OK, for the record and for all those purists who asked about the three Jays minors who struck out against Chamberlain yesterday.
Patterson, Shoffit and Hatch... ???? Well you did ask.
They looked as if they are all still in High School and may be...
The point was that Chamberlain did not exactly have a bottom of the 9th Game 7 World Series experience with these kids despite the euphoria by Yankee nation fans world wide.
But I am sure he was pleased that he could still strike out high school players.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Yankees.....
Jays at Knology Park for a change.... sold out game for Yankees in town.
BUT Yankees not taking it that seriously.
No Jeter, no Rodriguez, no Porsada, No Giambi... Fans are very upset.
My Vancouver colleague has my seat behind the dugout, I am behind home plate under the media box. ESPN is televising Jays for second consecutive day.
Lineups: Yankees. Damon, Cabrera,Cano, Duncan, Betemit, Ransom, Molina, Green, and Ian Kennedy pitching.
Jays have first team lineup Eckstein, Rios, Wells, Rolen, Thomas, Stairs, Overbay, Hill, Zaun and pitching Davis ? well almost the first team lineup.
Top of 1st. Damon walks, Cabrera drives into double play, Cano grounds to 1B.
Bottom of 1st. Leadoff double by Eckstein, tries for triple, needs a perfect throw to get him and they do. Question Eckstein on this one with big bats behind him a leadoff double would have been fine . Rios pops up to shallow RF, Wells single to LF would have scored Eckstein easily. Rolen flies to RF. Jays lost a chance to get ahead.
Top of 2nd Matsui lines to Eckstein, Duncan flare into centre, Belemit double to CF Duncan scores, 1-0 NYY. Ransom lines down 3B line, Rolen playing off the line, run scores 2-0 NYY. Ransom on 2B. Molina breaks bat out at 1B runner to 3B two out. Green pops up to Overbay.
Bottom of 2nd. Thomas (yes pops up) to 1B, Frank cannot buy a hit 3 for 34 this spring.. hardly DH stuff, Stairs strikes out, Overbay strikes out. Kennedy looking like Cy Young.
Top of 3rd. Damon flies out to Stairs catching in front of Wells, Cabrera flies to RF. Cano past a diving Rolen into left. Cano steals second, Matsui walks, this pitcher is a carbon copy of Frasor dead slow.... worse with runners on. Betemit off the wall in centre, two score no throw to plate which might have caught one. Ransom strikes out. 4-0 Yankees. 5 hits. Jays two hits no runs.
Bottom of 3rd. Kennedy still pitching, why not. Hill double to LF, Hill has been one of the few in lineup with any consistency, Zaun moves Hill over to 3B. Eckstein grounds to SS, Hill scores, 4-1, Rios doubles to LF, Wells strikes out.... Jays just cannot bring them in today. JP is sitting down below me must not be a happy guy at this stage of Spring training.
Top of 4th. League pitching. Molina grounds to SS, Green grounds to 3B, Duncan under Rolen's glove, not a great day at 3B today. Damon bounces one at home plate, throw to 1B.
Bottom of 4th. Kennedy still pitching. Rolen doubles to centre, at least his bat is ok today, Frank oh no.... pops up to catcher. Stairs strikes out, Overbay grounds to SS, Rolen left at 2B.Top of 5th. Accardo pitching. Cano dirive to LF Stairs cannot catch but traps and throes hinm out at @B trying to stretch single. Matsui broken bat single to shallow centre, Duncan flies to RF, Betemit two run HR to right, Rios just turns his head to watch it go. No doubt at all from moment it was hit. Yankees taking it to Toronto this afternoon 6-1. Ransom single to shallow CF, Rolen knows down sharo drive to save run, nice play, two on at 1B and 2B Green grounds to 3B, runner out at 2B. Yankees 6 runs on 11 hits.
Bottom of 5th Kennedy still out there. Hill grounds to SS, Zaun pops to shallow left, Kennedy leaves game to good applause. Eckstein pops up to SS, Rios walks, Wells walks, bases loaded. Rolen grounds to 3B. Same old refrain.
Top of 6th Frasor pitching , oh no.... this game will last another hour. Damon lines to shallow left, Cabrera soft liner to RF, Damon goes to 3B, Cano double run scores 7-1 NYY,Carson hit by Frasor, Duncan passed ball, both runners move up, I do hope Frasor is pencilled in for AAA this season, Betemit strikes out.
Bottom of 6th. Thomas at bat, one wag shouts "please, please Frank don't pop up..." (he is speaking for every fan in the ballpark, it is painful to watch). He answer all our prayers, sort of and strikes out. Stairs grounds to 2B, nice stop, but Stairs beats out throw, Overbay walks, two on yet again, Mathews pinch running for Stairs, Hill (thank you baseball gods) doubles to CF, run scores, runners hold at 2B and 3B, Zaun strikes out, Eckstein grounds to 2B.
Top of 7th. Gonzalez grounds to 3B, Molina strikes out, Engberg ? walks, Lane lines up the middle, two on, for Cabrera grounds to 3B.
Bottom of 7th. Chamberlain pitching, Yankees serious... Strikes out three minors.... first team is hiding in some hole underground with this performance, leaving the wrap up to the minors.
Top of 8th. Castro lines up the middle, Carson walks, Duncan, yes Duncan still in there John Gibbons, strikes out, Betelimt, pops to Cannon, very nice overhead catch in foul territory, Gonzalez at bat, passed ball moves the runners, to 2B and 3B. grounds to 2B.
Bottom of 8th... Guess who ? Thomas at bat... a single to RF, the crowd rises to its feet, (just kidding friends... but I guess it is a start.)Mathews lines to 2B, Cannon flies to RF, Lopez pops to 2B
Top of 9th Wolfe pitching. three up three down, Bottom of 9th. NO Chamberlain but Jays strikeout ground to 2B and fly out to RF... pathetic.
Not a game that Jays will want to read about. They have a long way to go to get the bats in sync. They are getting hits (some) but leaving too many runners in scoring position. Looks as if Reed is out of there. Hill is fine, so are Alex, Stairs, Rolen, but the rest of the batting is not ready, they are being saved from embarrassment right now by the pitchers with a couple of exceptions.
Detroit tomorrow....
BUT Yankees not taking it that seriously.
No Jeter, no Rodriguez, no Porsada, No Giambi... Fans are very upset.
My Vancouver colleague has my seat behind the dugout, I am behind home plate under the media box. ESPN is televising Jays for second consecutive day.
Lineups: Yankees. Damon, Cabrera,Cano, Duncan, Betemit, Ransom, Molina, Green, and Ian Kennedy pitching.
Jays have first team lineup Eckstein, Rios, Wells, Rolen, Thomas, Stairs, Overbay, Hill, Zaun and pitching Davis ? well almost the first team lineup.
Top of 1st. Damon walks, Cabrera drives into double play, Cano grounds to 1B.
Bottom of 1st. Leadoff double by Eckstein, tries for triple, needs a perfect throw to get him and they do. Question Eckstein on this one with big bats behind him a leadoff double would have been fine . Rios pops up to shallow RF, Wells single to LF would have scored Eckstein easily. Rolen flies to RF. Jays lost a chance to get ahead.
Top of 2nd Matsui lines to Eckstein, Duncan flare into centre, Belemit double to CF Duncan scores, 1-0 NYY. Ransom lines down 3B line, Rolen playing off the line, run scores 2-0 NYY. Ransom on 2B. Molina breaks bat out at 1B runner to 3B two out. Green pops up to Overbay.
Bottom of 2nd. Thomas (yes pops up) to 1B, Frank cannot buy a hit 3 for 34 this spring.. hardly DH stuff, Stairs strikes out, Overbay strikes out. Kennedy looking like Cy Young.
Top of 3rd. Damon flies out to Stairs catching in front of Wells, Cabrera flies to RF. Cano past a diving Rolen into left. Cano steals second, Matsui walks, this pitcher is a carbon copy of Frasor dead slow.... worse with runners on. Betemit off the wall in centre, two score no throw to plate which might have caught one. Ransom strikes out. 4-0 Yankees. 5 hits. Jays two hits no runs.
Bottom of 3rd. Kennedy still pitching, why not. Hill double to LF, Hill has been one of the few in lineup with any consistency, Zaun moves Hill over to 3B. Eckstein grounds to SS, Hill scores, 4-1, Rios doubles to LF, Wells strikes out.... Jays just cannot bring them in today. JP is sitting down below me must not be a happy guy at this stage of Spring training.
Top of 4th. League pitching. Molina grounds to SS, Green grounds to 3B, Duncan under Rolen's glove, not a great day at 3B today. Damon bounces one at home plate, throw to 1B.
Bottom of 4th. Kennedy still pitching. Rolen doubles to centre, at least his bat is ok today, Frank oh no.... pops up to catcher. Stairs strikes out, Overbay grounds to SS, Rolen left at 2B.Top of 5th. Accardo pitching. Cano dirive to LF Stairs cannot catch but traps and throes hinm out at @B trying to stretch single. Matsui broken bat single to shallow centre, Duncan flies to RF, Betemit two run HR to right, Rios just turns his head to watch it go. No doubt at all from moment it was hit. Yankees taking it to Toronto this afternoon 6-1. Ransom single to shallow CF, Rolen knows down sharo drive to save run, nice play, two on at 1B and 2B Green grounds to 3B, runner out at 2B. Yankees 6 runs on 11 hits.
Bottom of 5th Kennedy still out there. Hill grounds to SS, Zaun pops to shallow left, Kennedy leaves game to good applause. Eckstein pops up to SS, Rios walks, Wells walks, bases loaded. Rolen grounds to 3B. Same old refrain.
Top of 6th Frasor pitching , oh no.... this game will last another hour. Damon lines to shallow left, Cabrera soft liner to RF, Damon goes to 3B, Cano double run scores 7-1 NYY,Carson hit by Frasor, Duncan passed ball, both runners move up, I do hope Frasor is pencilled in for AAA this season, Betemit strikes out.
Bottom of 6th. Thomas at bat, one wag shouts "please, please Frank don't pop up..." (he is speaking for every fan in the ballpark, it is painful to watch). He answer all our prayers, sort of and strikes out. Stairs grounds to 2B, nice stop, but Stairs beats out throw, Overbay walks, two on yet again, Mathews pinch running for Stairs, Hill (thank you baseball gods) doubles to CF, run scores, runners hold at 2B and 3B, Zaun strikes out, Eckstein grounds to 2B.
Top of 7th. Gonzalez grounds to 3B, Molina strikes out, Engberg ? walks, Lane lines up the middle, two on, for Cabrera grounds to 3B.
Bottom of 7th. Chamberlain pitching, Yankees serious... Strikes out three minors.... first team is hiding in some hole underground with this performance, leaving the wrap up to the minors.
Top of 8th. Castro lines up the middle, Carson walks, Duncan, yes Duncan still in there John Gibbons, strikes out, Betelimt, pops to Cannon, very nice overhead catch in foul territory, Gonzalez at bat, passed ball moves the runners, to 2B and 3B. grounds to 2B.
Bottom of 8th... Guess who ? Thomas at bat... a single to RF, the crowd rises to its feet, (just kidding friends... but I guess it is a start.)Mathews lines to 2B, Cannon flies to RF, Lopez pops to 2B
Top of 9th Wolfe pitching. three up three down, Bottom of 9th. NO Chamberlain but Jays strikeout ground to 2B and fly out to RF... pathetic.
Not a game that Jays will want to read about. They have a long way to go to get the bats in sync. They are getting hits (some) but leaving too many runners in scoring position. Looks as if Reed is out of there. Hill is fine, so are Alex, Stairs, Rolen, but the rest of the batting is not ready, they are being saved from embarrassment right now by the pitchers with a couple of exceptions.
Detroit tomorrow....
Red Sox nation in mourning
Jays in Fort Myers for Boston send off to Japan.
Big news of course was the hour long delay of the game by Boston team refusing to play Jays in support of payment for coaches and other support staff going to Japan. Eventually settled. I wonder what ESPN did whilst waiting...
Halladay not pitching, nor against Yankees tomorrow. So that both teams do not see him before first week of season. Boston also holding back DiceK although he was pitching minor game against Rochester.
Tallet pitched two good scoreless innings. Gibbons had already rewarded him earlier with spot in the bullpen.
Camp relieves and gets into trouble with three hits including Youklis 3run HR. Bullpen then holds Boston scoreless for rest of game.
1st inning. Jays start well with hits but Wells thrown out at home.
4th Jays 4 hits in first 4 innings but no runs.
5th Top. Javier Lopez pitching. Hill tries bunt and strikes out. Zaun grounds to 2nd Reed strikeouts
Bottom of 5th Parrish pitching. Pop up to Rolen, ground to SS and fly ball to CF. 3 up 3 down.6th
Top of 6th. Timlin pitching. 42 this year.... Eckstein walks, Stewart flies to shallow right centre. Rios lines to wall in LF. Wells already with a single today grounds to SS.
Bottom of 6th Parrish. Sean Casey grounds to 1B. Ortiz walks, pinch runner. Parrish pick him off. This is the second pick off that Parrish has had this spring... great move. Dribbler up the line, Parrish retrieves and throws runner out. Another nice inning by Parrish. This guy has to go north with the team.
Top of 7th. Delcarme pitching. Scutaro flare to left for base hit. Overbay also single today strikes out. Hill 0-2 today but batting .444 this spring with 6 rbis. Flies to CF. Zaun pops up.
Bottom 7th Wells pitching. Good catch by Thigpen in LF and a great catch by Reed in CF. Sox go 1,2,3. They are in hurry to get away to Japan... fans are already forming a farewell path... grounds staff giving out foam fingers...! so much for spontanaity in the nation.
Top of 8th. Okajima pitching. Reed flies to CF, Johnny Mac out to a great catch in LF. Stewart double to to LF. Watson walks, Mathews rbi liner to RF. 3-1 Boston. Two on for Scutaro, walks to load bases. Okajima pulled out of game. Can't have his confidence ruined in Spring.
Cannon goes to full count and a high fly ball to CF drops ball in wind and sun ???? whatever excuse Red Sox wants, 3 runs score on the double... this is Jays game 4-3.
Cannon at 2nd running on play and great throw by Centre to get him at plate. The second time today Jays caught at plate. But they have delayed Sox victory parade to bus for Japan flight.
Bottom of 8th. Three up and down... they are in a hurry now to get to Papelbon.
Top of the 9th. To the annointed one. Hits Sal Fasano. Sal is mad..... and then STEALS 2nd.... Sal Fusano stealing off Papelbon. "Don't hit me".
Macdonald at bat and strikes out. Santos at bat and quick out BUT what's this ???? Sal is caught stealing 3rd.... I think ! that must have been a hit and run... unless the sun has got to Sal...
Bottom of 9th, grounds to SS, pop up to pitcher and strikeout ends this steal by the Jays at the end of the game. Just to let Boston know they are still around...
Jays 4 runs on 9 hits and no errors. Boston 3 runs all in the third on 3 hits and no errors.Jays will definitely take this one...
Now Boston take off on huge road trip before they hit Toronto... will be very interesting to see how they do in those ten days.
But then again Jays have to be ready in April and right now in my opinion there are huge question marks about the lineup.
Bullpen appears to definitely be ready.
Yankees tomorrow... another sellout at Knology Park.
Big news of course was the hour long delay of the game by Boston team refusing to play Jays in support of payment for coaches and other support staff going to Japan. Eventually settled. I wonder what ESPN did whilst waiting...
Halladay not pitching, nor against Yankees tomorrow. So that both teams do not see him before first week of season. Boston also holding back DiceK although he was pitching minor game against Rochester.
Tallet pitched two good scoreless innings. Gibbons had already rewarded him earlier with spot in the bullpen.
Camp relieves and gets into trouble with three hits including Youklis 3run HR. Bullpen then holds Boston scoreless for rest of game.
1st inning. Jays start well with hits but Wells thrown out at home.
4th Jays 4 hits in first 4 innings but no runs.
5th Top. Javier Lopez pitching. Hill tries bunt and strikes out. Zaun grounds to 2nd Reed strikeouts
Bottom of 5th Parrish pitching. Pop up to Rolen, ground to SS and fly ball to CF. 3 up 3 down.6th
Top of 6th. Timlin pitching. 42 this year.... Eckstein walks, Stewart flies to shallow right centre. Rios lines to wall in LF. Wells already with a single today grounds to SS.
Bottom of 6th Parrish. Sean Casey grounds to 1B. Ortiz walks, pinch runner. Parrish pick him off. This is the second pick off that Parrish has had this spring... great move. Dribbler up the line, Parrish retrieves and throws runner out. Another nice inning by Parrish. This guy has to go north with the team.
Top of 7th. Delcarme pitching. Scutaro flare to left for base hit. Overbay also single today strikes out. Hill 0-2 today but batting .444 this spring with 6 rbis. Flies to CF. Zaun pops up.
Bottom 7th Wells pitching. Good catch by Thigpen in LF and a great catch by Reed in CF. Sox go 1,2,3. They are in hurry to get away to Japan... fans are already forming a farewell path... grounds staff giving out foam fingers...! so much for spontanaity in the nation.
Top of 8th. Okajima pitching. Reed flies to CF, Johnny Mac out to a great catch in LF. Stewart double to to LF. Watson walks, Mathews rbi liner to RF. 3-1 Boston. Two on for Scutaro, walks to load bases. Okajima pulled out of game. Can't have his confidence ruined in Spring.
Cannon goes to full count and a high fly ball to CF drops ball in wind and sun ???? whatever excuse Red Sox wants, 3 runs score on the double... this is Jays game 4-3.
Cannon at 2nd running on play and great throw by Centre to get him at plate. The second time today Jays caught at plate. But they have delayed Sox victory parade to bus for Japan flight.
Bottom of 8th. Three up and down... they are in a hurry now to get to Papelbon.
Top of the 9th. To the annointed one. Hits Sal Fasano. Sal is mad..... and then STEALS 2nd.... Sal Fusano stealing off Papelbon. "Don't hit me".
Macdonald at bat and strikes out. Santos at bat and quick out BUT what's this ???? Sal is caught stealing 3rd.... I think ! that must have been a hit and run... unless the sun has got to Sal...
Bottom of 9th, grounds to SS, pop up to pitcher and strikeout ends this steal by the Jays at the end of the game. Just to let Boston know they are still around...
Jays 4 runs on 9 hits and no errors. Boston 3 runs all in the third on 3 hits and no errors.Jays will definitely take this one...
Now Boston take off on huge road trip before they hit Toronto... will be very interesting to see how they do in those ten days.
But then again Jays have to be ready in April and right now in my opinion there are huge question marks about the lineup.
Bullpen appears to definitely be ready.
Yankees tomorrow... another sellout at Knology Park.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Off-days, preparation and youth
Jays off day... What an oxymoron...in Spring training.
BUT it gives me the opportunity to raise a point that has interested me since being here last couple of weeks. That is the preparedness of the players.
There are two very distinct approaches here. One the Jays approach, look at all the rookies, donlt play the big guys more than 3 innings if that. the other is play the potential starting team every game and also give them more than two at bats and three inings of work.
The Jays are the former of course and show their record is 7-12, One excellent example of the latter are the Rays at 13-4 after yesterday's game.
The upside of the Jays approach is that they do get to see the young guys in action but the obvious downside is that very few of the big guys are ready yet. Thomas, Wells, Johnson are prime examples. White Sox Chair Jerry Reinsdforf says today in USA Today that their worst recrod in spring training last year carried over into the regaular season. But more importantly he said "Last year we not only had a bad record, but the effort wasn't there. You can't just turn on a switch on opening day."
My observation of the Jays is that there are too many of them ambling through the motions. There is no urgency of effort. Wins in April are very important in a division where 90 wins will not be enough for playoff spot.
I compare this to the Rays that I have now seen several times this spring. I have mentioned before their cockiness, aggressiveness and hustle but it compares to the lack of the same by many of the Jays especially now the younger guys have gone.
This week Jays play Boston today, Yankees tomorrow and Detroit at the weekend, it will be very interesting to see if they prove me wrong.
Whilst the Jays were off Phillies were playing the Rays at home and I met a wonderful very knowledgable Phillies fan welcome Jack to the blog.
Tuesday March 18 2008 at Bright House Field. Phillies and Rays two very good teams today.
Good crowd and great weather. 77F at game time.Seems to be a different quieter crowd than yesterday, no Rays bp. Rays are the team to beat this Spring with a 13-3 record the best in Grapefruit league.
Longoria is definitely one phenom to watch, his superb fielding let alone his bat. The Rays all round are a very exciting team to watch this season and are going to make a big impact on the East division. Their confidence right now is sky high and they play hard and exciting ball. With their youth they don't know failure.
Lineups:
Phillies: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Feliz, Jenkins, Coste and Hamels pitching.
Rays: Johnson, Crawford, Pena, Gomes,Navarro, Longoria,Brignac, Weber, and Garza pitching. National League rules no DH. Rays have the Yankee killers in lineup. Johnson at 2B leading off and "protect his back" Gomes at RF.
The game:
Top of 1st. Johnson (where are the cheers ?) strikes out, Crawford lines to SS, Pena flies out to RF. Good first inning by Hamels.
Bottom of 1st. Garza pitching. Rollins flies to CF nice catch by Crawford, Victorino running bunt, high throw by Garza into crowd at first, Victorino at 2B, error on pitcher. Utley passed ball allows Victorino to 3B, Utley walks, Howard sac fly to LF run scores Victorino, Burrell flies to shallow right nice catch. 1-0 Phillies.
Top of 2nd. Gomes (gets booed ?? not in Toronto, must be some Yankee fans here today) high pop up to 3B, Navarro strikes out on 3 pitches, Longoria grounds to SS. Nice inning by Hamels, he is pitching very well.
Bottom of 2nd. Jenkins ex- Brewer, strikeout, Feliz grounds to 2B, Coste comebacker to Garza throws to 1B. 80F.
Top of 3rd. Hamels smoking... Brignac, Weber and Garza on strikeouts. This guy is good. Still no hits.
Bottom of 3rd. Hamels grounds to SS, Rollins walks, Victorino at bat with Rollins showing steal, Victorino flies to LF, Utley pops up to 2B. Garza has settled down also. Still a no-hitter for both.
Top of 4th. Johnson out at 1B, Crawford pops up to 3B, Pena flies out to CF. Another quick inning, both pitchers doing well with advantage to Hamels.
Bottom of 4th Garza still pitching. Howard strikes out, Burrell base hit to LF breaking no hitter. Jenkins HR to RF, two runs score Phillies 3-0. Jenkins is going to be a good additon to very heavy htting lineup. Feliz flies to LF, Coste grounds to SS. Both pitchers have really been pitching well the score does not reflect the pitching.
Top of 5th.Gomes strikes out, Navarro grounds to 3B, Longora HR to LF 3-1 Philies. First hit against Hamels. Brignac base hit to RF, runner on 1B, steals second on first pitch... old Toronto friend Fred McGriff is first base coach for Rays.Weber flies out to left centre.
Bottom of 5th. Hanmels at bat flies to LF, Rollins stretches out a single into a double and on errant throw goes to 3B, speed kills... Victorino sac fly to RF, Rollins scores. 4-1 Phillies, Utley fly ball to RF lost in background by fielder, Utley on at 1B, Hamels grounds to SS, fielder's choice at 2B.
Top of 6th. Garza nice base hit to RF. Error at 2B, Johnson dribbler down 3B, out at 1B. Crawford strikes out, Pena grounds to 2B. Hamels six innings two hits seven strikeouts. VERY nice. Bottom of 6th. Garza still pitching despite being out on base for last ten minutes as lead off and has been out on field since bottom of 5th inning. Will this affect him at all ? it is very hot out there.Burrell strikes out, Jenkins walks, Garza tiring ? Feliz drives to 3B great play and doubles up Jenkins at 1B. Now Garza can hit the showers he should not be upset at this game. Six innings four hits three strikeouts.
Top of 7th. Castro pitching. Gomes walks, Navarro doubles to LF, Longoria walks, bases loaded, you can't give these Rays any small advantage. Brignac sac fly to RF Gomes scores, Navarro on throw to 3B. 4-2 Phillies. Weber grounds to SS double play. Breathe again Phillies fans.
Bottom of 7th. Rays pitcher Miller sidearm delivery. Coste fly ball to RF, Snelling walks. Maddon out to change pitchers quickly, unusual in Spring to see this. The only other time I have seen this was for injury but it seems the custom to let the pitcher get out of trouble and leave them in until end of inning, BUT Maddon is making a statement with this Rays side this Spring. New pitcher Howell, Smith pops o SS, Olmeda attempts bunt ? with two out strikes out.
Top of 8th. Gary Knotts pitching Giminez grounds to 1B, Hinske (yes Eric of Toronto fame, now with the Rays) grounds to 2B, Rodriguez dribbler down 1B Knotts collects it himself for out.
Bottom of 8th.Howell pitching for Rays, Jaysen Werth (this is like a Jays reunion) strikes out, Bruntlett, strikes out, Dobbs grounds to SS.
Top of 9th. Madson pitching Richards at bat fly ball to LF, Joel Guzman pop up to 1B, Josh Paul flies out to CF.Phillies win a very good entertaining game.
Although Rays lose I still maintain they are a very different team in 2008 and beware any team in the East who takes them lightly.
Phillies: 4 runs, 4 hits and 1 error Rays: 2 runs, 4 hits and 2 errors with game ending temperature 82F.
Tonight major Jays fan flying in from Vancouver to join me for three games... should be an interesting week ahead, I am looking forward to it and seeing whether or not the Jays really are serious...
BUT it gives me the opportunity to raise a point that has interested me since being here last couple of weeks. That is the preparedness of the players.
There are two very distinct approaches here. One the Jays approach, look at all the rookies, donlt play the big guys more than 3 innings if that. the other is play the potential starting team every game and also give them more than two at bats and three inings of work.
The Jays are the former of course and show their record is 7-12, One excellent example of the latter are the Rays at 13-4 after yesterday's game.
The upside of the Jays approach is that they do get to see the young guys in action but the obvious downside is that very few of the big guys are ready yet. Thomas, Wells, Johnson are prime examples. White Sox Chair Jerry Reinsdforf says today in USA Today that their worst recrod in spring training last year carried over into the regaular season. But more importantly he said "Last year we not only had a bad record, but the effort wasn't there. You can't just turn on a switch on opening day."
My observation of the Jays is that there are too many of them ambling through the motions. There is no urgency of effort. Wins in April are very important in a division where 90 wins will not be enough for playoff spot.
I compare this to the Rays that I have now seen several times this spring. I have mentioned before their cockiness, aggressiveness and hustle but it compares to the lack of the same by many of the Jays especially now the younger guys have gone.
This week Jays play Boston today, Yankees tomorrow and Detroit at the weekend, it will be very interesting to see if they prove me wrong.
Whilst the Jays were off Phillies were playing the Rays at home and I met a wonderful very knowledgable Phillies fan welcome Jack to the blog.
Tuesday March 18 2008 at Bright House Field. Phillies and Rays two very good teams today.
Good crowd and great weather. 77F at game time.Seems to be a different quieter crowd than yesterday, no Rays bp. Rays are the team to beat this Spring with a 13-3 record the best in Grapefruit league.
Longoria is definitely one phenom to watch, his superb fielding let alone his bat. The Rays all round are a very exciting team to watch this season and are going to make a big impact on the East division. Their confidence right now is sky high and they play hard and exciting ball. With their youth they don't know failure.
Lineups:
Phillies: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Feliz, Jenkins, Coste and Hamels pitching.
Rays: Johnson, Crawford, Pena, Gomes,Navarro, Longoria,Brignac, Weber, and Garza pitching. National League rules no DH. Rays have the Yankee killers in lineup. Johnson at 2B leading off and "protect his back" Gomes at RF.
The game:
Top of 1st. Johnson (where are the cheers ?) strikes out, Crawford lines to SS, Pena flies out to RF. Good first inning by Hamels.
Bottom of 1st. Garza pitching. Rollins flies to CF nice catch by Crawford, Victorino running bunt, high throw by Garza into crowd at first, Victorino at 2B, error on pitcher. Utley passed ball allows Victorino to 3B, Utley walks, Howard sac fly to LF run scores Victorino, Burrell flies to shallow right nice catch. 1-0 Phillies.
Top of 2nd. Gomes (gets booed ?? not in Toronto, must be some Yankee fans here today) high pop up to 3B, Navarro strikes out on 3 pitches, Longoria grounds to SS. Nice inning by Hamels, he is pitching very well.
Bottom of 2nd. Jenkins ex- Brewer, strikeout, Feliz grounds to 2B, Coste comebacker to Garza throws to 1B. 80F.
Top of 3rd. Hamels smoking... Brignac, Weber and Garza on strikeouts. This guy is good. Still no hits.
Bottom of 3rd. Hamels grounds to SS, Rollins walks, Victorino at bat with Rollins showing steal, Victorino flies to LF, Utley pops up to 2B. Garza has settled down also. Still a no-hitter for both.
Top of 4th. Johnson out at 1B, Crawford pops up to 3B, Pena flies out to CF. Another quick inning, both pitchers doing well with advantage to Hamels.
Bottom of 4th Garza still pitching. Howard strikes out, Burrell base hit to LF breaking no hitter. Jenkins HR to RF, two runs score Phillies 3-0. Jenkins is going to be a good additon to very heavy htting lineup. Feliz flies to LF, Coste grounds to SS. Both pitchers have really been pitching well the score does not reflect the pitching.
Top of 5th.Gomes strikes out, Navarro grounds to 3B, Longora HR to LF 3-1 Philies. First hit against Hamels. Brignac base hit to RF, runner on 1B, steals second on first pitch... old Toronto friend Fred McGriff is first base coach for Rays.Weber flies out to left centre.
Bottom of 5th. Hanmels at bat flies to LF, Rollins stretches out a single into a double and on errant throw goes to 3B, speed kills... Victorino sac fly to RF, Rollins scores. 4-1 Phillies, Utley fly ball to RF lost in background by fielder, Utley on at 1B, Hamels grounds to SS, fielder's choice at 2B.
Top of 6th. Garza nice base hit to RF. Error at 2B, Johnson dribbler down 3B, out at 1B. Crawford strikes out, Pena grounds to 2B. Hamels six innings two hits seven strikeouts. VERY nice. Bottom of 6th. Garza still pitching despite being out on base for last ten minutes as lead off and has been out on field since bottom of 5th inning. Will this affect him at all ? it is very hot out there.Burrell strikes out, Jenkins walks, Garza tiring ? Feliz drives to 3B great play and doubles up Jenkins at 1B. Now Garza can hit the showers he should not be upset at this game. Six innings four hits three strikeouts.
Top of 7th. Castro pitching. Gomes walks, Navarro doubles to LF, Longoria walks, bases loaded, you can't give these Rays any small advantage. Brignac sac fly to RF Gomes scores, Navarro on throw to 3B. 4-2 Phillies. Weber grounds to SS double play. Breathe again Phillies fans.
Bottom of 7th. Rays pitcher Miller sidearm delivery. Coste fly ball to RF, Snelling walks. Maddon out to change pitchers quickly, unusual in Spring to see this. The only other time I have seen this was for injury but it seems the custom to let the pitcher get out of trouble and leave them in until end of inning, BUT Maddon is making a statement with this Rays side this Spring. New pitcher Howell, Smith pops o SS, Olmeda attempts bunt ? with two out strikes out.
Top of 8th. Gary Knotts pitching Giminez grounds to 1B, Hinske (yes Eric of Toronto fame, now with the Rays) grounds to 2B, Rodriguez dribbler down 1B Knotts collects it himself for out.
Bottom of 8th.Howell pitching for Rays, Jaysen Werth (this is like a Jays reunion) strikes out, Bruntlett, strikes out, Dobbs grounds to SS.
Top of 9th. Madson pitching Richards at bat fly ball to LF, Joel Guzman pop up to 1B, Josh Paul flies out to CF.Phillies win a very good entertaining game.
Although Rays lose I still maintain they are a very different team in 2008 and beware any team in the East who takes them lightly.
Phillies: 4 runs, 4 hits and 1 error Rays: 2 runs, 4 hits and 2 errors with game ending temperature 82F.
Tonight major Jays fan flying in from Vancouver to join me for three games... should be an interesting week ahead, I am looking forward to it and seeing whether or not the Jays really are serious...
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Jays away in Bradenton. Pittsburgh 4-Toronto 1.
Burnett allowed four runs and four hits in four innings for Toronto. He also walked four and struck out none.
Bullpen of Gallo, Ryan, Accardo and League finished off with four innings of scoreless ball.
Five hits for Jays, Eckstein, Scutaro, Thomas, Hill and yet another Overbay double.
Reed Johnson scored Toronto's only rbi with sacrifice fly in the 9th.
Frank gets a hit ??? Frustrating to watch him this Spring, flailing away just like last year until May, June ??? Surely there is a solution.. But if he finishes with 100 rbis is anyone complaining, but it must bug people like Stairs.
Zach Duke pitched five scoreless innings Monday allowing only three hits, struck out one and walked none. Duke was bothered by elbow tendinitis throughout much of last season and went 3-8 with a 5.53 ERA in 20 games. He is pitching without pain this spring."Being healthy makes all the difference in the world," Duke said. "You can't even begin to understand what a difference it makes to be able to get full extension with your arm and be able to finish your pitches.''
Since giving up five runs in two innings by Cincinnati in his spring debut, Duke has given up just two runs in 12 innings in his last three starts."I thought Zach pitched really well," Pittsburgh manager John Russell said. "His sinker was really good and he complemented by throwing all of his other pitches for strikes.''
Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan pitched one scoreless inning for the second time this spring."I was sore and didn't feel as sharp as I was my first time out," Ryan said. "But I made some good pitches and battled through it and put up a zero.''
Freddy Sanchez, Jason Bay and Nate McLouth each drove in a run for Pittsburgh.Notes:
Toronto Armando Benitez, who agreed to a minor league deal last week, could appear in a major league game as soon as Friday. Yankees are at Knology Park on Thursday so they may hold him back until after that game.
Phillies, Monday March 17, 2008 at Bright House Field. Phillies and Cleveland Indians.
Huge crowd another sell-out and great weather. 77F at game time.St Patrick's day, a mass of green, must be some Irish in Philadelphia :)
Lineups:
Phillies: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Feliz, Werth, Ruiz and Durbin pitching.
Indians: Cabrera, Dellucci, Peralta, Martinez, Garko, Francisco, Marte, Snyder and Lee pitching. National League rules no DH.
The game:Top of 1st. Cabrera base hit to first error by pitcher on throw to 1st Cabrera on 2B. Dellucci walks, Peralta flies to CF, runners hold. Martinez long fly out to left centre, Garko flies to CF. Durbin escapes damage.
Bottom of 1st Rollins grounds to SS, Victorino single to shallow left, Utley at bat Lee throws ball away, Victorino tries for third and is thrown out by great throw. Manager argues that ball under tarp is two bases, loses argument. Utley triple off right field wall, expensive mistake by Victorino, Howard at bat strikes out.
Top of 2nd. Francisco single to left, Marte pop up to shallow RF Snyder shatters bat in double play ball.
Bottom of 2nd Burrell strikes out on nasty pitch from Lee, Feliz grounds to SS, 2 out. Werth lines base hit to RF , Werth moves to 2B on ball in front of catcher. Ruiz lines to LF drops ball, Werth scores 1-0. Durbin on base with high bouncer to SS. Ruiz to 2nd. Two on for Rollins and two out. Rollins lines bouncer at 3B who cannot handle, run scores 2-0. Rollins on 2nd Durbin on 3rd. error on play at 3B, Victorino does exactly same play but no error at3B, Durbin and Rollins runs cross, 4-0 Phillies. Victorino 2rbis and on 2B, Marte at 3B having rough day... Bloop into RF centre, Victorino scores 5-0, Howard with defensive shift on flies to LF. 5-0 Phillies on 8 hits. Big inning for Phillies, crowd very happy.
Top of 3rd. Lee batting, flies to shallow CF, Cabrera grounds to 2B. Dellucci high fly ball Rollins makes catch at 2B
Bottom of 3rd. Burrell base hit to CF, Feliz a bullet liner to 1B doubles up Burrell. Werth high fly ball to LF.
Top of 4th. Peralta double to LF Martinez grounds to SS Peralta to 3B, Garko one on one out grounds to SS, Peralta scores 5-1, Francisco flies to RF.
Bottom of 4th Ruiz hit to Peralta, unable to throw to 1B. Durbin bunting pops up to catcher Martinez, Rollins double to LF, Ruiz on 3B Victorino lines to CF Ruiz scores Rollins holds at 2B. 6-1 Phillies, Utley walks, Howard grounds to 2B.
Top of 5th. Marte walks, Snyder pops up behind 3B, Aaron Herr pinch hitting, two run blast to LF. 6-3. Cabrera rolls one out to 2B, Dellucci strikes out. Now 81F...
Bottom of 5th. New pitcher for Indians Kobayashi.Burrell walks, Feliz grounds to 3B force at 2B. not in time for double play, Feliz at 1B. Werth pops to 2B, Ruiz lines to LF.
Top of 6th. Condrey pitching for Phillies, Peralta base hit to LF. Martinez grounds to 2B double play. Garko grounds ot 2B.
Bottom of 6th. Belancourt pitching for Indians. Bruntlett strikes out, Taguchi strikes out, Olmeda strikes out.
Top of 7th. Romero pitching for Phillies. Francisco grounds to SS. fan makes great catch holding three bottles, the beer is saved. biggest cheer of the day. Marte walks, Snyder grounds into double play.
Bottom of 7th. Crowd thinning now, it is very hot out there especially in the berm areas. Guy proposes on his knee at 3B she accepts more cheers....this is St Patricks day... I wonder what would have happened if she had said no ???
Snelling strikes out but on base as ball goes to the backstop. Casey Smith strikes out, Burrell strikes out, Feliz also strikes out. Nice inning by Betancourt
Top of 8th. Darensbourg pitching for Phillies. Jamey Carroll strikes out, Cabrera walks, Dellucci double play.
Bottom of 8th. Elarton pitching. Wes Helms walks, Ruiz wild pitch over Ruiz's head Helms moves to 2B. Pitcher in discomfort and is out of game. Replacement Ruiz on 3-1 count. Base hit to RF. Helms to 3B two on.Brintlett hit by pitch, bases loaded none out. Taguchi grounds to 3B gets lead runner at home plate, bases still loaded. Olmedo pops to SS. Snelling bases still loaded, flies to RF. Terrible inning bases loaded none out could not add to score.
Attendance announced at 10,119 second largest crowd ever at Spring training for Phillies. Lots of families here this week as March break for those south of border.
Top of 9th. Gordon pitching. Jason Tyner strikes out, Martinez doubles off top of LF wall, umpire calls HR no dispute from Phillies. 6-4 Phillies. Garko long fly ball to wall caught up against wall. Francisco grounds to 3B.
Phillies win 6-4 on 12 hits and 6 for Indians.
Game ending temperature is 82F ! at 3.45pm. Sorry Ontario....
Burnett allowed four runs and four hits in four innings for Toronto. He also walked four and struck out none.
Bullpen of Gallo, Ryan, Accardo and League finished off with four innings of scoreless ball.
Five hits for Jays, Eckstein, Scutaro, Thomas, Hill and yet another Overbay double.
Reed Johnson scored Toronto's only rbi with sacrifice fly in the 9th.
Frank gets a hit ??? Frustrating to watch him this Spring, flailing away just like last year until May, June ??? Surely there is a solution.. But if he finishes with 100 rbis is anyone complaining, but it must bug people like Stairs.
Zach Duke pitched five scoreless innings Monday allowing only three hits, struck out one and walked none. Duke was bothered by elbow tendinitis throughout much of last season and went 3-8 with a 5.53 ERA in 20 games. He is pitching without pain this spring."Being healthy makes all the difference in the world," Duke said. "You can't even begin to understand what a difference it makes to be able to get full extension with your arm and be able to finish your pitches.''
Since giving up five runs in two innings by Cincinnati in his spring debut, Duke has given up just two runs in 12 innings in his last three starts."I thought Zach pitched really well," Pittsburgh manager John Russell said. "His sinker was really good and he complemented by throwing all of his other pitches for strikes.''
Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan pitched one scoreless inning for the second time this spring."I was sore and didn't feel as sharp as I was my first time out," Ryan said. "But I made some good pitches and battled through it and put up a zero.''
Freddy Sanchez, Jason Bay and Nate McLouth each drove in a run for Pittsburgh.Notes:
Toronto Armando Benitez, who agreed to a minor league deal last week, could appear in a major league game as soon as Friday. Yankees are at Knology Park on Thursday so they may hold him back until after that game.
Phillies, Monday March 17, 2008 at Bright House Field. Phillies and Cleveland Indians.
Huge crowd another sell-out and great weather. 77F at game time.St Patrick's day, a mass of green, must be some Irish in Philadelphia :)
Lineups:
Phillies: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Feliz, Werth, Ruiz and Durbin pitching.
Indians: Cabrera, Dellucci, Peralta, Martinez, Garko, Francisco, Marte, Snyder and Lee pitching. National League rules no DH.
The game:Top of 1st. Cabrera base hit to first error by pitcher on throw to 1st Cabrera on 2B. Dellucci walks, Peralta flies to CF, runners hold. Martinez long fly out to left centre, Garko flies to CF. Durbin escapes damage.
Bottom of 1st Rollins grounds to SS, Victorino single to shallow left, Utley at bat Lee throws ball away, Victorino tries for third and is thrown out by great throw. Manager argues that ball under tarp is two bases, loses argument. Utley triple off right field wall, expensive mistake by Victorino, Howard at bat strikes out.
Top of 2nd. Francisco single to left, Marte pop up to shallow RF Snyder shatters bat in double play ball.
Bottom of 2nd Burrell strikes out on nasty pitch from Lee, Feliz grounds to SS, 2 out. Werth lines base hit to RF , Werth moves to 2B on ball in front of catcher. Ruiz lines to LF drops ball, Werth scores 1-0. Durbin on base with high bouncer to SS. Ruiz to 2nd. Two on for Rollins and two out. Rollins lines bouncer at 3B who cannot handle, run scores 2-0. Rollins on 2nd Durbin on 3rd. error on play at 3B, Victorino does exactly same play but no error at3B, Durbin and Rollins runs cross, 4-0 Phillies. Victorino 2rbis and on 2B, Marte at 3B having rough day... Bloop into RF centre, Victorino scores 5-0, Howard with defensive shift on flies to LF. 5-0 Phillies on 8 hits. Big inning for Phillies, crowd very happy.
Top of 3rd. Lee batting, flies to shallow CF, Cabrera grounds to 2B. Dellucci high fly ball Rollins makes catch at 2B
Bottom of 3rd. Burrell base hit to CF, Feliz a bullet liner to 1B doubles up Burrell. Werth high fly ball to LF.
Top of 4th. Peralta double to LF Martinez grounds to SS Peralta to 3B, Garko one on one out grounds to SS, Peralta scores 5-1, Francisco flies to RF.
Bottom of 4th Ruiz hit to Peralta, unable to throw to 1B. Durbin bunting pops up to catcher Martinez, Rollins double to LF, Ruiz on 3B Victorino lines to CF Ruiz scores Rollins holds at 2B. 6-1 Phillies, Utley walks, Howard grounds to 2B.
Top of 5th. Marte walks, Snyder pops up behind 3B, Aaron Herr pinch hitting, two run blast to LF. 6-3. Cabrera rolls one out to 2B, Dellucci strikes out. Now 81F...
Bottom of 5th. New pitcher for Indians Kobayashi.Burrell walks, Feliz grounds to 3B force at 2B. not in time for double play, Feliz at 1B. Werth pops to 2B, Ruiz lines to LF.
Top of 6th. Condrey pitching for Phillies, Peralta base hit to LF. Martinez grounds to 2B double play. Garko grounds ot 2B.
Bottom of 6th. Belancourt pitching for Indians. Bruntlett strikes out, Taguchi strikes out, Olmeda strikes out.
Top of 7th. Romero pitching for Phillies. Francisco grounds to SS. fan makes great catch holding three bottles, the beer is saved. biggest cheer of the day. Marte walks, Snyder grounds into double play.
Bottom of 7th. Crowd thinning now, it is very hot out there especially in the berm areas. Guy proposes on his knee at 3B she accepts more cheers....this is St Patricks day... I wonder what would have happened if she had said no ???
Snelling strikes out but on base as ball goes to the backstop. Casey Smith strikes out, Burrell strikes out, Feliz also strikes out. Nice inning by Betancourt
Top of 8th. Darensbourg pitching for Phillies. Jamey Carroll strikes out, Cabrera walks, Dellucci double play.
Bottom of 8th. Elarton pitching. Wes Helms walks, Ruiz wild pitch over Ruiz's head Helms moves to 2B. Pitcher in discomfort and is out of game. Replacement Ruiz on 3-1 count. Base hit to RF. Helms to 3B two on.Brintlett hit by pitch, bases loaded none out. Taguchi grounds to 3B gets lead runner at home plate, bases still loaded. Olmedo pops to SS. Snelling bases still loaded, flies to RF. Terrible inning bases loaded none out could not add to score.
Attendance announced at 10,119 second largest crowd ever at Spring training for Phillies. Lots of families here this week as March break for those south of border.
Top of 9th. Gordon pitching. Jason Tyner strikes out, Martinez doubles off top of LF wall, umpire calls HR no dispute from Phillies. 6-4 Phillies. Garko long fly ball to wall caught up against wall. Francisco grounds to 3B.
Phillies win 6-4 on 12 hits and 6 for Indians.
Game ending temperature is 82F ! at 3.45pm. Sorry Ontario....
Monday, March 17, 2008
Michelle Smith ? Gaylord Perry and Maris.
Jays away at Fort Myers
Toronto 8 Minnesota 3.
Good win for Jays with McGowan pitching five innings and three runs on seven hits for the win.
A 14 hit game for the bats.
Johnny Mac had three singles and also walked, Marco Scutaro a two-run double. Barajas, Butler also had doubles. Catcher Brian Jeroloman had three hits, including a double and two RBI.
Major change of Toronto the big running game ? Luna, Shoffit and McDonald all had stolen bases...Johnny Mac was also caught stealing...
Toronto bullpen once again solid with Carlson, Wells and Nelson giving four one hit innings of relief.
Canadian Justin Morneau also added two hits and knocked in a run.
Livan Hernandez yielded six runs on nine hits over four-plus innings in his first start of the spring.
Blogmeister went to Legends Game at Bright House Field.
Hosted by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni this has become an annual Spring event in Clearwater.
Preceded by a clinic for 250 young children in the afternoon by eight differetn players each coaching specific skills. batting practice proved that Mark Whittten still has the power although slower bat speed, former Yankee Marty Rogosky hooking every ball foul into left field and sure enough in th game flies to left. Many of the legends were steps slower both in the field and pitching but who noticed. This was a game for the purists and nostalgia buffs. All the money raised was for children's hospital foundation. There were silent auctions, raffles and autographs signing to round out the event.
American League team: Manager Jeff Torburg. (with Ron Diaz local tv personality) Mike Alstott, (Tampa Bucs) Wade Boggs, Matt Bryant, Bert Campanaris, Doug Creek, Mike Cuellar, John Doherty, Dick Drago, Ryne Duyren, Colin Egglesfield, Lenny Faedo, Bob Feller, Rollie Fingers, Jerry Fosnow, Mudcat Grant, Jim Hannan,Mike Heath, Darold Knowlees, Eric Lally, Ron LeFlore, Jason Mauloni, Gene Michael, John O'Donoghue, Dave Osterberg, Mike Proly, Marty Rogowsky, Richie Sceinblum, Billy Simons, Bobby Thigpen,(father of Curtis), Jon Warden and former Jay Mark Whiten.
National League: Manager Danny Ozark. (with Ian Beckles local tv personality) Tarry Allvord, Zachary Ty Bryan (Home Improvement), Bill Campbell, Orestes Destrade, Doug Drabek,, Darrell Evans, Rick Folkers, Bob Firsch, Ken Frailing, Von Hayes, Ferguson Jenkins. Ray Judy, Francis Scott Key, Dace Kingman, Steve Lennon, Kevin Maris ( son of Roger ) Daniel Lee Martin, Michael McCoy, Gaylord Perry, Denis Phillips, Michael Pittman (Tampa Buc), Ron Robinson, Joe Sambito, Elton Shaw, Michele Smith, Mathew Sommerville, Michael Spurlock (Tampa Buc), Brian Tollberg, Pat Williams and Robin Zander.
The game itself was a blast from the past. When would you ever see Gaylord Perry pitching to Wade Boggs ? or Bob Feller who pitched in 1948 ? Most of the crowd were not born when most of the legends were playing but it was very entertaining.
National league win in bottom of 7th 3-2 after losing most of the game 2-0. Gaylord Perry and Bob Feller pitching were the highlights for me but also the National ringer in the 4th with Michelle Smith USA gold medallist fast ball pitcher, struck out the side including Mark Whitten. This woman can really pitch, pitching from shortened mound the batters had no answer to her and most did not even touch her pitches.
Kevin Maris had a hit to delight of crowd, the Bucs also did well, obviously great all round athletes, Spurlock showed his fantastic speed beating out throw to first. For the rest Jon Warden was the comic relief throughout and also losing pitcher in 7th!, Zachary Ty Bryan was teamed with Wade Boggs in Home Run competition and did extremely well, obviously played before !
Fun to see Bobby Thigpen pitching to Darrell Evans. Wade Boggs didn't disappoint with the only home run of the evening.
The evening was rounded out by singing appearance of John Ridriguez the singing policeman from New York. The US Army baseball team played for both sides. Army colour guard paraded flags.
It was an evening dripping with sentimentality but ghosts of the past and a pastiche of the American national game and perfect combination for spring training in Florida.
Toronto 8 Minnesota 3.
Good win for Jays with McGowan pitching five innings and three runs on seven hits for the win.
A 14 hit game for the bats.
Johnny Mac had three singles and also walked, Marco Scutaro a two-run double. Barajas, Butler also had doubles. Catcher Brian Jeroloman had three hits, including a double and two RBI.
Major change of Toronto the big running game ? Luna, Shoffit and McDonald all had stolen bases...Johnny Mac was also caught stealing...
Toronto bullpen once again solid with Carlson, Wells and Nelson giving four one hit innings of relief.
Canadian Justin Morneau also added two hits and knocked in a run.
Livan Hernandez yielded six runs on nine hits over four-plus innings in his first start of the spring.
Blogmeister went to Legends Game at Bright House Field.
Hosted by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni this has become an annual Spring event in Clearwater.
Preceded by a clinic for 250 young children in the afternoon by eight differetn players each coaching specific skills. batting practice proved that Mark Whittten still has the power although slower bat speed, former Yankee Marty Rogosky hooking every ball foul into left field and sure enough in th game flies to left. Many of the legends were steps slower both in the field and pitching but who noticed. This was a game for the purists and nostalgia buffs. All the money raised was for children's hospital foundation. There were silent auctions, raffles and autographs signing to round out the event.
American League team: Manager Jeff Torburg. (with Ron Diaz local tv personality) Mike Alstott, (Tampa Bucs) Wade Boggs, Matt Bryant, Bert Campanaris, Doug Creek, Mike Cuellar, John Doherty, Dick Drago, Ryne Duyren, Colin Egglesfield, Lenny Faedo, Bob Feller, Rollie Fingers, Jerry Fosnow, Mudcat Grant, Jim Hannan,Mike Heath, Darold Knowlees, Eric Lally, Ron LeFlore, Jason Mauloni, Gene Michael, John O'Donoghue, Dave Osterberg, Mike Proly, Marty Rogowsky, Richie Sceinblum, Billy Simons, Bobby Thigpen,(father of Curtis), Jon Warden and former Jay Mark Whiten.
National League: Manager Danny Ozark. (with Ian Beckles local tv personality) Tarry Allvord, Zachary Ty Bryan (Home Improvement), Bill Campbell, Orestes Destrade, Doug Drabek,, Darrell Evans, Rick Folkers, Bob Firsch, Ken Frailing, Von Hayes, Ferguson Jenkins. Ray Judy, Francis Scott Key, Dace Kingman, Steve Lennon, Kevin Maris ( son of Roger ) Daniel Lee Martin, Michael McCoy, Gaylord Perry, Denis Phillips, Michael Pittman (Tampa Buc), Ron Robinson, Joe Sambito, Elton Shaw, Michele Smith, Mathew Sommerville, Michael Spurlock (Tampa Buc), Brian Tollberg, Pat Williams and Robin Zander.
The game itself was a blast from the past. When would you ever see Gaylord Perry pitching to Wade Boggs ? or Bob Feller who pitched in 1948 ? Most of the crowd were not born when most of the legends were playing but it was very entertaining.
National league win in bottom of 7th 3-2 after losing most of the game 2-0. Gaylord Perry and Bob Feller pitching were the highlights for me but also the National ringer in the 4th with Michelle Smith USA gold medallist fast ball pitcher, struck out the side including Mark Whitten. This woman can really pitch, pitching from shortened mound the batters had no answer to her and most did not even touch her pitches.
Kevin Maris had a hit to delight of crowd, the Bucs also did well, obviously great all round athletes, Spurlock showed his fantastic speed beating out throw to first. For the rest Jon Warden was the comic relief throughout and also losing pitcher in 7th!, Zachary Ty Bryan was teamed with Wade Boggs in Home Run competition and did extremely well, obviously played before !
Fun to see Bobby Thigpen pitching to Darrell Evans. Wade Boggs didn't disappoint with the only home run of the evening.
The evening was rounded out by singing appearance of John Ridriguez the singing policeman from New York. The US Army baseball team played for both sides. Army colour guard paraded flags.
It was an evening dripping with sentimentality but ghosts of the past and a pastiche of the American national game and perfect combination for spring training in Florida.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
A win and some cuts
Jays 4 Pirates 1.
Nice win on a very windy and HOT day in Dunedin... After all that cool rain yesterday temperatures are in the 80's today and the winds are constant...
Good: Hallady pitching, hitting Overbay, Stairs and the cannon from Cannon.
Game lineups
Pirates: Morgan, McCutchen, Gomez, Nady, Paulino, Walker, Bixler, Chavez, Wilson and pitching Snell.
Jays: Eckstein, Rios, Wells, Rolen, Thomas, Stairs, Overbay, Hill, Zaun and Halladay pitching.
Jays have their first team out today.
Top of 1st. Halladay pitching well. Grounder to 2B one down, Grounder to 3B two down grounds to 2B. Three up and down. Roy keeping it down. Smart guy on a day like today with that wind.
Bottom of 1st. Eckstein grounds to 3B, Rios double off RF wall, Wells flies to LF, Rolen walks, two one two out. Thomas high pop up to shallow centre... wasted opportunity already.
Top of 2nd. Strikeout, base hit to right one on one out, Fly ball to centre two down, grounds to SS another fine inning for Halladay.
Bottom of 2nd. Stairs strikes out. Overbay double to CF, same as yseterday,Lyle is starting to get in that double groove. Hill walks, two on. Zaun hit and run stays out of double play but Zaun out. Two in scoring position for Eckstein flies to RF... three already left in scoring position in first two innings.
Top of 3rd. Grounder to 1B, base hit to centre, strike out, two out. Fly ball to Wells in CF. another good inning by Halladay. in the groove today.
Bottom of 3rd. Rios full count flies to CF, will not go out in this wind. Wells single, right centre, Wells on first for Rolen double to left. Runners at second and third yet again. Thomas at bat strikes out. Ouch... Stairs double off right centre wall finally, two runs score.
Overbay strikes out but Jays 2-0. Could be many more by now.
Top of 4th. Halladay still pitching. Ground ball to 3B, strike out and ground ball to 3B... fine inning yet again for Halladay.
Bottom of 4th. Hill line drive out to LF, Zaun strikes out, Eckstein grounds to SS. Three up and down.
Top of 5th. Halladay again.. Stewart in LF for Stairs. Base hit to right centre, nice cut off by Wells to save double, Base hit to left two on and first sign of trouble for Halladay, bunt to Halladay throw to 3B gets lead runner, strikeout and ground ball to Hill at 2B ends inning.
Bottom of 5th. Rios very hot hit to 3B no chance, hot hit by Wells to 2b another error, two on. Rolen double play, Rios at third Thomas at bat... strike out... Not a good day at the park for Thomas... yet another Jay left in scoring position.
Top of 6th. Luna in at 3B, Sanchez in at SS, Watson in RF and Reed Johnson at CF. Frasor now pitching... Oh no.... watch the clock...
Base hit to CF, Pop up to Sanchez, stolen base what a surprise ! with Frasor pitching, has to be the slowest pitcher in the majors... Walks the next batter, no surprise here, double steal imminent. Frasor saves the day with two strikeouts. He has great stuff but takes forever to get it across especially with runners on. Must drive coaches crazy.
Bottom of 6th. Stewart lead off grounds to SS but Shannon is seeing ball much better than two weeks ago, his hittin at bp was really in the groove. Overbay single to right, this guy also is seeing ball well now. Perhaps one of them can talk to Frank.. Cannon pinch running for Overbay almost gets picked off, Hill strikes out, Zaun pops up to SS.
Top of 7th. Wolfe now pitching, Single to left, Pop up to Zaun, one out. Base hit to LF. Two on.
Grounds to 1B, runnesr at second and third, two out. Strike out. Wolfe gets out of trouble.
Bottom of 7th. Sancghez strikes out, Watson flies to left. Reed bullet double down left field line, Luna flies out to RF.
Top of 8th. Wolfe still pitching. Bouncer to 2B, one down, HR to CF, finall one gets out.. 2-1 Jays. 8 hits each but two errors costly for Pirates. Grounder to SS, Pop up to 3B and Wolfe out of more trouble.
Bottom of 8th. Thomas !!! still in the game... needs the practice badly.. another fly ball to shallow centre, still needs the practice.. I hope we are not going to get last years "slow starter" stuff. Very frustrating to watch with all the runners in scoring position.Stewart first pitch swinging, pops up. Two down and Cannon connects, and I mean connects, HR over RF wall. Great hit. 3-1 Jays.
Gutierez loop single Kratz now catching double off wall in right centre, Gutierez scores 4-1 Jays. Two runs from the young guys with two outs. Sanvhez grounds to 1B. Jays 10 hits Pirates 8 hits and two errors.
Top of 9th Shawn Kemp pitching. Error at SS. Base hit to left field two on no one out, trouble brewing.... Double play ball, and liner to Shannon in left finishes it off.
Jays win.
The cuts.... Rumours before the game were that Lind and Coats had gone and that Reed was on the trading block. JP was in media scrum but there were no official announcements. Lind and Coats have been great this spring, hitting consistently. The only reason they are going down is to give them daily games rather than sitting on bench in Toronto. Both these guys are ready for majors. Reed is the odd one out. Stewart and Stairs are both playing so well the outfield is a traffic jam. Maybe Reed's back is still not 100%. but he is not number one right now in left.
Nice win on a very windy and HOT day in Dunedin... After all that cool rain yesterday temperatures are in the 80's today and the winds are constant...
Good: Hallady pitching, hitting Overbay, Stairs and the cannon from Cannon.
Game lineups
Pirates: Morgan, McCutchen, Gomez, Nady, Paulino, Walker, Bixler, Chavez, Wilson and pitching Snell.
Jays: Eckstein, Rios, Wells, Rolen, Thomas, Stairs, Overbay, Hill, Zaun and Halladay pitching.
Jays have their first team out today.
Top of 1st. Halladay pitching well. Grounder to 2B one down, Grounder to 3B two down grounds to 2B. Three up and down. Roy keeping it down. Smart guy on a day like today with that wind.
Bottom of 1st. Eckstein grounds to 3B, Rios double off RF wall, Wells flies to LF, Rolen walks, two one two out. Thomas high pop up to shallow centre... wasted opportunity already.
Top of 2nd. Strikeout, base hit to right one on one out, Fly ball to centre two down, grounds to SS another fine inning for Halladay.
Bottom of 2nd. Stairs strikes out. Overbay double to CF, same as yseterday,Lyle is starting to get in that double groove. Hill walks, two on. Zaun hit and run stays out of double play but Zaun out. Two in scoring position for Eckstein flies to RF... three already left in scoring position in first two innings.
Top of 3rd. Grounder to 1B, base hit to centre, strike out, two out. Fly ball to Wells in CF. another good inning by Halladay. in the groove today.
Bottom of 3rd. Rios full count flies to CF, will not go out in this wind. Wells single, right centre, Wells on first for Rolen double to left. Runners at second and third yet again. Thomas at bat strikes out. Ouch... Stairs double off right centre wall finally, two runs score.
Overbay strikes out but Jays 2-0. Could be many more by now.
Top of 4th. Halladay still pitching. Ground ball to 3B, strike out and ground ball to 3B... fine inning yet again for Halladay.
Bottom of 4th. Hill line drive out to LF, Zaun strikes out, Eckstein grounds to SS. Three up and down.
Top of 5th. Halladay again.. Stewart in LF for Stairs. Base hit to right centre, nice cut off by Wells to save double, Base hit to left two on and first sign of trouble for Halladay, bunt to Halladay throw to 3B gets lead runner, strikeout and ground ball to Hill at 2B ends inning.
Bottom of 5th. Rios very hot hit to 3B no chance, hot hit by Wells to 2b another error, two on. Rolen double play, Rios at third Thomas at bat... strike out... Not a good day at the park for Thomas... yet another Jay left in scoring position.
Top of 6th. Luna in at 3B, Sanchez in at SS, Watson in RF and Reed Johnson at CF. Frasor now pitching... Oh no.... watch the clock...
Base hit to CF, Pop up to Sanchez, stolen base what a surprise ! with Frasor pitching, has to be the slowest pitcher in the majors... Walks the next batter, no surprise here, double steal imminent. Frasor saves the day with two strikeouts. He has great stuff but takes forever to get it across especially with runners on. Must drive coaches crazy.
Bottom of 6th. Stewart lead off grounds to SS but Shannon is seeing ball much better than two weeks ago, his hittin at bp was really in the groove. Overbay single to right, this guy also is seeing ball well now. Perhaps one of them can talk to Frank.. Cannon pinch running for Overbay almost gets picked off, Hill strikes out, Zaun pops up to SS.
Top of 7th. Wolfe now pitching, Single to left, Pop up to Zaun, one out. Base hit to LF. Two on.
Grounds to 1B, runnesr at second and third, two out. Strike out. Wolfe gets out of trouble.
Bottom of 7th. Sancghez strikes out, Watson flies to left. Reed bullet double down left field line, Luna flies out to RF.
Top of 8th. Wolfe still pitching. Bouncer to 2B, one down, HR to CF, finall one gets out.. 2-1 Jays. 8 hits each but two errors costly for Pirates. Grounder to SS, Pop up to 3B and Wolfe out of more trouble.
Bottom of 8th. Thomas !!! still in the game... needs the practice badly.. another fly ball to shallow centre, still needs the practice.. I hope we are not going to get last years "slow starter" stuff. Very frustrating to watch with all the runners in scoring position.Stewart first pitch swinging, pops up. Two down and Cannon connects, and I mean connects, HR over RF wall. Great hit. 3-1 Jays.
Gutierez loop single Kratz now catching double off wall in right centre, Gutierez scores 4-1 Jays. Two runs from the young guys with two outs. Sanvhez grounds to 1B. Jays 10 hits Pirates 8 hits and two errors.
Top of 9th Shawn Kemp pitching. Error at SS. Base hit to left field two on no one out, trouble brewing.... Double play ball, and liner to Shannon in left finishes it off.
Jays win.
The cuts.... Rumours before the game were that Lind and Coats had gone and that Reed was on the trading block. JP was in media scrum but there were no official announcements. Lind and Coats have been great this spring, hitting consistently. The only reason they are going down is to give them daily games rather than sitting on bench in Toronto. Both these guys are ready for majors. Reed is the odd one out. Stewart and Stairs are both playing so well the outfield is a traffic jam. Maybe Reed's back is still not 100%. but he is not number one right now in left.
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