Jays win streak ends at four with lethargic performance and 6-3 loss

Indians v Jays. Game two of three.
Morrow v Talbot.

Line-ups: Indians: Brantley, A. Cabrera, Choo, Buck, Santana, Sizemore, O. Cabrera, LaPorta, Hannahan and Talbot pitching.
Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Rivera, Arencibia, Hill, Thames, Davis, Nix and Morrow pitching.

Jays lose this one 6-3 and the score flatters them as they were losing 6-0 until the last few innings.
Brantley and Santana both had three hits as Indians hit twelve. But they included six doubles and a triple in that listing and no wonder it always seemed that someone was in scoring position, they were !

Jays themselves had ten hits, but not successfully in scoring position (2-7), as they did so well in the series opener. Bautista with three hits but all singles tonight and all to right field, Escobar and Hill each had two. Escobar includes his home run in that total along with three walks which in itself is good to see for his leadoff position.

This was one horrible game for a variety of reasons. There was no life at all, Jays players sleepwalking through the first few innings but by then it was all over.
Yes Escobar did get on base all night but it was the two plays that he didn’t do that stick in my mind. One the failure to go to second for the throw by Arencibia. JP had to wait until Escobar realised he had a play and by then it was too late.

Another play in the fifth inning when he was on first and the ball bounces away from the catcher, he hardly moved let alone try to take second. Most players are already set up on the grass before the pitch and ready to go on a wild pitch, not Yunel. Two plays later and a double play ends the inning. Does not get my star tonight.
Ditto Arencibia and the hitting let alone the defensive dropped ball on relay that had the runner dead halfway down from third. That was huge as it lead to run scoring here and the difference in the game tonight. On his hitting he had a clueless night, first pitch out and two call strikeouts, unable to select he right pitch. Yes his first year in the majors but they were still poor plays.

For the rest, Bautista does his usual and what I liked with his three singles tonight was that they were all to opposite field. Still far too much pressure on the guy to win every game for the team. Others have to pick up the slack and on a consistent basis not just one or two games.

The other weird play, to many fans at the game at least, pinch hitting by Encarnacion in the ninth of all people. Sure matchups and patterns but this is Encarnacion we are talking about, predictably the fly ball out even though it went to the wall, the objective was to get on base and move Bautista over.

It was a very hot and humid day on Toronto today and the mugginess obviously transferred to Jays as lethargic is the only word to describe their performances’ tonight. They seemed to forget that this was Cleveland and one only had to look at the line-up on the score board to see the six players with more than 20 RBIs and the homerun production by every single player I the starting line-up. His is not a team to take lightly and I fear Jays did just that to start with and by the third it was too late to wake up, Despite getting three back, the fifth inning three runs for Indians were the key.

Morrow nine strikeouts, on the stats column look good but they hid the first three hits two doubles and a home run. He was hit around big time tonight despite the nine strikeouts, and of course with the strikeouts came deep counts and he was gone by the sixth.

No energy and it showed the total lack of attempted stolen bases let alone succeeding. If you have speed on the bases surely it should be used.
Along with the miserable night at Rogers Center was that no sooner had the news been heard that long awaited call-up Brett Lawrie would be with big team in Baltimore on Friday than he was hit on the left hand in the first inning of the game in Vegas and taken out of the game.

At the time of writing this, the latest is a tweet from Lawrie “pls be bruised”. Jays have long history of hand injuries and the lengthy rehab time, it would be so very cruel to deny Lawrie his chance after he has worked so hard for it.
Evidently Adam Lind is also scheduled for return on the road in Baltimore. Fans are for an interesting weekend.

Reyes wins Jays first complete game this season behind power hitting

Indians v Jays. Game one of three.

Very tough series for the Jays 31 -19 Indians. Very tough game for Reyes, this could be a blow out for JoJo. However what I really liked about yesterday’s blowout against the White Sox was the contribution by Hill, Encarnacion and Nix who had provided little to date for the team. Great to see someone and especially all three of them take some pressure off Bautista for a change. Tonight Reyes needs all of them to help him, this is one tough opponent.

Line-ups: Indians: Brantley, Asdrubel Cabrera, Choo, Duncan, Orlando Cabrera, Santana, LaPorta, Kearns, Hannahan and Carmona pitching.

Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Rivera, Arencibia, Hill, Thames, Davis, Nix and Reyes pitching.

Top 1st: Brantley, singles to Patterson in left, Asdrubel Cabrera, perfect grounds to Nix, throw to Hill over to Rivera, double play ball. Nice. Choo, grounds to Hill throw to Rivera, for third out. Five pitches. Very nice. It is time that the Jays team gave JoJo some help after blowing four of his quality starts. And they know that. He needs their help.

Bottom 1st: Escobar, fly ball to centre, one down. Patterson, powers it to second, great catch by Cabrera, robs Corey of a hit there. Bautista, two down. Lines it back up the middle. One on two down. Rivera, strikes out swinging.

Top 2nd: Duncan, grounds to Nix at third, tough throw by Nix, to Rivera not in time. Runner safe. Orlando Cabrera, singles back up the middle past diving Escobar. Two on for Santana, fly ball to Davis in centre, one down. LaPorta, fly ball to Bautista in right, two down, Duncan moves to third on play. Kearns, two down two on. 1-2 count, very nice JoJo strikes him out to end this one.

Bottom 2nd: Jays need to give Reyes some run support here. It is fine giving Romero a six spot, he probably does not need it but Reyes definitely does. Arencibia, strikes out swinging, one down for Hill, grounds to third, throw to first, two down for Thames. (First pitch) grounds to first for the out. Nine pitch inning for Carmona. Thames has to be far more patient.

Top 3rd: Hannahan, 2-2 count, pops up to Patterson to left, one down for Brantley, 3-1 ball four, one on one down for Asdrubel Cabrera, grounds back to Reyes, throw to Hill on to Rivera, another double play. Second started by Cabrera but Reyes does not mind.

Bottom 3rd: Davis hammers this on at third off the glove for a leadoff double, Nix. Will Davis steal? 2-0 count, 2-2 Nix just misses home run to left. BUT no doubt about this one, hammers it into left second deck home run, 2-0 Jays. Escobar singles into right, Patterson, grounds to short to the bag over to first double play ball. Bautista now with nobody on, and two down. 3-0 count, keeping it away from Jose. Ball four, another walk for Jose number 46 in 51 games. Rivera, 2-2 count, grounds to short, throw to second to get Bautista.

Top 4th: Choo, strikes out looking, nice pitch JoJo. One down for Duncan, WOW gets hold of this one, into fifth deck, bounces back into the field. 2-1 Jays. Cabrera, 2-2 lines it to Patterson in left, two down. Santana, 3-0 count, ball four. LaPorta pops up to Rivera coming across in front of the mound for third out.

Bottom 4th: Arencibia singles into left. Hill, 3-1 count, full count, hits Hill on elbow. Two on for Thames nobody out. Is he bunting? No. 2-0, way outside. Pitching coach out there. Singles in to left, Arencibia held at third. Bases loaded for Davis. Perfect, Rajai doubles into left corner, here comes Arencibia, here comes Hill, 4-1 Jays. Nix with two in scoring position, nobody out. Strikes out swinging. Top of the order one down. Escobar 2-0 count, way outside 3-1. Full count, ball four to load the bases. Patterson, Ohhhhhh grounds to Cabrera at second, here comes one Thames, Cabrera bobbles the ball and here comes Davis never stopped running 6-1 Jays. SPEED. Should have been double play. Bautista with two on one down. 2-2 count. Full count. WHOA!!!! Jose doubles to opposite field here comes Escobar, here comes Patterson, 8-1 Jays. Rivera grounds to third, throw to first Rivera out, Bautista going to third safe on Arencibia drives to left wall here comes Bautista, 9-1 Jays. Hill with runner at second, grounds to third throw to first for third out.

Top 5th: Kearns, full count, outside, ball four. One on for Hannahan singles to centre, two on but nobody out, come on Jo Jo. Brantley, 2-0 count, perfect grounds to Hill to Escobar over to Rivera, double play ball. Two down one on. Cabrera, bounces to Escobar throw to Rivera for third out.

Bottom 5th: New pitcher for Indians Chad Durbin, Thames singles into centre. Davis, Perfect, grounds off Durbin and both runners safe. Love it. Nix, pops up to first, one own. Escobar, 2-2 count, wow even broken bat brings in a run, singles into right, here comes Thames 10-1 Jays. Two on for Patterson. Davis at third. Fly ball to Kearns in left, here comes Davis, 11-1 Jays. Bautista two down one on, grounds to second throw to bag for third out.

Top 6th: Choo singles into right. Duncan, fly ball to Bautista, one down. Cabrera, pops up to Patterson in shallow left two down. Santana, grounds to Nix throw to second to get Choo and final out.

Bottom 6th: Rivera, lines to Kearns in left, one down. Arencibia, fly ball to Choo in right, two down. Hill, grounds to third, throw to first to end the inning. Three up and down for Jays.

Top 7th: LaPorta, pops up to Arencibia, Kearns, strikes out swinging, two down. Hannahan lines it to Davis in centre.

Bottom 7th: Rafael Perez now pitching. Thames leading off. Bounces to Cabrera at second throw to first to get Thames. Davis, pops up to first, two down. Nix, doubles to the wall in left. Good to see Jayson on fire again. Escobar now can he bring him in? Grounds to short, throw to first to tag Escobar as he goes by.

Top 8th: Brantley, 3-0 count, ball four, JoJo tiring here. Cabrera, fly ball to Patterson in left. Choo, grounds to Rivera at first tags runner out, two down. Duncan, 2-2 count, lines to Patterson in left for third out.

Bottom 8th: Patterson, grounds back to Perez, throw to first one down McCoy pinch hitting for Bautista, pops up to right, two down. Rivera the only starter without a hit tonight. Pops up to shallow centre for third out.

Top 9th: Cabrera grounds to Nix, long throw to Rivera tags him out, one down for Santana, full count, grounds to Nix long throw not in time one on, one down for LaPorta, pops up to Arencibia, two down. Kearns, singles to right, two on two down. Hannahan 115 pitch count. 0-2 count, strikes out, well deserved win for JoJo. This could have gone the other way 11-1 and not many fans would have been surprised.

Awesome: JoJo Reyes, not that he won, but that he beat the Indians a team with 31-19 record. Yes he had run support, but he still kept the Indians with the best record in the AL to one run tonight. That IS awesome pitching. And not least he broke that awful run of 28 games without a win but many of those were no-decisions which could have been his wins without the bullpen ruining it for him.

The very good; Jayson Nix home run, Bautista hits in the first to get it going back up the middle and especially the one to opposite field to bring in two. Jose does it all even without hitting the home runs. The bottom of the order, Davis heads up running. But this was an all-round team effort to support Reyes, a well deserved win.

The not so good: Are you kidding, not tonight.

Noteworthy: Green Jay wins the Budweiser baseball trivia contest on Sunday at Rogers Centre, way to go Jessica.

Did anybody note that ex-Jays Brandon League has 14 ??? saves for the Mariners... wow, we miss you Brandon

Jays hammer White Sox with Hill and Encarnacion home runs behind great outing by Romero.

White Sox v Jays, Game four series final game four.

Jays going for series win after long 14 inning game yesterday.

White Sox: Pierre, Ramirez, Quentin, Konerko, Rios, Dunn, Castro, Lillibridge, Morel and Danks pitching.

Jays line-up: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Rivera, Arencibia, Hill, Encarnacion, Davis, Nix and Romero pitching.

Top 1st: Pierre leading off ball to fly ball to Patterson in left. Ramirez, hammers it to left but great diving catch by Nix. Off his feet great catch, saves a double. Quentin. OH no, hammer s this one to left home run to hits the second deck concrete, 1-0 White Sox. Konerko, full count, come on Ricky. Grounds to Escobar throw to Rivera tags Konerko for third out.

Bottom 1st: Escobar, 2-2 count, singles back up the middle. Patterson five hit day yesterday, singles to right, Escobar to third, déjà vu again??? Bautista. Chin music first pitch. That will do Jose singles into left, here comes Escobar, 1-1 game. Runners at first and second still nobody out. Rivera, hanging in here fouling them off, strikes out swinging but great at bat. Arencibia, full count pitch number 31 already. Ball four. Bases loaded for Hill. Here comes the pitching coach, no doubt about that message, one way speech there. Now Aaron big chance here, THERE we go Aaron hammers this into left field over the fence, 5-1 Jays, his first career grand slam. And first for Jays this season. Encarnacion, 3-1 and this one is out of here into left, crazy game. His first of the season, long overdue first of the season, back to back. 6-1 Jays. Davis grounds to third, throw to first two down. Nix he needs a hit now. 0-22 right now. That will do Jayson, singles into centre, crowd like this they know he has been hitless. Escobar again, grounds to short, throw to second to finally end the inning. 51 pitch inning wow. How come Jo Jo Reyes never gets this type of run support?

Top 2nd: Rios pops up to Bautista in right, crowd loves that as well. Dunn, shift right, full count, ball four low and away he didn’t bite, Castro, singles into right, two on for Lillibridge, not the guy Romero needs at the plate. Hammers this to the wall, and Davis tremendous great over the shoulder catch. Two down for Morel. Fly ball to Patterson for third out.

Bottom 2nd: Patterson lines to Rios in centre, one down. Bautista, gets under this fly ball to left, two down. Rivera, 3-1 count, hammers it to left, Pierre makes the mistake going for it gets away to the wall Rivera risking three and out on the relay throw that was definitely a dumb play. He is by no stretch a fast runner. Take the double Juan.

Top 3rd: Pierre singles into left. Ramirez, there goes Pierre no throw by Arencibia, strikes out. One down for Quentin. 3-0 count. full count, grounds to Escobar, Pierre goes back and throw to Rivera for second out. Konerko, singles into left here comes Pierre, 6-2 Jays. Rios, two down runner at first. Fly ball to right centre, Davis makes the catch in front of Bautista. Whoa.

Bottom 3rd: Arencibia, full count fly ball to left, one down for Hill, first pitch fly ball to Pierre, two quick outs, these guys never learn. Encarnacion second pitch fly ball to right. I rest my case. Danks should be shell-shocked after the first, don’t let him settle with this undisciplined hitting. Take him all the way every at bat and get into the bullpen early.

Top 4th: Dunn, strikes out swinging. Castro, strikes out swinging, two down. Lillibridge, strikes out swinging. Ricky best inning so far.

Bottom 4th: Let’s hope Jays hitters can do some more damage now. Davis, ouch hits him on the hip, that will hurt, however Danks you will be paid back now. Nix, grounds to third, Davis to second, he will be stealing third. Escobar, there he goes first pitch, take that Mr. Danks. Don’t hit me again. Steal of third number seven for Rajai. Still only one out. 2-2 count, singles into right, 7-2 game, don’t hit me Mr. Danks. Patterson, WHOA good bye ball, drives it over the right field fence, home run Patterson,9-2 Jays. Bautista. 3-1 not getting anything to hit here. There’s a strike full count, Pops it up a mile high to short. Two down. Jose has some words with Danks as he runs. What is that about? Rivera, pops up to Konerko for third out.

Top 5th: Morel lines it to wall in left, Paterson off the wall great throw to keep Morel at first. Pierre first pitch fly ball to Patterson in left, one down for Ramirez. GREAT play drives it to Hill, leaping catch and throw to first double play ball, Nice play Aaron.

Bottom 5th: No more Danks. Lucas Harrell now pitching. Arencibia, strikes out looking, one down for Hill, bounces to short, throw to first, two down. Encarnacion, loops it over short into left. Davis, bounces to third, Davis outruns the throw. Speed. Nix, singles into left, here comes Encarnacion and right behind him speedster Davis can that guy fly. 11-2 Jays and even better, a second hit for Nix plus two RBIs, let’s hope he is back in the groove. After that long drought. Nix at second on the throw. Escobar, 3-1 count, ball four, two on for Patterson. 2-0 count, singles to right, here comes Nix, 12-2 Jays. Bautista with two on. 2-2 count, full count, will he pitch to him or walk. Chases ball four. A little too eager there Jose. Leaves two on.

Top 6th: Thames now in right for Bautista, give Jose a rest. Quentin leading off. Full count, ball four. One on for Konerko, singles to right centre, two on for Rios and nobody out.0-2 count, pops up to Hill in shallow right. One down for Dunn, strikes out swinging, strikeout number five, two down. Castro grounds up the middle but great stop by Escobar turns and throw to Hill to get Konerko and rescue Romero.

Bottom 6th: Rivera lines to left, safe at second. Arencibia singles to centre, Rivera scores 13-2. Hill, grounds to second, throw to first to get Hill. One down. Runner move up. Encarnacion, singles to left, Arencibia at third. Davis, grounds to second throw to Ramirez on to first and get Davis in double play.

Top 7th: McCoy in for Escobar at shirt, Lillibridge first pitch fly ball to Patterson in left, one down for Morel. First pitch grounds to McCoy throw to Rivera, two down. Pierre, grounds to Rivera, slides into the bag to beat Pierre. 107 pitch count for Romero, could be his last inning.

Bottom 7th: Nix lines first pitch to Pierre in left, one down. McCoy, grounds to third, throw to first, two down. Patterson, singles to right centre, Thames, full count, drives it to Pierre in left to end the inning.

Top 8th: Casey Janssen now pitching. Ramirez leading off. Strikes out looking, does not like the call. Quentin, full count, drives it to Thames in right. McPherson for Konerko, strikes out swinging. Nice job Casey.

Bottom 8th: Rivera lines it to Quentin on right, great catch by Quentin sliding into the wall. All-out effort there despite the runaway score. Arencibia singles first pitch back up the middle. Hill pops up to second first pitch, two down. Encarnacion, grounds to third, throw to second to get Arencibia.

Top 9th: Camp to finish this one off. Rios hopefully for the last time, doubles into left, Dunn, 3-0 count, come on Shawn, full count, grounds to Hill, throw to Rivera with Rios to third on the play. One down one on for Castro, first pitch into left field seats 13-4 game. White Sox going down fighting. Lillibridge, doubles first pitch into left, Camp rough outing here. Morel pops up first pitch to Rivera, two down for Pierre. Lines it to Patterson for third out. Jays win big.

The very good: Hill first home run of season, grand slam and his career first. Edwin finally a home run. And Nix his first hit since the DL. Great first inning. Great defence by Nix and Davis both saving runs. Hill fielding double play in fifth. Jays season high 17 hit game.

Not so good: Running error by Rivera trying to stretch double into a triple. Delusion on his own speed. Still too many wild swings but picky, picky today, lets celebrate win number three in a row.

Can they give JoJo Reyes lots of runs tomorrow and help him get his first win?

Jays win thriller with Patterson walk off home run in the 14th

Jays v White Sox. Game three of four.

White Sox: Pierre, Ramirez, Dunn, Konerko, Pierzynski, Rios, Vizquel, Lillibridge,
Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Rivera, Hill, Davis, Thames, Molina, Nix and Villanueva pitching his second game starting for Litsch.

Top 1st: Pierre fly ball to Bautista in right, dangerous out. Ramirez doubles to left. One on one down for Dunn having a lousy series here, grounds to first base Rivera throw to Villanueva, Ramirez to third. Dunn did his job here. Konerko count ball four, two on for Pierzynski, lines to short Escobar.
Bottom 1st: Escobar, I like this ball four leadoff walk. Yunel this is exactly what you should be doing, patience as leadoff and see some pitches for the guys behind you. Gold star today. Here we go Patterson singles to centre, Escobar to second. Set the table for Jose. YES JOSE de man,…… hammers this one to left over the fences, no doubt about that as soon as he hit, classic Jose home run. Number 20 on the season and they are off and running 3-0 game. WOW without an out. Rivera grounds up the middle and safe on the throw the hit parade continues. Hill, big chance Aaron keep the line moving. Not this time fly ball to right field Lillibridge. First out. Davis pops up to catcher Pierzynski. Two down for Thames fly ball to right field Lillibridge. Rivera left stranded but Jays are on the board big-time. 3-0 Jays.

Top 2nd: Fans favourite visitor, Alex Rios. Welcomed with the usual boos. Whoa, doubles to left. That’s not good. Vizquel, strikes out. Rios stays at second, one down for Lillibridge. Wild pitch, oh boy Jays bugbear once again, Rios to third. It doesn’t matter, this one is out of here, Lillibridge connects and over the fences in left. 3-2 game just like that. Morel singles to right. Villanueva not as sharp this time out. Top of the order again. Pierre, bunting to Nix throw to Rivera gets him, two down Morel to second. Ramirez, singles to left here comers Morel and just like that the 3-0 lead has gone. Ramirez at second two down for Dunn, strikes out. 3-3 game
Bottom 2nd: Molina pops up to right field Lillibridge, one down for Nix, strikes out. Is Nix ever in a slump. Escobar grounds to third base Morel throw to Konerko. Three up and down inning for Jays.

Top 3rd: Can Villanueva regroup here ? Konerko grounds to third base Nix throw to first base Rivera. One down. Pierzynski grounds to second base Hill throw to Rivera at first two down. Boo birds are at it again must be Rios, grounds to third base Nix throw to first base Rivera. Much better inning for Villanueva.
Bottom 3rd: Patterson leading off, grounds to third, beats out the throw. Bautista with one on, singles to right, Patterson to second. Rivera two on nobody out, fly ball centre field Rios. Hill, there we go Aaron doubles to left, here comes Patterson here comes Jose and Jays go out ahead again 5-3. Davis with runner in scoring position at second strikes out. Two down for Thames, strikes out. Jays get two more but honestly runners in scoring position continues to be their bugbear. They should get some lessons from the AAA Vegas hitters, at least they seem to be getting it which in the long run will be better for the first team when they arrive.

Top 4th: Vizquel leading off, strikes out. Lillibridge, strikes out. Villanueva mowing them down here. Two down for Morel grounds to Rivera takes it himself for third out. Nice inning for Villanueva. Every inning is worth it whilst he fills in.
Bottom 4th: Molina leading off, singles to centre. Nix, grounds to third base Morel throw to Vizquel at second to get the force on Molina. One down one on for top of the order. Escobar, grounds to short on to Vizquel at second throw to Konerko at first double play ball.

Top 5th: Top of the order for White Sox. Pierre grounds to Hill, error on Hill, as Pierre is safe at first. Ramirez grounds to Nix throw to first base Rivera, Pierre to second. Dunn, oh boy singles to centre, here comes Pierre, 5-4 Jays. Konerko doubles to right, Dunn to third. Pierzynski with runner at second, this will do, doubles to Bautista in right, here comes Dunn, here comes Konerko, 6-5 White Sox. Still only one out and runner in scoring position. Rios pops up to first base Rivera. Two down. Vizquel pops up to Escobar for third out but White Sox have the lead.
Bottom 5th: Patterson leading off singles to centre. Bautista, strikes out. Rivera grounds to short Ramirez, throw to second base Vizquel on to Konerko at first double play ball.

Top 6th: Camp now pitching. Villanueva could not hold the lead but we have to remember this guy is long relief not a starter and he has kept the game close which is all we can ask from him. Lillibridge, Camp hits him. Not quite the start he had in mind. Morel grounds to Escobar throw to first base Rivera, Lillibridge to second. Top of the order, Pierre grounds back to pitcher Camp, on to first base Rivera. Two down. Ramirez grounds to Nix throw to Rivera for third out.
Bottom 6th: Hill grounds to third base Morel throw to first base Konerko. One down for Davis, strikes out. Thames strikes out. Quick three up and down for the Jays.

Top 7th: Rzepczynski now pitching. Dunn grounds to third base Nix throw to first base Rivera. Konerko, 3-0 and ball four, walks on four pitches. Pierzynski that’s much better grounds to Hill throw to Escobar over to first base Rivera to get Konerko, double play ball to end this one.
Bottom 7th: Molina leading off singles to centre. He has been consistent with his hits. Oh boy, Encarnacion pinch-hitting for Nix. Strikes out. Could have been worse a double play. Escobar fly ball to right field Lillibridge. Thornton now pitching. Patterson singles to right, Molina to third. That’s it for Thornton, did not quite do his job. Jesse Crain now pitching. Bautista ball four, Patterson to second. Bases loaded for Rivera. That will do it great hit by Rivera doubles to left, here comes Molina, here comes Patterson and Bautista right behind him, clears the bases and Jay retake the lead. 8-6 Jays this game is making me giddy with all the lead changes. Hill with Rivera at second, fly ball to left field Pierre. But Jays are back with the lead.

Top 8th: McCoy in for Nix at third base. Dotel now pitching. Rios fly ball to right field Bautista. One down for Vizquel, fly ball to Davis in centre. Two down for Lillibridge, hammers this to centre, goes all the way to third base. Triple for Lillibridge. Morel, passed ball, second of the game and here comes Lillibridge 8-7 game. What a way to get that run. This is becoming a habit with both Molina and Arencibia, two yesterday and has had several earlier. But even worse when a runner is at third. Morel strikes out.
Bottom 8th: Sale now pitching. Davis pops up to second base Vizquel. One down. Thames strikes out. Two down. Molina grounds to short Ramirez throw to first base Konerko.

Top 9th: Francisco pitching. Save opportunity, hang on here. Top of the order, Pierre fly ball to Davis, one down. Ramirez doubles to right. Dunn strikes out. Two down for Konerko, pops it up to shallow right Bautista makes great running play but cannot get there and here comes Ramirez, 8-8 game, that was no man’s land, unfortunate but Francisco has blown another. McPherson pinch-running for Konerko. That’s it for Francisco. Frasor now pitching. Pierzynski grounds to third base McCoy throw to Rivera at first for the out but the damage has been done.
Bottom 9th: McPherson in at first base. McCoy grounds to short Ramirez, throw to first base McPherson. Escobar, that’s better singles to centre. One on one down. Patterson strikes out. Bautista now with Escobar on, doubles to left, Escobar held at third. Not sure about that, I would have risked throw the plate, Escobar has speed ad it would take perfect throw to get him. Rivera grounds back to pitcher Sale, throw to first base McPherson. That passed ball run in the eighth is the game decider now.

Top 10th : Frasor still out there. Rios strikes out. Crowd loves that. Vizquel fly ball to Davis in centre. Lillibridge fly ball to Thames in left. Nice inning Jason.
Bottom 10th: Hill leading off strikes out. Davis bunting?? to third Morel throws to McPherson at first. Strange play. Thames 3-0 ball four, walks on four pitches. Two down one on for Molina fly ball to Rios.

Top 11th: Morel doubles to centre. This is trouble. Top of the order Pierre grounds to McCoy at third, throw to Hill for the out, Morel to third. Ramirez full count, ball four. Two on and that’s it for Frasor. Perez now pitching. Dunn pops up to Hill. No chance for Morel, two down. Quentin pinch-hitting for McPherson, fly ball to Bautista in right, Perez great pitching to save that situation.
Bottom 11th: Quentin in at right field. Vizquel at first base. Lillibridge at second. Santos now pitching. McCoy pops up to Ramirez. Top of the order again. Escobar strikes out. Patterson grounds to Vizquel throw to Santos. Stalemate continues. I for one am getting anxious here.

Top 12th: Pierzynski grounds to Hill throw to Rivera at first one down. Boos must be Rios, singles to left. Alex loves that. Vizquel grounds to Hill throw to first Rivera, Rios to second. Two down. Lilibridge, no, come on and other wild pitch, that is four in two days by Jays. Rios to third. White Sox scored last time. Fly ball to Davis. Jays are lucky there were two outs.
Bottom 12th: Bautista leading off, not giving him anything to hit. Ball four leadoff walk. Rivera pops up to second base Lillibridge. One down for Hill, pops up to Lillibridge. Aaron is really struggling. Davis grounds to first Vizquel takes it himself to the bag, for third out.

Top 13th: Perez still out there. Morel pops up to second base Hill. One down for top of the order Pierre grounds to second base Hill throw to Rivera. Two down. Ramirez grounds to Escobar at short, throw to first base Rivera. Perez doing everything he could but again back to the hitters to break this deadlock, how many more chances do they need?
Bottom 13th: Floyd now pitching. He is starting on Wednesday so this will be his workday. Thames fly ball to Rios. One down for Molina, singles to Rios in centre, one on one down. McCoy, ah well, pops to short Ramirez. Molina stays at first. Escobar last chance to move Molina, fly ball to Rios to end this inning and leave Molina out there.

Top14th: These teams settling in for the night here. A game and half already. Dunn grounds to third base McCoy throw to first base Rivera. Quentin grounds to short Escobar throw to Rivera at first base. Pierzynski singles to centre. One for boo bird man. Singles last at bat. Rios, not this time, fly ball to left field Thames.
Bottom 14th: Patterson leading off. Has had a great day with four hits. 1-2 count, there she goes line drive into right field over the fences and he is mobbed as the dugout empties. Nothing like a walk-off home run to win a game. Patterson will remember this one and so will the fans. That would have been a brutal one to lose. Jays have the luck today although they would have one four innings ago.

The very good: Obviously Bautista with his three run home run. Patterson with five hits and game wining walk off home run, but also Perez with his three and two thirds scoreless relief effort. Bautista and Molina with their hits.
The not so good: The passed balls, one of which lead to the extra innings. Francisco another blown save number three regardless of whether or not Jose could now have reached that flare into shallow right.

Lawrie mini-Jose out there with AAA Vegas in the desert … two more home runs today, now 14 on the season wow… just think of him hitting behind Jose… How can they bring up McCoy for Lawrie’s power? Ah well all about business $$$ not fan entertainment or is it about attittude ? Travis more hits but still no power… mystery… Downer. Cecil six earned runs. Hmm.

Jays finally get act together to win one behind Drabek pitching

White Sox v Jays.Game two of four.

Such a terrible game last night with Jays bumbling along in the ninth to throw the game away, literally. Tonight they had better be fired up to do better.

White Sox: Pierre, Ramirez, Quentin, Konerko, Pierzynski, Rios, Dunn, Vizquel, Beckham and Buerlhe pitching.

Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Rivera, Arencibia, Hill, Davis, Molina, Nix and Drabek pitching.

Top 1st: Pierre, ball four, leadoff walk. You can’t do that to this guy. Ramirez strikes out. Relief from the crowd. Quentin fly ball to Patterson in left, two down. Konerko fly ball to Davis in centre, Drabek escapes damage from that leadoff walk.

Bottom 1st: Escobar, that s better, singles to left. Patterson fly ball to Rios in centre. One down for Bautista, singles to right, Escobar can only get to second. Rivera that’s better, doubles to the wall in here comes Escobar but Bautista held at third. 1-0 Jays. Two in scoring position with one out, can Jays get a big inning here? Arencibia fly ball but to shallow centre Rios, no chance to score for Bautista.Two down. Hill fly ball to Quentin in right. What is this with Hill going to opposite field in the last few games? He is a pull hitter. Very disappointing start. Jays had two chances to bring them in with just a base hit and could not do it again. They can’t expect to win games like this.

Top 2nd: Pierzynski lines out to Patterson. Rios lots of boos from the Jays faithful, they all remember Alex and his lack of effort. Fly ball to Patterson. Busy guy tonight. Dunn ball four. Second walk for Drabek tonight. Vizquel fly ball to Davis in centre to end the inning.

Bottom 2nd: Davis grounds to Ramirez at shirt, throw to Konerko at first, one down. Molina grounds to Ramirez, safe at first on throw, error to Ramirez. Nix grounds to Vizquel at third, throw to Beckham at second to get Molina. Nix safe at first. Molina out.
Escobar fly ball to Quentin in right.

Top 3rd: Beckham drives it deep to left, Patterson makes great catch at the wall. Wow. Pierre. Drives this one to the wall beats Bautista and Pierre goes to third on the play. Martinez, wow great diving catch by Patterson in left, throw to the plate not in time as Pierre scores 1-1, lines to first. Seven pitch inning for Drabek.

Bottom 3rd: Patterson leading off. Drives it high to right but not far enough, one down for Bautista. Strikes out swinging, two down. Rivera, drives it to left here comes throw to second but bounces and hits Beckham in the face. Rivera safe. hits Beckham in the eye, nasty. McPherson substitute for Beckham, two down for Arencibia, Arencibia takes strike three, have to swing JP. Another runner left in scoring position. And not hard to see why.

Top 4th: Konerko, 3-1 count, lines it to Davis in center, one down for Pierzynski, full count; grounds to Hill throw to Drabek covering first. Boos, must be Rios, grounds back to Drabek throw to Rivera to end the inning. Three up and down.

Bottom 4th: Time Jays hitters get going here. Two runs in thirteen innings is not good enough for anything. Hill, 2-2 count, singles to left, finally he is going to left instead of opposite field outs. Davis, showing bunt, that will do Rajai, triples to the wall here comes Hill chugging in to score, 2-1 Jays. Davis beats the throw to third. Molina with runner at third, chance to bring in another. Nix, one down. Full count, ball four, two on one down for top of the order. Escobar, shows bunt and here comes Davis picked off in run down whilst Nix goes to third on play two down. Escobar grounds to second, throw to first to get Escobar. Leaves yet another at third.

Top 5th: Dunn leading off. 3-0 count, Drabek what is his problem? Ball four, just throw it down the middle Kyle and let your defence help you out. Vizquel, singles into right, Dunn to second, two on nobody out. McPherson, strikes out swinging, one down. Pierre, singles to Davis in centre, bases loaded. Ramirez, pops it up to shallow right, Bautista has it and no chance for a run here. Two down. Quentin, 3-0 count, this is awful pitching by Drabek, full count, ball four and he walks in a run, well Kyle if you go 3-0 what do you expect. Stop pitching so fine, just get it over the plate. 2-2 game and bases still loaded, Konerko good luck Kyle here. 2-0 count, 2-2 count, but you have to finish him off here Kyle. Grounds to Escobar throw to Hill to get the out. BUT a 32 pitch inning. That is NOT good Kyle.

Bottom 5th: Jays have given up the lead twice tonight or rather Drabek has. Patterson, grounds to Konerko, takes it himself for first out. Bautista, strikes out looking. Rivera, pops up to Konerko for third out.

Top 6th: grounds to Nix, throw to Rivera, one down. Rios, grounds to Escobar, throw to first, called out Rios does not agree, here comes manager but no good. Crowd loves it.Two down. Dunn, full count, ball four, Walk number five. Ouch. Not major league stuff yet Kyle. Vizquel. 3-1 count, full count, grounds back to Drabek throw to Rivera for third out. 103 pitches. Probably his last hitter tonight.

Bottom 6th: Hill, pulls to short, throw to first, one down. Hill it deep to left but not far enough for second out. Davis, full count, pulls it to left, second hit tonight for Rajai. Molina, Davis running and picked off by Buerhle to end the inning.

Top 7th: Drabek still out there. McPherson, Casey Janssen warming up. 1-2 count, strikes out swinging. Pierre, fly ball to Davis for out number two. Ramirez, 2-2 count, full count, strikes out wild pitch and Ramirez gets to first. That’s it for Drabek. Gave up only three hits but the walks did him in tonight, you can’t give up six and hope to win the game. Janssen pitching, one on two down. Quentin, another wild pitch, Arencibia gives up far too many, almost every game. Ramirez to second and he has not even hit the ball. 3-1 count, lifts it to Bautista for third out.

Bottom 7th: Molina leading off. Full count. singles into centre, third hit tonight for him. Nix yet to get a hit since off DL. 0-19. grounds to third throw to second to get Molina throw nit in time to get Nix. One on one down. Escobar, there we go speed kills. As Escobar drives it to right centre, here comes Nix all the way from first, 3-2 Jays. Now pile it on, Patterson. Escobar at second. Pops up first pitch to shallow right. Two down for Bautista, Intentional walk number seven this season. Two on. Rivera, 2-3 tonight. 0-2 count, grounds to short, throw to second to get Bautista, seemed to hurt his wrist on that slide. I hope not.

Top 8th: Konerko, grounds to Hill, throw to Rivera, one down. Pierzynski, 2-2 count,. Camp warming up. Full count, grounds to Rivera throw to Janssen for the out, I hear boos guess who? Rios, grounds to Hill off his glove, but no error given. Rios on first. Two down for Dunn, 2-0 count. full count, ball four, has walked four times tonight. Two on two down. That must be it for Casey. Camp now. Vizquel. Grounds t Hill, this time no problem throw to Escobar at second for the out.

Bottom 8th: Tony Pena now pitching, Arencibia, 1-2 count, singles back up the middle. One on for Hill. Pops up to centre, one down, could not move him over. Davis, pulls it into left, Arencibia to second. I think Davis should be moved back to lead off Molina, 2-0 count, 2-2, that will do Jose, singles in to right, Here comes Arencibia chugging along, 4-2 Jays. Still two on base. Nix again, another chance. Oh boy Davis stealing and then stops, Molina going all the way so Davis has to get going both beat the throws, when did Molina last steal, first this season. Meantime Nix, full count pops up to short, two down. Escobar with two in scoring position. 1-2 count. Grounds to short, Escobar unable to bring them in with a base hit.

Top 9th: Jon Rauch in with two run lead. Recently this has not been enough. McPherson, strikes out, one down for Pierre, this is the guy they should worry about. 2-3 with a walk tonight. 0-2 count, lines it off Rauch throw not in time. Ramirez, no, yet another wild pitch, Pierre to second. Arencibia’s weakness. Another one, Pierre to third. Come on. 2-2 count. strikes out swinging, two down. One more Jon, Quentin, that will do it, grounds to Escobar, throw to Rivera. Finally Jays get a win !!!!!!

The good: Drabek pitched well but that 32 pitch inning certainly did not help him. Some good hitting tonight especially by Davis 3-4.Great to see him on fire, he is the spark for this team with his speed.

The not so good: Leaving runners in scoring position, when oh when are they going to improve in this category? The failure of Arencibia on balls in the dirt and giving up too many passed balls. Not least that missed suicide squeeze by Escobar who left Davis out to dry. That is the second time he has done that. Did he miss the signal or is he hotdogging it, not wanting to sacrifice? Something to watch

Another comedy of errors ruin a good outing by Morrow as Jays lose ugly to White Sox 3-1

White Sox v Jays. Game one of four.

Alex Rios and friends in town for four, evidently Alex in one of his slumps. I am sure he will be fired up for this series.

Line-ups: White Sox: Pierre, Ramirez, Quentin, Konerko. Dunn, Rios, Pierzynski, Vizquel, Beckham and Humber pitching.

Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Rivera, Arencibia, Hill, Thames, Davis, McDonald, and Morrow pitching.

Top 1st: Pierre, 3-0 count, come on Brandon. Way outside ball four, one on for Ramirez, nowhere near, ball one, what’s his problem. Bronx cheer for a strike. Bunting back to Morrow throw to second to get Pierre, one down one on for Quentin. Hits him. Two on, one down for Konerko. Fly ball to Bautista in right, two down for Dunn. Full count, strike three. Morrow struggled but did not give up a run. His problem now will be the pitch count and trying to last six innings.

Bottom 1st: Escobar (first pitch here we go again) pops up to right, one down. The problem is leadoff guy is supposed to take some pitches to give the guys behind him something to look at. I don’t believe Escobar is a leadoff hitter. Patterson, bunts up the first base line throw to first, three pitches, two outs, bush league. Bautista, singles to centre, one on two down. Rivera, full count, pops up to short.

Top 2nd: Rios leading off. Grounds to Escobar at short, throw to Rivera at first, one down. Pierzynski, full count, whoa shatters the bat and pops to Hill two down. Vizquel, 3-0 count. Full, fly ball to Davis for third out.

Bottom 2nd: Arencibia, 2-2 count, ouch, strikes out swinging at ball way outside. Hill, pops up ball two to behind third base, two down. Thames, grounds second pitch to second base throw to first for third out. Morrow had not sat down.

Top 3rd: Beckham lines first pitch to Escobar, this aggression is catching. Pierre, lines it to Davis in centre, runs it down no problem, two down for Ramirez, grounds to McDonald, throw to Rivera, three up and down for Morrow.

Bottom 3rd: Davis leading off. Fly ball to Rios in centre. Johnny Mc. Grounds up the middle Ramirez throw to first, two down. Escobar, will he last more than one pitch? full count, pops up to second. Three innings in 45 minutes. However it is the undisciplined hitting, not the pitchers.

Top 4th: Quentin, full count, pops up to Davis in centre, one down for Konerko, grounds first pitch to McDonald at third, two down. Dunn, shift on right, full count, strikes out swinging to end the inning.

Bottom 4th: Time for Jays hitters to get going here. Patterson, singles opposite field into left, one on for Bautista. Fly ball to right, for the first out. Rivera, Patterson going but pitch out and throw gets him; here comes the boss to argue, no joy, two down. Singles into left, ouch. That hurts now with Patterson out. Arencibia, even worse wild pitch and Rivera to second. That might have scored Patterson if he were still in there. Ball four. Two on two down for Hill, has not been very successful in this situation. Awful pops up to first for third out leaving two out there. That caught stealing play now is huge. Jays should be leading this by at least one.

Top 5th: Rios the usual welcome, fans remember the lazy efforts from this guy. Grounds to Escobar, throw to Rivera, one down. Pierzynski, singles into left, there goes his no hitter. Vizquel singles into left, hit and run on. Two on for Beckham pops up to Davis in centre, two down. Pierre, lines it into right, here comes the run 1-0 White Sox. Vizquel all the way to third. Ramirez, two on two down. Pierre going and no throw safe at second, two in scoring position. 1-1 count. 3-1, nowhere near, ball four to load the bases. Quentin. That will do grounds to Johnny Mc. Throw to second for the final out. Morrow escapes big trouble.

Bottom 5th: Thames, wild swing on first pitch, 2-2 count, fly ball to Pierre in left, one down. Davis, 2-2 count, fly ball to Pierre in left, two down for Johnny Mc. Fly ball to right, easy inning for Humber as Jays go meekly.

Top 6th: Konerko, full count, strikes out, one down. Dunn, strikes out swinging, two down for Rios, fly ball to Bautista in right for third out. Morrow doing his job but the hitters are on vacation again.

Bottom 6th: Top of the order. Time for them to earn their salary now. Escobar, that’s better lines it hard to left centre, in to the seats, home run Yunel, 1-1 game. Good to see his home run trot is much faster. Someone must have told him about the last one and his hot dogging crawl. Patterson, full count. strikes out on ball four. Bautista now. 2-0 keeping it away from him. 3-0, down and away, grounds to second, throw to first, two down. Rivera, 2-0 count, lines it very hard but right at Pierre in left.

Top 7th: Pierzynski lines it right back at Morrow into centre, one on for Vizquel. 1-2 count, pops up to Dais in centre, one down one on for Beckham, 0-2 count, 2-2, takes strike three. Two down for Pierre, grounds to Escobar steps on the bag at second for third out. 102 pitch count for Morrow.

Bottom 7th: Jays need to break out here and get some runs on the board. Arencibia, 0-2 count, 2-2, lines to right for the first out. Hill, going the opposite way in his performance at the plate. Lines it to right, two down. Thames grounds back to pitcher throws high to first, ball gets away into the crowd, and Thames to second. Davis now with runner in scoring position. Pulls it to Ramirez at short, throw to first and once again Jays unable to bring the guy in from scoring position.

Top 8th: Frasor now pitching. Ramirez leading off, 2-2 count, doubles into left. This is trouble for Frasor, Quentin, bunting I doubt it with that average. Off the end of his bat Arencibia finally gets the ball and throw in time to first. Pierre to third on the play and only one down. Konerko will be lifting this one. No intentional walk. Full count. Perfect grounds to Johnny Mc. Looks Pierre back and throw to Rivera, two down. Rzepczysnki, now to face Dunn, strikes out on three pitches. PERFECT, leaving Pierre at third even better.

Bottom 8th: BUT Jays still have to get their own runs now. Johnny Mc. Pops up to short, one down for top of the order again. Escobar, full count, over 100 pitches now, he would have been out of game long ago if Jays hitters had been more selective. Strikes out looking. Two down for Patterson. 2-1 count, has the distance but foul into right seats. 2-2 count, full count, that will do singles into right, Bautista with one on two down. Will he pitch to him though or give him intentional walk. No, here comes the manager. End of night for Humber. Jesse Crain now pitching. 2-0 count, there goes Patterson no throw, now the intentional walk. Bautista to first. Rivera with runner in scoring position. 1-0 count, bounces to short, throw to first for third out. Jays leave yet another in scoring position.

Top 9th: Rzepczysnki still out there, Rios, OH BOY, grounds to McDonald throw wild and into crowd. Rios to second. Error on McDonald. Pierzynski, strikes out swinging, one down for Vizquel, wild pitch, Rios to third. What a mess. Error wild pitch, oh wow, strikes out swinging, two down. Beckham, 1-1 count, oh man, hits him on the foot. Two on for Pierre, 2-2 count, full count, there goes Beckham no throw. Grounds to first Rivera throw to Rzepczynski bounces off him two runs score 3-1 White Sox. Error to Rivera. Ramirez, lines it to centre, bounces over the fence, ground rule double. Two in scoring position. That`s it for Rzepczynski. Rauch now pitching. Quentin, 0-2 count. Pops up to Rivera.

Bottom 9th: Any team that only scores one run does not deserve to win a game. Jays hitters are missing in action once again. I for one wish for Lawrie, Lind and Snider back in this lineup and as fast as possible. Arencibia, Santos pitching. First pitch one out as Arencibia lines out to centre. When does the learning ever end? Hill, full count, ball four, base runners are what we need. JP has not learned that yet, situational baseball. Thames, here’s another guy who needs to learn, home run swing first pitch strike one.. 1-2 count, strikes out swinging on same pitch as before. Davis, last out for Jays. Hill takes second, 0-2 count, Davis strikes out swinging. Jays lose a stinker. Going the wrong way in the division right now and not even looking as if they can win a game in their last three. Don`t blame the pitching tonight, it was the errors by Johnny Mc and Rivera in the ninth that killed this one.

The very good: Definitely Morrow, started off badly but then settled and did everything he could to turn it over to bullpen.

The not so good: The goat tonight John McDonald, his throw with game on the line in the ninth was awful and unforgiveable for such an experienced fielder.
Along with the Rivera error, the wild pitch and the hit batsman.
BUT the other culprit is this epidemic now with the young Jays hitters of swinging at the first pitch, and what is worse getting out on that pitch. The advance scouts around the league note this obviously, and the opposing pitchers are pitching to these kids. Until they lay off that pitch this team will continue to struggle and never ever get a starter out of the game early.
Runners in scoring position??? nothing new here they have been awful all season long and nothing has improved since the first week. In short this team has so much to work on. They are fortunate that the division has been just as bad but now Boston is starting to come around and show their power.
Jays season needs a turnaround and fast before it is too late. Lawrie, Lind and Snider might be the answer, but right now the team is placing too much on the shoulders of Bautista.
We mentioned the slump by Rios, just take a look at the Jays line-up and tell me who is NOT in a slump apart from Jose. There is nobody else who is consistently performing at bat. Occasional flurries from Escobar and Arencibia and that is it.

Reyes gets no help from his hitters as Jays lose 7-3 in New York

Jays v Yankees Final game of three.

After last night’s pathetic display by the bullpen hitters must be hoping for JoJo Reyes to go deep and break that 0-27 run. JoJo is probably also praying that his hitters will appear in support of him for a change.

Line-ups: Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Rivera, Molina, Hill, Thames, Davis, Nix and Reyes pitching.
NY: Jeter, Granderson, Teixeira, Rodriguez, Cano, Martin, Swisher, Jones, Nunez and Garcia pitching.

Top 1st: Escobar leading off hammers this one to the wall in centre, Yunel all the way to third, great start off Garcia leadoff triple. Patterson grounds back Garcia throw to Teixeira, one down for Bautista. No pops it up to Teixeira at first, two down and Escobar still standing out there. Last chance with Rivera. How bad is this ? pops it up to Nunez at third and Escobar is stranded out there. Jays had THREE chances to get a base hit and bring him, and zilch, 0-3 already with runners in scoring position. Yet again their worst weakness. That could have, no SHOULD have been a great start to this one. No wonder poor Reyes has not won a game. He must wonder what he has to do now.
Bottom 1st: Jeter doubles to right. Granderson, wild pitch and Jeter to third, doubles to Bautista, here comes Jeter 1-0 NY and nobody out. Teixeira pops this one up, NO Hill drops it. Teixeira safe at first. Granderson still had to hold at second. Hill should be wearing shades, that sun is very bright into the left side. Cano lines to right, oh yes, an amazing play by Bautista, running in and diving and catching, up quick and throwing to cut-off Rivera to Escobar to get Granderson, double play ball to get Reyes out of trouble. That could have been a lot worse. Bautista does it all.

Top 2nd: Molina leading off, strikes out. One down for Hill, you owe JoJo big here Aaron, that’s a start as he singles to centre. Thames pops up to Cano at second baseman Cano. Davis strikes out.
Bottom 2nd: Martin leading off, ball four, one on for Swisher. Fly ball to Bautista, two down. Jones, hammers this one to centre, over head of Davis into the crowd. Here comes Martin, 6-1 Yankees. Nunez pops up to Nix at third. Jeter with two down, grounds to Escobar throw to Rivera.

Top 3rd: Nix, getting another chance at third, 0-17 since his return from the DL. Not easy getting that swing back and this is another reason why I worry about Adam Lind when he comes back, it took him two years to get back to where he was in April before injury. Everyone is expecting him to just carry on where he left off. Nix is showing what is more likely. Adam by the way rehabbing today in Florida. Nix grounds to Jeter throw to Teixeira. One down. Escobar grounds back to Garcia throw to Teixeira. Two down for Patterson fly ball to Swisher in right. Jays go quickly and quietly.
Bottom 3rd: Granderson leading off, doubles to Bautista in right.Teixiera, oh dear gets hold of this one and hammers it into left. Here comes Granderson and now Teixeira. 5-0 Yankees. Rodriguez grounds to Hill at second, throw to first base Rivera. Cano grounds to Hill throw to Rivera two down. Martin ball four and walks. Two on two down. There goes Martin, Molina throws it into centre, error on the play to Molina. Marti goes to third on the play but also gets the stolen base at second. Swisher fly ball to Davis.

Top 4th: Bautista hit by pitch. Purely accidental ! let’s see how long before Jays pitcher pays back and to whom. Rivera strikes out. Molina, there goes Jose, throw down by Martin gets him at second. Jose arguing with umpire but no luck Jose. Molina fly ball to Swisher in right field.
Bottom 4th: Well that’s it for JoJo Reyes, but don’t blame this guy. He had no support either in the field or with the bats today apart from Bautista in right. Perez now pitching. Jones grounds to Escobar at short, throw not in time, one on for Nunez, fly ball to Patterson in left. Jeter grounds back to Perez throw to Rivera. Jones to second on the play. Granderson grounds to Rivera flip to pitcher Perez for the out.

Top 5th: Hill pops up to Cano, one down for Thames, grounds to Teixeira takes it himself, one down. Davis doubles to left. Nix pops up to Cano. When you are playing badly, nothing works. Have to play it out Jayson and hope you can keep getting in there. .
Bottom 5th: Perez still pitching. Teixeira fly ball to Davis in centre. A-Rod strikes out. Cano grounds to Escobar at short, throw to Rivera for the out.

Top 6th: Escobar leading off, grounds to Cano throw to Teixeira. One down. Patterson doubles to right. Jays get another on but can they bring him in? Bautista grounds to third base Nunez to Teixeira. This should do it finally. Rivera singles to left, here comes Patterson for the first run after six innings, 5-1 NY. Molina strikes out.
Bottom 6th: Martin leading off fly ball to Patterson in left, one down. Swisher full count ball four. Jones oh dear, that walks is very expensive, as Jones connects and this one is out of here in centre, home run number two for Jones. Swisher scores in front of him. 7-1 Yankees. Nunez grounds to Nix throw to first Rivera. Jeter ball four, two on one down for Granderson. OOOPs hit by a pitch, Jeter to second. Payback for Bautista ? surely not. Teixeira grounds to Escobar throw to Hill, Granderson out.

Top 7th: Dickerson in left field. Hill leading off, singles to left. Thames double to centre, here comes Hill, 7-2 NY. Davis grounds to first, safe at first, Thames to third. Nix batting, there goes Davis steals second. Nix grounds to Teixeira at first, here comes Thames to score. 7-3 game. Davis to third on the play. Jays have something going here. That’s it for Garcia. Robertson pitching. Escobar grounds to Nunez, throwing home to catcher Martin, Davis out.Two down. Escobar to second. Johnny Mc. Now pinch-running for Escobar. Not sure why, may just to give him a break. Patterson strikes out. Another left at third. Jays cannot complain about the number of scoring chances they have left on base in just the last two days.
Bottom 7th: Johnny Mc. in at short. A-Rod singles to left. Cano singles to left, Rodriguez to second for Martin pops up to Rivera. One down for Swisher, strikes out two down. Dickerson, there goes A-Rod and safe at third. Cano also going and steals second. Dickerson strikes out.

Top 8th: Defensive changes, Gardner in left field. Dickerson in right. Chamberlain now pitching. Bautista, not a great day for him, that will do, singles to left. One on for Rivera grounds to Jeter on to Cano at second, over to Teixeira, double play, you have to weep. Molina full count ball four. Hill pops up to Dickerson in right field.
Bottom 8th: Camp now pitching. Nunez fly ball to Patterson in left, one down. Jeter full count and ball four. One on one down for Granderson fly ball to Bautista in right, two down. Teixeira lines hard to Nix at third.

Top 9th: Rivera now pitching. Not a save but Girardi wants him to get in the game here in NY for his 1,000th. as they are off on the road tonight. Thames leading off singles to centre. Can the Jays run Rivera’s day for him? Davis fly ball to Dickerson now playing in right. Guess who? Encarnacion in pinch-hitting for Nix. Fly ball to Granderson in centre. I think John Farrell mumbling something about EE 1-10 against Rivera. Two down and Thames still on base. Arencibia pinch-hitting for Johnny Mc. Last chance here, strikes out.

Jays lose two and the series to Yankees, could have should have been the Jays winning series. Ah well repeat after me, they can only get better…….
The good: Great defensive plays by Bautista. Even if his bat was cool tonight.
The not so good: Sure Reyes but he was not helped at all by his hitters. None of them had a great game. Tomorrow the return of Alex Rios and White Sox for four. Jays need to sweep.

Jays bullpen gives one away and ruin great outing by Romero.

Jays v Yankees Game two of three.

Interesting reading the NY media and the moaning about Yankees RISP... sound familiar? However last night’s game, no complaints from here.
Tonight Sabathia, always a pain for the Jays hitters. Perhaps tonight will be different.

Line-ups: Jays: Escobar back as leadoff, Patterson, Bautista, Rivera, Arencibia, Hill, Davis, Encarnacion, (DH fortunately but just holding position until Lawrie gets here) McDonald playing 3B and Romero pitching.
Yankees: Jeter, Granderson, Teixeira, A-Rod, Cano, Martin, Swisher, Gardner, Nunez. Same as last night except for Swisher and Nunez back in the line-up and Sabathia pitching.

Top 1st: Escobar, Pops up to right, one down. Patterson, strikes out swinging, two down. Bautista grounds to A-Rod, throw to first for third out.
Bottom 1st: Jeter, 3-0 come on Ricky, grounds to McDonald throw to Rivera, one down. Granderson, pops up to Johnny Mac at third, two down for Teixeira. Singles to Bautista in right, one on two down for A-Rod. Strikes out swinging.

Top 2nd: Rivera off the wall in left almost out of here, wow, but long single as ball gets back in a hurry. Arencibia, grounds to short Nunez at short, to Cano on to Teixeira, double play ball. Groan. Hill, two down. Whoa gives this one a ride all the way to the wall in left centre, Gardner runs it down for the out but Hill is getting closer and closer to that wall.

Bottom 2nd: Cano ouch that was right over his head. Pops up to Patterson in left one down. Martin, this one is out of here, long high drive into left field seats and Yankees out in front 1-0. Swisher same thing but not as far and Patterson has the catch, two down. Gardner, 3-1 count, full count, ball gets away and Gardner to first. Nunez, grounds to Escobar throw to Hill to get Gardner.

Top 3rd: Encarnacion (first pitch) grounds to short throw to first one down, what a waste at bat. Davis, grounds it into left, one on one down for McDonald. Let him steal Johnny Mc. opposite field? fly ball to Swisher in right, two down. Escobar now, grounds back up the middle off glove of Cano, Davis all the way to third, Two on two down for Patterson. That will do it pulls it into right corner, here comes Rajai 1-1 game, Escobar to second, Bautista will they walk him? 0-2 count, high fastball and first base umpire says he swung, Jose disagrees but that’s a strike and end of inning but Jays have tied it up.

Bottom 3rd: Jeter, 2-2 count, strikes out swinging, one down. Granderson, 3-1 count, singles to Davis in centre, Teixeira, grounds to Escobar throw to Hill gets him and ball pops out but the out counts, two down. No chance for double play, A-Rod. Full count, singles to Bautista quick throw back to hold Teixeira at second. Cano with two on. Grounds hard to Rivera, makes nice play to take it himself to the bag and end this one stranding two out there.

Top 4th: Jays hitters started to get to Sabathia last inning, can they continue here? Rivera, doubles to the wall in centre, 2-2 tonight. Three chances to bring him in now. Arencibia, singles into left centre, this will do as Rivera comes in to score 2-1 Jays. Hill now lines it to right, Swisher runs it down, one down. Encarnacion, this guy sure needs a hit. That will do Edwin, loops it into right. Has anyone ever seen Edwin smile ? Arencibia all the way to third, Davis now has to bring him in. Here comes the manager. Girardi strategy. Perfect loops it into shallow right, here comes Arencibia and Encarnacion to third on the play, still only one down Johnny Mc. Bunting, but Encarnacion hesitates, now comes and scores, Teixeira throw drops it and Johnny Mac safe at first and Davis all the way to third on play. Escobar now with one out. 4-1 Jays. Bunting but not a good one and Davis has to hold, Escobar out at first, Johnny Mac to second on the play. Patterson. Two down. 2-0 count, 3-0 takes one, 3-1 count, ball four, bases loaded for Bautista will they walk him? Grounds to short, throw to second to get Patterson.
Bottom 4th: Martin, strikes out swinging, one down for Swisher, grounds to Escobar, throw to Rivera at first for the out, two down. Gardner, grounds to Escobar, throw to first to get Gardner. Nice pitching Ricky.

Top 5th: Rivera led off last inning as well. 2-2 tonight. Grounds to A-Rod long throw gets him. One down. Arencibia, full count, high fly ball to Granderson in centre, two down for Hill. Grounds to Nunez throw to first, Jays go very quietly.
Bottom 5th: Nunez leading off. Grounds first pitch to McDonald at third, Jeter, grounds right back at Romero, throw to Rivera at first two down. Granderson, singles into right centre, Teixeira, 2-2 count, Ricky gets the pickoff, they get Granderson at second, Nice play Ricky and Juan.

Top 6th: Encarnacion had good at bat last time up. Ooops jinxed him, pops up here to Martin. One down for Davis. first pitch lines to Gardner in left. Three pitches two outs, not good friends. McDonald, 2-0 count, pops it up to Swisher in right. Johnny Mac going opposite field tonight, that is his second at bat lineout to Swisher.
Bottom 6th: Teixeira, 3-1 count, ball four outside, nowhere near. A-Rod. That’s what we like A-Rod, first pitch grounds to Escobar, flip to Hill throw to Rivera double play ball, Nice. Two down for Cano. Drives it to centre, Davis cannot get there, off his glove, Martin, first pitch fly ball to Bautista for the third out, no damage done.

Top 7th: Top of the order, Escobar leading off. 0-2 count, grounds t A-Rod at third, throw to Teixeira, one down for Patterson. Pops up to Nunez behind A-Rod. Bautista with two down. Jose quiet tonight, grounds to Teixeira for third out. Now 0-16 against Sabathia, I think CC has his number. But that is why the game is played with nine hitters.
Bottom 7th: Swisher, 0-2 count, strikes out swinging on three pitches, one down for Gardner, 3-1 Ricky struggling here. Ball four, leadoff guy on base. Nunez, singles to centre, two on, one down for Jeter, crowd have woken up. Janssen and Rzepczynski warming up in bullpen. 0-2 count, 2-2, full count, WHAT a PLAY!!! grounds to third Johnny Mac steps it on the bag to get Gardner and throw to first all in one motion, double play ball, play of the game Johnny Mc. rescues Ricky there big-time.

Top 8th: Can Jays get a couple more here. Rivera leading off. Grounds to first, Teixeira dives to stop and make the play, very nice. One down, Arencibia, grounds to Cano, throw to first, two down. Hill, pulls first pitch to A-Rod, throw to first, six pitch inning and that is why Sabathia is still out there, Jays unable to grind it out the way Yankees did to Romero now out of the game.
Bottom 8th: Janssen now pitching. Granderson leading off. Doubles into right field corner, Teixeira, with one on. Grounds to Hill throw to Rivera, one down Granderson to third. A-Rod, 1-2 count. Strikes out swinging, two down for Cano. That’s it for Casey, Rzepczynski. Lefty- lefty match-up for Cano. Doubles to right here comes Granderson, 4-2 Jays. Martin with runner in scoring position. Singles up the middle here comes Cano 4-3 game. Dotel warming up in bullpen. Swisher, fly ball to Bautista for third out.

Top 9th: Jays need some insurance here. But bottom of the order. Encarnacion, no pinch hitter, hmm.Ok. Sabathia still out here thanks to all those first pitch and quick outs by the Jays, fly ball to Swisher, Davis, 2-3 tonight. 1-2 count. Strikes out swinging, two down for Johnny Mac. 0-2 count, grounds to second throw to first for the out.
Bottom 9th: Francisco now pitching. I have a horrible feeling about this one. Gardner leading off. Grounds to Rivera takes it himself, one down for Posada pinch hitting. Doubles to Bautista in right, bobbled by Jose, One on one down. Dickerson pinch running. Jeter grounds to Escobar throw to Rivera two down as Dickerson to third. Granderson, why don’t they walk him? 2-0 count, might as well now. 2-1 count, singles to right, 4-4 game. Teixeira, there goes the runner, Francisco not paying him any attention, no throw and safe at second, 2-0 count. 3-1 count. Singles to right off the glove of Rivera here comes the run. Yankees come back to win this one 5-4.

Excellent outing by Romero and deserved a win. Great defence by Jays especially Johnny Mc. and even Rivera until that last play which was a difficult play.
Not so good, all those first or second pitch outs. That enabled Sabathia to go complete game. Bullpen not good tonight giving up four runs.
And I hate to say this but Jays need a closer. Francisco just does not look comfortable out there anytime.

Jays get excellent hitting to support 7-3 win 0ver New York by Villanueva

Jays v Yankees Game one of three.

Jays go into New York after a horrible weekend. Losing series to Astros the team with very worst record in the majors let alone their division. Lousy hitting, poor pitching was more than enough to give the Astros two of three. Far too much dependence by the other players on THE man. Farrell has shaken up the order big-time tonight.

Encarnacion at 3B tonight !!! can you believe it ???? What on earth is Farrell thinking of? That is ridiculous. The guy unable to play defence let alone at third which is the hot corner and worse still he is unable to throw. I fail to understand what they see in him. Cito always reckoned he had power but was a streaky hitter. Hmmm some streak when he has yet to hit a home run this year. Johnny Mac has more. And is also far, far better 3B guy if you don’t want to play Nix. I feel sorry for the pitcher and Jays defence tonight. The other eight Jays are carrying this guy. Perhaps Farrell knew he could not play him in Toronto without being run out of town and the only way he can get him in the line-up is on the road. It had better not backfire, or Farrell will find his popularity and honeymoon with the fans fast turning sour. But Davis leadoff in attempt to get him on base and put pressure on pitchers, I can go with that. If Escobar is the only guy who can give Bautista some support, good luck Jays.

Line-ups: Jays: Davis, Patterson, Bautista, Escobar, Rivera, Hill, Thames, Arencibia, Encarnacion and Villanueva pitching.

Yankees: Jeter, Granderson, Teixeira, Rodriguez, Cano, Martin, Posada, Gardner, Dickerson and Colon pitching.

Top 1st: Davis, grounds to Cano at second, throw to Teixeira beats him at first, one down for Patterson. Strikes out swinging on three pitches. Bautista, two down. WOW. JOSE de Man, this one is out of here over left centre fence into the Jays bullpen. 1-0 Jays. Escobar, singles into right. Rivera, singles into left, Escobar into second, two down two on for Hill. Where was all this at the weekend??? 2-2 count, full count, lines it to Granderson for third out. 23 pitch inning. Looks good to me.

Bottom 1st: Villanueva, no idea what we can expect tonight, very different starting from relieving. He will be on pitch count and hoping for five innings from him but who knows; Yankees are traditionally patient hitters and will push that pitch count up. Jeter, full count, strikes out swinging, one down for Granderson, Jose has set the bar for him. Needs three to catch Jose now. Gets him strikes out swinging, two down for Teixeira. Strikes out throw to first. Villanueva strikes out the side. 15 pitches.

Top 2nd: Thames leading off. High fly ball to Gardner in left centre. One down for Arencibia, strikes out looking. Two down for Encarnacion, he will probably hit a home run now. Strikes out swinging. Ah well at least it was not a double play ball. 35 pitches.

Bottom 2nd: A-Rod leading off, first pitch high pop up to Davis in centre, one down for Cano, grounds second pitch to Rivera, throw to Villanueva for second out. Martin, full count, pops up to Martin in shallow left. 24 pitches.

Top 3rd: Top of the order again, Davis. Bounces up the middle beats Jeter’s throw to first, speed kills, now, some fun with Colon. Patterson. Lots of throws over here. Waste his energy. 2-2 count, pops up to Martin. Bautista with one on and one down. May be the reason that Davis stayed at first, they didn’t want to leave first base open. 2-2 count, there goes Davis, Martin throw gets him at second, two down. Full count, ball four, one on two down for Escobar. Grounds to Jeter at second throw gets Bautista at second. Pitch count 49. The sooner they get into the bullpen the better.

Bottom 3rd: Posada DH tonight, full count, grounds to Rivera at first, throw to Villanueva one down for Gardner. Full count, doubles to Davis in right centre, Dickerson with runner in scoring position. Pops up to Encarnacion to make the catch, two down. Jeter, lines it to Hill at second, nice catch to end this one. 43 pitch count for Villanueva.

Top 4th: A very poor crowd here tonight even half an hour into the game. Rivera lines first pitch hard at Jeter, one down for Hill. Strikes out swinging, two down for Thames, has to lay off that first pitch. 0-2 count. Takes strike three, Eric still learning. Pitch count 60 for Colon.

Bottom 4th: The tough call will be who follows after Villanueva without burning out the bullpen. Every inning Carlos can go will help big-time tonight. Granderson leading off, ball four, leadoff walk, Teixeira, grounds past diving Hill into right centre, Granderson all the way to third, A-Rod now with two on. Full count, strikes out swinging, one down. Cano, fly ball to Davis in centre, here comes Granderson 1-1 game, two down for Martin. Pops up to Rivera at first, Villanueva escapes trouble with two on and nobody out. Pitch count getting up though at 54.

Top 5th: Villanueva could do with some help from his hitters. Arencibia, strikes out looking. Encarnacion, full count, strikes out swinging, two down. Davis, pops up second pitch to Martin. Jays go far too quietly.

Bottom 5th: This is getting into new territory for Villanueva now this season, every new pitch will be a plus, but who will relieve him? Posada, 0-2 count, fly ball to Patterson in left, one down. Gardner, grounds to third, Encarnacion lets this one through, oh boy error to Encarnacion, Dickerson, 1-2 count, strikes out but Gardner stealing and safe on throw. Two down. Jeter, with runner at second. Edwin is praying hard here. WHOAAAA lines it hard to left Patterson makes the catch right up against the wall in left. Huge play and also saves Encarnacion.

Top 6th: Patterson to lead off after that catch. Full count, doubles to the wall in right. Bautista now but with base open, will they pitch to him? Not even trying, Colon chicken.... intentional walk four pitches. Respect at least now make him pay Yunel. Bunting great bunt, both runners move up. One down two in scoring position for Rivera. Major conference here by Girardi and infield, 84 pitch count, another intentional walk to load the bases. OK Aaron you are long overdue. Your big chance here. That will do Aaron pulls it into left, here comes Patterson for the run, 2-1 Jays,. And bases still loaded. Thames, just a base hit Eric, 2-0 count, 3-0, interesting, taking or swinging? Takes ball four, here comes Bautista, you shouldn’t walk him guys. 3-1 Jays, Bases still loaded. Pendleton warming up in bullpen. Arencibia, OH BOY, doubles to the centre wall, here comes everyone, three more, 6-1 Jays. Encarnacion, takes strike three, his third strikeout of the game, not a night to remember for Edwin. Davis with two down. Grounds off the end of his bat, Colon tags him for third out, but Jays make Yankees pay for those two intentional walks.

Bottom 6th: That’s it for Villanueva 75 pitches. Now Jays bullpen need to help Villanueva out here. Frasor now pitching. Guess who is in at third? Johnny Mac in for Edwin, may have been his last game for Jays, Granderson, walks, Teixeira pops it up long run for Patterson to make nice catch. One down. A-Rod, singles back up the middle, Granderson to third. One down two on for Cano. Frasor not exactly sharp here. 3-1 count, oh no. Grounds to Escobar drops the ball Hill reaches for it with foot on the bag, but umpire says no way, replay says yes as Granderson scores. That was double play ball. Error to Escobar, 6-2 game. Martin, pops up to Patterson in left two down for Posada, grounds to Hill, throw to Rivera for third out, Frasor escapes more trouble.

Top 7th: Patterson leading off, can they repeat last inning? Hector Noesi new pitcher for Yankees. Patterson fly ball to Granderson, one down for Bautista, will they pitch to him? Yes, 1-2 count, gets under it high pop up to Cano. Two down for Escobar, lines to Granderson in centre to make sliding catch. Jays go quietly.

Bottom 7th: Jon Rauch pitching. Gardner leading off. 2-2 count, strikes out swinging, one down for Dickerson, strikes out swinging, two down for Jeter, grounds first pitch hard to Escobar, throw to Rivera for third out. Nice inning by Rauch.

Top 8th: It would be good to get a couple more here. Rivera, loops it into left centre for Granderson. Hill, had a nice at bat last time up. Perfect Aaron lines it into left corner and bounces into the crowd, ground rule double. Thames, one on one down. Grounds to Cano throw to Teixeira first to get him, Hill moves to third. Arencibia, 2-2 count, that’s the way JP, singles into left and here comes Hill, 7-2 Jays. Arencibia now with four RBI night. Johnny Mac first at bat after replacing Encarnacion. Pops up to Cano for third out.

Bottom 8th: Granderson, Rauch out again for second inning, full count. Ball four, come on Jon. Teixeira, there goes Granderson safe on the throw at second, could have taken third but did not see it. Full count strikes out swinging, one down, one on for A-Rod. Dotel and Perez are ready in Jays bullpen. Grounds to Escobar long throw to first, not in time. Two on for Cano. That’s it for Rauch, Luis Perez now pitching. Singles to Bautista in right, here comes Granderson, 7-3 Jays. Martin, two on one down. Pops up to Rivera two down. Posada, grounds to McDonald makes no mistake here and steps on the bag for third out. Perez did his job.

Top 9th: Noesi still pitching, Davis, first pitch pop up not a good at bat Rajai. Patterson, another first pitch out grounding to Cano throw to first, two down for Bautista, 2-0 not giving him much here. 2-2 count, pops up high to Martin.

Bottom 9th: Francisco now pitching, has not been pitching very well recently. Gardner leading off. Singles to left, one on for Dickerson. Gardner takes second without a throw. Bounces to Hill, throw to Rivera one down, Gardner to third. Jeter, strikes out swinging, two down. Granderson 3-1 count, full count, just misses one there outside the right field foul pole. Gets him that time, strikes out swinging and leaves Gardner at third. Excellent win for Jays tonight.

Excellent: Villanueva, five innings 75 pitch outing for the win and did everything and more than was expected of him. JP with four RBIs night, Hill two hits and important rbi in the sixth Bautista, his lead off home run in the first and even the intentional walk to him in the sixth lead to a big inning and also enabled him to score.

Not so good: Only Encarnacion tonight, strikes out here times and the error. Add on the top of the ninth and both Davis and Patterson making first pitch outs, not good at all. Not when they are hitting in front of Bautista.

By the way: Good to see Travis getting his first home run at the weekend in Vegas.

Jays lose series to Astros with lousy situational hitting

Astros v Jays. Game three, series decider.

Jays need to win this one for the series and avoid major embarrassment losing to the team with the worst record in the majors, and at home!! Bautista with 4 RBIs yesterday carried the team yesterday. The others need to step up big-time. The problem that I see is twofold one unable to bring in runner in scoring position and two the younger guys trying to hit for the fences every at bat. Oh so often all that is need is a base hit single. Just put the ball in play up the middle or looper into the outfield. Staying out of double plays would also help and running earlier in the count to avoid this, but with the free swinging philosophy (or practice) which could be two totally opposite directions, the runners do not get the chance to steal and stay out of the double play. The return of Lind might make an impact behind Bautista, but for now teams are going to pitch around him.

Line-ups: Astros. Bourn, Sanchez, Pence, Lee, Wallace, Johnson, Barmes, Bogusevich, Towles, and Wandy Rodriguez pitching.
Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Hill, Rivera, Arencibia, and Drabek pitching.

Top 1st: Bourn, 3-1 ball four high, not good Kyle not this guy on base. Sanchez, strikes out but ball gets away and Bourn to second on the play. Pence with runner in scoring position. There goes Bourn and safe on the throw. Grounds to Escobar, looks Broun back and throw to Rivera two down. Lee fly ball to Davis in centre but 20 pitch first inning for Drabek.
Bottom 1st: Escobar, nice, lines to centre and bounces over the wall ground rule double to start off. Patterson, grounds to second throw to first, Escobar to third for Bautista, no, grounds to short, Escobar has to hold, Bautista out at first, two down for Hill, 0-2 count, full count, ball four. Rivera with two on. Grounds to third throw to first for the out. Jays lose opportunity there to go out ahead. This is exactly the problem they have had all season. Someone, besides Bautista has to start to hit with runners in scoring position.

Top 2nd: Wallace, full count, ball four, Johnson, strikes out swinging, one down one on for Barmes. 2-2 count, lines it to Patterson in left, two on one down for Bogusevic, lines to Patterson in left, two down. Runners hold. Towles, fly ball to Bautista for third out, not sure Jose realised that.
Bottom 2nd: Arencibia leading off. Strikes out swinging, one down for Davis. Full count. Doubles into right centre. Encarnacion, singles into centre, goes to second on the throw Davis at third. Nix, strikes out swinging. Not good Jayson. Escobar with two in scoring position. 3-1 count, this is your pitch Yunel. Ball four, bases loaded for Patterson. Pops up to Towles and Jays leave three more out there. This cannot go on all season long John Farrell, you have to do something.

Top 3rd: Bourn, singles into left. Sanchez, singles to Davis in centre. Drabek fooling nobody today much like Morrow yesterday. Pence, grounds to Nix, tags Davis as he goes by, one down. Lee, grounds to Nix steps on third to get Sanchez at third, two down for Wallace, full count, singles up the middle here comes the run and Lee goes to third on the play safe on the throw 1-0 Astros. Johnson, grounds to Nix long throw to Rivera for third out.
Bottom 3rd: Jays playing catch up. Bautista leading off. Strikes out swinging, Hill, 3-1 count, pops up to shallow right centre. Two down for Rivera, 2-0 count, whoa... hammers this one right off the meat of the bat with that crack, way into left field seats second deck, home run to Rivera and this one is tied up 1-1. Arencibia, 2-2 count, singles into left. Davis, 3-1 count, ball four, two on two down for Encarnacion. High pop up to left field for third out.

Top 4th: Barmes, strikes out swinging, one down for Bogusevich, pops first pitch up to Nix two down. Towles, pops up to Davis for third out. Three up and down for Drabek.
Bottom 4th: Nix grounds first pitch to third, one down. Nix really struggling since his return. Escobar, grounds first pitch to third, long throw but gets him at first, two outs in two pitches the old free swinging undisciplined hitting by Jays. Patterson. Pops up second pitch to short. Three outs in four pitches? that is bush league whatever team is doing it.

Top 5th: Bourn always leading off it seems, lines first pitch to Bautista in right, nice running catch by Jose. Ione down for Sanchez, loops it into no man’s land shallow centre, one on one down for Pence. This one is trouble. Pence lines it into seats in left centre, home run. 3-1 Astros. Lee first pitch lines it into right, Drabek rattled again here, has to learn to control it. Wallace with one on and one down. Grounds to Hill, throw to Escobar over to Rivera, double play ball to end this one but not before Astros get to Drabek.
Bottom 5th: Bautista leading off, strikes out on ball outside, Hill pops up to short, two down. Rivera, strikes out looking same pitch that got Jose, outside on the corner.

Top 6th: Johnson singles over head of Hill into shallow right centre, one on for Barmes, Johnson running and throw gets him at second, not a great throw but enough. 2-2 count, full count, way outside, ball four, one on for Bogusevic, 2-0 count 94 pitches. Camp warming up in bullpen. 3-0 count. Full count, grounds to Escobar throw to first to get him hit and run on and Barmes safe at second.Towles, 3-0 full count, grounds to Escobar throw to first to end this but that is the end of Drabek, not a good outing today, far too many deep counts which pushed the pitch count to that 104 in only six innings. Has to learn to get the count down.
Bottom 6th: Arencibia, gets hold of this one high fly ball into left field seats, and Arencibia has pulled it back to 3-2 game. Davis, strikes out swinging, one down. Encarnacion 2-2 count, lines it right at Johnson at third, nice jumping catch for second out. Nix, fly ball out to centre.

Top 7th: Camp now pitching. Bourn leading off. He has been a real pain for Jays this weekend. Full count, lines it to centre, Davis makes nice running catch. One down. Sanchez, grounds back to Camp throw to first two down. Pence, singles to Davis in centre. Lee, 2-2 count, strikes out swinging to end the inning, nice work Shawn.
Bottom 7th: Can Jays hitters find their bats now? Change of pitching might help. Lopez now pitching. Top of the order, Escobar. 3-0 count, takes one ball four to get on base. Patterson, first pitch swinging after a guy has just walked. Pops up to Towles, awful at bat. Bautista, 0-3 today, grounds to Johnson, over to second, on to first double play. A day to forget for Jose but then again this team should not rely on one guy.

Top 8th: Rzepczynski now pitching. Wallace leading off. Doubles to left field wall. Johnson, grounds to Escobar throw to Nix at third gets him. One down for Barmes singles into left. Two on one down for Bogusevich, grounds to Nix, steps on third throw to first not in time. Two down for Towles. OH GREAT play, grounds up the middle but Hill diving to his right gets the ball and flips to Escobar for the out, that saved a run there.
Bottom 8th: Hill leading off. Fly ball to Bourn in centre. Rivera, 3-1 count, ball four, one on for Arencibia. 2-1 count and here comes the manager to change pitchers in the middle of an at bat, you don’t often see this. Melancon to pitch. Do you swing or take? Arencibia takes a strike, hmm... 2-2 and does it again takes third strike. Not good JP. Davis with two down. Strikes out swinging. The Arencibia at bat was the key there. JP has to learn better pitch selection. A new pitcher coming in on 2-1 count is going to throw a strike and most times fast ball, Melancon did that almost down the middle but it was hittable if he were waiting for it.

Top 9th: Casey Janssen now pitching. Bourn, Jays killer this weekend. Loops into centre for Davis to make the catch, nice running catch by Rajai. One down for Sanchez, ground ball to Escobar throw to Rivera at first for the second out. Pence, strikes out swinging.
Bottom 9th: Jays running out of chances now and have not looked world beaters today or in fact all weekend against a far inferior line-up. Encarnacion leading off 0-2 count, grounds to second, throw to first, one down. Thames pinch hitting for Nix. Strikes out swinging, over-matched there. Escobar last chance for Jays, bounces one to short, long throw but Escobar safe at first on the throw. Patterson, two down and one on. McCoy pinch running for Escobar. Doubles into the right field corner. McCoy into third, two in scoring position for Bautista. Intentional walk. Exactly what we mentioned at the beginning of this game. Would they do this if Jose were better protected by Lind? Bases loaded. Hill, grounds to Johnson at third, throw to first and Jays lose another and the series.

We had big hopes of a Jays sweep this weekend over the worst team in the majors but instead Jays play some of their worst baseball of the season, poor pitching, even worse hitting and a major disappointment and embarrassment. They will have time to think about it on the plane to New York but not a good way to head into Yankee Stadium. Jays can hope that they see Lind back in line-up this series. If not, my fear is that it could end in back surgery and that would not be good for Adam at all. Jays would need huge career year from someone to make up for that loss. It was ironic to see Wallace playing so well in the two games he played. He would be fixture at first right now and may even be hitting behind Jose at cleanup. I like Aaron but right now he is lightweight support for Jose.

The good: Not much today. The bullpen as is often the case. The home runs by Rivera and Arencibia. Some great defence by Hill and that is it today.

The not so good: Drabek, far too many long counts, not great control. The hitters unable to adjust to a very liberal strike zone which the umpire applied consistently all afternoon, hitters did not adjust at all. Poor pitch selection. Unable to bring in runners once again from the very first inning with that leadoff double by Escobar. Three chances and unable to and in the end that cost them this game. A very poor over all game along with Friday night and the series.

Bautista multi-homer game power helps Jays come from behind to win 7-5

Astros v Jays. Game two of three.

After last night’s embarrassment Jays hitters must be looking for big payback this afternoon. The only positive from last night was the fact that Yankees, Tampa and Baltimore all lost their games so Jays only lose one to Boston in the standings however this weekend was supposed to be where Jays get all three and perhaps make up a few games in the standings. A hot day out here today but always good to see the families and young children enjoying.

Line-ups: Astros: Bourn, Sanchez, Pence, Lee, Wallace playing first, Johnson, Barmes, Bogusevic, Quintero, and Myers pitching. Jays do not want Brett Wallace showing his old club what they are missing at first base either.
He is one BIG guy at the plate.

Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Hill, Rivera, Davis, Thames, McDonald, and Molina with Morrow pitching.
Top 1st: Bourn leading off, full count, ball four, not a great start with this guy’s speed. Now Morrow has to worry about him on base. Sanchez, that’s better strikes out one down for Peace, singles to Bautista in right, two on one down for Lee. Grounds to Escobar, has to wait for Bourn in front of him, McDonald, tags but not in time and bases are loaded. Looked as if Broun obstructed there and Farrell agrees, he is out there arguing with third base umpire. No luck and now Bourn is pointing to his foot, must have jammed it on the bag when he slid in there, Trainer out but he is staying put for now at least. Morrow is in huge mess with bases load for Brett Wallace. Not much response from the crowd when he is announced. Here we go fly ball to Patterson in left and Bourn comes home limping. 1-0 Astros. Will be interesting to see if Broun appears in bottom half of the inning. Jays will not miss him. Johnson, another hit to Bautista in right and here comes Pence. 2-0 Astros. So much for the worst team in the majors… Lee going to third on the play, big mistake here comes throw from Bautista and he gets him. Morrow should thank Josse for that. 22 pitch first inning, ouch.
Bottom 1st: Escobar leading off, fly ball to Bourn in centre, one down. Patterson, grounds along first base line easy out for Wallace. Bautista nice reception from the crowd, grounds to short, beats out the throw, one on two down for Hill. Gets under this one and pops it up to Sanchez at second, Bautista left out there.

Top 2nd: Barmes leading off strikes out first one for Morrow. Bogusevic singles to Patterson in left. Quintero grounds to Hill throw to Rivera at first no problem with Juan on that play. Bogusevic moves up to second. Bourn for his second at bat in as many innings, fly ball to Patterson for third out and leaves Bogusevic out there. Better 12 pitch inning for Morrow.

Bottom 2nd: Rivera leading off lines to Bogusevic in left, one down for Davis, fly ball to Pence in right, two down. Thames strikes out. Another easy one for Myers.

Top 3rd: Sanchez lines to Davis in centre for the out Davis hesitated there as if he lost ball. Pence grounds to Escobar throw to Rivera. Two quick outs for Morrow. Lee, I spoke too soon, doubles to Bautista in right. Wallace same again singles to Bautista in right, Lee to third. Johnson, same again singles to right, I spoke too soon, here comes Lee to score 3-0 Astros. Wallace at second. Barmes grounds to Johnny Mc. Steps on third for the out on Wallace. So far Morrow has not looked sharp at all and his pitch count is rising fast.
Bottom 3rd: McDonald for his first at bat, Astros well into their second go around. Fly ball to Bogusevic in left. Molina strikes out. Two quick outs for Escobar grounds to Barmes at short to Wallace. Three up and down for Myers, cruising here.

Top 4th: Bogusevic leading off strikes out. Quintero ball four, not the number nine guy Brandon, that is not good at all. Bourn one on one down, grounds to Hill at second, flip to Escobar at second to get Quintero. I think I would have been tempted to go to first and get Bourn as Morrow now has to worry about him stealing and at minimum distracting him. Sanchez strikes out.to leave Bourn out there. Will Morrow last five?
Bottom 4th: Patterson, grounds to Wallace throw to Myers covering. Bautista grounds to Johnson at third long throw to Wallace but gets him. Two down. Hill opposite field fly ball to Pence in right.

Top 5th: Pence leading off, strikes out. One down. Lee singles to Patterson in left. Another runner on it feels as if the bases always have someone on for the Astros where Jays have just one measly hit. There goes Lee, steals second. Wallace singles to right, his second hit, Lee to third. Johnson with runner at third and only one down. Does not miss this one, fly ball to Davis, here comes Lee and crowd cannot believe this, 4-0 Astros, and we thought last night was embarrassing. Barmes fly ball to Patterson in centre to end this but that could be it for Morrow. His body language is very revealing but he should be upset with himself even without the run support
Bottom 5th: Rivera singles to left, loud applause from the crowd, a hit !!! only the second for Jays today, whoa, that is bad, bad, bad. Davis, fly ball to Bogusevic in left. Thames, nice relaxed swing, singles to centre, Rivera to second. Jays have two on for the first time, but can they bring one in? Johnny Mc. Just a single will do here Johnny Mc. NO !!! lines hard to Johnson at third and an easy double up with throw to second as Rivera was running on that and was caught midway. Jays not getting any breaks this weekend.

Top 6th: Morrow still out there…. Bogusevic strikes out. One down. Quintero lines to
Bautista in right. Two down. Bourn fly ball to Patterson in left to end this one..
Bottom 6th: Molina leading off, singles to centre. One on, for top of the order. Escobar, grounds to Barmes at short, ohhhh right through his legs, a Buckner move there, Jays get a big break. I think he was trying to get into double play stance but ball goes through, error to Barmes. Molina to second on the play and nobody out. Patterson, lines one hard to Bourn in centre, Molina to third. Bautista now with two on. YES Jose, NO DOUBT about this one, high into the seats over the jays bullpen, another home run to Jose, but more importantly here comes Molina, followed by Escobar and now Bautista, 4-3 game just like that and Myers had been cruising along Still only one down for Hill, pops up for Wallace, two down. Rivera grounds to Barmes at short, throw to Wallace for third out but we have a one run game here now.

Top 7th: I have no idea why Morrow is back out there. Sanchez leading off, 3-0 count, ball four. Morrow walks him on four pitches. Pence singles to left, Sanchez to second. That brings out Farrell, long overdue in my mind, now someone else has to clean up this mess, two on nobody out. Janssen now pitching. Lee strikes out. Good start Casey but not out of trouble yet. Here comes Wallace, oh perfect, grounds to Hill flip to Escobar throw to Rivera, double play ball. Very nice Casey Janssen.
Bottom 7th: Myers still out there, he has pitched well. Davis fly ball to Bourn in centre, one down. Thames doubles to centre his second hit today. Johnny.Mc. fly ball to Bourn. Two down. Molina, there we go Jose, singles to centre, here comes Thames and this one is all tied up 4-4. Jays never seem to give up and sometimes it pays off. Escobar, gets hold of this one and it is out of here in left, home run to Escobar, two runs score. 6-4 Jays as they go out ahead for first time this afternoon. Not sure about this home run trot Yunel, or rather very slow trot … I would not try that in New York but that has driven Myers out of the game. Escalona now pitching. Patterson pops up to Johnson but this game is broken open.

Top 8th: Frasor now pitching. Janssen did an excellent job once again. Johnson lines McDonald. One down. Barmes pops up to McDonald at third, two down. Bogusevic strikes out. Nice but that’s the way it should be with a lead, close them down.
Bottom 8th: Valdez now pitching. Has to face Bautista, here we go again this one is also out of here, crowd loves it, 7-4 Jays, this guy is unbelievable. Two home-run 5 RBI game. Hill, keeps it going here, singles to centre. Rivera, ouch not this Juan, grounds to Johnson at third, on Sanchez over to Wallace, double play ball. Davis grounds to Barmes throw to Wallace but Jays have added an insurance run.

Top 9th: This should be interesting Rauch now pitching. Quintero grounds to Escobar throw to Rivera at first. Bourn singles to right. One on one down. Sanchez, doubles to centre, here comes Bourn with that speed, 7-5 game. This one is not over yet friends. Dotel now pitching. This should be interesting. Passed ball, Sanchez to third. Pence strikes out. Down to their last out. Lee grounds to McDonald, this should be it, throw to Rivera and Jays win this one 7-5.

The very good: Has to be Jose de man once again, Two more home runs and four RBIs plus he made two excellent throws from right field to hold the runners and to get runner third.
Bullpen of Janssen and Dotel to hold the score. Yes a good star to Escobar for the home run but don’t hot dog Yunel. Watch what Jose does, you will not find a better role model.
The not so good: Morrow not a good outing period, struggled from the first inning.