Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Jays win a thriller in 14 innings with Johnny Mac and Davis combination

Mariners v Jays. Game one of three.

Mariners crawl into Toronto on nine game losing streak so you know that this is one that Jays could cough up based on their history. Jays on a two game losing streak themselves, but the good news is that Jose will be back although at DH and Casey Janssen returns. News today also that Jesse Litsch will not return to Toronto as he comes off his rehab but is optioned to Vegas. Not good for Jesse.

The game itself.This one will have to be in two parts friends as this game went deep into extra innings, 14 to be precise, a long time since I have been at Jays game where we had two seventh inning stretches. Although we cannot lay the blame at Jason Frasor tonight although he did slow it down for a couple of innings.

This was in fact quite an entertaining game and for those who will be unable to read any account in their daily newspaper on the commute in a few hours, I provide the first part. The second part the full game will be available when you return home tonight.

Brett Cecil pitching tonight was in immediate trouble in the first inning giving up a run but in the bottom of the first Adam Lind hits a two home run into second deck in right field seats above the Mariners bullpen.

However Cecil implodes in the top of the second and gives up four runs including three run home run from number nine hitter Holman and then after Ichiro lines out to Thames, Ryan hits a solo shot into left field seats to make it 5-2.
Cecil managed to settle down and actually lasted into the seventh which was quite amazing after the first two innings and very high pitch count. Jays were unable to get to Pineda until the seventh when Hill lead off with a double to left, after Arencibia struck out, Patterson walked and Escobar then doubles to right scoring Hill to make it 5-3. Thames followed with a sacrifice fly off Laffey to score Patterson 5-4 before Bautista singled to centre to score Escobar off Gray and tie the game at 5-5.

The score stayed that way until the bottom of the 14th. until Davis singled to centre and then proceded to steal second and then third before Johnny Mac lifted a sacrifice fly to centre to score Davis and Jays win 6-5.

This was thriller with many heroes. None more than Davis and his stolen bases to make the runs happen but also tremendous effort by Jays pitchers to close Seattle down for 12 innings. Some fantastic defence by Snider playing in centre and Patterson in left.

Casey Janssen gets the win and rescues Cecil. Not a good outing by Cecil. This would have been a very tough one to lose and the Mariners must be regretting letting this one get away and now their losing streak is ten games. Jays hope it continues.

As mentioned above the full game will be printed later. Time has caught up to the editor.

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