ball to Lewis in left one down Santana scores. 7-1 Jays. Duncan with runner at second, one down. 1-1, full count, strikes out swinging, two down and strikeout number seven for Marcum. Nix, 1-2 count, another full count. Strikes out swinging. Pitch count 74.
Bottom 5th: Overbay with two singles tonight. 2-2 count. Strikes out swinging. One down. Buck grounds first pitch to third, throw to first for second out. Score has changed the call on Encarnacion to a double not an error. Encarnacion with two down. 2-2 count. Pops up to Kearns in left. 100 pitch count, but may have to stay out there with the bullpen troubles.
Top 6th: Donald leading off 0-2 count. 2-2, full count. Grounds to Escobar at second, throw in the dirt at first, gets away from Overbay, one on. Error to Escobar. Crowe, fly ball to Lewis in left one down. Cabrera, lines it to Bautista in right, two down. Choo, 1-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Problem with all the strikeouts though is the pitch count. Now 89. May only get one more inning.
Bottom 6th: Lewis leading off, Masterson still soaking up the innings, grounds back to Masterson throw to first for the out. Escobar, wants to amend for that throwing error. 2-0 count. That will help as he singles back up the middle. Bautista, great roar from this crowd. Lines it back at Masterson off the pitcher into centre, Escobar goes to third. Two on one down for Wells, Germano working in Indians bullpen. Vernon the forgotten guy in this lineup with Bautista playing so well. Ball gets away from catcher to the wall; here comes Escobar, 8-1 Jays. Bautista to second. 110 pitches for Masterson. 3-1 count. Ball four. Now here comes the Manager. Enough is enough. Really It was that one inning in the fourth when six runs were scored and although Jays have threatened bigtime all game, it would be a 2-1 game without that one bad inning. Justin Germano first team season debut, has been in AAA until today. Lind pops up to left for the second out. Hill, 0-2 and strikes out swinging. Leaves runner on. Jays 4/10 tight with runners in scoring position.
Top 7th: Santana leading off. Very nice, long drive to centre but Vernon makes nice running catch over the shoulder. One down. Kearns, lines this back at Marcum into centre, one on one down. Gimenez pinch running for Kearns at first. 2-1, Casey Janssen warming up in bullpen. 3-1, full count, pops up high to Lewis in left. Two down. Duncan, 1-2 count, strikes out swinging to ends this one and probably his night as he is way over the 100 pitches at 105. Ten strikeouts tonight.
Bottom 7th: Overbay doubles first pitch to the wall in left, Buck with runner in scoring position. Full count. Grounds to third, throw to first for the out. Overbay holds at second. Encarnacion 1-2 strikes out swinging, two down. Lewis, pitch hits him on the thigh as he tries to jump out of the way. Two on for Escobar, grounds first pitch to third, throw to second to get Lewis for third out. Jays leave that leadoff double at second.
Top 8th: Janssen now pitching. Nix leading off. 0-2 count. strikes out swinging, one down. Donald, 0-2 count. singles into centre. One on one down for Crowe, 0-2 count. Grounds to third, throw to Overbay gets away at first. One down but two on for Cabrera, 0-2 count, full count, strikes out swinging on ball four outside, two down for Choo. 1-2 count, grounds to Hill at second, makes it interesting as he knocks it down and just makes the throw to first to end the inning.
Bottom 8th: Bautista leading off. Three hits tonight. 0-2 count. 2-2 count. Full count. Ball four, on base every at bat with the two walks. One on for Wells, first pitch (sigh) pops up to shallow centre, Travis Snider pinch running for Bautista, easing him in gradually? Lind with one down. 2-2 count. Pops up to Gimenez in left. Two down for Hill. 0-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Travis didn’t get to do much but he would love being out there again.
Top 9th: Camp to finish it off. Travis in right. Santana leading off. Grounds to Hill, throw to Overbay, one down. Gimenez, 1-2 count, strikes out swinging, two down. LaPorta with two down, fly ball to Wells in centre to end this one. Jays win big 8-1 with fourteen hit attack.
The excellent: Marcum one run seven innings and ten strikeouts, win number ten. Bautista with the grand slam and 31st home run of the season and not yet August. Multi-hit games for Lewis (including his home run number seven), Escobar, Bautista and Overbay.
Does Cito make the move tomorrow? Putting Travis at right and Bautista at third, rest Encarnacion or perhaps Travis will DH?
Tampa beats Yankees in NY. Jays pick up one. Boston losing to the Tigers 6-1 in the 8th . in Boston.
The bad ? no not tonight. Memo to Aaron though to tape his shoes on.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Mills wins his first behind power and runs from Overbay.
Series finale. Orioles v Jays. Wednesday July 28th.
Jays playing for the sweep tonight but maybe more important for Brad Mills. He will return to Vegas after the game and maybe we will see Travis Snider here on Friday to start the series against Cleveland. But for now everyone wants to see if he really does have the stuff to be in the first team. Trade rumours flying around in he sports bars and talk shows today in Toronto with news/rumours that Alex A is asking for Chamberlain for Downs. Dream on Alex.
Lineups: Orioles: Roberts, Tejada, Markakis, Scott, Wigginton, Jones, Fox, Patterson, Izturis.
Jays: Lewis, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Buck, Encarnacion. It could be the last time we see this lineup if Travis is back on Thursday.
Pitching: Mills v Guthrie.
Top 1st: Roberts singles to right. One on for Tejada grounds to Escobar at short, throw to Overbay at first double play ball, that will help young Mills settle., Markakis grounds to Overbay at first flip to Mills to end this one.
Bottom 1st: Guthrie pitching. Lewis leading off fly ball to Patterson in left, one down. Escobar pops up to Markakis in right foul territory. Last night’s hero, with two down. Not this time. Bautista grounds to Tejada at third, throw to Wigginton at first to end the inning.
Top 2nd: Scott leading off, fly ball to Bautista in right, one down for Wigginton, 2-0 count, 3-0 come on Brad, ball four, walks him on four pitches. One on one down, Jones grounds to Overbay at first, takes it himself for the out. Wigginton moves to second. Fox pops up foul to Overbay. Two scoreless innings so far for Mills.
Bottom 2nd: Wells leading off singles to centre, one on for Lind, singles to left centre, oh dear gets by Patterson to the wall, looked like under his glove here comes Vernon 1-0 Jays. Lind cruises into second. Error on the play. Hill, pops up to Wigginton, two down for Overbay, for the third out. But Jays strike first on the Patterson error. Nothing much goes right for Baltimore in Toronto this series.
Top 3rd: Patterson leading off, a chance to atone for that error, not this time grounds to Hill throw to Overbay. One down. Izturis grounds to Escobar at short, throw to Overbay for the second out. Roberts fly ball to Bautista in right to end this one. Three up and down for Mills, looking good out there so far at least.
Bottom 3rd: Encarnacion pops up to Tejada at third, one down. Lewis grounds to Roberts at second, throw to Wigginton at first, two down. Escobar fly ball to Markakis in right. No a challenging inning by Jays hitters, three up and down.
Top 4th: Tejada pops up to Escobar, one down. Markakis full count. ball four. One on for Scott fly ball to Wells in centre. Wigginton with Markakis at first, there goes Markakis safe at second. Wigginton strikes out to end the inning.
Bottom 4th: Bautista fly ball to Patterson in left, one down. Wells with one down pops up to Roberts for the out. Lind with two down, lines this one the wall in centre, Lind all the way to third with a triple. Hill grounds to Wigginton at first to get to the bag for the out.
Top 5th: Jones grounds to short, Oh what a great reflex play by Escobar and throw Overbay at first to get him. That was another instinctive play by Escobar that we have seen several times already. He is so fast, robs Jones of a double this time. Fox strikes out. Two down for Patterson, grounds to Hill at second throw to Overbay for the out. Mills helped this inning by his defense but that is what they are there for.
Top 5th: Overbay leading off, strikes out. One down for Buck, pops up to Roberts. Encarnacion singles to left. One on two down for top of the order Lewis, strikes out. This game is so different from the other two.
Top 6th: Izturis leading off, fly ball to Lewis in left, one down. Roberts grounds to Encarnacion throw to Overbay. Two down. Mills hits Tejada. One on for Markakis with two outs. High ball one, be careful here Brad. Wild pitch gets away, up to second. This is how games get out of hand. 3-1. Ball four, Markakis walks, two on two down for Scott. 0-2 count. 1-2, 2-2, there we go Brad, grounds to Overbay at first takes it himself for the third out. Mills escapes. 76 pith count.
Bottom 6th: The problem is that Jays hitters are not giving Brad any support tonight. One run is not enough for this kid, give him a break and put 5-6 on the board for him. Escobar leading off grounds to Izturis at short, throw to first, one down. Here’s a guy who can help him. Bautista hitless tonight. 3-1 count. There we go doubles into the left field corner, right through Tejada at third, no chance on that one. Wells pops up behind the plate for Fox. Two down. Lind, 1-0 now intentional to get to Hill. OK Aaron take the insult ? Grounds to Izturis steps on the bag at second. 89 pitches for Guthrie.
Top 7th: Wigginton leading off .strikes out swinging, one down. Jones, 1-2 count, very nice pitch strikes out swinging. Singles into left, only the second hit tonight after the first hitter in first inning. Mills has done more than expected, too bad he has no runs support. Patterson. Jays bullpen Frasor and Purcey. Pops it way high to Hill behind first to end this one.
Bottom 7th: That’s it for Mills, getting congratulations form his teammates, give him some run support he would appreciate that even more. However he has proven himself tonight and we will probably see him again in September call ups. He cannot lose tonight but it would be good to give him a win. 92 pitches.
Somebody has to get scoring here. Overbay lines high to Jones at the wall in centre, but that’s it. Buck with one down. Singles to centre. Encarnacion, 1-2 count. Off the end of his bat up the first base line, throw beats him but Buck to second on the play. 100 pitches for Guthrie. Here comes Manager Samuel. Battle of the bullpens now. No staying in there. Lewis, with two down on and one in scoring position. Nice double here Fred. 1-1. 3-1 count. Full count. Grounds to second throw to first.
Top 8th: Purcey now pitching. Izturis leading off. 2-2 count. Pop up to Bautista in right. One down. Roberts, 1-2 count. Fly ball to Bautista in right. Here comes Cito. Frasor now pitching. He had a lousy last outing in Detroit. Tejada at bat. 2-0, 2-1, 3-1. Tallet in the bullpen, oh boy. Full count. Lines it hard to right but at Bautista for the out.
Bottom 8th: Some insurance needed here friends, this is far too close. Escobar leading off. Koji Uehara now pitching. 1-0, 2-1 count. 3-1, Escobar patient at bat here. Full count, goes after this one, fly ball to Jones in centre, that was ball four Yunel. Bautista 0-2, 2-2, pitching him away. Lines this one off the wall in left, not far off going out. OK Vernon, bring him in. First pitch lines to Patterson in left. Two down. Lind. Here comes Samuel again, lefty- lefty matchup for Lind. Will Ohman pitching. way over Adam’s head. 1-1, this will do it doubles to right Markakis throw not in time here, drops the ball anyway. 2-0 Jays. Wise pinch running for Lind. Hill intentional walk. Overbay, lefty lefty. Here we go, hammers this line drive over the wall in left. Just kept on going, WOW 5-0 Jays. Samuel will regret that walk to Hill. Buck with two down. 0-2 strikes out swinging. Lind three hits tonight plus a walk.
Top 9th: Who gets the last inning ? It is Gregg. Not a save though. Markakis leading off. 1-2 count. Strikes out swinging, one down. Scott, 0-2 count. Strike three swinging. Two down for Wigginton. Doubles to centre. Jones two down and one in scoring position. 1-1 count. Line drive to right Bautista. Mills gets his first win.
The excellent: Young Brad Mills, thrown into the fire on his arrival in Toronto today. Gave great seven innings of work. Overbay with his three run home run in the 8th to seal this one up.
Lind 3-3 with a walk. But the all important second run in the 8th.
The bad: No not much tonight. Would have liked to have seen more run support for Mills when he was pitching but Jays hitters come through in the eighth.
Jays playing for the sweep tonight but maybe more important for Brad Mills. He will return to Vegas after the game and maybe we will see Travis Snider here on Friday to start the series against Cleveland. But for now everyone wants to see if he really does have the stuff to be in the first team. Trade rumours flying around in he sports bars and talk shows today in Toronto with news/rumours that Alex A is asking for Chamberlain for Downs. Dream on Alex.
Lineups: Orioles: Roberts, Tejada, Markakis, Scott, Wigginton, Jones, Fox, Patterson, Izturis.
Jays: Lewis, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Buck, Encarnacion. It could be the last time we see this lineup if Travis is back on Thursday.
Pitching: Mills v Guthrie.
Top 1st: Roberts singles to right. One on for Tejada grounds to Escobar at short, throw to Overbay at first double play ball, that will help young Mills settle., Markakis grounds to Overbay at first flip to Mills to end this one.
Bottom 1st: Guthrie pitching. Lewis leading off fly ball to Patterson in left, one down. Escobar pops up to Markakis in right foul territory. Last night’s hero, with two down. Not this time. Bautista grounds to Tejada at third, throw to Wigginton at first to end the inning.
Top 2nd: Scott leading off, fly ball to Bautista in right, one down for Wigginton, 2-0 count, 3-0 come on Brad, ball four, walks him on four pitches. One on one down, Jones grounds to Overbay at first, takes it himself for the out. Wigginton moves to second. Fox pops up foul to Overbay. Two scoreless innings so far for Mills.
Bottom 2nd: Wells leading off singles to centre, one on for Lind, singles to left centre, oh dear gets by Patterson to the wall, looked like under his glove here comes Vernon 1-0 Jays. Lind cruises into second. Error on the play. Hill, pops up to Wigginton, two down for Overbay, for the third out. But Jays strike first on the Patterson error. Nothing much goes right for Baltimore in Toronto this series.
Top 3rd: Patterson leading off, a chance to atone for that error, not this time grounds to Hill throw to Overbay. One down. Izturis grounds to Escobar at short, throw to Overbay for the second out. Roberts fly ball to Bautista in right to end this one. Three up and down for Mills, looking good out there so far at least.
Bottom 3rd: Encarnacion pops up to Tejada at third, one down. Lewis grounds to Roberts at second, throw to Wigginton at first, two down. Escobar fly ball to Markakis in right. No a challenging inning by Jays hitters, three up and down.
Top 4th: Tejada pops up to Escobar, one down. Markakis full count. ball four. One on for Scott fly ball to Wells in centre. Wigginton with Markakis at first, there goes Markakis safe at second. Wigginton strikes out to end the inning.
Bottom 4th: Bautista fly ball to Patterson in left, one down. Wells with one down pops up to Roberts for the out. Lind with two down, lines this one the wall in centre, Lind all the way to third with a triple. Hill grounds to Wigginton at first to get to the bag for the out.
Top 5th: Jones grounds to short, Oh what a great reflex play by Escobar and throw Overbay at first to get him. That was another instinctive play by Escobar that we have seen several times already. He is so fast, robs Jones of a double this time. Fox strikes out. Two down for Patterson, grounds to Hill at second throw to Overbay for the out. Mills helped this inning by his defense but that is what they are there for.
Top 5th: Overbay leading off, strikes out. One down for Buck, pops up to Roberts. Encarnacion singles to left. One on two down for top of the order Lewis, strikes out. This game is so different from the other two.
Top 6th: Izturis leading off, fly ball to Lewis in left, one down. Roberts grounds to Encarnacion throw to Overbay. Two down. Mills hits Tejada. One on for Markakis with two outs. High ball one, be careful here Brad. Wild pitch gets away, up to second. This is how games get out of hand. 3-1. Ball four, Markakis walks, two on two down for Scott. 0-2 count. 1-2, 2-2, there we go Brad, grounds to Overbay at first takes it himself for the third out. Mills escapes. 76 pith count.
Bottom 6th: The problem is that Jays hitters are not giving Brad any support tonight. One run is not enough for this kid, give him a break and put 5-6 on the board for him. Escobar leading off grounds to Izturis at short, throw to first, one down. Here’s a guy who can help him. Bautista hitless tonight. 3-1 count. There we go doubles into the left field corner, right through Tejada at third, no chance on that one. Wells pops up behind the plate for Fox. Two down. Lind, 1-0 now intentional to get to Hill. OK Aaron take the insult ? Grounds to Izturis steps on the bag at second. 89 pitches for Guthrie.
Top 7th: Wigginton leading off .strikes out swinging, one down. Jones, 1-2 count, very nice pitch strikes out swinging. Singles into left, only the second hit tonight after the first hitter in first inning. Mills has done more than expected, too bad he has no runs support. Patterson. Jays bullpen Frasor and Purcey. Pops it way high to Hill behind first to end this one.
Bottom 7th: That’s it for Mills, getting congratulations form his teammates, give him some run support he would appreciate that even more. However he has proven himself tonight and we will probably see him again in September call ups. He cannot lose tonight but it would be good to give him a win. 92 pitches.
Somebody has to get scoring here. Overbay lines high to Jones at the wall in centre, but that’s it. Buck with one down. Singles to centre. Encarnacion, 1-2 count. Off the end of his bat up the first base line, throw beats him but Buck to second on the play. 100 pitches for Guthrie. Here comes Manager Samuel. Battle of the bullpens now. No staying in there. Lewis, with two down on and one in scoring position. Nice double here Fred. 1-1. 3-1 count. Full count. Grounds to second throw to first.
Top 8th: Purcey now pitching. Izturis leading off. 2-2 count. Pop up to Bautista in right. One down. Roberts, 1-2 count. Fly ball to Bautista in right. Here comes Cito. Frasor now pitching. He had a lousy last outing in Detroit. Tejada at bat. 2-0, 2-1, 3-1. Tallet in the bullpen, oh boy. Full count. Lines it hard to right but at Bautista for the out.
Bottom 8th: Some insurance needed here friends, this is far too close. Escobar leading off. Koji Uehara now pitching. 1-0, 2-1 count. 3-1, Escobar patient at bat here. Full count, goes after this one, fly ball to Jones in centre, that was ball four Yunel. Bautista 0-2, 2-2, pitching him away. Lines this one off the wall in left, not far off going out. OK Vernon, bring him in. First pitch lines to Patterson in left. Two down. Lind. Here comes Samuel again, lefty- lefty matchup for Lind. Will Ohman pitching. way over Adam’s head. 1-1, this will do it doubles to right Markakis throw not in time here, drops the ball anyway. 2-0 Jays. Wise pinch running for Lind. Hill intentional walk. Overbay, lefty lefty. Here we go, hammers this line drive over the wall in left. Just kept on going, WOW 5-0 Jays. Samuel will regret that walk to Hill. Buck with two down. 0-2 strikes out swinging. Lind three hits tonight plus a walk.
Top 9th: Who gets the last inning ? It is Gregg. Not a save though. Markakis leading off. 1-2 count. Strikes out swinging, one down. Scott, 0-2 count. Strike three swinging. Two down for Wigginton. Doubles to centre. Jones two down and one in scoring position. 1-1 count. Line drive to right Bautista. Mills gets his first win.
The excellent: Young Brad Mills, thrown into the fire on his arrival in Toronto today. Gave great seven innings of work. Overbay with his three run home run in the 8th to seal this one up.
Lind 3-3 with a walk. But the all important second run in the 8th.
The bad: No not much tonight. Would have liked to have seen more run support for Mills when he was pitching but Jays hitters come through in the eighth.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Bautista power and glove show tonight with 5 RBIs to support Romero 8-2 win
Game two of three Tuesday July 27. Orioles v Jays.
Jays relaxed a little early last night but will not make the same mistake. Hill and Lind in particular need to continue to do what they did last night with multi-hit games. We have not seen much from either of these two this season. Lots of trade rumours right now Downs at the top of the list, but Overbay, Frasor and Gregg are all being mentioned.
Lineups: Orioles: Lugo, Tejada, Markakis, Scott, Jones, Wieters, Pie, Fox, Izturis.
Jays: Lewis, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Buck, Encarnacion.
Pitching: Romero v Millwood.
Top 1st: Lugo leading off. 0-2, 1-2 strikes out on great curve. One down for Tejada, grounds first pitch to Escobar throw to Overbay, two down. Markakis, Bounces to Hill, throw to Overbay for the out, 8 pitches.
Bottom 1st: Lewis leading off. Excuse me hit to left. He did that once before, check swing that just connects, hard enough to get through the infield. Escobar, showing bunt. So good to see Lewis and Escobar at the top. Great for the fans as well. 2-0, 2-1, full count. Lewis running but fouls off pitch. That will do, singles to left. Two on for Bautista, gets hold of this one into second deck left field another home run. Number 29. Here comes Lewis, here comes Escobar, and now Bautista. 3-0 Jays. Wells fly ball to Markakis in right at the wall, just misses. At least it was opposite field hit also not his usual pull. Lind, with one down. Strikes out. Two down for Hill. Pops up first pitch to Jones in shallow centre. 20 pitches and with two of the outs Wells and Hill first pitch swinging. Jays let Millwood off the hook here.
Top 2nd: Scott drives first pitch to centre Wells has it at the track. One down for Jones. Lines it to left bounces over the wall, ground rule double. Lewis could not get it. Looked catchable. Wieters, 0-2 count. 2-2, full count. Strikes out swinging, two down. Pie, bounces first pitch to Overbay takes it himself for the third out. Pitch count 19.
Bottom 2nd: Overbay leading off. 0-2 takes strike three. One down for Buck. 1-1 count. 2-2, full count, ball four. One on one down for Encarnacion. 0-2 count. strike three looking. Two down. Lewis, first pitch high fly ball to Pie in left. Pitch count 34.
Top 3rd: Fox leading off, 1-2 count. Bounces to Overbay throw to Romero for the out. One down for Izturis. 0-2 count. Strike three, two down. Lugo, lines this to centre, WHOA Vernon, great catch even for Vernon, running hard to his left and sticks out the glove to make a full stretch highlight reel catch. Excellent. Pitch count 29.
Bottom 3rd: Escobar leading off. Singles to left, 2-2 tonight. Bautista runner at first 2-2 count. Singles to centre. Two on for Wells. 0-2, 2-2, grounds to Lugo at second throw to first to get Vernon, at least he moved both runners over. Two in scoring position for Lind. 1-2 count, strikes out swinging. Hill, all we need is a hit Aaron. 2-0 showing some patience here. Ball three, takes strike one. Ball four, bases loaded for Overbay. Good at bat by Hill. Takes ball one, two, three, ball four and here comes Escobar, 4-0 Jays and bases are still loaded. Buck, strike one. 1-1, way outside. 2-1. 2-2, Full count, taking or swinging ? Pops up to Izturis. Not a good inning for Jays the only run is bases loaded walk. Millwoood gets the moral victory. Jays have to get these hits. Pitch count 66. Jays already1/4 with runners in scoring position.
Top 4th: Tejada leading off grounds to Encarnacion throw to Overbay one down Markakis with one down. Pops up to Lewis in left field corner, two down. Scott, pops up to Overbay, nine pitches 38 pitch count.
Bottom 4th: Encarnacion first pitch pop up to Tejada at third. Why oh why when Millwood just walked bases loaded and walked in RBI patience Edwin. Lewis for third time tonight. Singles into centre, hit number two for Fred. Escobar with one on one down. Pops up to Jones in centre, two down. Bautista, 2-2 tonight. 2-0 count, 3-0, full count. singles to left Lewis to third on the throw Bautista to second. Error on the play. Wells now with two in scoring position. That’s better Vernon, doubles to left, here comes Lewis, here comes Bautista, 6-0 Jays. Lind, 2-2 count. Strikes out swinging to end this one but Jays strike again. Pitch count 86 for Millwood.
Top 5th: Jones leading off. Back up the middle through Romero. One on for Wieters, 2-1 count, Lines it to Lewis in left to make the catch, one down. Jones stays at first. Pie, 2-0 count. 3-0. Walks him, Ricky losing his concentration here. Two on one down for Fox. Bruce Walton out there to get him focused again. OH perfect Fox grounds up the middle Escobar running backwards makes a great back hand flip to Hill to get Pie sliding. Standing ovation for Escobar. Two down. Fox grounds to Escobar throw to Hill to end this one. Very nice Escobar. Pitch count 51.
Bottom 5th: Hill, leading off. Way to go Aaron singles up the middle. Overbay pops up to Pie in left, one down. Buck grounds to short throw to second to get Hill not in time for two at first. Buck safe. Encarnacion, pulls one to short, he really does have the weirdest hitting stroke. Millwood’s shortest inning tonight 7 pitches. 93 pitch count, he should have been out of the game this inning.
Top 6th: Izturis, leading off. 0-2 count. 2-2, grounds back to Romero, flip to Overbay, one down. Tejada singles past diving Hill. Markakis, one on one down. Lines low drive into left, Lewis fumbles off his glove, could have had that one. Two on for Scott. 0-2 count. 2-2, Romero very deliberate now. Full count. Strike three looking, two down. Jones, 1-1 count. 1-2, huge curve ball. Strikes out swinging. A lot of pitches in that inning 23. PItch count now 74. Can he get two more in tonight? Bullpen is well rested though so Cito has options.
Bottom 6th: Lewis lines it hard but right at second throw to first for the out. Escobar, pulls it into left, 3-4 tonight. Bautista with one on one down. 3-3 tonight. Full count. There goes Escobar, fouls it off. Ball four outside. Two on one down for Wells. Came through last at bat, can he do it twice. That’s it for Millwood, 104 pitches, he did well to last this long after that three run first inning. Here comes Mike Gonzalez. Vernon pops up to Lugo at second, two down. Lind, 0-3 tonight all strikeouts. 1-2 count. Fly ball to Jones in centre for the out. Jays leave two more on.
Top 7th: Wieters leading off, singles to left. Pie strikes out, one down for Fox, strikes out, two down for Izturis. Strikes out swinging. Number eight for Romero as he strikes out the side. Pitch count 89.
Bottom 7th: Hill pops up to Fox in front of the camera bay at first one down. Overbay, one down, bounces to Lugo at second throw to first for the second out. Buck, strikes out swinging but ball gets away to the backstop and Buck gets to first in time. One on for Encarnacion. 2-1 count. Lines it to Jones in centre to end this one.
Top 8th: Lugo leading off singles to centre. Tejada, one on, singles to centre. Bullpen working. Markakis lines it to centre right wall here comes Lugo, runners at second and third and nobody out. 6-1 Jays. Downs working in bullpen. Scott, 0-1, that curve ball has worked all night. Scott, lines it to right Bautista makes the catch one down. Great throw by Bautista to Encarnacion third gets the runner Markakis at third, double play . 6-2 Jays. Two down, nobody on for Jones, singles to left. Here comes Cito. Romero gets great ovation, here comes Downs. Wieters, grounds to Encarnacion at third throw to Hill to get Jones and finish this one off.
Bottom 8th: Can Jays get those two runs back here? Top of the order. Alfredo Simon now pitching. Lewis, singles into right, his third hit. One on for Escobar. 3-4 tonight. Lewis running and throw not in time. Stolen base. Strikes out swinging. One down for Bautista. 3-3 tonight with walk. 0-2 count. 2-2 count. Jose, Jose another home run. WOW, lines it high into left 8-2 Jays. 5 RBIs tonight and his home run number 30, this guy is so hot right now. Wells, 2-0, 3-0, Ball four. Lind, one down one on. Horrible night so far. 0-4. 1-2 count, even worse grounds to Lugo at second throw to Izturis at the bag, back to Fox at first, double play ball. Adam is very glad his night is over.
Top 9th: Downs to finish this one. Showcasing for the scouts. Pie leading off 0-2 count. 2-2. Strikes out swinging, one down for Fox, strikes out. Izturis, two down. Samuel arguing the call but umpire says ok. Grounds to Escobar at short throw to Overbay for third out. Jays win big. Thanks to an amazing show by Bautista.
The excellent: Top three in the order doing their job in the first inning. 11 of the 12 hits to the top four in the lineup. Lewis with 3 Escobar 3 and Bautista 4 plus his walk. Romero with very efficient win number 8 to keep Orioles quiet for most of the game, eight strikeouts. Bautista with the bat and glove tonight throw from right in the 8th to get Markakis. Escobar with an amazing out in the fifth.
Have to start to give GM Alex A kudos here for what he has done to this team. Escobar and Lewis. Totally different lineup at the top. Speed and good hitters. It is making a huge difference to this lineup. Yes it is Baltimore but as we have said before this is the future Jays, and everyone watching tonight will be back.
The bad/concern: Lewis an adventure again in left field. Lind back to his struggles.
More good news Yankees lose tonight in Cleveland so Jays pick up another. Tampa wins and Boston yet to start on the west coast.
Jays relaxed a little early last night but will not make the same mistake. Hill and Lind in particular need to continue to do what they did last night with multi-hit games. We have not seen much from either of these two this season. Lots of trade rumours right now Downs at the top of the list, but Overbay, Frasor and Gregg are all being mentioned.
Lineups: Orioles: Lugo, Tejada, Markakis, Scott, Jones, Wieters, Pie, Fox, Izturis.
Jays: Lewis, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Buck, Encarnacion.
Pitching: Romero v Millwood.
Top 1st: Lugo leading off. 0-2, 1-2 strikes out on great curve. One down for Tejada, grounds first pitch to Escobar throw to Overbay, two down. Markakis, Bounces to Hill, throw to Overbay for the out, 8 pitches.
Bottom 1st: Lewis leading off. Excuse me hit to left. He did that once before, check swing that just connects, hard enough to get through the infield. Escobar, showing bunt. So good to see Lewis and Escobar at the top. Great for the fans as well. 2-0, 2-1, full count. Lewis running but fouls off pitch. That will do, singles to left. Two on for Bautista, gets hold of this one into second deck left field another home run. Number 29. Here comes Lewis, here comes Escobar, and now Bautista. 3-0 Jays. Wells fly ball to Markakis in right at the wall, just misses. At least it was opposite field hit also not his usual pull. Lind, with one down. Strikes out. Two down for Hill. Pops up first pitch to Jones in shallow centre. 20 pitches and with two of the outs Wells and Hill first pitch swinging. Jays let Millwood off the hook here.
Top 2nd: Scott drives first pitch to centre Wells has it at the track. One down for Jones. Lines it to left bounces over the wall, ground rule double. Lewis could not get it. Looked catchable. Wieters, 0-2 count. 2-2, full count. Strikes out swinging, two down. Pie, bounces first pitch to Overbay takes it himself for the third out. Pitch count 19.
Bottom 2nd: Overbay leading off. 0-2 takes strike three. One down for Buck. 1-1 count. 2-2, full count, ball four. One on one down for Encarnacion. 0-2 count. strike three looking. Two down. Lewis, first pitch high fly ball to Pie in left. Pitch count 34.
Top 3rd: Fox leading off, 1-2 count. Bounces to Overbay throw to Romero for the out. One down for Izturis. 0-2 count. Strike three, two down. Lugo, lines this to centre, WHOA Vernon, great catch even for Vernon, running hard to his left and sticks out the glove to make a full stretch highlight reel catch. Excellent. Pitch count 29.
Bottom 3rd: Escobar leading off. Singles to left, 2-2 tonight. Bautista runner at first 2-2 count. Singles to centre. Two on for Wells. 0-2, 2-2, grounds to Lugo at second throw to first to get Vernon, at least he moved both runners over. Two in scoring position for Lind. 1-2 count, strikes out swinging. Hill, all we need is a hit Aaron. 2-0 showing some patience here. Ball three, takes strike one. Ball four, bases loaded for Overbay. Good at bat by Hill. Takes ball one, two, three, ball four and here comes Escobar, 4-0 Jays and bases are still loaded. Buck, strike one. 1-1, way outside. 2-1. 2-2, Full count, taking or swinging ? Pops up to Izturis. Not a good inning for Jays the only run is bases loaded walk. Millwoood gets the moral victory. Jays have to get these hits. Pitch count 66. Jays already1/4 with runners in scoring position.
Top 4th: Tejada leading off grounds to Encarnacion throw to Overbay one down Markakis with one down. Pops up to Lewis in left field corner, two down. Scott, pops up to Overbay, nine pitches 38 pitch count.
Bottom 4th: Encarnacion first pitch pop up to Tejada at third. Why oh why when Millwood just walked bases loaded and walked in RBI patience Edwin. Lewis for third time tonight. Singles into centre, hit number two for Fred. Escobar with one on one down. Pops up to Jones in centre, two down. Bautista, 2-2 tonight. 2-0 count, 3-0, full count. singles to left Lewis to third on the throw Bautista to second. Error on the play. Wells now with two in scoring position. That’s better Vernon, doubles to left, here comes Lewis, here comes Bautista, 6-0 Jays. Lind, 2-2 count. Strikes out swinging to end this one but Jays strike again. Pitch count 86 for Millwood.
Top 5th: Jones leading off. Back up the middle through Romero. One on for Wieters, 2-1 count, Lines it to Lewis in left to make the catch, one down. Jones stays at first. Pie, 2-0 count. 3-0. Walks him, Ricky losing his concentration here. Two on one down for Fox. Bruce Walton out there to get him focused again. OH perfect Fox grounds up the middle Escobar running backwards makes a great back hand flip to Hill to get Pie sliding. Standing ovation for Escobar. Two down. Fox grounds to Escobar throw to Hill to end this one. Very nice Escobar. Pitch count 51.
Bottom 5th: Hill, leading off. Way to go Aaron singles up the middle. Overbay pops up to Pie in left, one down. Buck grounds to short throw to second to get Hill not in time for two at first. Buck safe. Encarnacion, pulls one to short, he really does have the weirdest hitting stroke. Millwood’s shortest inning tonight 7 pitches. 93 pitch count, he should have been out of the game this inning.
Top 6th: Izturis, leading off. 0-2 count. 2-2, grounds back to Romero, flip to Overbay, one down. Tejada singles past diving Hill. Markakis, one on one down. Lines low drive into left, Lewis fumbles off his glove, could have had that one. Two on for Scott. 0-2 count. 2-2, Romero very deliberate now. Full count. Strike three looking, two down. Jones, 1-1 count. 1-2, huge curve ball. Strikes out swinging. A lot of pitches in that inning 23. PItch count now 74. Can he get two more in tonight? Bullpen is well rested though so Cito has options.
Bottom 6th: Lewis lines it hard but right at second throw to first for the out. Escobar, pulls it into left, 3-4 tonight. Bautista with one on one down. 3-3 tonight. Full count. There goes Escobar, fouls it off. Ball four outside. Two on one down for Wells. Came through last at bat, can he do it twice. That’s it for Millwood, 104 pitches, he did well to last this long after that three run first inning. Here comes Mike Gonzalez. Vernon pops up to Lugo at second, two down. Lind, 0-3 tonight all strikeouts. 1-2 count. Fly ball to Jones in centre for the out. Jays leave two more on.
Top 7th: Wieters leading off, singles to left. Pie strikes out, one down for Fox, strikes out, two down for Izturis. Strikes out swinging. Number eight for Romero as he strikes out the side. Pitch count 89.
Bottom 7th: Hill pops up to Fox in front of the camera bay at first one down. Overbay, one down, bounces to Lugo at second throw to first for the second out. Buck, strikes out swinging but ball gets away to the backstop and Buck gets to first in time. One on for Encarnacion. 2-1 count. Lines it to Jones in centre to end this one.
Top 8th: Lugo leading off singles to centre. Tejada, one on, singles to centre. Bullpen working. Markakis lines it to centre right wall here comes Lugo, runners at second and third and nobody out. 6-1 Jays. Downs working in bullpen. Scott, 0-1, that curve ball has worked all night. Scott, lines it to right Bautista makes the catch one down. Great throw by Bautista to Encarnacion third gets the runner Markakis at third, double play . 6-2 Jays. Two down, nobody on for Jones, singles to left. Here comes Cito. Romero gets great ovation, here comes Downs. Wieters, grounds to Encarnacion at third throw to Hill to get Jones and finish this one off.
Bottom 8th: Can Jays get those two runs back here? Top of the order. Alfredo Simon now pitching. Lewis, singles into right, his third hit. One on for Escobar. 3-4 tonight. Lewis running and throw not in time. Stolen base. Strikes out swinging. One down for Bautista. 3-3 tonight with walk. 0-2 count. 2-2 count. Jose, Jose another home run. WOW, lines it high into left 8-2 Jays. 5 RBIs tonight and his home run number 30, this guy is so hot right now. Wells, 2-0, 3-0, Ball four. Lind, one down one on. Horrible night so far. 0-4. 1-2 count, even worse grounds to Lugo at second throw to Izturis at the bag, back to Fox at first, double play ball. Adam is very glad his night is over.
Top 9th: Downs to finish this one. Showcasing for the scouts. Pie leading off 0-2 count. 2-2. Strikes out swinging, one down for Fox, strikes out. Izturis, two down. Samuel arguing the call but umpire says ok. Grounds to Escobar at short throw to Overbay for third out. Jays win big. Thanks to an amazing show by Bautista.
The excellent: Top three in the order doing their job in the first inning. 11 of the 12 hits to the top four in the lineup. Lewis with 3 Escobar 3 and Bautista 4 plus his walk. Romero with very efficient win number 8 to keep Orioles quiet for most of the game, eight strikeouts. Bautista with the bat and glove tonight throw from right in the 8th to get Markakis. Escobar with an amazing out in the fifth.
Have to start to give GM Alex A kudos here for what he has done to this team. Escobar and Lewis. Totally different lineup at the top. Speed and good hitters. It is making a huge difference to this lineup. Yes it is Baltimore but as we have said before this is the future Jays, and everyone watching tonight will be back.
The bad/concern: Lewis an adventure again in left field. Lind back to his struggles.
More good news Yankees lose tonight in Cleveland so Jays pick up another. Tampa wins and Boston yet to start on the west coast.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Jays home run power and Morrow win this one but Janssen makes it close
Jays v Orioles. Game one of three. Monday July 26.
Escobar’s debut at Rogers Centre. Cito made interesting comment last night about the double headers. Said he has never swept one. Perhaps that could be your pitcher selection Cito. It will certainly reinforce the naysayers about your inability to work with pitchers. And yesterday’s selection with Tallet to start the 8th. And so the legacy continues.
Lineups: Orioles: Roberts, Tejada, Markakis, Scott, Jones, Pie, Wieters, Fox, Izturis.
Jays: Lewis, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Encarnacion, Molina.
No surprises here. Hill back in the lineup.
Pitching: Morrow v Bergesen. Morrow’s 26th birthday today.
Top 1st: Roberts leading off back from injury. 2-0 count. 2-2, pops up to Hill in shallow right. Tejada, grounds to Encarnacion at third, throw to Overbay, two down. Markakis, always dangerous against Jays. Singles to right. Never underestimate Markakis despite his slump. Scott, with two down and one on. Pops up first pitch to Escobar to end the inning. 9 pitch count.
Bottom 1st: Lewis leading off. 1-1 count. Pops up to Izturis at short. Escobar, 2-0 pops up to Fox at first. Two down. Bautista, another pop up to Izturis to end this inning. 9 pitch count also. 15 pitches.
Top 2nd: Scott, grounds to Escobar throw to Overbay one down. Jones, pops up first pitch to Lewis in left, two down. Pie, 1-2 count, walks him. Fox with runner at first, two down. 1-2 and strikes him out. 24 pitches.
Bottom 2nd: Wells leading off. Doubles to the wall in left just beats the throw. That was close but throw was off base. Lind with Vernon at second. 2-1 count, 2-2, singles up the middle Vernon had to hold and only gets to third. Two on no outs for Hill. Chance to get the monkey off his back. .198 average. That’s better Aaron, singles to left, here comes Vernon. 1-0 Jays. Hill back over the .200 level. Overbay grounds to Roberts at second on to Izturis back to Fox at first double play. Two down Encarnacion. Lind at third. 3-0 count. Pops it up to Markakis in right. Jays get going first here. Could have, should have been more. 27 pitches.
Top 3rd: Izturis leading off. Grounds to Overbay at first, flip to Morrow one down. Roberts, grounds to Hill throw to Overbay, two down. Tejada, 2-0 count, 2-2, grounds to Overbay steps on the bag for the out. 36 pitches.
Bottom 3rd: Molina, grounds to Tejada, nice throw on the run, Molina too slow to beat this one out, one down. Lewis, pops up to Jones in centre, two down. Escobar, lines it very hard and high to Markakis right at the wall. Almost. But, three up and down here, they are really speeding through this one. 40 minutes for three innings. 33 pitches.
Top 4th: Markakis leading off. 3-1 count. Ball four, one on for Scott, pops up to Encarnacion at third. One down. Jones, with one on and one down. 2-1 count. Doubles into the seats in left. Two in scoring position for Pie. Morrow in trouble here for first time. 2-1 count. Count full. Strikes out swinging. Huge out. Two down. Wieters, still not out of trouble. 2-0 count. 3-0, ball four to load the bases. Fox 1-1 count, strike two. 2-2, gets him strike three. Morrow escapes this time. BUT 62 pitches.
Bottom 4th: Jays turn here, they may be regretting missed chances in that second inning now. Bautista leading off. 0-1 count. Doubles down the line into left corner. Wells, 0-2 count. Pitching Vernon outside. Grounds to Izturis throw to first in time very very close, One down for Lind. Doubles off the wall in left, here comes Bautista, 2-0 Jays. Hill, Yes Aaron gets hold of this one same place into left field seats this one is out of here. 4-0 Jays. Overbay grounds to first, Encarnacion with two down. Grounds to short, bobbles it and throw too late. Encarnacion at first. Molina, grounds to Roberts at second, gets Molina at first. Hill now 2-2 tonight. Jays getting contributions tonight from Wells, Lind and Hill for a change let’s hope it continues now for two months. Pitch count 50.
Top 5th: Morrow has a nice lead to work with now. Can he hold it here? Izturis leading off. Strikes out, one down for Roberts doubles to centre right. One on for Tejada, grounds to Escobar looks Roberts back to second throw to Overbay, two down. Markakis, 1-1. Pops up to Lewis for third out. 73 pitches.
Bottom 5th: Lewis, 2-1 count. 3-1, ball four. Lewis on base for Escobar, bunting ? No, 0-1 count. doubles into opposite field right corner, two in scoring position for Bautista, OH YES Jose……over the fences in left centre here comes Lewis, here comes Escobar, and finally here comes Bautista 7-0 Jays. Wells, 2-2 count. pops up to Izturis at short. One down. Lind, gets hold of this one lines it over the wall in center, home run. Adam breaking out tonight. Single, double and home run. Finally getting him going. 8-0 Jays. Here comes the Manager. Hill now 3-1 count. Fly ball to Pie in left, two down. Overbay 1-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Jays get four more. 75 pitches.
Top 6th: Scott leading off. 1-2 count. Count full. Ball four. One on for Jones, 2-2 count. full count, strikes out looking, strike out number five. Pie with Scott at first. 1-2 count. another full count. Morrow pushing up the count. Strike three looking, two down. Wieters, first pitch into right field seats second deck. Power. 8-2 Jays. Bullpen working poor Casey Janssen, he has not pitched for long time. Casey was up and down in the bullpen all weekend. Fox doubles to left corner. Walton out to talk to Morrow, on a 100 pitch count tonight and giving Casey some time. If he loses him here Cito will get Casey. Izturis,1-2 count. Grounds to Hill, throw to Overbay. That is probably it for Morrow.
Bottom 6th: Amazing that Bergesen has only had 76 pitches with all the runs but another indicator of the aggressive first pitch hitting by Jays, they don’t go deep into the count much. Encarnacion leading off. Singles into left. Here comes Manager Manuel, Matt Albers now pitching. Molina, with one on. 2-2 count. full count, ball four. Two on for Lewis. Singles into centre, throw to second gets Molina. One down two on for Escobar. Strikes out looking, looks low. Two down for Bautista, first pitch pops up to Markakis in right to end the inning.
Top 7th: Casey Janssen now pitching. Roberts leading off. Bounces one to Hill at second, one down. Tejada grounds to Hill throw to Janssen at first for second out. Markakis, Ouch, hits him on the wrist. Scott with two down and runner Markakis at first. Ooops, gets hold of this one bigtime, this one is out of here, into second deck in right, two run home run. 8-4 Jays. Jones with two down, 1-2 count and strikes him out.
Bottom 7th: Wells leading off. 2-0 count. Strikes out. Lind hitting for cycle but the triple is the hardest, just hit it Adam. Not this time, grounds to first for the out. Two down, Hill, two hits tonight. Grounds to Izturis, throw to first for the out.
Top 8th: Big inning here for Baltimore to try to reduce the deficit. Janssen still pitching. Pie leading off. 2-2 count. Nice pitch strikes him out, great curve. One down for Wieters, 0-2 count, very close, 1-2, count full. Oh oh….. lines it into left just over the wall above Lewis, his second home run tonight.8-5 Jays. Fox lines it to the wall into right Bautista throw way ahead of runner. Two down. Izturis singles into centre. One on two down. Roberts. Crowd a little quiet here. !!! Purcey working in bullpen. 1-2 count. 2-2, singles to right. Izturis to third. That’s it for Casey tonight. Purcey now pitching. Tie run at the plate, wow after 8-0 lead. Tejada, pops up to Wells in shallow centre.
Bottom 8th: Overbay leading off. Albers still out there. 1-1 count. 2-2, strikes out swinging. Encarnacion, lifts it into shallow right, three players converge and drops in the middle. One on one down for Molina. Singles to right. Encarnacion at second. Lewis, with two on and one down. Gregg working in bullpen. McCoy pinch running for Encarnacion. 2-0 count. That should do it singles to right centre, McCoy scores easily. But Molina thrown out by Jones at third. 9-5 Jays. Cito will be second guessed about not pinch running for Molina as well as Encarnacion. Escobar. 2-0 count. Lewis at second. Gregg now sitting down so Purcey will try to finish this one and get first save. Full count, Fred will be running. Escobar strikes out.
Top 9th: Purcey still out there. McCoy at third. Markakis leading off, grounds to Hill throw to Overbay, one down. Scott, bounces one down the line, Overbay nice play throw to Purcey for second out. Jones 2-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Jays bullpen makes it interesting but Jays lead from the start. Morrow gets the win.
Yankees and Tampa both win. Boston on the west coast.
The very good: Morrow win number 7 but downside was his pitch count, too many full count hitters and walks (four).
The good: Lind and Hill breakout nights finally. Hill 2-2 first two at bats Lind three hits including the home run. Bautista home run number 28 and a superb strike from right field corner to get Fox in the 8th. Encarnacion with two hits. 13 hit night for Jays and only Overbay without. Purcey to finish it off.
The bad: Bullpen bullpen and bullpen. Janssen giving up three runs and getting tie run for Baltimore at the plate.
Escobar’s debut at Rogers Centre. Cito made interesting comment last night about the double headers. Said he has never swept one. Perhaps that could be your pitcher selection Cito. It will certainly reinforce the naysayers about your inability to work with pitchers. And yesterday’s selection with Tallet to start the 8th. And so the legacy continues.
Lineups: Orioles: Roberts, Tejada, Markakis, Scott, Jones, Pie, Wieters, Fox, Izturis.
Jays: Lewis, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Encarnacion, Molina.
No surprises here. Hill back in the lineup.
Pitching: Morrow v Bergesen. Morrow’s 26th birthday today.
Top 1st: Roberts leading off back from injury. 2-0 count. 2-2, pops up to Hill in shallow right. Tejada, grounds to Encarnacion at third, throw to Overbay, two down. Markakis, always dangerous against Jays. Singles to right. Never underestimate Markakis despite his slump. Scott, with two down and one on. Pops up first pitch to Escobar to end the inning. 9 pitch count.
Bottom 1st: Lewis leading off. 1-1 count. Pops up to Izturis at short. Escobar, 2-0 pops up to Fox at first. Two down. Bautista, another pop up to Izturis to end this inning. 9 pitch count also. 15 pitches.
Top 2nd: Scott, grounds to Escobar throw to Overbay one down. Jones, pops up first pitch to Lewis in left, two down. Pie, 1-2 count, walks him. Fox with runner at first, two down. 1-2 and strikes him out. 24 pitches.
Bottom 2nd: Wells leading off. Doubles to the wall in left just beats the throw. That was close but throw was off base. Lind with Vernon at second. 2-1 count, 2-2, singles up the middle Vernon had to hold and only gets to third. Two on no outs for Hill. Chance to get the monkey off his back. .198 average. That’s better Aaron, singles to left, here comes Vernon. 1-0 Jays. Hill back over the .200 level. Overbay grounds to Roberts at second on to Izturis back to Fox at first double play. Two down Encarnacion. Lind at third. 3-0 count. Pops it up to Markakis in right. Jays get going first here. Could have, should have been more. 27 pitches.
Top 3rd: Izturis leading off. Grounds to Overbay at first, flip to Morrow one down. Roberts, grounds to Hill throw to Overbay, two down. Tejada, 2-0 count, 2-2, grounds to Overbay steps on the bag for the out. 36 pitches.
Bottom 3rd: Molina, grounds to Tejada, nice throw on the run, Molina too slow to beat this one out, one down. Lewis, pops up to Jones in centre, two down. Escobar, lines it very hard and high to Markakis right at the wall. Almost. But, three up and down here, they are really speeding through this one. 40 minutes for three innings. 33 pitches.
Top 4th: Markakis leading off. 3-1 count. Ball four, one on for Scott, pops up to Encarnacion at third. One down. Jones, with one on and one down. 2-1 count. Doubles into the seats in left. Two in scoring position for Pie. Morrow in trouble here for first time. 2-1 count. Count full. Strikes out swinging. Huge out. Two down. Wieters, still not out of trouble. 2-0 count. 3-0, ball four to load the bases. Fox 1-1 count, strike two. 2-2, gets him strike three. Morrow escapes this time. BUT 62 pitches.
Bottom 4th: Jays turn here, they may be regretting missed chances in that second inning now. Bautista leading off. 0-1 count. Doubles down the line into left corner. Wells, 0-2 count. Pitching Vernon outside. Grounds to Izturis throw to first in time very very close, One down for Lind. Doubles off the wall in left, here comes Bautista, 2-0 Jays. Hill, Yes Aaron gets hold of this one same place into left field seats this one is out of here. 4-0 Jays. Overbay grounds to first, Encarnacion with two down. Grounds to short, bobbles it and throw too late. Encarnacion at first. Molina, grounds to Roberts at second, gets Molina at first. Hill now 2-2 tonight. Jays getting contributions tonight from Wells, Lind and Hill for a change let’s hope it continues now for two months. Pitch count 50.
Top 5th: Morrow has a nice lead to work with now. Can he hold it here? Izturis leading off. Strikes out, one down for Roberts doubles to centre right. One on for Tejada, grounds to Escobar looks Roberts back to second throw to Overbay, two down. Markakis, 1-1. Pops up to Lewis for third out. 73 pitches.
Bottom 5th: Lewis, 2-1 count. 3-1, ball four. Lewis on base for Escobar, bunting ? No, 0-1 count. doubles into opposite field right corner, two in scoring position for Bautista, OH YES Jose……over the fences in left centre here comes Lewis, here comes Escobar, and finally here comes Bautista 7-0 Jays. Wells, 2-2 count. pops up to Izturis at short. One down. Lind, gets hold of this one lines it over the wall in center, home run. Adam breaking out tonight. Single, double and home run. Finally getting him going. 8-0 Jays. Here comes the Manager. Hill now 3-1 count. Fly ball to Pie in left, two down. Overbay 1-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Jays get four more. 75 pitches.
Top 6th: Scott leading off. 1-2 count. Count full. Ball four. One on for Jones, 2-2 count. full count, strikes out looking, strike out number five. Pie with Scott at first. 1-2 count. another full count. Morrow pushing up the count. Strike three looking, two down. Wieters, first pitch into right field seats second deck. Power. 8-2 Jays. Bullpen working poor Casey Janssen, he has not pitched for long time. Casey was up and down in the bullpen all weekend. Fox doubles to left corner. Walton out to talk to Morrow, on a 100 pitch count tonight and giving Casey some time. If he loses him here Cito will get Casey. Izturis,1-2 count. Grounds to Hill, throw to Overbay. That is probably it for Morrow.
Bottom 6th: Amazing that Bergesen has only had 76 pitches with all the runs but another indicator of the aggressive first pitch hitting by Jays, they don’t go deep into the count much. Encarnacion leading off. Singles into left. Here comes Manager Manuel, Matt Albers now pitching. Molina, with one on. 2-2 count. full count, ball four. Two on for Lewis. Singles into centre, throw to second gets Molina. One down two on for Escobar. Strikes out looking, looks low. Two down for Bautista, first pitch pops up to Markakis in right to end the inning.
Top 7th: Casey Janssen now pitching. Roberts leading off. Bounces one to Hill at second, one down. Tejada grounds to Hill throw to Janssen at first for second out. Markakis, Ouch, hits him on the wrist. Scott with two down and runner Markakis at first. Ooops, gets hold of this one bigtime, this one is out of here, into second deck in right, two run home run. 8-4 Jays. Jones with two down, 1-2 count and strikes him out.
Bottom 7th: Wells leading off. 2-0 count. Strikes out. Lind hitting for cycle but the triple is the hardest, just hit it Adam. Not this time, grounds to first for the out. Two down, Hill, two hits tonight. Grounds to Izturis, throw to first for the out.
Top 8th: Big inning here for Baltimore to try to reduce the deficit. Janssen still pitching. Pie leading off. 2-2 count. Nice pitch strikes him out, great curve. One down for Wieters, 0-2 count, very close, 1-2, count full. Oh oh….. lines it into left just over the wall above Lewis, his second home run tonight.8-5 Jays. Fox lines it to the wall into right Bautista throw way ahead of runner. Two down. Izturis singles into centre. One on two down. Roberts. Crowd a little quiet here. !!! Purcey working in bullpen. 1-2 count. 2-2, singles to right. Izturis to third. That’s it for Casey tonight. Purcey now pitching. Tie run at the plate, wow after 8-0 lead. Tejada, pops up to Wells in shallow centre.
Bottom 8th: Overbay leading off. Albers still out there. 1-1 count. 2-2, strikes out swinging. Encarnacion, lifts it into shallow right, three players converge and drops in the middle. One on one down for Molina. Singles to right. Encarnacion at second. Lewis, with two on and one down. Gregg working in bullpen. McCoy pinch running for Encarnacion. 2-0 count. That should do it singles to right centre, McCoy scores easily. But Molina thrown out by Jones at third. 9-5 Jays. Cito will be second guessed about not pinch running for Molina as well as Encarnacion. Escobar. 2-0 count. Lewis at second. Gregg now sitting down so Purcey will try to finish this one and get first save. Full count, Fred will be running. Escobar strikes out.
Top 9th: Purcey still out there. McCoy at third. Markakis leading off, grounds to Hill throw to Overbay, one down. Scott, bounces one down the line, Overbay nice play throw to Purcey for second out. Jones 2-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Jays bullpen makes it interesting but Jays lead from the start. Morrow gets the win.
Yankees and Tampa both win. Boston on the west coast.
The very good: Morrow win number 7 but downside was his pitch count, too many full count hitters and walks (four).
The good: Lind and Hill breakout nights finally. Hill 2-2 first two at bats Lind three hits including the home run. Bautista home run number 28 and a superb strike from right field corner to get Fox in the 8th. Encarnacion with two hits. 13 hit night for Jays and only Overbay without. Purcey to finish it off.
The bad: Bullpen bullpen and bullpen. Janssen giving up three runs and getting tie run for Baltimore at the plate.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Tallet and Frasor blow this one bigtime and ruin fine all round effort
Final Game of four and second of the double header today. Sunday July 25.
Jays have the upper hand with that great win this afternoon and at worst will come away with a split but you know they will want more. Both bullpens will be hoping for lots if runs to save the closers. Tigers are really beaten up badly right now without Ordonez and Guillen and Damon only available to pinch hit. Jays have McCoy and McDonald unused in the series and should see some action tonight. I don’t think we will see Gregg though so it should be interesting to see if Cito will go to Frasor if needed to finish it off. They have Tallet and Purcey for relief and Janssen also has not pitched today.
Lineups: Jays: Lewis, Escobar, Bautista, Overbay, Buck, Lind, Encarnacion, Wise. McDonald. Cito listening re Hill and sitting him, way overdue. Lyle hitting cleanup, he has earned that. Remember when he was playing so very badly early in the season? However they may also be showcasing him here for the 31st trade deadline. Lots of speed in this lineup.
Tigers: Jackson, Rhymes, Damon, Cabrera, Boesch, Larish, Kelly, Avila, Worth.
Pitching: Bonderman v Litsch.
Top 1st: Lewis leading off 1-2 count. Strikes out swinging. One down for Escobar, 1-2 count, grounds to third, throw not in time, this guy is fast. Beats the throw easily. Bautista, pitch almost hits him, way inside. Pops up to Damon in left. Two down for Overbay game winning home run this afternoon. Vernon getting a rest here. There goes Escobar, throw down gets him. Lyle does not swing, obviously didn’t see him with his back to first but he must/should have been aware that he might be going. I would still rather see Escobar trying to steal. 17 pitches.
Bottom 1st: Jackson leading off, major trouble for Jays this weekend, grounds to McDonald at second, throw to Overbay, one down. Rhymes, pops it up to Encarnacion at third into the crowd to make the catch. Whoa, second row as he makes great catch. Damon, with two down. grounds to Escobar throw to Overbay for third out. Good first inning by Litsch, helped by his defence. 8 pitches.
Top 2nd: Overbay continues, 0-2, grounds to Rhymes at second throw to Cabrera at first, one down. Buck first pitch swinging, fly ball to Jackson in centre, two down. Lind, good to see Cito has pushed him down the order. He needs to earn his way back up the way Lyle has done. That is good start as he singles back up the middle. Two down one on for Encarnacion, 0-2 nowhere near the pitch. 2-2, lines it into right corner just foul, count full. Great at bat as he strikes out, ten pitches to get him. Pitch count 36.
Bottom 2nd:Cabrera leading off. Lines to Wise in centre tonight for Vernon. Boesch, 2-2 count. Lines this back up the middle almost right through Litsch. Larish with one on and one down. runner going, strikes out, throw by Buck way into centre but Wise backing up holds the runner at second. Two down for Kelly, 3-1 count. Full count and ball four, two on two down for Avila. 1-2 count 2-2, strikes out looking. 32 pitch count.
Top 3rd: Wise leading off perfect bunt to third base. Bonderman going for it but no chance to get Wise. Speed again. McDonald grounds to Kelly at third, great throw to first just gets McDonald but he moves Wise to second. One down one on scoring position now for Lewis. 0-2 count, strikes out swinging. Two down for Escobar. Grounds to third Kelly another good throw to get Escobar at first. 44 pitch count.
Bottom 3rd: Worth leading off. Lines to Bautista in right, one down for Jackson. 1-2 count. Grounds to McDonald at second throw to Overbay two down. Rhymes, 2-0 count. Grounds to Escobar at short, throw to Overbay to end the inning. Very efficient for Litsch. Pitch count 43.
Top 4th: Bautista leading off. 0-1 count. 2-2, singles to Damon in left, sliding save and throw keeps Bautista at first. Overbay grounds to second throw to first for the out but did his job and Bautista moves to second on the play. Buck 0-2 count. strikes out. Buck reckons he foul tipped it. Two down. Lind first pitch grounds back to Bonderman throw to first for third out. Perhaps Lind should keep moving down the order. Pitch count 55.
Bottom 4th: Damon leading off. Lines it into right corner, Bautista throw, the Escobar tag on the leg but called safe, here comes Cito arguing but no change, Damon called safe. Cabrera with Damon at second, nobody out. 2-2 count. Full count, first base open. Great, Cabrera chases ball outside strikes out swinging. One down for Boesch. 2-1 count. 3-1, Litsch losing the sharpness from earlier. Ball four. Two on one down for Larish. Perfect, first pitch grounds to McDonald, over to Escobar at second, throw to Overbay double play ball. Pitch count 57.
Top 5th: Encarnacion leading off.0-1, 2-2, singles into left past diving short stop Worth. Wise with runner at first. Bunting but fouls off. 1-1 count. High, very high fly ball to Boesch in right to make the out. Just got under that pitch. McDonald 2-0 count, 2-2, strikes out swinging. Two down for Lewis. Shows bunt ? with two down. Way to go Fred, lines it to centre, over the head of Jackson to the wall, here comes Encarnacion, Lewis to third. 1-0 Jays. Escobar. 1-2 count. 2-2, Full count. Take or swing? Grounds to short, throw just gets Escobar at first. But Jays strike first. Pitch count 77.
Bottom 5th: Kelly leading off. 2-2 count. Full count and ball four. Not good Jesse. Avila with one on. WHOA !!! grounds to McDonald at second quick flip to Escobar jumps high in the air as Kelly slides into him and acrobatic throw gets to Overbay easily. Double play. Two down for Worth. 2-2 count. Grounds to McDonald at second throw to Overbay for third out. Excellent inning defensively. Pitch count 70.
Top 6th: Bautista leading off. Way to go Jose, first pitch lines it into the Tigers bullpen. 2-0 Jays. Number 27 for Jose. Still leading the majors. Overbay, 1-1 count. Strikes out. One down for Buck, 1-2 count. Grounds back at Bonderman off his glove and barehanded throw by Rhymes not in time Buck safe at first. Lind, one down one on, 2-0 count. 3-0 that looked close, takes strike one. Tigers bullpen working. Full count. Pops up to Rhymes. Two down for Encarnacion. 2-1 count. 3-1, ball four high. Wise but here comes Manager Leyland. That’s it for Bonderman tonight. 99 pitches. Wise with two down and two on. Could break it open here. Brad Thomas lefty lefty match up. 1-2 count. Full count, runners going. Grounds to Cabrera throw to Thomas at first not in time Wise beats it out as Buck scores from second, 3-0 Jays. Speed again. That’s it for Thomas. Bonine pitching. McDonald singles up the middle. Here comes Encarnacion from second Wise going for third, hung up between second and third tag but not before runs scores. 4-0 Jays.
Bottom 6th: Litsch now with a big lead. Jackson no way, lines it to the wall in centre another triple. Jackson has feasted in the Jays this weekend. Tallet working in bullpen. Great play by Litsch, Rhymes grounds it right back at him and leaps high to snare it and throw to first for one down. Jackson had to hold at third, Damon 1-2 count. 2-2, grounds to Escobar, bobbles the ball and both runners safe as Jackson scores 4-1 Jays. One down. Cabrera singles to left centre, Damon to third here comes Cito. Litsch 81 pitches. Tallet now pitching with two on ??? Good luck. Boesch, left lefty matchup. First pitch fly ball to Wise in centre, here comes Damon, 4-2 Jays two down. Raburn pinch hitting Cabrera at first. 2-1 count. Pops up to Bautista in right.
Top 7th: Can Jays get those two back here? Jays have ten hits and Overbay the only one without. Lewis leading off. Lines it to Jackson in centre one down for Escobar. 2-1 count. 2-2, full count. Strikes out looking. Two down. Bautista to keep it going. 1-2 count. Fly ball to Boesch in right to end the inning.
Bottom 7th: Tallet still pitching. Sizemore leading off. Cito still has Casey Janssen, Purcey and Frasor. Fly ball to centre, Wise chases it down, great speed to get it that one. One down for Avila, pops up to shallow left for Escobar, two down for Worth. 1-1, grounds to Escobar throw to Overbay for third out.
Top 8th: Jays need more, Tigers are sending top of their order up in the bottom of this inning starting with Jackson who has been an almost automatic hit and with two triples today !!! can change a game with one hit. Phil Coke now pitching. Sizemore in the game at third for Kelly. Overbay leading off. Singles into centre. Everyone now has a hit tonight. Can Jays capitalize? Buck with one on. 0-2, singles into centre off the glove of Rhymes. Two on for Lind, don’t bet on him. 0-2 count. 2-2, grounds to Carbrera at first throw to Worth at second back to Cabrera double play ball, and so goes Lind’s season. Awful. Overbay at third, Encarnacion pops up to Cabrera at first. That was not good with first two hitters on base.
Bottom 8th: This is crucial inning starting with Jackson leading off How come this guy is always leading off in these situations? Tallet still out there, why Cito?. Jackson eight hits this series, 0-1, 0-2, 2-2, Purcey and Frasor working in bullpen. Singles to centre. One on, Santiago pinch hitting for Rhymes. 0-2 count. Hits him on the foot. Two on for Damon, 2-0 Tallet doing his usual meltdown, come on Cito. 2-2, pops it up to Escobar, one down. Cabrera with two on. Out comes Cito, three hitters too late Cito. Frasor to face Cabrera. This is the game here. 0-1, 0-2, doubles to right here comes Jackson. 4-3 Jays. Boesch with two in scoring position. Boesch intentional walk. Raburn, bases loaded. 1-2 count. Doubles to centre, three runs score 6-4 Tigers. Sizemore with one down and runner at second. stealing third and throw by Buck gets him. Two down. Strikes out.
Top 9th: Jays have to face Valverde again for second time today but this is all about momentum and Jays don’t have it let alone the crowd in full noise now. Wise, leading off. Oh DeWayne, gets hold of this one high fly ball to right field seats, home run Wise. 6-5 Tigers. Wells pinch hitting for McDonald. First pitch fly ball to Jackson. One down for Lewis strikes out on appeal to third. Two down. Escobar last chance here. 0-2, 2-2,strikes out swinging. Jays give this one away but get two of four in Detroit which is not bad. They have serious problems though with Tallet.
Good: Encarnacion play at third into the second row of crowd, double play ball McDonald and Escobar. Lewis the triple RBI to get it going. Great defense two double plays Escobar and McDonald. Bautista home run. Speed of Wise to enable Buck to score third run. Litsch had kept the Jays in this one and did enough to win.
The bad: How many times does Cito need to watch Tallet break down in crucial situations? And more to the point why does he send him out at all to start the 8th? Lind double play in the eighth with two on and nobody out. Frasor gives up the crucial three run double but Tallet had dug the deep hole.
Hard to win both games of a double header but a split of the four games in Detroit is good.
Jays have had a very long (successful) road trip and we have not seen them at home since before the All-Star game. Our first look at Escobar tomorrow in Toronto.
Jays have the upper hand with that great win this afternoon and at worst will come away with a split but you know they will want more. Both bullpens will be hoping for lots if runs to save the closers. Tigers are really beaten up badly right now without Ordonez and Guillen and Damon only available to pinch hit. Jays have McCoy and McDonald unused in the series and should see some action tonight. I don’t think we will see Gregg though so it should be interesting to see if Cito will go to Frasor if needed to finish it off. They have Tallet and Purcey for relief and Janssen also has not pitched today.
Lineups: Jays: Lewis, Escobar, Bautista, Overbay, Buck, Lind, Encarnacion, Wise. McDonald. Cito listening re Hill and sitting him, way overdue. Lyle hitting cleanup, he has earned that. Remember when he was playing so very badly early in the season? However they may also be showcasing him here for the 31st trade deadline. Lots of speed in this lineup.
Tigers: Jackson, Rhymes, Damon, Cabrera, Boesch, Larish, Kelly, Avila, Worth.
Pitching: Bonderman v Litsch.
Top 1st: Lewis leading off 1-2 count. Strikes out swinging. One down for Escobar, 1-2 count, grounds to third, throw not in time, this guy is fast. Beats the throw easily. Bautista, pitch almost hits him, way inside. Pops up to Damon in left. Two down for Overbay game winning home run this afternoon. Vernon getting a rest here. There goes Escobar, throw down gets him. Lyle does not swing, obviously didn’t see him with his back to first but he must/should have been aware that he might be going. I would still rather see Escobar trying to steal. 17 pitches.
Bottom 1st: Jackson leading off, major trouble for Jays this weekend, grounds to McDonald at second, throw to Overbay, one down. Rhymes, pops it up to Encarnacion at third into the crowd to make the catch. Whoa, second row as he makes great catch. Damon, with two down. grounds to Escobar throw to Overbay for third out. Good first inning by Litsch, helped by his defence. 8 pitches.
Top 2nd: Overbay continues, 0-2, grounds to Rhymes at second throw to Cabrera at first, one down. Buck first pitch swinging, fly ball to Jackson in centre, two down. Lind, good to see Cito has pushed him down the order. He needs to earn his way back up the way Lyle has done. That is good start as he singles back up the middle. Two down one on for Encarnacion, 0-2 nowhere near the pitch. 2-2, lines it into right corner just foul, count full. Great at bat as he strikes out, ten pitches to get him. Pitch count 36.
Bottom 2nd:Cabrera leading off. Lines to Wise in centre tonight for Vernon. Boesch, 2-2 count. Lines this back up the middle almost right through Litsch. Larish with one on and one down. runner going, strikes out, throw by Buck way into centre but Wise backing up holds the runner at second. Two down for Kelly, 3-1 count. Full count and ball four, two on two down for Avila. 1-2 count 2-2, strikes out looking. 32 pitch count.
Top 3rd: Wise leading off perfect bunt to third base. Bonderman going for it but no chance to get Wise. Speed again. McDonald grounds to Kelly at third, great throw to first just gets McDonald but he moves Wise to second. One down one on scoring position now for Lewis. 0-2 count, strikes out swinging. Two down for Escobar. Grounds to third Kelly another good throw to get Escobar at first. 44 pitch count.
Bottom 3rd: Worth leading off. Lines to Bautista in right, one down for Jackson. 1-2 count. Grounds to McDonald at second throw to Overbay two down. Rhymes, 2-0 count. Grounds to Escobar at short, throw to Overbay to end the inning. Very efficient for Litsch. Pitch count 43.
Top 4th: Bautista leading off. 0-1 count. 2-2, singles to Damon in left, sliding save and throw keeps Bautista at first. Overbay grounds to second throw to first for the out but did his job and Bautista moves to second on the play. Buck 0-2 count. strikes out. Buck reckons he foul tipped it. Two down. Lind first pitch grounds back to Bonderman throw to first for third out. Perhaps Lind should keep moving down the order. Pitch count 55.
Bottom 4th: Damon leading off. Lines it into right corner, Bautista throw, the Escobar tag on the leg but called safe, here comes Cito arguing but no change, Damon called safe. Cabrera with Damon at second, nobody out. 2-2 count. Full count, first base open. Great, Cabrera chases ball outside strikes out swinging. One down for Boesch. 2-1 count. 3-1, Litsch losing the sharpness from earlier. Ball four. Two on one down for Larish. Perfect, first pitch grounds to McDonald, over to Escobar at second, throw to Overbay double play ball. Pitch count 57.
Top 5th: Encarnacion leading off.0-1, 2-2, singles into left past diving short stop Worth. Wise with runner at first. Bunting but fouls off. 1-1 count. High, very high fly ball to Boesch in right to make the out. Just got under that pitch. McDonald 2-0 count, 2-2, strikes out swinging. Two down for Lewis. Shows bunt ? with two down. Way to go Fred, lines it to centre, over the head of Jackson to the wall, here comes Encarnacion, Lewis to third. 1-0 Jays. Escobar. 1-2 count. 2-2, Full count. Take or swing? Grounds to short, throw just gets Escobar at first. But Jays strike first. Pitch count 77.
Bottom 5th: Kelly leading off. 2-2 count. Full count and ball four. Not good Jesse. Avila with one on. WHOA !!! grounds to McDonald at second quick flip to Escobar jumps high in the air as Kelly slides into him and acrobatic throw gets to Overbay easily. Double play. Two down for Worth. 2-2 count. Grounds to McDonald at second throw to Overbay for third out. Excellent inning defensively. Pitch count 70.
Top 6th: Bautista leading off. Way to go Jose, first pitch lines it into the Tigers bullpen. 2-0 Jays. Number 27 for Jose. Still leading the majors. Overbay, 1-1 count. Strikes out. One down for Buck, 1-2 count. Grounds back at Bonderman off his glove and barehanded throw by Rhymes not in time Buck safe at first. Lind, one down one on, 2-0 count. 3-0 that looked close, takes strike one. Tigers bullpen working. Full count. Pops up to Rhymes. Two down for Encarnacion. 2-1 count. 3-1, ball four high. Wise but here comes Manager Leyland. That’s it for Bonderman tonight. 99 pitches. Wise with two down and two on. Could break it open here. Brad Thomas lefty lefty match up. 1-2 count. Full count, runners going. Grounds to Cabrera throw to Thomas at first not in time Wise beats it out as Buck scores from second, 3-0 Jays. Speed again. That’s it for Thomas. Bonine pitching. McDonald singles up the middle. Here comes Encarnacion from second Wise going for third, hung up between second and third tag but not before runs scores. 4-0 Jays.
Bottom 6th: Litsch now with a big lead. Jackson no way, lines it to the wall in centre another triple. Jackson has feasted in the Jays this weekend. Tallet working in bullpen. Great play by Litsch, Rhymes grounds it right back at him and leaps high to snare it and throw to first for one down. Jackson had to hold at third, Damon 1-2 count. 2-2, grounds to Escobar, bobbles the ball and both runners safe as Jackson scores 4-1 Jays. One down. Cabrera singles to left centre, Damon to third here comes Cito. Litsch 81 pitches. Tallet now pitching with two on ??? Good luck. Boesch, left lefty matchup. First pitch fly ball to Wise in centre, here comes Damon, 4-2 Jays two down. Raburn pinch hitting Cabrera at first. 2-1 count. Pops up to Bautista in right.
Top 7th: Can Jays get those two back here? Jays have ten hits and Overbay the only one without. Lewis leading off. Lines it to Jackson in centre one down for Escobar. 2-1 count. 2-2, full count. Strikes out looking. Two down. Bautista to keep it going. 1-2 count. Fly ball to Boesch in right to end the inning.
Bottom 7th: Tallet still pitching. Sizemore leading off. Cito still has Casey Janssen, Purcey and Frasor. Fly ball to centre, Wise chases it down, great speed to get it that one. One down for Avila, pops up to shallow left for Escobar, two down for Worth. 1-1, grounds to Escobar throw to Overbay for third out.
Top 8th: Jays need more, Tigers are sending top of their order up in the bottom of this inning starting with Jackson who has been an almost automatic hit and with two triples today !!! can change a game with one hit. Phil Coke now pitching. Sizemore in the game at third for Kelly. Overbay leading off. Singles into centre. Everyone now has a hit tonight. Can Jays capitalize? Buck with one on. 0-2, singles into centre off the glove of Rhymes. Two on for Lind, don’t bet on him. 0-2 count. 2-2, grounds to Carbrera at first throw to Worth at second back to Cabrera double play ball, and so goes Lind’s season. Awful. Overbay at third, Encarnacion pops up to Cabrera at first. That was not good with first two hitters on base.
Bottom 8th: This is crucial inning starting with Jackson leading off How come this guy is always leading off in these situations? Tallet still out there, why Cito?. Jackson eight hits this series, 0-1, 0-2, 2-2, Purcey and Frasor working in bullpen. Singles to centre. One on, Santiago pinch hitting for Rhymes. 0-2 count. Hits him on the foot. Two on for Damon, 2-0 Tallet doing his usual meltdown, come on Cito. 2-2, pops it up to Escobar, one down. Cabrera with two on. Out comes Cito, three hitters too late Cito. Frasor to face Cabrera. This is the game here. 0-1, 0-2, doubles to right here comes Jackson. 4-3 Jays. Boesch with two in scoring position. Boesch intentional walk. Raburn, bases loaded. 1-2 count. Doubles to centre, three runs score 6-4 Tigers. Sizemore with one down and runner at second. stealing third and throw by Buck gets him. Two down. Strikes out.
Top 9th: Jays have to face Valverde again for second time today but this is all about momentum and Jays don’t have it let alone the crowd in full noise now. Wise, leading off. Oh DeWayne, gets hold of this one high fly ball to right field seats, home run Wise. 6-5 Tigers. Wells pinch hitting for McDonald. First pitch fly ball to Jackson. One down for Lewis strikes out on appeal to third. Two down. Escobar last chance here. 0-2, 2-2,strikes out swinging. Jays give this one away but get two of four in Detroit which is not bad. They have serious problems though with Tallet.
Good: Encarnacion play at third into the second row of crowd, double play ball McDonald and Escobar. Lewis the triple RBI to get it going. Great defense two double plays Escobar and McDonald. Bautista home run. Speed of Wise to enable Buck to score third run. Litsch had kept the Jays in this one and did enough to win.
The bad: How many times does Cito need to watch Tallet break down in crucial situations? And more to the point why does he send him out at all to start the 8th? Lind double play in the eighth with two on and nobody out. Frasor gives up the crucial three run double but Tallet had dug the deep hole.
Hard to win both games of a double header but a split of the four games in Detroit is good.
Jays have had a very long (successful) road trip and we have not seen them at home since before the All-Star game. Our first look at Escobar tomorrow in Toronto.
Jays win another behind power of Molina, Wells and Overbay and great pitching by Cecil, Downs and Gregg
Game three of four but first of the double header today. Sunday July 25.
This is the tough one, the winner of this can relax a little. Each will be trying to get maximum innings from the starters to help bullpen.
Lineups: Jays: Wise, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Encarnacion, Molina.
Tigers: Jackson, Santiago, Raburn, Cabrera, Boesch, Sizemore, Larish, Laird, Worth.
Pitching: Galarrago v Cecil.
Top 1st: Wise pops up to Sizemore one down for Escobar. Singles up the middle, Bautista popping them up here fortunately foul balls. Strikes out swinging. Two down for Wells, back to normal with his socks. Pops up to Larish at first for the out. am surprised that Escobar did not try to steal. Must be under orders here. 13 pitch inning.
Bottom 1st: Jackson has been a big pain for Jays pitchers in the first two games. Great leadoff hitter and speed on the bases. Full count. Strikes out swinging, great start Brett. Santiago, strikes out looking. Two down for Raburn. Turns on this one, high fly ball into the corner, just foul. 1-2 count. Pops up to Wells in centre to end the inning.
Top 2nd: Lind leading off hitless in the series, strikes out swinging. 0-6 in Detroit. Hill, another one also with his socks back to normal, didn’t help him much last night. Pops up to Santiago at second. Cito has to split Lind and Hill up and move them both down. Overbay and Buck are playing far better than those two. Two down. Overbay with two down, 2-0 count. 3-0, fly ball to Jackson in centre for the out, at least he hit it. Easy inning for Galarrago. 24 pitch count.
Bottom 2nd: Cabrera leading off. 0-2 count. 2-2, have to get it down Brett. Strikes out looking, froze him. Boesch, Lines it hard to right centre but Vernon can get it, runs it down for nice catch. Two down. Sizemore, 2-0 count, 3-1, Lines it hard to left makes nice backhand catch on his knees. Pitchers game so far. 30 pitches.
Top 3rd: Encarnacion leading off. Whoa, first pitch in the dirt way wide of the catcher. Grounds to Worth at short, throw to Larish for first out. Molina, first pitch grounds to third throw to first for the out. Cecil has hardly sat down come on you guys take a few pitches, Wise. 2-0 that’s better. 3-0, count full. Pops it up to Worth behind third base. Awful inning by Jays hitters. So far apart from Escobar they have looked half asleep. 35 pitch count.
Bottom 3rd: Larish leading off, brought up from AAA in Toledo for Ordonez, grounds to Hill throw to Overbay one down. Laird, pops up to Bautista in right. Two quick outs. Worth, 1-2 count. Grounds to Overbay to step on the bag himself to end this one. Cecil is doing his part, too bad his teammates are asleep. 39 pitch count.
Top 4th: Escobar the only guy with a hit so far, will he be bunting to try to get something going? No. 2-0 count. Pops up to Sizemore at third. Bautista, 2-0 count. That’s better Jose, doubles this one to right centre wall. Wells now with runner in scoring position. Swings at ball one. 0-2 count. Swings at a ball way high and outside. Awful. Two down for Lind, 0-2 count. Jays are swinging at balls no selection at all.1-2 count. Fouling them off but they are balls not strikes. Oh boy, Bautista caught off base at second and Laird throws him out at second. I don’t blame Jose for trying with Wells, Lind and Hill hitting so poorly. 50 pitch count.
Bottom 4th: Jackson leading off 0-1 count. 3-1 count. Count full, singles to right, one on for Santiago. Bounces over the head of Encarnacion at third into left, both runners safe. Raburn with two on. 2-1 count, that’s better grounds to Encarnacion steps on third and throw to first to get Raburn double play ball. Cabrera, do they put him on ? No, strike one. 0-2, 2-2, Strike three looking, wow huge pitch. Very nice pitching Brett. 57 pitch count.
Top 5th: Lind who was left out there when Bautista was thrown out. Second chance to do something. No, first pitch lines to Jackson one down. Hill, 2-1, lines it to Jackson makes nice running catch in left centre. That will drop you under .200 again Aaron. Two down for Overbay. Strikes out swinging. Game is one hour old. Nothing to do with playing two games today? 61 pitches.
Bottom 5th: Boesch pops up first pitch to Bautista in shallow right. One down for Sizemore first pitch swinging grounds to Encarnacion at third throw to Overbay two down on two pitches. Some collusion here? Larish not in on this takes first pitch for a strike, 0-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Six pitches….. Ridiculous. 64 pitch count.
Top 6th: Encarnacion leading off. Pulls a ball outside to third, throw in the dirt and Larish cannot make the play, Encarnacion safe. One on for Molina. Swings at ball one. Jays hitters just cannot lay off these pitches. Game slowing down now as they try to outsmart each other. Bunting fouls it off. 1-2 count. Oh YES, Jose…… gets hold of this one lines it into left field bullpen, home run Jose, 2-0 Jays. Wise still no outs here. Strikes out looking. One down for Escobar. Bunting but foul. 0-2 count. Lines it into centre to Jackson, two down for Bautista. First pitch swinging lines it to Jackson in centre. 74 pitches.
Bottom 6th: Cecil has a lead for a change. Laird leading off. 2-1 count. Full count. Pops up to Overbay, one down for Worth, oh no, lines it into left field corner seats, home run Worth 2-1 Jays. Both number nine hitters get the runs today. Jackson with one down. Doubles into right corner. Cecil in trouble here. Santiago. Bounces to Encarnacion throw to Overbay, two down. Raburn, wild pitch and Jackson easily moves to third. Doubles off the wall in left, here comes Jackson. 2-2 game and Cabrera now hitting. Do they walk him ? Yes, I think so the right move here with first base open and Cecil a little shaky right now. Boesch with two on. 0-1 count, grounds to Hill, throw to Overbay to end the inning. 86 pitch count though.
Top 7th: Wells leading off. This part of the order has been terrible, Wells, Lind, Hill and Overbay all hitless today. Time to earn their money. 2-0 count, Vernon laying off these for a change, that’s better Vernon, gets hold of this one, high fly ball, this one is out of here into Tigers left field bullpen, home run Vernon about time I say. 3-2.Jays. Lind also heard me, goes the opposite field lines it into left corner for a double. Hill now with Lind in scoring position. Tigers bullpen working. 2-1 count. Still no outs. Grounds to Sizemore at third, throw to Larish for the out, Lind has to hold at second, Aaron cannot move him up. I think we might see McDonald or McCoy playing at second in the next game. Overbay now, 2-1 count. Grounds to second throw to first to get Lyle but at least he moves Lind to third. That’s what we needed from Hill. Encarnacion first pitch fly ball to left centre for the out. Leaving another runner out there. 88 pitch count.
Bottom 7th: Last inning for Cecil? Sizemore leading off. Grounds to Escobar, throw to Overbay for the out. Larish, singles into centre. Camp working in Jays bullpen. Laird, 1-2 count.Pops up to Wells in shallow centre, two down. Worth, another wild pitch. Larish moves to second. 2-1 count. 2-2, Nice pitch, strikes out swinging, Molina pumps his fist at Cecil. That will be it for Brett, he has done his job well today and also kept the bullpen happy. 101 pitches.
Top 8th: Molina leading off. Weinhardt pitching, fly ball to left one down for Wise. 1-1 count. Lines it to Jackson in centre, two down. Escobar singles into left, his second hit today, now surely he is stealing? Bautista with two down. 1-0 count. 1-1, Pops it up to Raburn in left. Escobar left at first. What is the point of having speed if it is not used?
Bottom 8th: Camp now pitching. Jackson, five hits in the last two games.0-2 count. Oh boy, hammers it to the wall in right centre, all the way to third, leadoff triple. Camp in deep here. Santiago, 2-0 count, 3-1, ball four, this game is slipping away from the Jays. Raburn, 0-2 count. Perfect pops it up to Overbay, One down for Cabrera, do they walk him again? No, pitching to him, Cito gambling here as Cabrera is 4-5 against Camp. 1-0, singles into shallow centre, in front of Wells, game is all tied up and Santiago to third. Cabrera now 5-6 against Camp, I think Cito should probably note that. That’s it for Camp. Downs. Boesch, lefty lefty match up. 2-0 count. 3-0, Cito does not like this. 3-1, count full. Ball four. Bases loaded for Sizemore. Cito on the bullpen phone. 0-2 count, Casey Janssen working in bullpen. Strikes out swinging, two down. Larish with bases load two down. Strike one, strike two. Takes strike three looking. Downs escapes bigtime there, but this game is all tied up again.
Top 9th: Valverde now pitching, Wells leading off. Lines it back up the middle hits left leg of Valverde, Vernon safe at first. That would hurt. Says he is ok. Lind, strikes out swinging. Hill, time for him to do something today. Nowhere close with the swings, he just doesn’t have it. 1-2 count, Strikes out swinging. Awful awful. Two down for Overbay, Gregg working in bullpen. WAY to go Lyle!! This one is out of here into Tigers left field bullpen, here comes Vernon, here comes Lyle 5-3 Jays. Encarnacion with two down. 1-2 count. Count full. Strikes out swinging. Ok friends Gregg time….
Bottom 9th: Can Gregg beat his jinx of not pitching well back to back games? Will we see Damon again pinch hitting? Will Rhymes pinch hitting. Called up today so major league debut. 3-1 count. Full count. Strikes out swinging. One down. Damon also pinch hitting. 0-2 count, grounds to Hill at second throw to Overbay two down but here comes trouble…. Jackson hitting for the cycle. Strike one, strike two. 2-2 count, full count, fly ball to right, Bautista has it and this game is over. Save number 23 for Gregg.
Downs gets the win and that is a shame for Brett Cecil who pitched so very well and deserved the win today. But a win is a win and Jays will take the 2-1 lead into tonight’s game to try to win the third and head back to Toronto on very high note.
The very good: Cecil although he didn’t get the win, did what he had to do and take the game deep to preserve bullpen for tonight’s game. Molina, Wells and Overbay home runs all equally important although Lyle’s two run shot in the 9th off Velvarde has to be one of his most important of the season. Don’t forget Escobar and his two hits today, continues to show his value. My only complaint is that he is not trying to steal but that order could be coming from the dugout. Surely if you that type of speed he should be given the green light? Downs not just with the win but getting out of the big trouble with bases loaded in the 8th. Striking out two, that was huge for this win today.
The bad: I am sorry but Hill at the plate has to be reason for huge concerns. May be one of the reasons they have brought up McCoy. I will be surprised to see Aaron in the lineup for tonight’s game, unless Cito wants him to work it out, but right now he is a liability with the bat.
This is the tough one, the winner of this can relax a little. Each will be trying to get maximum innings from the starters to help bullpen.
Lineups: Jays: Wise, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Encarnacion, Molina.
Tigers: Jackson, Santiago, Raburn, Cabrera, Boesch, Sizemore, Larish, Laird, Worth.
Pitching: Galarrago v Cecil.
Top 1st: Wise pops up to Sizemore one down for Escobar. Singles up the middle, Bautista popping them up here fortunately foul balls. Strikes out swinging. Two down for Wells, back to normal with his socks. Pops up to Larish at first for the out. am surprised that Escobar did not try to steal. Must be under orders here. 13 pitch inning.
Bottom 1st: Jackson has been a big pain for Jays pitchers in the first two games. Great leadoff hitter and speed on the bases. Full count. Strikes out swinging, great start Brett. Santiago, strikes out looking. Two down for Raburn. Turns on this one, high fly ball into the corner, just foul. 1-2 count. Pops up to Wells in centre to end the inning.
Top 2nd: Lind leading off hitless in the series, strikes out swinging. 0-6 in Detroit. Hill, another one also with his socks back to normal, didn’t help him much last night. Pops up to Santiago at second. Cito has to split Lind and Hill up and move them both down. Overbay and Buck are playing far better than those two. Two down. Overbay with two down, 2-0 count. 3-0, fly ball to Jackson in centre for the out, at least he hit it. Easy inning for Galarrago. 24 pitch count.
Bottom 2nd: Cabrera leading off. 0-2 count. 2-2, have to get it down Brett. Strikes out looking, froze him. Boesch, Lines it hard to right centre but Vernon can get it, runs it down for nice catch. Two down. Sizemore, 2-0 count, 3-1, Lines it hard to left makes nice backhand catch on his knees. Pitchers game so far. 30 pitches.
Top 3rd: Encarnacion leading off. Whoa, first pitch in the dirt way wide of the catcher. Grounds to Worth at short, throw to Larish for first out. Molina, first pitch grounds to third throw to first for the out. Cecil has hardly sat down come on you guys take a few pitches, Wise. 2-0 that’s better. 3-0, count full. Pops it up to Worth behind third base. Awful inning by Jays hitters. So far apart from Escobar they have looked half asleep. 35 pitch count.
Bottom 3rd: Larish leading off, brought up from AAA in Toledo for Ordonez, grounds to Hill throw to Overbay one down. Laird, pops up to Bautista in right. Two quick outs. Worth, 1-2 count. Grounds to Overbay to step on the bag himself to end this one. Cecil is doing his part, too bad his teammates are asleep. 39 pitch count.
Top 4th: Escobar the only guy with a hit so far, will he be bunting to try to get something going? No. 2-0 count. Pops up to Sizemore at third. Bautista, 2-0 count. That’s better Jose, doubles this one to right centre wall. Wells now with runner in scoring position. Swings at ball one. 0-2 count. Swings at a ball way high and outside. Awful. Two down for Lind, 0-2 count. Jays are swinging at balls no selection at all.1-2 count. Fouling them off but they are balls not strikes. Oh boy, Bautista caught off base at second and Laird throws him out at second. I don’t blame Jose for trying with Wells, Lind and Hill hitting so poorly. 50 pitch count.
Bottom 4th: Jackson leading off 0-1 count. 3-1 count. Count full, singles to right, one on for Santiago. Bounces over the head of Encarnacion at third into left, both runners safe. Raburn with two on. 2-1 count, that’s better grounds to Encarnacion steps on third and throw to first to get Raburn double play ball. Cabrera, do they put him on ? No, strike one. 0-2, 2-2, Strike three looking, wow huge pitch. Very nice pitching Brett. 57 pitch count.
Top 5th: Lind who was left out there when Bautista was thrown out. Second chance to do something. No, first pitch lines to Jackson one down. Hill, 2-1, lines it to Jackson makes nice running catch in left centre. That will drop you under .200 again Aaron. Two down for Overbay. Strikes out swinging. Game is one hour old. Nothing to do with playing two games today? 61 pitches.
Bottom 5th: Boesch pops up first pitch to Bautista in shallow right. One down for Sizemore first pitch swinging grounds to Encarnacion at third throw to Overbay two down on two pitches. Some collusion here? Larish not in on this takes first pitch for a strike, 0-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Six pitches….. Ridiculous. 64 pitch count.
Top 6th: Encarnacion leading off. Pulls a ball outside to third, throw in the dirt and Larish cannot make the play, Encarnacion safe. One on for Molina. Swings at ball one. Jays hitters just cannot lay off these pitches. Game slowing down now as they try to outsmart each other. Bunting fouls it off. 1-2 count. Oh YES, Jose…… gets hold of this one lines it into left field bullpen, home run Jose, 2-0 Jays. Wise still no outs here. Strikes out looking. One down for Escobar. Bunting but foul. 0-2 count. Lines it into centre to Jackson, two down for Bautista. First pitch swinging lines it to Jackson in centre. 74 pitches.
Bottom 6th: Cecil has a lead for a change. Laird leading off. 2-1 count. Full count. Pops up to Overbay, one down for Worth, oh no, lines it into left field corner seats, home run Worth 2-1 Jays. Both number nine hitters get the runs today. Jackson with one down. Doubles into right corner. Cecil in trouble here. Santiago. Bounces to Encarnacion throw to Overbay, two down. Raburn, wild pitch and Jackson easily moves to third. Doubles off the wall in left, here comes Jackson. 2-2 game and Cabrera now hitting. Do they walk him ? Yes, I think so the right move here with first base open and Cecil a little shaky right now. Boesch with two on. 0-1 count, grounds to Hill, throw to Overbay to end the inning. 86 pitch count though.
Top 7th: Wells leading off. This part of the order has been terrible, Wells, Lind, Hill and Overbay all hitless today. Time to earn their money. 2-0 count, Vernon laying off these for a change, that’s better Vernon, gets hold of this one, high fly ball, this one is out of here into Tigers left field bullpen, home run Vernon about time I say. 3-2.Jays. Lind also heard me, goes the opposite field lines it into left corner for a double. Hill now with Lind in scoring position. Tigers bullpen working. 2-1 count. Still no outs. Grounds to Sizemore at third, throw to Larish for the out, Lind has to hold at second, Aaron cannot move him up. I think we might see McDonald or McCoy playing at second in the next game. Overbay now, 2-1 count. Grounds to second throw to first to get Lyle but at least he moves Lind to third. That’s what we needed from Hill. Encarnacion first pitch fly ball to left centre for the out. Leaving another runner out there. 88 pitch count.
Bottom 7th: Last inning for Cecil? Sizemore leading off. Grounds to Escobar, throw to Overbay for the out. Larish, singles into centre. Camp working in Jays bullpen. Laird, 1-2 count.Pops up to Wells in shallow centre, two down. Worth, another wild pitch. Larish moves to second. 2-1 count. 2-2, Nice pitch, strikes out swinging, Molina pumps his fist at Cecil. That will be it for Brett, he has done his job well today and also kept the bullpen happy. 101 pitches.
Top 8th: Molina leading off. Weinhardt pitching, fly ball to left one down for Wise. 1-1 count. Lines it to Jackson in centre, two down. Escobar singles into left, his second hit today, now surely he is stealing? Bautista with two down. 1-0 count. 1-1, Pops it up to Raburn in left. Escobar left at first. What is the point of having speed if it is not used?
Bottom 8th: Camp now pitching. Jackson, five hits in the last two games.0-2 count. Oh boy, hammers it to the wall in right centre, all the way to third, leadoff triple. Camp in deep here. Santiago, 2-0 count, 3-1, ball four, this game is slipping away from the Jays. Raburn, 0-2 count. Perfect pops it up to Overbay, One down for Cabrera, do they walk him again? No, pitching to him, Cito gambling here as Cabrera is 4-5 against Camp. 1-0, singles into shallow centre, in front of Wells, game is all tied up and Santiago to third. Cabrera now 5-6 against Camp, I think Cito should probably note that. That’s it for Camp. Downs. Boesch, lefty lefty match up. 2-0 count. 3-0, Cito does not like this. 3-1, count full. Ball four. Bases loaded for Sizemore. Cito on the bullpen phone. 0-2 count, Casey Janssen working in bullpen. Strikes out swinging, two down. Larish with bases load two down. Strike one, strike two. Takes strike three looking. Downs escapes bigtime there, but this game is all tied up again.
Top 9th: Valverde now pitching, Wells leading off. Lines it back up the middle hits left leg of Valverde, Vernon safe at first. That would hurt. Says he is ok. Lind, strikes out swinging. Hill, time for him to do something today. Nowhere close with the swings, he just doesn’t have it. 1-2 count, Strikes out swinging. Awful awful. Two down for Overbay, Gregg working in bullpen. WAY to go Lyle!! This one is out of here into Tigers left field bullpen, here comes Vernon, here comes Lyle 5-3 Jays. Encarnacion with two down. 1-2 count. Count full. Strikes out swinging. Ok friends Gregg time….
Bottom 9th: Can Gregg beat his jinx of not pitching well back to back games? Will we see Damon again pinch hitting? Will Rhymes pinch hitting. Called up today so major league debut. 3-1 count. Full count. Strikes out swinging. One down. Damon also pinch hitting. 0-2 count, grounds to Hill at second throw to Overbay two down but here comes trouble…. Jackson hitting for the cycle. Strike one, strike two. 2-2 count, full count, fly ball to right, Bautista has it and this game is over. Save number 23 for Gregg.
Downs gets the win and that is a shame for Brett Cecil who pitched so very well and deserved the win today. But a win is a win and Jays will take the 2-1 lead into tonight’s game to try to win the third and head back to Toronto on very high note.
The very good: Cecil although he didn’t get the win, did what he had to do and take the game deep to preserve bullpen for tonight’s game. Molina, Wells and Overbay home runs all equally important although Lyle’s two run shot in the 9th off Velvarde has to be one of his most important of the season. Don’t forget Escobar and his two hits today, continues to show his value. My only complaint is that he is not trying to steal but that order could be coming from the dugout. Surely if you that type of speed he should be given the green light? Downs not just with the win but getting out of the big trouble with bases loaded in the 8th. Striking out two, that was huge for this win today.
The bad: I am sorry but Hill at the plate has to be reason for huge concerns. May be one of the reasons they have brought up McCoy. I will be surprised to see Aaron in the lineup for tonight’s game, unless Cito wants him to work it out, but right now he is a liability with the bat.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Jays win nail biter as Gregg and the bullpen save this one
Game two of four game series. Jays v Tigers. Saturday July 24.
Three games in 24 hours now. Why didn’t they play this one earlier today? TV I guess. At least there will be no bp tomorrow morning. Yankees have already lost to Kansas this afternoon in New York.
Jays: Wise, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Buck, Encarnacion.
Tigers: Jackson, Raburn, Ordonez, Cabrera, Boesch, Guillen, Laird, Kelly, Worth.
Pitching: Porcello v Marcum.
Top 1st: Wise leading off for Lewis. Still injured, grounds to second great speed for Wise beats the throw. Speed kills. Escobar, showing bunt. Now Porcello has to worry about the speed at first. Wise running and grounds to short no throw to second and gets Escobar at first, stayed away from the double play. How many times have Jays fans wished for that this season. Bautista with Wise in scoring position. 3-1 count, ball four, two on for Wells with one down. Vernon with retro look tonight, socks outside his trousers. Foul ball and both runners move up. Stays out of the double play now Vernon for you. Grounds to short, throw to first but Wise scores 1-0 Jays. Lind, with two down and runner at second. Fly ball (first pitch) to Raburn in left for the out. 15 pitches for Procello, could have been more. I think Cito should move Lind down the order he is just not helping Vernon or anyone for that matter right now.
Bottom 1st: Jackson leading off, 0-2 count, 2-2, strikes out swinging, one down for Raburn. 0-2 count, strikes out swinging, two down, Ordonez, 0-2 count, 2-2, singles to right. One on two down for Cabrera. 1-2, grounds to Hill, throw to Overbay to end the inning. Pitch count 18.
Top 2nd: Hill leading off. 0-2 count, grounds to Kelly at third, throw to first. One down for Overbay, 0-2 count, grounds to short, throw to first two down for Buck. Grounds to short, throw to first. Jays go quietly. Pitch count 27.
Bottom 2nd: Boesch, grounds right back at Marcum, knocks it down and throws to Overbay for the out. Guillen, Grounds to second Hill throw to Marcum, covering. Very nice play by Hill. Two down for Laird. Singles into left centre. Kelly, lines it to Wise in left, for third out. Pitch count 31.
Top 3rd: Encarnacion leading off. 1-2 count, doubles to the wall in left centre. Wise, with runner in scoring position. Bunting, fouls if off. Grounds to second throw to first but Encarnacion moves to third with one down. Escobar, not bunting, ground to Kelly at third, throw to first. Two down. Bautista lifts it over the head of short into left centre, here comes Encarnacion. 2-0 Jays. Wells, 3-0 ball, walks on four, two on for Lind. Full count, ball four loads them up for Hill 2-2 count. Full count. Man, pops it up at the plate. Come on Aaron. 56 pitches now for Porcello. Jays had him on the ropes but could not finish him off. Already 1/6 with runners in scoring position after only two innings.
Bottom 3rd: Worth leading off. 1-2 count, pops up to Overbay at first, one down for Jackson, lifts it into shallow centre. No chance for Vernon. One on one down for Raburn. Bunting pops it up, Buck cannot get there. 1-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Two down for Ordonez. Pitch out Jackson not going. 1-2. Full count. Ball four, looked ok from here but I guess not. Cabrera with two on. 0-1, 1-2 count. This is trouble, lines it to right off the wall here comes Jackson, Ordonez coming home, relay to Hill to the plate Buck gets him out at the plate. Great relay by Aaron. Saves a run there. 2-1 Jays. Ordonez helped off here, looks like his right ankle as he slid into home plate. 57 pitches for Marcum. Needs to cut that rate down in next few innings. Cito does not want to use bullpen with a double header tomorrow.
Top 4th: Overbay leading off, lines first pitch to Raburn in left, one down. Buck, 2-2, high pop up to left, two down. Encarnacion, 1-2 count. Pops up to Laird for the out. Not a great inning for the Jays with Porcello on the ropes the previous inning. 70 pitches.
Bottom 4th: Boesch leading off. 2-2 count. Full, strikes out. One down for Guillen. 1-2 count. Doubles into right centre, Laird, grounds to Encarnacion at third, throw to Overbay for the out. Guillen holds at second, two down. Kelly, Pops up to Wise in left to end this one. 72 pitches.
Top 5th: Jays have to get Porcello out this inning get into that bullpen. Wise leading off. Doubles first pitch into right field corner. Escobar, bunting up the right field line and beats it out again. Great speed Wise to third. Bautista with two on, Tigers bullpen working.1-2 count. Back up the middle, Wise scores 3-1 Jays, Escobar out at second but throw late at first. Wells with one down. 0-2 count, Bautista running, throw by Laird too high and Jose is safe at second. 2-2 count. Full count. Grounds to Kelly at third, throw to first to get Vernon, Bautista moves up to third. Lind, with runner at third and two down. 2-0 and now walking him. Hill will not be happy with that. But .202 average will get that lack of respect. Grounds to left throw to second for the out. 92 pitches.
Bottom 5th: Worth leading off. Lines it to Wise in left makes a great running catch at the fence. Jackson, 0-1 count, singles to left. Raburn 2-2 count, Ordonez has fractured his ankle and out for 6-8 weeks. Lines it right at Encarnacion great catch, two down. Santiago now pinch hitting for Ordonez. 2-0 count. Runner going, Swing strike and throw by Buck to Hill at second, gets him. That was huge out with Cabrera on deck. 84 pitches.
Top 6th: Jays are 2/10 tonight with runners in scoring position. Ouch bigtime, that is awful. Sizemore in for Guillen. Overbay, 0-2 count. Lines it to Jackson in centre, one down. Buck, 0-2 count. 2-2 count. Bounces to short, throw to first for second out. Encarnacion, Full count. Fly ball to Jackson in centre. 110 pitches.
Bottom 6th: This could be last inning for Marcum. Santiago leading off, was left at the plate when Jackson was thrown out stealing. Strikes out swinging. One down for Cabrera, doubles to left field corner. One on one down. Boesch, off the end of his bat, Marcum throw to first just in time, great play by Marcum. Two down. Cabrera to third. Jays bullpen working, Camp and Frasor. Sizemore, 2-1 count. Singles to Wells in centre, Cabrera scores 3-2 Jays. Here comes Cito. Marcum 97 pitches. Frasor now pitching. Two down and one on for Laird. Fly ball to Wells in centre.
Top 7th: One run is not enough. Jays have to start bringing in the runners. They have had so many chances (ten actually) tonight. Wise leading off. Weinhardt now pitching grounds to first, flip to Weinhardt to get Wise this time. Escobar, grounds to Sizemore at second throw to first, two down. Bautista, 3-1 count. Full count. Pops up to Boesch in right. Three up and down for Jays.
Bottom 7th: Frasor still out there. Kelly leading off grounds to Hill, throw to Overbay for the out. Fantastic red sunset tonight after all the storms of the last two days. Worth, 0-2 count, 2-2, grounds to Escobar at short, throw to Overbay two down. Jackson, singles to right. Two down one on. Raburn, lines to Bautista in right for third out.
Top 8th: Wells leading off, Jays need to add at least one. Grounds to Kelly at third throw, Vernon safe. Error on the play as it pulls Cabrera off the bag at first. That’s it for Weinhardt. New pitcher Brad Thomas. Lefty matchup to get Lind. 1-2 count. Lines it to right for the out. One down for Hill, has not had a good night with the bat. Vernon running but picked off Thomas throw to first gets him at second. Two down. Hill pops up to right centre for third out. Hill 0-4 and has left six on base tonight. Nightmare season for him so far.
Bottom 8th: Downs now pitching. Can he hold it here? Santiago leading off. Singles first pitch to left. Cabrera 2-2 count, fly ball to Wells in centre, huge out, as it should mean Jays will not see him again this game. One down one on for Boesch. 1-1 count. 2-2, full count. Crowd really into the game this inning. Ball four. Sizemore. Need a ground ball Scott. Whoa this guy swinging for downtown Windsor. 0-1. 1-2. Casey Janssen working in bullpen. Strikes out swinging, that pitch just dropped vertically over the plate. Two down for Laird. Damon getting ready to pinch hit for Worth, despite sitting with the flu. not necessary. Grounds to Escobar throw to Overbay and Jays strand two. I wonder if we will see Damon lead off in the bottom of the ninth. If Jays hitters can get a couple here maybe not.
Top 9th: Thomas still in there to face Overbay. Way to go Lyle, hammers it up the middle. That’s it for Thomas, he did well in the last inning but Lyle beat the odds, one on for Buck. New pitcher Ryan Perry. 0-2 count. Strikes out. One down for Encarnacion, 0-2 count. Pops up to Sizemore at short. Two down for Wise. Grounds to second, throw to Overbay for the out. Tension time friends. Here comes Gregg.
Bottom 9th: Kevin Gregg now pitching. Everyone wondering what he has tonight. I read that Papelbon just blew his fourth save this season so Gregg’s four is all context. Crowd going crazy. Damon out there leading off, Off his sickbed not quite as dramatic as Kirk Gibson on one leg but it will do for this crowd tonight …. 1-1 count, grounds to Hill at second, throw to Overbay, one down. Worth, 2-1 count. 2-2, full count. fouls it off. And another. I could never be a closer, have to have nerves of steel. Lines it to Wise in left two down but here comes ever dangerous Jackson. Three hits tonight already. 0-1, way outside 1-1. 2-1, come on Kevin man. 3-1.This will do it, lines to right centre, nice running catch by Vernon to preserve this one.
Wow that was very tense. Jays win a very close one 3-2. Save number 22. Cito makes a point of shaking Kevin’s hand as he comes off the field.
The good: Marcum win number nine, and the bullpen to hold it. Wise, Escobar and Bautista with four of the six hits and special note of their speed which added a whole added dimension tonight. Hill’s relay to the plate to get Ordonez in the third and save a run.
The bad: We have to say it friends. Runners in scoring position. 2/10 tonight and Hill the biggest culprit leaving five on. They had their chance to chase Porcello early in the game but could not do it.
Comment: Major difference in the current makeup of this team one word, speed. Wise and or Lewis, Escobar and Bautista at the top of the lineup can be lethal. Giving more options for a team as we saw tonight. A new more aggressive Manager next season could have lots of fun with this group and I think many fans would love to watch it.
Three games in 24 hours now. Why didn’t they play this one earlier today? TV I guess. At least there will be no bp tomorrow morning. Yankees have already lost to Kansas this afternoon in New York.
Jays: Wise, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Buck, Encarnacion.
Tigers: Jackson, Raburn, Ordonez, Cabrera, Boesch, Guillen, Laird, Kelly, Worth.
Pitching: Porcello v Marcum.
Top 1st: Wise leading off for Lewis. Still injured, grounds to second great speed for Wise beats the throw. Speed kills. Escobar, showing bunt. Now Porcello has to worry about the speed at first. Wise running and grounds to short no throw to second and gets Escobar at first, stayed away from the double play. How many times have Jays fans wished for that this season. Bautista with Wise in scoring position. 3-1 count, ball four, two on for Wells with one down. Vernon with retro look tonight, socks outside his trousers. Foul ball and both runners move up. Stays out of the double play now Vernon for you. Grounds to short, throw to first but Wise scores 1-0 Jays. Lind, with two down and runner at second. Fly ball (first pitch) to Raburn in left for the out. 15 pitches for Procello, could have been more. I think Cito should move Lind down the order he is just not helping Vernon or anyone for that matter right now.
Bottom 1st: Jackson leading off, 0-2 count, 2-2, strikes out swinging, one down for Raburn. 0-2 count, strikes out swinging, two down, Ordonez, 0-2 count, 2-2, singles to right. One on two down for Cabrera. 1-2, grounds to Hill, throw to Overbay to end the inning. Pitch count 18.
Top 2nd: Hill leading off. 0-2 count, grounds to Kelly at third, throw to first. One down for Overbay, 0-2 count, grounds to short, throw to first two down for Buck. Grounds to short, throw to first. Jays go quietly. Pitch count 27.
Bottom 2nd: Boesch, grounds right back at Marcum, knocks it down and throws to Overbay for the out. Guillen, Grounds to second Hill throw to Marcum, covering. Very nice play by Hill. Two down for Laird. Singles into left centre. Kelly, lines it to Wise in left, for third out. Pitch count 31.
Top 3rd: Encarnacion leading off. 1-2 count, doubles to the wall in left centre. Wise, with runner in scoring position. Bunting, fouls if off. Grounds to second throw to first but Encarnacion moves to third with one down. Escobar, not bunting, ground to Kelly at third, throw to first. Two down. Bautista lifts it over the head of short into left centre, here comes Encarnacion. 2-0 Jays. Wells, 3-0 ball, walks on four, two on for Lind. Full count, ball four loads them up for Hill 2-2 count. Full count. Man, pops it up at the plate. Come on Aaron. 56 pitches now for Porcello. Jays had him on the ropes but could not finish him off. Already 1/6 with runners in scoring position after only two innings.
Bottom 3rd: Worth leading off. 1-2 count, pops up to Overbay at first, one down for Jackson, lifts it into shallow centre. No chance for Vernon. One on one down for Raburn. Bunting pops it up, Buck cannot get there. 1-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Two down for Ordonez. Pitch out Jackson not going. 1-2. Full count. Ball four, looked ok from here but I guess not. Cabrera with two on. 0-1, 1-2 count. This is trouble, lines it to right off the wall here comes Jackson, Ordonez coming home, relay to Hill to the plate Buck gets him out at the plate. Great relay by Aaron. Saves a run there. 2-1 Jays. Ordonez helped off here, looks like his right ankle as he slid into home plate. 57 pitches for Marcum. Needs to cut that rate down in next few innings. Cito does not want to use bullpen with a double header tomorrow.
Top 4th: Overbay leading off, lines first pitch to Raburn in left, one down. Buck, 2-2, high pop up to left, two down. Encarnacion, 1-2 count. Pops up to Laird for the out. Not a great inning for the Jays with Porcello on the ropes the previous inning. 70 pitches.
Bottom 4th: Boesch leading off. 2-2 count. Full, strikes out. One down for Guillen. 1-2 count. Doubles into right centre, Laird, grounds to Encarnacion at third, throw to Overbay for the out. Guillen holds at second, two down. Kelly, Pops up to Wise in left to end this one. 72 pitches.
Top 5th: Jays have to get Porcello out this inning get into that bullpen. Wise leading off. Doubles first pitch into right field corner. Escobar, bunting up the right field line and beats it out again. Great speed Wise to third. Bautista with two on, Tigers bullpen working.1-2 count. Back up the middle, Wise scores 3-1 Jays, Escobar out at second but throw late at first. Wells with one down. 0-2 count, Bautista running, throw by Laird too high and Jose is safe at second. 2-2 count. Full count. Grounds to Kelly at third, throw to first to get Vernon, Bautista moves up to third. Lind, with runner at third and two down. 2-0 and now walking him. Hill will not be happy with that. But .202 average will get that lack of respect. Grounds to left throw to second for the out. 92 pitches.
Bottom 5th: Worth leading off. Lines it to Wise in left makes a great running catch at the fence. Jackson, 0-1 count, singles to left. Raburn 2-2 count, Ordonez has fractured his ankle and out for 6-8 weeks. Lines it right at Encarnacion great catch, two down. Santiago now pinch hitting for Ordonez. 2-0 count. Runner going, Swing strike and throw by Buck to Hill at second, gets him. That was huge out with Cabrera on deck. 84 pitches.
Top 6th: Jays are 2/10 tonight with runners in scoring position. Ouch bigtime, that is awful. Sizemore in for Guillen. Overbay, 0-2 count. Lines it to Jackson in centre, one down. Buck, 0-2 count. 2-2 count. Bounces to short, throw to first for second out. Encarnacion, Full count. Fly ball to Jackson in centre. 110 pitches.
Bottom 6th: This could be last inning for Marcum. Santiago leading off, was left at the plate when Jackson was thrown out stealing. Strikes out swinging. One down for Cabrera, doubles to left field corner. One on one down. Boesch, off the end of his bat, Marcum throw to first just in time, great play by Marcum. Two down. Cabrera to third. Jays bullpen working, Camp and Frasor. Sizemore, 2-1 count. Singles to Wells in centre, Cabrera scores 3-2 Jays. Here comes Cito. Marcum 97 pitches. Frasor now pitching. Two down and one on for Laird. Fly ball to Wells in centre.
Top 7th: One run is not enough. Jays have to start bringing in the runners. They have had so many chances (ten actually) tonight. Wise leading off. Weinhardt now pitching grounds to first, flip to Weinhardt to get Wise this time. Escobar, grounds to Sizemore at second throw to first, two down. Bautista, 3-1 count. Full count. Pops up to Boesch in right. Three up and down for Jays.
Bottom 7th: Frasor still out there. Kelly leading off grounds to Hill, throw to Overbay for the out. Fantastic red sunset tonight after all the storms of the last two days. Worth, 0-2 count, 2-2, grounds to Escobar at short, throw to Overbay two down. Jackson, singles to right. Two down one on. Raburn, lines to Bautista in right for third out.
Top 8th: Wells leading off, Jays need to add at least one. Grounds to Kelly at third throw, Vernon safe. Error on the play as it pulls Cabrera off the bag at first. That’s it for Weinhardt. New pitcher Brad Thomas. Lefty matchup to get Lind. 1-2 count. Lines it to right for the out. One down for Hill, has not had a good night with the bat. Vernon running but picked off Thomas throw to first gets him at second. Two down. Hill pops up to right centre for third out. Hill 0-4 and has left six on base tonight. Nightmare season for him so far.
Bottom 8th: Downs now pitching. Can he hold it here? Santiago leading off. Singles first pitch to left. Cabrera 2-2 count, fly ball to Wells in centre, huge out, as it should mean Jays will not see him again this game. One down one on for Boesch. 1-1 count. 2-2, full count. Crowd really into the game this inning. Ball four. Sizemore. Need a ground ball Scott. Whoa this guy swinging for downtown Windsor. 0-1. 1-2. Casey Janssen working in bullpen. Strikes out swinging, that pitch just dropped vertically over the plate. Two down for Laird. Damon getting ready to pinch hit for Worth, despite sitting with the flu. not necessary. Grounds to Escobar throw to Overbay and Jays strand two. I wonder if we will see Damon lead off in the bottom of the ninth. If Jays hitters can get a couple here maybe not.
Top 9th: Thomas still in there to face Overbay. Way to go Lyle, hammers it up the middle. That’s it for Thomas, he did well in the last inning but Lyle beat the odds, one on for Buck. New pitcher Ryan Perry. 0-2 count. Strikes out. One down for Encarnacion, 0-2 count. Pops up to Sizemore at short. Two down for Wise. Grounds to second, throw to Overbay for the out. Tension time friends. Here comes Gregg.
Bottom 9th: Kevin Gregg now pitching. Everyone wondering what he has tonight. I read that Papelbon just blew his fourth save this season so Gregg’s four is all context. Crowd going crazy. Damon out there leading off, Off his sickbed not quite as dramatic as Kirk Gibson on one leg but it will do for this crowd tonight …. 1-1 count, grounds to Hill at second, throw to Overbay, one down. Worth, 2-1 count. 2-2, full count. fouls it off. And another. I could never be a closer, have to have nerves of steel. Lines it to Wise in left two down but here comes ever dangerous Jackson. Three hits tonight already. 0-1, way outside 1-1. 2-1, come on Kevin man. 3-1.This will do it, lines to right centre, nice running catch by Vernon to preserve this one.
Wow that was very tense. Jays win a very close one 3-2. Save number 22. Cito makes a point of shaking Kevin’s hand as he comes off the field.
The good: Marcum win number nine, and the bullpen to hold it. Wise, Escobar and Bautista with four of the six hits and special note of their speed which added a whole added dimension tonight. Hill’s relay to the plate to get Ordonez in the third and save a run.
The bad: We have to say it friends. Runners in scoring position. 2/10 tonight and Hill the biggest culprit leaving five on. They had their chance to chase Porcello early in the game but could not do it.
Comment: Major difference in the current makeup of this team one word, speed. Wise and or Lewis, Escobar and Bautista at the top of the lineup can be lethal. Giving more options for a team as we saw tonight. A new more aggressive Manager next season could have lots of fun with this group and I think many fans would love to watch it.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Game rained out.
Jays v Tigers Game two of four. Friday July 23.
Jays hitters need to get back on track far too inconsistent but good news is that Travis is due back on Tuesday and is hitting up a storm in New Hampshire, six rbi night and three home runs in his last three games, obviously seeing the ball well, just what this team needs with the constant inability to bring in those on base.
Rain delay at Comerica. A huge Jays fan support for this series. The fan club organized a four day trip.
Atlanta tonight have ex-Jays Glaus, Hinske and Gonzalez hitting numbers 5,6 and 7.
Game postponed in Detroit.
Jays hitters need to get back on track far too inconsistent but good news is that Travis is due back on Tuesday and is hitting up a storm in New Hampshire, six rbi night and three home runs in his last three games, obviously seeing the ball well, just what this team needs with the constant inability to bring in those on base.
Rain delay at Comerica. A huge Jays fan support for this series. The fan club organized a four day trip.
Atlanta tonight have ex-Jays Glaus, Hinske and Gonzalez hitting numbers 5,6 and 7.
Game postponed in Detroit.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Lousy hitting and poor management decision sink Jays today
Jays v Tigers Game one of four. Thursday July 22. Santa Day at the Park. For Salvation Army fund raising.
Second consecutive midweek afternoon game. Tough series for Jays. They will need to be firing on all cylinders. Roster changes as said here yesterday Rzepczynski bought his ticket for Vegas with that outing. One less pitcher but recall of Mike McCoy tough on Travis. But Mike has more speed and can play several positions and gives more versatility over Travis.
The other issue of course is July 31 deadline, if they are moving a couple of roster players that will enable Travis to be recalled. And it also gives Cito longer to look at Encarnacion at third who had superb game two nights ago and probably delayed his departure.
Lineups: Jays: Wise, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay Buck, Encarnacion. Lewis still out with that sprained ankle, but Escobar back in the lineup.
Tigers: Jackson, Damon, Ordonez, Cabrera, Raburn, Sizemore, Laird, Santiago, Wirth.
Pitching: Verlander v Romero.
Top 1st: Wise leading off lines hard to second but right at Santiago, one down for Escobar. Bunting but foul. Noisy crowd but there should be loads of Jays fans from across the border. Grounds to third throw to first two down for Bautista. Doubles down the left field line. One on and in scoring position for Wells. 2-2 count. Full count and ball four. Vernon in my opinion has been far more patient the last couple of games and has had much better results, three hits yesterday and a walk today. Lind, 2-0, with two on. Outside ball three. 3-1, Ball four and bases loaded for Hill. Just need a base hit here Aaron. Pops it up to short, head in the air. Hill leaves them loaded. After two consecutive walks, it needed a far more patient at bat by Hill. 25 pitch inning.
Bottom 1st: Jackson leading off, WHOA!!! Lines it right back at Romero, he has it, puts his glove up and it sticks, as he falls to the ground. What a reaction!!! Incredible play. That could have been so very dangerous. Ricky is a very athletic guy. Damon with one down. Pops it up to Wells in shallow centre. Ordonez gets hold of this one first pitch fly ball to Wells. Big outfield at Comerica Park. Great first inning for Romero but it would be good to give him some run support here.
Top 2nd: Overbay, where were you Lyle last inning, lines first pitch to right centre wall. He hit that one very hard. Buck, with Overbay in scoring position, hammers this one first pitch and this is out of here almost same location right centre, here comes Lyle, here comes Buck 2-0 Jays. Yes you can hear those Jays fans. Big crowd today. That was an opposite field home run, that was impressive power. Encarnacion grounds to third Sizemore, throw to first one down. Wise showing bunt. This is interesting lines it to right field corner, and Wise going for three, in safe with a triple. He can burn those bases. One down for Escobar. Grounds to third, Wise holds and throw to first for two down. Bautista, 2-2 count. Count full. Strikes out swinging. 41 pitches. Jays have had their chances for a lot more in the first two innings.
Bottom 2nd: Cabrera leading off. 3-1 count. Full count, lines it to Wells in centre, busy Vernon today. One down for Raburn, pops up to Wise in left, two down. I thought he was a ground ball pitcher !! 4 pop ups so far. Sizemore 2-0 count. Bounces to Escobar at short, throw to Overbay for third out. 21 pitches for Romero.
Top 3rd: Wells leading off. Pops it up to Sizemore at third, one down for Lind. 2-0 count, 3-0, full count, grounds back to Verlander, throw to first, two down for Hill. Doubles to the right centre wall, that’s what we needed last time Aaron. One in scoring position for Overbay now. Grounds to Santiago at second throw to Cabrera at first for third out. 55 pitches.
Bottom 3rd: Laird leading off. 2-2 count. Strikes out swinging. One down for Santiago, 2-1 count. 3-1, Ricky getting some of these pitches too high. Ball four. Worth, 2-1 count. VERY nice, lines it to Hill at second, quick throw to Overbay, double play ball. Very nice play by Hill. Gets Romero out of this inning, he was starting to struggle here. 41 pitches.
Top 4th: Buck leading off, not this time, strikes out swinging on three pitches. Encarnacion, lines to Jackson in centre, two down. Wise, singles into centre right. One on two down for Escobar, Wise running, fouls it off. 0-2 count, grounds to Worth at short, flip to second to get Wise. 66 pitches.
Bottom 4th: Jackson, grounds back to Romero, throw to Overbay one down. Damon doubles into right. There goes the no hitter. Ordonez with runner in scoring position. 3-0 count. Ball four. Ricky continues to struggle his last inning was rough until the double play rescued him. Cabrera singles first pitch to left, here comes Damon 2-1 Jays. Ordonez at third. Raburn with two on and one down. 0-2 count. OH yes….. strikes out ball gets away and here comes Ordonez, quick recovery by Buck and throw to third gets Ordonez as he retreats. Great and unusual l!!! double play. Heads up by Buck to see that happening and get Ordonez hung up. Jim Leyland must be tearing his hair out there. Tigers were getting on top there. 55 pitches.
Top 5th: Bautista off the end of his bat, Laird throw to first for the out. Wells, 2-0 count. Pops up to Santiago in shallow right. Lind, with two quick outs. 0-2 count, ball one, 2-2 good at bat here, full count, strikes out, looks a little high inside from here, but an excellent at bat by Lind fouling off pitch after pitch. He (and Cito) will be pleased. Jays need his bat. 84 pitches. 18 pitch inning and Lind had most of them. That could important at bay by the 7th.
Bottom 5th: Sizemore leading off. 0-2 count. Pops up to Overbay. One down for Laird, bunting first pitch but right back to Romero, he will take that one throw to Overbay two down. Santiago, singles back up the middle, this time Romero cannot get it, under his glove. Worth, with two down. Full count. Santiago will be running and he has loads of speed singles to right and Santiago to third. Two on two down for Jackson. Same again singles to right, here comes Santiago and this one is tied up 2-2. Damon with two on. Singles to Wise in left and bases loaded. Mound conference here with coach Walton. Ordonez with bases loaded. Perfect grounds to Encarnacion at third steps on the base for the out. Could have been much worse Ricky but he has been struggling most of the game. 77 pitches.
Top 6th: Hill leading off, Jays hitters need to give Ricky some run support here. Bounces to Sizemore at third throw not in time Hill safe as he dives under the swipe tag. Overbay, Hill running , throw in time and on target, Hill out at second. Cito gamble did not pay off here. 1-2 count on Lyle. Strikes out looking. Two down. Buck, with two down. 0-2 count. Fly ball to centre right for the out. Not a good inning for Jays hitters. 94 pitches. Jays had their chance to see him out.
Bottom 6th: Does Romero have anything left? He has been pitching on the edge most of the game, that’s ok with a load of runs support but not with two. Cabrera, leading off. First pitch double to left centre wall ground rule double. One in scoring position. Come on Cito get that bullpen working. Raburn grounds to Overbay throw to Encarnacion to get Cabrera, great play by Overbay. One down for Sizemore. Lifts it to Escobar at short, two down one on for Laird, 3-0 count, come on Ricky. 3-1, high fly ball to left for Wise at the wall. Great inning for Jays. 86 pitches. Enough for another inning.
Top 7th: This should be Verlander’s last if Jays are patient. Encarnacion, grounds to shirt throw to first for the out, Encarnacion just jogging down to first there, have to hustle a bit more than that Edwin. Wise showing bunt, 0-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Escobar with two down. Hammers this to the left centre wall, going for three and great relay gets him. That hurts. But it took two perfect relays to get him. Sometimes have to take the chances. Cito would probably agree. 103 pitches.
Bottom 7th: Important for Ricky to hold Tigers here though. Santiago leading off. Bunting to Romero, throw to Overbay, one down. Worth one down. 3-0 count, ball four. One on one down. Jackson. 2-0 come on Ricky. Camp working in bullpen. 2-2, full count. Strikes him out, runner going and GREAT throw by Buck to get Wirth but home plate umpire also calls catcher interference. Bottom line is Ricky did what he had to and get out of the inning. 98 pitches. Tie game but Ricky has better record on pitches.
Top 8th: Bautista leading off. Verlander still out there. Leyland does not worry about pitch counts in Detroit. He already has three games this year over 120 pitches. 2-2 count. Pops up to Sizemore at third, one down for Wells, singles to centre, Lind who had such a great at bat last time, can he repeat it here? Perry and Thomas up in Tigers bullpen. Pops up to Jackson in centre, two down. Hill, Vernon running and Laird drops the ball, Vernon safe without a throw. Hill now 2-1 count and Vernon in scoring position. 2-2 count. Pops it up to Damon in left for third out. 120 pitches.
Bottom 8th: Romero coming out again. Ok Cito. This is another gamble in my book. Damon leading off. (especially with the experienced Damon) 3-0 count, there’s a strike. Ball four, Cito loses this one. Here he comes, one hitter too late Cito. Why oh why? Camp now in but with one on and no outs. Ordonez. first pitch singles to left, Damon to second. Two on. Cabrera, 1-1 count. 2-2 count. doubles to left, here comes Damon, Ordonez at third. 3-2 Tigers. Just like that this game is lost on one decision. Still no outs, Raburn, singles to centre, here comes Ordonez 4-2 Tigers. Cabrera to third, Sizemore grounds to Encarnacion, great play and throw to first to get Laird, one down, 1-2 count. Fly ball to Wells in centre, here comes Cabrera 5-2 Tigers. Two down. Santiago, 3-1 count. Full count. Strikes out looking.
Top 9th: Jays need three to tie. Jose Valverde pitching with three run cushion 19 saves. Overbay leading off. A good one to lead off here. 2-2 count. Strikes out. Buck, grounds to short, throw to first for the out. Encarnacion keeps it going, singles to left. Top of the order for Jays, one on two down. Wise. Two hit day triple and a single. Takes first two for strikes. Strikes out. Jays lose this one. Entertaining game (for seven) but gamble by manager backfired.
The good: ? Romero good and bad today. Helped a great deal by the double plays. Gold stars to Buck and Overbay for their offence. Lind the only one without a hit today but a great at bat with Verlander in the 5th inning.
Another good omen.. McCoy back on Jays roster, with Lewis, Escobar, Wise, and now McCoy all with great speed is this a sign of things to come from the new GM? It has already made huge difference at the top of the order. Starting to look like Tampa lineup. As far as I am concerned the more the better, speed kills everytime. Adds so much more to this Jays plodding offence. And I say that even with Escobar thrownout at third today, it took two perfect throws to get him and always puts more pressure on an opposing team.
The bad: The team as a whole. Jays let Verlander get off the hook early in the game first two innings second inning in particular. Jays 1/6 with runners in scoring position. Tigers 3/6 and therein the difference. Cito’s gamble with Romero in the eighth which did not work. Hill twice with his at bats, first inning particular with bases loaded but also in the seventh leaving Vernon at second. Escobar, Wise and Bautista failing with lead off triple at third.
Footnote: Mindful as we always are of replacing Cito in just over two months, Lou Pinella's announcement this week of retirement makes the Jays recruitment situation next year even more difficult, Cito, Bobby Cox and Pinella retiring makes the available pool smaller for the Jays.
Second consecutive midweek afternoon game. Tough series for Jays. They will need to be firing on all cylinders. Roster changes as said here yesterday Rzepczynski bought his ticket for Vegas with that outing. One less pitcher but recall of Mike McCoy tough on Travis. But Mike has more speed and can play several positions and gives more versatility over Travis.
The other issue of course is July 31 deadline, if they are moving a couple of roster players that will enable Travis to be recalled. And it also gives Cito longer to look at Encarnacion at third who had superb game two nights ago and probably delayed his departure.
Lineups: Jays: Wise, Escobar, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay Buck, Encarnacion. Lewis still out with that sprained ankle, but Escobar back in the lineup.
Tigers: Jackson, Damon, Ordonez, Cabrera, Raburn, Sizemore, Laird, Santiago, Wirth.
Pitching: Verlander v Romero.
Top 1st: Wise leading off lines hard to second but right at Santiago, one down for Escobar. Bunting but foul. Noisy crowd but there should be loads of Jays fans from across the border. Grounds to third throw to first two down for Bautista. Doubles down the left field line. One on and in scoring position for Wells. 2-2 count. Full count and ball four. Vernon in my opinion has been far more patient the last couple of games and has had much better results, three hits yesterday and a walk today. Lind, 2-0, with two on. Outside ball three. 3-1, Ball four and bases loaded for Hill. Just need a base hit here Aaron. Pops it up to short, head in the air. Hill leaves them loaded. After two consecutive walks, it needed a far more patient at bat by Hill. 25 pitch inning.
Bottom 1st: Jackson leading off, WHOA!!! Lines it right back at Romero, he has it, puts his glove up and it sticks, as he falls to the ground. What a reaction!!! Incredible play. That could have been so very dangerous. Ricky is a very athletic guy. Damon with one down. Pops it up to Wells in shallow centre. Ordonez gets hold of this one first pitch fly ball to Wells. Big outfield at Comerica Park. Great first inning for Romero but it would be good to give him some run support here.
Top 2nd: Overbay, where were you Lyle last inning, lines first pitch to right centre wall. He hit that one very hard. Buck, with Overbay in scoring position, hammers this one first pitch and this is out of here almost same location right centre, here comes Lyle, here comes Buck 2-0 Jays. Yes you can hear those Jays fans. Big crowd today. That was an opposite field home run, that was impressive power. Encarnacion grounds to third Sizemore, throw to first one down. Wise showing bunt. This is interesting lines it to right field corner, and Wise going for three, in safe with a triple. He can burn those bases. One down for Escobar. Grounds to third, Wise holds and throw to first for two down. Bautista, 2-2 count. Count full. Strikes out swinging. 41 pitches. Jays have had their chances for a lot more in the first two innings.
Bottom 2nd: Cabrera leading off. 3-1 count. Full count, lines it to Wells in centre, busy Vernon today. One down for Raburn, pops up to Wise in left, two down. I thought he was a ground ball pitcher !! 4 pop ups so far. Sizemore 2-0 count. Bounces to Escobar at short, throw to Overbay for third out. 21 pitches for Romero.
Top 3rd: Wells leading off. Pops it up to Sizemore at third, one down for Lind. 2-0 count, 3-0, full count, grounds back to Verlander, throw to first, two down for Hill. Doubles to the right centre wall, that’s what we needed last time Aaron. One in scoring position for Overbay now. Grounds to Santiago at second throw to Cabrera at first for third out. 55 pitches.
Bottom 3rd: Laird leading off. 2-2 count. Strikes out swinging. One down for Santiago, 2-1 count. 3-1, Ricky getting some of these pitches too high. Ball four. Worth, 2-1 count. VERY nice, lines it to Hill at second, quick throw to Overbay, double play ball. Very nice play by Hill. Gets Romero out of this inning, he was starting to struggle here. 41 pitches.
Top 4th: Buck leading off, not this time, strikes out swinging on three pitches. Encarnacion, lines to Jackson in centre, two down. Wise, singles into centre right. One on two down for Escobar, Wise running, fouls it off. 0-2 count, grounds to Worth at short, flip to second to get Wise. 66 pitches.
Bottom 4th: Jackson, grounds back to Romero, throw to Overbay one down. Damon doubles into right. There goes the no hitter. Ordonez with runner in scoring position. 3-0 count. Ball four. Ricky continues to struggle his last inning was rough until the double play rescued him. Cabrera singles first pitch to left, here comes Damon 2-1 Jays. Ordonez at third. Raburn with two on and one down. 0-2 count. OH yes….. strikes out ball gets away and here comes Ordonez, quick recovery by Buck and throw to third gets Ordonez as he retreats. Great and unusual l!!! double play. Heads up by Buck to see that happening and get Ordonez hung up. Jim Leyland must be tearing his hair out there. Tigers were getting on top there. 55 pitches.
Top 5th: Bautista off the end of his bat, Laird throw to first for the out. Wells, 2-0 count. Pops up to Santiago in shallow right. Lind, with two quick outs. 0-2 count, ball one, 2-2 good at bat here, full count, strikes out, looks a little high inside from here, but an excellent at bat by Lind fouling off pitch after pitch. He (and Cito) will be pleased. Jays need his bat. 84 pitches. 18 pitch inning and Lind had most of them. That could important at bay by the 7th.
Bottom 5th: Sizemore leading off. 0-2 count. Pops up to Overbay. One down for Laird, bunting first pitch but right back to Romero, he will take that one throw to Overbay two down. Santiago, singles back up the middle, this time Romero cannot get it, under his glove. Worth, with two down. Full count. Santiago will be running and he has loads of speed singles to right and Santiago to third. Two on two down for Jackson. Same again singles to right, here comes Santiago and this one is tied up 2-2. Damon with two on. Singles to Wise in left and bases loaded. Mound conference here with coach Walton. Ordonez with bases loaded. Perfect grounds to Encarnacion at third steps on the base for the out. Could have been much worse Ricky but he has been struggling most of the game. 77 pitches.
Top 6th: Hill leading off, Jays hitters need to give Ricky some run support here. Bounces to Sizemore at third throw not in time Hill safe as he dives under the swipe tag. Overbay, Hill running , throw in time and on target, Hill out at second. Cito gamble did not pay off here. 1-2 count on Lyle. Strikes out looking. Two down. Buck, with two down. 0-2 count. Fly ball to centre right for the out. Not a good inning for Jays hitters. 94 pitches. Jays had their chance to see him out.
Bottom 6th: Does Romero have anything left? He has been pitching on the edge most of the game, that’s ok with a load of runs support but not with two. Cabrera, leading off. First pitch double to left centre wall ground rule double. One in scoring position. Come on Cito get that bullpen working. Raburn grounds to Overbay throw to Encarnacion to get Cabrera, great play by Overbay. One down for Sizemore. Lifts it to Escobar at short, two down one on for Laird, 3-0 count, come on Ricky. 3-1, high fly ball to left for Wise at the wall. Great inning for Jays. 86 pitches. Enough for another inning.
Top 7th: This should be Verlander’s last if Jays are patient. Encarnacion, grounds to shirt throw to first for the out, Encarnacion just jogging down to first there, have to hustle a bit more than that Edwin. Wise showing bunt, 0-2 count. Strikes out swinging. Escobar with two down. Hammers this to the left centre wall, going for three and great relay gets him. That hurts. But it took two perfect relays to get him. Sometimes have to take the chances. Cito would probably agree. 103 pitches.
Bottom 7th: Important for Ricky to hold Tigers here though. Santiago leading off. Bunting to Romero, throw to Overbay, one down. Worth one down. 3-0 count, ball four. One on one down. Jackson. 2-0 come on Ricky. Camp working in bullpen. 2-2, full count. Strikes him out, runner going and GREAT throw by Buck to get Wirth but home plate umpire also calls catcher interference. Bottom line is Ricky did what he had to and get out of the inning. 98 pitches. Tie game but Ricky has better record on pitches.
Top 8th: Bautista leading off. Verlander still out there. Leyland does not worry about pitch counts in Detroit. He already has three games this year over 120 pitches. 2-2 count. Pops up to Sizemore at third, one down for Wells, singles to centre, Lind who had such a great at bat last time, can he repeat it here? Perry and Thomas up in Tigers bullpen. Pops up to Jackson in centre, two down. Hill, Vernon running and Laird drops the ball, Vernon safe without a throw. Hill now 2-1 count and Vernon in scoring position. 2-2 count. Pops it up to Damon in left for third out. 120 pitches.
Bottom 8th: Romero coming out again. Ok Cito. This is another gamble in my book. Damon leading off. (especially with the experienced Damon) 3-0 count, there’s a strike. Ball four, Cito loses this one. Here he comes, one hitter too late Cito. Why oh why? Camp now in but with one on and no outs. Ordonez. first pitch singles to left, Damon to second. Two on. Cabrera, 1-1 count. 2-2 count. doubles to left, here comes Damon, Ordonez at third. 3-2 Tigers. Just like that this game is lost on one decision. Still no outs, Raburn, singles to centre, here comes Ordonez 4-2 Tigers. Cabrera to third, Sizemore grounds to Encarnacion, great play and throw to first to get Laird, one down, 1-2 count. Fly ball to Wells in centre, here comes Cabrera 5-2 Tigers. Two down. Santiago, 3-1 count. Full count. Strikes out looking.
Top 9th: Jays need three to tie. Jose Valverde pitching with three run cushion 19 saves. Overbay leading off. A good one to lead off here. 2-2 count. Strikes out. Buck, grounds to short, throw to first for the out. Encarnacion keeps it going, singles to left. Top of the order for Jays, one on two down. Wise. Two hit day triple and a single. Takes first two for strikes. Strikes out. Jays lose this one. Entertaining game (for seven) but gamble by manager backfired.
The good: ? Romero good and bad today. Helped a great deal by the double plays. Gold stars to Buck and Overbay for their offence. Lind the only one without a hit today but a great at bat with Verlander in the 5th inning.
Another good omen.. McCoy back on Jays roster, with Lewis, Escobar, Wise, and now McCoy all with great speed is this a sign of things to come from the new GM? It has already made huge difference at the top of the order. Starting to look like Tampa lineup. As far as I am concerned the more the better, speed kills everytime. Adds so much more to this Jays plodding offence. And I say that even with Escobar thrownout at third today, it took two perfect throws to get him and always puts more pressure on an opposing team.
The bad: The team as a whole. Jays let Verlander get off the hook early in the game first two innings second inning in particular. Jays 1/6 with runners in scoring position. Tigers 3/6 and therein the difference. Cito’s gamble with Romero in the eighth which did not work. Hill twice with his at bats, first inning particular with bases loaded but also in the seventh leaving Vernon at second. Escobar, Wise and Bautista failing with lead off triple at third.
Footnote: Mindful as we always are of replacing Cito in just over two months, Lou Pinella's announcement this week of retirement makes the Jays recruitment situation next year even more difficult, Cito, Bobby Cox and Pinella retiring makes the available pool smaller for the Jays.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Greinke too good for this poor showing by Rzepczynski and the Jays.
Game three Series finale. Jays v Royals.
Jays coming off a great all round game last night, I hope they have something left for the series decider. Escobar still out although he was ready to go, had discomfort in batting practice and they are giving him another day.
Lineups: Jays: Lewis, McDonald, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Encarnacion, Molina.
Royals: Bloomquist, Aviles, Butler, Betemit, Guillen, Callaspo, Pena, Maier, Betancourt.
Pitching: Greinke v Rzepczynksi
Top 1st: Lewis leading off. Grounds to second, throw to first for the out. McDonald 2-2 strikes out. Two down for Bautista. Full count. Fly ball to left. Gets under it but almost to the wall in left centre. 16 pitches.
Bottom 1st: Bloomquist leading off. Grounds to Encarnacion at third, nice play and throw to Overbay for the out. Aviles, strikes out. Two down for Butler. Fly ball to Bautista in right to end the inning. 13 pitches.
Top 2nd: Wells leading off. 2-0 count, patience here from Vernon. Trying everything to get into a good hitting groove. This will do, singles up the middle. Lind, one on, thirteen game hit streak but still nowhere near 2009.Strikes out swinging high and away, awful he just can’t lay off them. Hill, great game last night, grounds to third, throw to first to get Hill but Aaron moved Vernon to second. Overbay with two down and one in scoring position.fly ball to centre for the out.
Bottom 2nd: Betemit leading off. 2-2 count, full count, bounces to McDonald at short, throw to Overbay for the first out. Guillen pops up to Hill backpedalling behind second to make the catch. Callaspo with two down. Loops it into shallow right no chance for Bautista. Pena one on two down. this is trouble. Doubles into right field corner. Two in scoring position. Maier, fly ball to Lewis in left for third out. 29 pitches.
Top 3rd: Encarnacion doubles to the right centre wall, continuing from last night’s hitting. If he continues this recent form it will delay Travis’ return. But of course trades will solve that issue. Rumours still swirling about almost everyone Molina, 0-2 count. strikes out swinging. Lewis, off the end of his bat to third, throw just in time to get him. Vernon to third. McDonald, can he bring in Edwin ? Yes indeed, doubles to left centre, just gets in at second to beat the throw. Encarnacion scores 1-0 Jays. Bautista with McDonald in scoring position. 2-2 and strikes out swinging. 49 pitches for Greinke. Jays want to get into that Royals bullpen again after last night.
Bottom 3rd: Betancourt leading off. 0-2 count, full count. lines it all the way to the right centre wall, Leadoff triple. Blomquist singles first pitch to shallow centre, here comes the run just like that 1-1. Aviles, runner going but fouls it off. 2-2, singles to left, two on no outs. Butler, lines it to Lewis in left, one down for Betemit, 3-1 count, don’t want to load them up here Marc. Ball four. Guillen with bases loaded and one down. 2-1 count, pops it up to Wells in shallow centre, 2-1 Royals two down for Callaspo, lines it to Lewis in left for the third out, could have been much worse, Jays will take the two. 58 pitches for Marc.
Top 4th: Jays need a big inning here. Wells leading off. Grounds to third good play by Callaspo to throw him out at first. One down for Lind. Grounds to second, throw to first, two down for Hill. 2-0 count. 2-2, count full, strikes out looking. Greinke fifth strikeout. Jays have to step it up against this guy. 60 pitches.
Bottom 4th: Pena leading off. Singles into centre. Maier first pitch fly ball to Wells in shallow centre, one down. Betancourt, 1-2 count. Fly ball to Wells in centre, hardly moved to get that one, two down for Bloomquist. 1-2 count. Strikes out. 76 pitches. Cito will need some long relief here.
Top 5th: Overbay pops up to third Callaspo, Encarnacion Betancourt at short throw to Butler at first for the out, Molina two out, full count. Grounds back at Greinke, throw to Butler at first for a very quick three up and down by Jays.
Bottom 5th: Aviles leading off. Here we go again, lines it to the wall in right centre lead off triple. Rzepczynksi not doing much today to convince Cito he should stay up here. Butler, doubles to the wall in left, 3-1 Royals. Eight hits already. Betemit, with runner at second and still no outs. Janssen working in bullpen. Betemit strikes out one down. Guillen, wild pitch runner to third, nothing going right for Rzepzcynski today. Lines it off the top of the wall in left centre, bounces back in. 4-1 Royals.Callaspo with runner at second, one down. Lines it right at McDonald. two down and here comes Cito, he has had enough, so have I. Rzepczynksi didn’t have anything today, nine hits off him and has probably sealed his fast return to Vegas. You don’t give Greinke of all pitchers a three run lead. Janssen in with two down and runner at second. Pena, 2-2- today. 0-2 count, pops it up behind third, drops in, here comes runner, 5-1 Royals. Maier, 1-2 count. It gets worse, there goes the runner Pena throw to second and ball goes into centre, all the way to third. Sloppy play now by the Jays. 2-2 count, strikes out, throw to first for the out. Jays look a mess all round here right now nothing like the intensity of last night so far at least.
Top 6th: Lewis leading off. Grienke only 72 pitches, He should easily go the distance at this rate. Cito has thrown in the white flag, Wise pinch hitting for Lewis. Pops up to second, one down. McDonald, has the only Jays run today, that says it all. Strikes out swinging, two down. Bautista, first pitch swinging grounds to second throw to first for third out, three up and down and eight pitch inning. Jays are on the plane already.
Bottom 6th: Betancourt pops up to McDonald at short, one down, Bloomquist, bounces one for Janssen nice play to throw to Overbay for out number two. Aviles grounds first pitch to Encarnacion throw to Overbay. Royals want out as well now I don’t think it is Janssen’s pitching.
Top 7th: Wells leading off singles to centre. Lind strikes out. Hill singles to left, Wells to second. Two on one down. Overbay, singles to right, here comes Wells, 5-2 Royals. Hill to third. Encarnacion grounds to Betancourt on to Aviles to Butler, double play ball. Jays shoot themselves in the foot yet again and just when we were starting to see a different Encarnacion.
Bottom 7th: Butler, pops up to Wells in centre, one down. Betemit, strikes out. Two down for Guillen, high pop up to Wells.
Top 8th: Six more outs to get three runs. Greinke on 96 pitches. Molina, 0-2 count. Strikes out, number eight. Wise, lines first pitch it to left for out number two. McDonald, bunting but foul, 2-2 count. strike three looking.
Bottom 8th: Yankees and Tampa have already won so it looks as if Jays fall back yet again, very disappointing result after last night. Purcey pitching, Callaspo leading off. Fly ball to Bautista in right, one down. Pena strikes out. Maier grounds to Hill throw to Overbay for third out. Three up and down but Royals hitters are finished for the day.
Top 9th: Soria now pitching, good luck against this guy, just happens to be the best closer (with Texas Felix) at 25 saves. Bautista grounds to first one down for Wells, singles to left centre, Lind, 0-2 count, singles to right, Vernon all the way to third. Hill with two on, tying run Aaron !!!! we dream. 2-0 count. 2-2 and strikes out swinging. Overbay last hope for any fight back here. 1-2 count. Grounds to second, throw to first for final out. Very disappointing performance by the Jays today.
The good: ? sorry not much today but perhaps Wells with a three hit day. We have been waiting a long time for Vernon to break out and if nothing else from today that will be worth something. But to lose a series in Kansas after sweeping in Baltimore is huge disappointment.
The bad: All round poor effort by pitcher and hitters. After last night’s game it looked like a different team and no energy or life spirit. Definitely no intensity. 2/9 with runnesr in scoring position.
Now to Detroit for four and you know that will be a very tough series.
Jays coming off a great all round game last night, I hope they have something left for the series decider. Escobar still out although he was ready to go, had discomfort in batting practice and they are giving him another day.
Lineups: Jays: Lewis, McDonald, Bautista, Wells, Lind, Hill, Overbay, Encarnacion, Molina.
Royals: Bloomquist, Aviles, Butler, Betemit, Guillen, Callaspo, Pena, Maier, Betancourt.
Pitching: Greinke v Rzepczynksi
Top 1st: Lewis leading off. Grounds to second, throw to first for the out. McDonald 2-2 strikes out. Two down for Bautista. Full count. Fly ball to left. Gets under it but almost to the wall in left centre. 16 pitches.
Bottom 1st: Bloomquist leading off. Grounds to Encarnacion at third, nice play and throw to Overbay for the out. Aviles, strikes out. Two down for Butler. Fly ball to Bautista in right to end the inning. 13 pitches.
Top 2nd: Wells leading off. 2-0 count, patience here from Vernon. Trying everything to get into a good hitting groove. This will do, singles up the middle. Lind, one on, thirteen game hit streak but still nowhere near 2009.Strikes out swinging high and away, awful he just can’t lay off them. Hill, great game last night, grounds to third, throw to first to get Hill but Aaron moved Vernon to second. Overbay with two down and one in scoring position.fly ball to centre for the out.
Bottom 2nd: Betemit leading off. 2-2 count, full count, bounces to McDonald at short, throw to Overbay for the first out. Guillen pops up to Hill backpedalling behind second to make the catch. Callaspo with two down. Loops it into shallow right no chance for Bautista. Pena one on two down. this is trouble. Doubles into right field corner. Two in scoring position. Maier, fly ball to Lewis in left for third out. 29 pitches.
Top 3rd: Encarnacion doubles to the right centre wall, continuing from last night’s hitting. If he continues this recent form it will delay Travis’ return. But of course trades will solve that issue. Rumours still swirling about almost everyone Molina, 0-2 count. strikes out swinging. Lewis, off the end of his bat to third, throw just in time to get him. Vernon to third. McDonald, can he bring in Edwin ? Yes indeed, doubles to left centre, just gets in at second to beat the throw. Encarnacion scores 1-0 Jays. Bautista with McDonald in scoring position. 2-2 and strikes out swinging. 49 pitches for Greinke. Jays want to get into that Royals bullpen again after last night.
Bottom 3rd: Betancourt leading off. 0-2 count, full count. lines it all the way to the right centre wall, Leadoff triple. Blomquist singles first pitch to shallow centre, here comes the run just like that 1-1. Aviles, runner going but fouls it off. 2-2, singles to left, two on no outs. Butler, lines it to Lewis in left, one down for Betemit, 3-1 count, don’t want to load them up here Marc. Ball four. Guillen with bases loaded and one down. 2-1 count, pops it up to Wells in shallow centre, 2-1 Royals two down for Callaspo, lines it to Lewis in left for the third out, could have been much worse, Jays will take the two. 58 pitches for Marc.
Top 4th: Jays need a big inning here. Wells leading off. Grounds to third good play by Callaspo to throw him out at first. One down for Lind. Grounds to second, throw to first, two down for Hill. 2-0 count. 2-2, count full, strikes out looking. Greinke fifth strikeout. Jays have to step it up against this guy. 60 pitches.
Bottom 4th: Pena leading off. Singles into centre. Maier first pitch fly ball to Wells in shallow centre, one down. Betancourt, 1-2 count. Fly ball to Wells in centre, hardly moved to get that one, two down for Bloomquist. 1-2 count. Strikes out. 76 pitches. Cito will need some long relief here.
Top 5th: Overbay pops up to third Callaspo, Encarnacion Betancourt at short throw to Butler at first for the out, Molina two out, full count. Grounds back at Greinke, throw to Butler at first for a very quick three up and down by Jays.
Bottom 5th: Aviles leading off. Here we go again, lines it to the wall in right centre lead off triple. Rzepczynksi not doing much today to convince Cito he should stay up here. Butler, doubles to the wall in left, 3-1 Royals. Eight hits already. Betemit, with runner at second and still no outs. Janssen working in bullpen. Betemit strikes out one down. Guillen, wild pitch runner to third, nothing going right for Rzepzcynski today. Lines it off the top of the wall in left centre, bounces back in. 4-1 Royals.Callaspo with runner at second, one down. Lines it right at McDonald. two down and here comes Cito, he has had enough, so have I. Rzepczynksi didn’t have anything today, nine hits off him and has probably sealed his fast return to Vegas. You don’t give Greinke of all pitchers a three run lead. Janssen in with two down and runner at second. Pena, 2-2- today. 0-2 count, pops it up behind third, drops in, here comes runner, 5-1 Royals. Maier, 1-2 count. It gets worse, there goes the runner Pena throw to second and ball goes into centre, all the way to third. Sloppy play now by the Jays. 2-2 count, strikes out, throw to first for the out. Jays look a mess all round here right now nothing like the intensity of last night so far at least.
Top 6th: Lewis leading off. Grienke only 72 pitches, He should easily go the distance at this rate. Cito has thrown in the white flag, Wise pinch hitting for Lewis. Pops up to second, one down. McDonald, has the only Jays run today, that says it all. Strikes out swinging, two down. Bautista, first pitch swinging grounds to second throw to first for third out, three up and down and eight pitch inning. Jays are on the plane already.
Bottom 6th: Betancourt pops up to McDonald at short, one down, Bloomquist, bounces one for Janssen nice play to throw to Overbay for out number two. Aviles grounds first pitch to Encarnacion throw to Overbay. Royals want out as well now I don’t think it is Janssen’s pitching.
Top 7th: Wells leading off singles to centre. Lind strikes out. Hill singles to left, Wells to second. Two on one down. Overbay, singles to right, here comes Wells, 5-2 Royals. Hill to third. Encarnacion grounds to Betancourt on to Aviles to Butler, double play ball. Jays shoot themselves in the foot yet again and just when we were starting to see a different Encarnacion.
Bottom 7th: Butler, pops up to Wells in centre, one down. Betemit, strikes out. Two down for Guillen, high pop up to Wells.
Top 8th: Six more outs to get three runs. Greinke on 96 pitches. Molina, 0-2 count. Strikes out, number eight. Wise, lines first pitch it to left for out number two. McDonald, bunting but foul, 2-2 count. strike three looking.
Bottom 8th: Yankees and Tampa have already won so it looks as if Jays fall back yet again, very disappointing result after last night. Purcey pitching, Callaspo leading off. Fly ball to Bautista in right, one down. Pena strikes out. Maier grounds to Hill throw to Overbay for third out. Three up and down but Royals hitters are finished for the day.
Top 9th: Soria now pitching, good luck against this guy, just happens to be the best closer (with Texas Felix) at 25 saves. Bautista grounds to first one down for Wells, singles to left centre, Lind, 0-2 count, singles to right, Vernon all the way to third. Hill with two on, tying run Aaron !!!! we dream. 2-0 count. 2-2 and strikes out swinging. Overbay last hope for any fight back here. 1-2 count. Grounds to second, throw to first for final out. Very disappointing performance by the Jays today.
The good: ? sorry not much today but perhaps Wells with a three hit day. We have been waiting a long time for Vernon to break out and if nothing else from today that will be worth something. But to lose a series in Kansas after sweeping in Baltimore is huge disappointment.
The bad: All round poor effort by pitcher and hitters. After last night’s game it looked like a different team and no energy or life spirit. Definitely no intensity. 2/9 with runnesr in scoring position.
Now to Detroit for four and you know that will be a very tough series.
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