Ok Jays friends, Jays beat Rays and Phillies away from home and both in same week now playing .600 and on track for World Series. Maybe, maybe not.
Let’s take a closer look at Sunday’s game. Litsch v Hammel though. Good pitching matchup. Hammel is one of my favourites.
Toronto lineup: Lydon, Adams, Lind, Rolen, Lane, Jeroloman, Ruiz, McDonald.
Definitely not the Opening Day lineup.
Hammel goes four scoreless innings. Interesting comment from one of my favourite Managers Joe Maddon. He is saving his starters and Shields, Kazimir will not be starting until later. He believes in saving the young arms. He admits it may go against the last 50 years of baseball lore but...so be it. Will be interesting to see where the Rays arms are in August.
Good to see Jason Lane continue in the lineup. Cito must see the same potential as most fans here.
Litsch a good outing two innings only one hit and one walk.
Takahashi 1.2 innings four hits two runs and a walk, ouch outing.
Wolfe a better outing than the one against Tigers 1.1 inning two hits and one run, four ground outs though, kept it down well this outing. He probably still wants to reduce that ERA though still 15.43 Ouch bigtime.
Bullington two innings two hits two walks but no damage and gets the win.
Santos and Hayhurst hold them first save for Hayhurst
Four double plays. Johnny Mac in two but also Sanchez-Ruiz 2.
Toronto leaves seven on base. Again as in previous games they are getting runners on but not bringing them in as last season??
Key hit was that of Shoffit, his double with two out in the 8th made it 4-3 and that was enough for Santos and Hayhurst to hold it right there but Jays would add two more in the 9th to seal an impressive 6-3 win over Tampa.
Take a look at the rbi guys… Shoffit 2 Emaus 1 Areciba 1 Sanchez 2 and Dopirak 1. Jays jave a lot of depth in the minors both hitting and fielding. JP deserves some credit here for the last five ears development. If McGowan and Downs were fit this season it could be an interesting team.
Rolen continues to be consistent. Pitchers held Rays after the 5th.
And good comebacks with all the six runs coming in the last three innings two in each. But Rays starting lineup had long gone.
But shades of things to come.... Crawford has two triples... said afterwards that he was not at full speed last season.. Cito, speed kills .... This team is fast enough without Crawford getting back to overdrive. (Dutch Jay, definitely one for Fantasy League this year.)
Regina Jay, my point about BJ Ryan yesterday was that pitching is all about psychology and in fact you can say that Baseball itself is a mental game. Mess about with a player’s psyche and you have problems, whether it be trying to refine a hitter remember John Olerud and the disasterous messing about of his swing when he had a bad patch ? My point was that this mental game is far greater in a closer’s psyche.
Note to Vancouver-Oakville Jay, it’s about time Granville Island made it to the east coast majors. I can’t keep walking past JP wearing the billboard, he may get suspicious about my motives.
London-UK Jay, you can still follow the Jays on this blog all season long.
Tomorrow World Champs Phillies at Knology Park but Jays have already beaten them this season cross town at Bright House, should be another big crowd.
Ozzie Jay, my Bright House tickets are second row behind Home Plate... Pig heaven. Problems is what shirt to wear at the Jays-Phillies game?
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The master and the student
The first view I had on Saturday at batting practice was Bobby Cox talking with Cito behind the Home plate netting.
How every apt. Cox first brought Cito in as the Jays first full-time batting instructor in 1982... !! Plus ca change... Saturday's game once again the master teaching his pupil as the Jay self-destruct not in a small part due to Cito's judgement or lack of with his pitching staff..
Braves in town and show that they are one serious team, their attitude as soon as they hit the field for warm-up was intensity. Just like the Joe Maddon Rays of last year in the Spring they are serious. Spring games mean something to them. The Jays on the other hand are relaxed, filter and saunter out on to the turf for pre-game warm-ups. The Braves are running wind-sprints as a team. Jays standing around talking. The Manager's style is reflected in the team and bigtime in the Jays.
The game itself ? Halladay v Lowe. Halladay was almost perfect for two innings. He didn't need his curveball but seemed ready to go. Intense and focused, these games mean something to him.
Jays lineup of Scutaro, Hill, Rios, Millar, Thigpen, Bautista, Snider, Lane, and Chavez. was not far from a starting lineup. Throw in Wells, Overbay and Rolen and that could be it on Day one.
Jays take an early lead in bottom of the second and then Cito brings in BJ Ryan for the 3rd inning ? One of the knocks on Cito is that he cannot handle pitchers and for the life of me I do NOT understand bringing in BJ in the 3rd inning. Yes he needs the work and yes it was probably his day BUT he is a closer.
Tom Henke the great closer for the Jays once explained the closer. In summary he said that they are different from the other pitching staff, they have an end of the game focus that other pitchers do not need or have.They work on adrenaline and need to be pumped to close off the game. I believe this was huge error by Cito and one that as it happened cost the Jays the game. BJ was definitely not focused and could not get the ball over the plate, Too high, too low and very quickly the game was 4-1 for the Braves. I don't think Joe Girardi would bring in Rivera in the 3rd inning for "work". Didn't make any sense on Saturday either. Other interesting point was that Cito sent out Brad Arnsberg to lift BJ before the end of the inning. Let Brad take BJ's steam ???
The good from the game. New pitchers continue to impress. Fabio Castro part of the trade for Matt Stairs and Phillies had the bases loaded and three consecutive ground balls that Scutaro and Hill could not turn.
T. J. Beam claimed off waivers from Pittsbrgh a good three up and down inning. Louis Perez spent most of 2008 in Single A Lansing but has good stuff. Bill Murphy claimed off waivers from Arizona in 2008 and was AAA all season, and Robert Ray the Canuck who will be playing for Canada in World Baseball Classic. All of these pitchers had good outings and show a great depth for the Jays that they may need in 2009.
Other highlights of the game for me at least. A great diving catch to his right in midair by Sanchez at SS. Jays load the bases in the 8th but could not get the hit. The wind in right field had kept several in the park all afternoon but hitters didn't adjust to go the opposite way and possibly steal this game.
One to watch Jason Heyward of the Braves great power.
The Jays hitters ???
Well Alex continues to be Alex... One good hit a double, should watch his language when he misses as well, there are many young children at Spring training.
Jason Lane continues to impress me with his power, discipline and confidence at bat. He didn't have another Home Run this game but continued to hit with power. The outfield is getting crowded. The hitting has been good to see especially Rolen yesterday but today Millar and Bautista also continuing their good at bats from yesterday. Hill is still way off his timing which is to be expected.
Braves lineup for the record: Schafer,Johnson, Escobar, Kotchman, Diaz, Jones, Ross, Prado,Blanco and Lowe pitching.
Footnote: Braves Freddie Freeman is he 7 feet tall ??? Huge guy... and with power.. One to watch. His bat looks like a toothpick. Played 1B.
Result: Jays lose 6-3
Attendance lower than other games at 2,900. for a Saturday ??
Lots more to come...... Tomorrow Rays...
How every apt. Cox first brought Cito in as the Jays first full-time batting instructor in 1982... !! Plus ca change... Saturday's game once again the master teaching his pupil as the Jay self-destruct not in a small part due to Cito's judgement or lack of with his pitching staff..
Braves in town and show that they are one serious team, their attitude as soon as they hit the field for warm-up was intensity. Just like the Joe Maddon Rays of last year in the Spring they are serious. Spring games mean something to them. The Jays on the other hand are relaxed, filter and saunter out on to the turf for pre-game warm-ups. The Braves are running wind-sprints as a team. Jays standing around talking. The Manager's style is reflected in the team and bigtime in the Jays.
The game itself ? Halladay v Lowe. Halladay was almost perfect for two innings. He didn't need his curveball but seemed ready to go. Intense and focused, these games mean something to him.
Jays lineup of Scutaro, Hill, Rios, Millar, Thigpen, Bautista, Snider, Lane, and Chavez. was not far from a starting lineup. Throw in Wells, Overbay and Rolen and that could be it on Day one.
Jays take an early lead in bottom of the second and then Cito brings in BJ Ryan for the 3rd inning ? One of the knocks on Cito is that he cannot handle pitchers and for the life of me I do NOT understand bringing in BJ in the 3rd inning. Yes he needs the work and yes it was probably his day BUT he is a closer.
Tom Henke the great closer for the Jays once explained the closer. In summary he said that they are different from the other pitching staff, they have an end of the game focus that other pitchers do not need or have.They work on adrenaline and need to be pumped to close off the game. I believe this was huge error by Cito and one that as it happened cost the Jays the game. BJ was definitely not focused and could not get the ball over the plate, Too high, too low and very quickly the game was 4-1 for the Braves. I don't think Joe Girardi would bring in Rivera in the 3rd inning for "work". Didn't make any sense on Saturday either. Other interesting point was that Cito sent out Brad Arnsberg to lift BJ before the end of the inning. Let Brad take BJ's steam ???
The good from the game. New pitchers continue to impress. Fabio Castro part of the trade for Matt Stairs and Phillies had the bases loaded and three consecutive ground balls that Scutaro and Hill could not turn.
T. J. Beam claimed off waivers from Pittsbrgh a good three up and down inning. Louis Perez spent most of 2008 in Single A Lansing but has good stuff. Bill Murphy claimed off waivers from Arizona in 2008 and was AAA all season, and Robert Ray the Canuck who will be playing for Canada in World Baseball Classic. All of these pitchers had good outings and show a great depth for the Jays that they may need in 2009.
Other highlights of the game for me at least. A great diving catch to his right in midair by Sanchez at SS. Jays load the bases in the 8th but could not get the hit. The wind in right field had kept several in the park all afternoon but hitters didn't adjust to go the opposite way and possibly steal this game.
One to watch Jason Heyward of the Braves great power.
The Jays hitters ???
Well Alex continues to be Alex... One good hit a double, should watch his language when he misses as well, there are many young children at Spring training.
Jason Lane continues to impress me with his power, discipline and confidence at bat. He didn't have another Home Run this game but continued to hit with power. The outfield is getting crowded. The hitting has been good to see especially Rolen yesterday but today Millar and Bautista also continuing their good at bats from yesterday. Hill is still way off his timing which is to be expected.
Braves lineup for the record: Schafer,Johnson, Escobar, Kotchman, Diaz, Jones, Ross, Prado,Blanco and Lowe pitching.
Footnote: Braves Freddie Freeman is he 7 feet tall ??? Huge guy... and with power.. One to watch. His bat looks like a toothpick. Played 1B.
Result: Jays lose 6-3
Attendance lower than other games at 2,900. for a Saturday ??
Lots more to come...... Tomorrow Rays...
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Cito's new running game
A Canadian MUST have invented Spring training.... The SUN, that first glimpse of those palm trees, and batting practice in Dunedin..and 74 degrees.
What economy ? The place was packed again yesterday for the Tigers game, both planes from Toronto to Florida were packed and same to return to Florida when we arrived.
But to the game. Clement pitching and a host of names that no one knew in the lineup, Cito is using his minors bigtime. This year no Reed, no Shannon, no Big Frank, no Zaun, no Wells yet of course so much for his conditioning expert.
BUT Ozzie Jay, the return of Aaron Hill was great to see. His batting stroke was awful but so were most of them. He said Hi to Ozzie land.
Clement not that great, not much control at all, managed to get through his innings without too much damage.
The minor relievers did very well to hold Tigers bats until Brian Wolfe comes along, and gives first pitch pinch hit home run to Kelly, that made it 6-2 Jays but then Wolfe gives up two more to make it a more interesting last wto innings but Jays hold off to win 6-4.
Tigers pitchers especially Dontrelle Willis were WILD wild wild... and so was the fielding, three errors and two throws into first base crowd by the infield overthrowing the poor guy at first.
Cito !!! the new running game... after Jays get several players on base in the first three innings but cannot make a run apart from some sac flies. No aggression, no Joe Maddon in the dugout, no steals UNTIL the fleetest of them all does it, Barajas stole second... IF I had not seen it myself I would not have believed it and most of the crowd around me were as amazed. So there you have it friends Cito has a new running game this season... Aggro on the bases... Barajas for the 20 steals... don't bet on it friends.
Some good news, nice power from Jason Lane and his Home run. Some good pitching by relievers. Scott Rolen looked good, some nice hitting especially double down the line into left field corner, but also oppposite field hitting.
Aaron of course, Johnny Mac but not his bat alas. Alex in the field but not at bat.
The team barbecue seemed much better organized this year, huge crowd and the players were still signing autographs after an hour.
Today Braves are in town.
Knology Park has added another store but even more crowded than the first one which still exists. Both of them were jammed yesterday.
The Burlington Teen Tour Band bus was at the game, they must be performing somewhere in Florida... We had to make do with "if you can't catch the ball catch a Bud Chad".
I love Spring training..
What economy ? The place was packed again yesterday for the Tigers game, both planes from Toronto to Florida were packed and same to return to Florida when we arrived.
But to the game. Clement pitching and a host of names that no one knew in the lineup, Cito is using his minors bigtime. This year no Reed, no Shannon, no Big Frank, no Zaun, no Wells yet of course so much for his conditioning expert.
BUT Ozzie Jay, the return of Aaron Hill was great to see. His batting stroke was awful but so were most of them. He said Hi to Ozzie land.
Clement not that great, not much control at all, managed to get through his innings without too much damage.
The minor relievers did very well to hold Tigers bats until Brian Wolfe comes along, and gives first pitch pinch hit home run to Kelly, that made it 6-2 Jays but then Wolfe gives up two more to make it a more interesting last wto innings but Jays hold off to win 6-4.
Tigers pitchers especially Dontrelle Willis were WILD wild wild... and so was the fielding, three errors and two throws into first base crowd by the infield overthrowing the poor guy at first.
Cito !!! the new running game... after Jays get several players on base in the first three innings but cannot make a run apart from some sac flies. No aggression, no Joe Maddon in the dugout, no steals UNTIL the fleetest of them all does it, Barajas stole second... IF I had not seen it myself I would not have believed it and most of the crowd around me were as amazed. So there you have it friends Cito has a new running game this season... Aggro on the bases... Barajas for the 20 steals... don't bet on it friends.
Some good news, nice power from Jason Lane and his Home run. Some good pitching by relievers. Scott Rolen looked good, some nice hitting especially double down the line into left field corner, but also oppposite field hitting.
Aaron of course, Johnny Mac but not his bat alas. Alex in the field but not at bat.
The team barbecue seemed much better organized this year, huge crowd and the players were still signing autographs after an hour.
Today Braves are in town.
Knology Park has added another store but even more crowded than the first one which still exists. Both of them were jammed yesterday.
The Burlington Teen Tour Band bus was at the game, they must be performing somewhere in Florida... We had to make do with "if you can't catch the ball catch a Bud Chad".
I love Spring training..
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Spring training
The sun beckons.... along with the boys in blue.
Is there a better elixir for winter snowbound Canadians ?
Stay tuned.
Is there a better elixir for winter snowbound Canadians ?
Stay tuned.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Rookie Richmond finally gets run support and win with help from Thigpen
Toronto v Baltimore. Series opener. Friday September 26,2008
Preview: Jays have won 10 of 15 against Baltimore this season, including four of six in Baltimore.
What is to play for here ? For a start a share of third with Yankees if they win them all and Yankees get swept in Boston this weekend. Boston will show no mercy they are after Tampa for Division title still within their grasp. All four teams still have something to play for. Media not happy with JP contract extension. I don’t understand this constant negativism with JP. If they are happy with Cito and what he has done with the team then this is the same team that JP put together so why are they not happy with him? It is not his fault that the hitters have underachieved all season. Plus his farm teams and draft picks are starting to show their strengths even though some of them could have done with an extra year in the minors, certainly Snider, tonight’s pitcher Richmond. On paper this team should have been competing for playoffs. If they don’t like JP sounding off on Adam Dunn then they should be grateful they don’t have Ozzie Guillen in Toronto. JP is certainly not a classic baseball character but I for one would take his style over the laid back fall asleep in the dugout that we have now. Joe Maddon came out day one in spring training with that infamous double steal in the first inning. That showed me they were playing serious this season and they have not stopped since. Would that we had half that fire and determination to win in Toronto. Does anyone steal a base besides Rios occasionally?
Pitching: Waters (3-4 5.06 ERA) v Richmond (0-3, 5.14). Battle of the rookies. Waters shut out the Jays on Sept. 16, allowing four hits in the 2-0 win. Richmond pitched five innings against Boston on Sunday, allowing three runs and five hits in a 3-0 loss. In the four games that rookie Richmond has started this season, Toronto has scored four runs of support. He has not faced Baltimore.
Lineups: Toronto: Scutaro, Bautista, 1B is not his best position he is a 3B guy. Rios, Wells, DH tonight. Lind, Rolen, Snider, Thigpen, McDonald and Richmond pitching. Richmond- Thigpen battery tonight looks like Spring training.
Baltimore: Roberts, Markakis, Mora, Huff, Salazar, Jones, Scott, Santos, Fahey and Waters pitching.
The Result: Jays win 3-0. Game called in top of the seventh inning with rain.
The good: Richmond pitching 79 pitches in six scoreless innings before rain delay. Thigpen first ML HR. Rolen two hits. Bautista good execution for third run.
The bad: Jays hitters watching third strike. This is yet another priority to work on Cito and your fellow hitting coaches, this team is awful, awful in this category. Another work item Cito, staying out of double play balls by Vernon and others. Rios has to steal more with Vernon behind him.
Top 1st: Scutaro leading off grounds to 3B Huff throw to 1B Salazar for the out. Bautista, gets hold of this one, high fly ball to Jones in CF, good hit for Jose nut not far enough. Rios at bat, opposite field single, unusual for Alex but he will take it single to RF. Wells fresh from good 4 RBI game last night. Pops this one up into shallow RF Markakis long run to make the catch and third out. 12 pitches.
Bottom 1st: Richmond making his fourth start He has pitched well but needs run support, Jays have only hit four runs in his three starts. Roberts first pitch pops it up to LF Lind. One down for Markakis grounds to Scutaro throw to Bautista, two down for Mora DH tonight. Fly ball to Snider in RF, five pitch inning Richmond will take that to settle the nerves, now if his hitters could only give him a five run cushion, please?
Top 2nd: Lind grounds to 2B Roberts throw to 1B Salazar for the out. Rolen at bat, singles up the middle, one on for Snider strikes out. Two down for Thigpen, full count making Waters work. Strikes out swinging. 34 pitches.
Bottom 2nd: Huff singles to right centre, Salazar, long fly ball out to Rios in CF tonight. One down for Jones fly ball out to Lind in LF two down. Scott, high pop up first pitch to Thigpen to end the inning. 16 pitches, not bad for two innings work.
Top 3rd: McDonald, grounds to 3B Huff throw to 1B Salazar for first out. Scutaro singles into CF. One on one down for Bautista, come on Jose hit this one out. Not like that, swings wildly at a pitch three feet off the plate. Hits him on the foot. Two on one down for Rios. Alex takes called third strike, when are the Jays going to stop doing this? 50 pitches.
Bottom 3rd: Santos grounds to Rolen great throw to Bautista for first out. Fahey grounds to Scutaro throw to Bautista for second out. Rain getting heavier, Boston Yankees game is delayed also. Roberts full count. Singles 30 to Lind in LF. One on two down. Markakis at bat, strikes out. Very nice Scott. 36 pitches.
Top 4th: Lack of run support has been Richmond’s lot this season….. Jays hitters silent again so far after breakout game last night and eight runs for Halladay. Wells, sitting on the bench in the dry tonight, grounds one to Huff great bare hand play to get Vernon. I don’t think Vernon likes not being in the action, he will not be a good DH. One down for Lind, Adam gets hold of this one high off the wall in RF corner for a double. Nice swing that would have been a HR in most other parks. Rolen strikes out, he argues that one, replay does not show that he went around. Snider at bat, grounds this to SS throw to Huff for third out and Jays leave yet another in scoring position. 65 pitches.
Bottom 4th: Mora 3-0 count, come on Scott. There’s a strike. Grounds this one to Johnny Mac and throw to Bautista for the first out. Huff at bat, full count, strikes him out on a great change up. Two down for Salazar, fly ball out to Rios in CF. 54 pitches but still no run support.
Top 5th: Tampa losing 5-1 for second game to Tigers in Detroit, they will not like that with Boston at home. Pressure on the Rays this weekend. Can Boston catch them ? or will Yankees recover from their loss to Halladay ? Thigpen strikes out looking, one down for Johnny Mac. Lines out to CF Jones . Scutaro fly ball out to RF Markakis. Best inning for Waters so far. 75 pitches.
Bottom 5th: Jones strikes out swinging. Scott high fly ball out to Snider in left centre. Two down. Santos grounds to Johnny Mac and that is it for Baltimore, three up and down very quickly. 64 pitches. Poor guy it must be so discouraging pitching for this team with no run support. My theory also why Burnett will not stick around. With a better hitting team AJ and also Roy Halladay would have been Cy Young candidates this year.
Top 6th: Bautista there’s a hit, singles up the middle. One on for Rios and the big bats, but don’t place your bets here yet . Rios walks. Two on no outs for Vernon. Here we go, we have seen this before far too many times this season. Grounds to Salazar at 1B throw to Fahey SS back to Waters double play ball. I guess the good news is that Jays have someone at 3B for first time tonight, Lind at bat. Walks, that double play hurts here. Rolen at bat two on, but two down. Finally, yes Scott, doubles over the wall in left centre. Bautista scores 1-0 Jays. Lind at 3B. Lines very hard to RF great highlight reel diving catch Markakis save two runs there. Could have been much more without Vernon’s double play and that great catch, that could have been big inning for Jays. 95 pitches.
Bottom 6th: Richmond has a lead at least however stingy. Fahey grounds up the middle, no problem for Johnny Mac throw to Bautista for first out. Roberts at bat, full count, don’t walk this guy Scott, lines out to Bautista nice catch. Two down. Markakis singles into right centre . One on two down. Mora singles into CF. Two on two down for Huff. This guy has 108 RBIs. Jays top guy is Rios with 79 and therein lies the tale of 2008. Pops it up to Rolen, very nice pitching by Richmond. Definitely playing for consideration in 2009 rotation. He has my vote. 79 pitches.
Top 7th: Thigpen first pitch gets holds of this one and this is out of here fast into LF seats , his first ML HR, 2-0 Jays. Way to go Curtis. McDonald Singles into RF. Scutaro is he bunting? Showing it. 3-1 count. Full count. Singles up the middle and Johnny Mac is at 3B. No one out for Bautista. Break it open Jose. That’s it for Waters. 101 pitches. Rain is now heavier and crowd starting to stream out as well. Cormier now pitching, Bautista grounds first pitch to Salazar throw to Cormier McDonald scores 3-0 Jays. Scutaro moves to 2B. One down and one in scoring position for Rios. Here comes the ground crew, this game is in rain delay. 8.50.
9.50 Game is called and Jays win one.
What they are saying:
Baltimore Adam Jones: "I'm out here having fun still, but the outcome is not what we all want. That's the hardest part. We're men out there. We're not looking for someone to pat us on the back when we do wrong."
Halladay on the management contracts: "I like what Cito has done in the time he's been here. I think we've gone in some good directions and I've always trusted J.P. I feel confident the organization will continue to go the right way
Preview: Jays have won 10 of 15 against Baltimore this season, including four of six in Baltimore.
What is to play for here ? For a start a share of third with Yankees if they win them all and Yankees get swept in Boston this weekend. Boston will show no mercy they are after Tampa for Division title still within their grasp. All four teams still have something to play for. Media not happy with JP contract extension. I don’t understand this constant negativism with JP. If they are happy with Cito and what he has done with the team then this is the same team that JP put together so why are they not happy with him? It is not his fault that the hitters have underachieved all season. Plus his farm teams and draft picks are starting to show their strengths even though some of them could have done with an extra year in the minors, certainly Snider, tonight’s pitcher Richmond. On paper this team should have been competing for playoffs. If they don’t like JP sounding off on Adam Dunn then they should be grateful they don’t have Ozzie Guillen in Toronto. JP is certainly not a classic baseball character but I for one would take his style over the laid back fall asleep in the dugout that we have now. Joe Maddon came out day one in spring training with that infamous double steal in the first inning. That showed me they were playing serious this season and they have not stopped since. Would that we had half that fire and determination to win in Toronto. Does anyone steal a base besides Rios occasionally?
Pitching: Waters (3-4 5.06 ERA) v Richmond (0-3, 5.14). Battle of the rookies. Waters shut out the Jays on Sept. 16, allowing four hits in the 2-0 win. Richmond pitched five innings against Boston on Sunday, allowing three runs and five hits in a 3-0 loss. In the four games that rookie Richmond has started this season, Toronto has scored four runs of support. He has not faced Baltimore.
Lineups: Toronto: Scutaro, Bautista, 1B is not his best position he is a 3B guy. Rios, Wells, DH tonight. Lind, Rolen, Snider, Thigpen, McDonald and Richmond pitching. Richmond- Thigpen battery tonight looks like Spring training.
Baltimore: Roberts, Markakis, Mora, Huff, Salazar, Jones, Scott, Santos, Fahey and Waters pitching.
The Result: Jays win 3-0. Game called in top of the seventh inning with rain.
The good: Richmond pitching 79 pitches in six scoreless innings before rain delay. Thigpen first ML HR. Rolen two hits. Bautista good execution for third run.
The bad: Jays hitters watching third strike. This is yet another priority to work on Cito and your fellow hitting coaches, this team is awful, awful in this category. Another work item Cito, staying out of double play balls by Vernon and others. Rios has to steal more with Vernon behind him.
Top 1st: Scutaro leading off grounds to 3B Huff throw to 1B Salazar for the out. Bautista, gets hold of this one, high fly ball to Jones in CF, good hit for Jose nut not far enough. Rios at bat, opposite field single, unusual for Alex but he will take it single to RF. Wells fresh from good 4 RBI game last night. Pops this one up into shallow RF Markakis long run to make the catch and third out. 12 pitches.
Bottom 1st: Richmond making his fourth start He has pitched well but needs run support, Jays have only hit four runs in his three starts. Roberts first pitch pops it up to LF Lind. One down for Markakis grounds to Scutaro throw to Bautista, two down for Mora DH tonight. Fly ball to Snider in RF, five pitch inning Richmond will take that to settle the nerves, now if his hitters could only give him a five run cushion, please?
Top 2nd: Lind grounds to 2B Roberts throw to 1B Salazar for the out. Rolen at bat, singles up the middle, one on for Snider strikes out. Two down for Thigpen, full count making Waters work. Strikes out swinging. 34 pitches.
Bottom 2nd: Huff singles to right centre, Salazar, long fly ball out to Rios in CF tonight. One down for Jones fly ball out to Lind in LF two down. Scott, high pop up first pitch to Thigpen to end the inning. 16 pitches, not bad for two innings work.
Top 3rd: McDonald, grounds to 3B Huff throw to 1B Salazar for first out. Scutaro singles into CF. One on one down for Bautista, come on Jose hit this one out. Not like that, swings wildly at a pitch three feet off the plate. Hits him on the foot. Two on one down for Rios. Alex takes called third strike, when are the Jays going to stop doing this? 50 pitches.
Bottom 3rd: Santos grounds to Rolen great throw to Bautista for first out. Fahey grounds to Scutaro throw to Bautista for second out. Rain getting heavier, Boston Yankees game is delayed also. Roberts full count. Singles 30 to Lind in LF. One on two down. Markakis at bat, strikes out. Very nice Scott. 36 pitches.
Top 4th: Lack of run support has been Richmond’s lot this season….. Jays hitters silent again so far after breakout game last night and eight runs for Halladay. Wells, sitting on the bench in the dry tonight, grounds one to Huff great bare hand play to get Vernon. I don’t think Vernon likes not being in the action, he will not be a good DH. One down for Lind, Adam gets hold of this one high off the wall in RF corner for a double. Nice swing that would have been a HR in most other parks. Rolen strikes out, he argues that one, replay does not show that he went around. Snider at bat, grounds this to SS throw to Huff for third out and Jays leave yet another in scoring position. 65 pitches.
Bottom 4th: Mora 3-0 count, come on Scott. There’s a strike. Grounds this one to Johnny Mac and throw to Bautista for the first out. Huff at bat, full count, strikes him out on a great change up. Two down for Salazar, fly ball out to Rios in CF. 54 pitches but still no run support.
Top 5th: Tampa losing 5-1 for second game to Tigers in Detroit, they will not like that with Boston at home. Pressure on the Rays this weekend. Can Boston catch them ? or will Yankees recover from their loss to Halladay ? Thigpen strikes out looking, one down for Johnny Mac. Lines out to CF Jones . Scutaro fly ball out to RF Markakis. Best inning for Waters so far. 75 pitches.
Bottom 5th: Jones strikes out swinging. Scott high fly ball out to Snider in left centre. Two down. Santos grounds to Johnny Mac and that is it for Baltimore, three up and down very quickly. 64 pitches. Poor guy it must be so discouraging pitching for this team with no run support. My theory also why Burnett will not stick around. With a better hitting team AJ and also Roy Halladay would have been Cy Young candidates this year.
Top 6th: Bautista there’s a hit, singles up the middle. One on for Rios and the big bats, but don’t place your bets here yet . Rios walks. Two on no outs for Vernon. Here we go, we have seen this before far too many times this season. Grounds to Salazar at 1B throw to Fahey SS back to Waters double play ball. I guess the good news is that Jays have someone at 3B for first time tonight, Lind at bat. Walks, that double play hurts here. Rolen at bat two on, but two down. Finally, yes Scott, doubles over the wall in left centre. Bautista scores 1-0 Jays. Lind at 3B. Lines very hard to RF great highlight reel diving catch Markakis save two runs there. Could have been much more without Vernon’s double play and that great catch, that could have been big inning for Jays. 95 pitches.
Bottom 6th: Richmond has a lead at least however stingy. Fahey grounds up the middle, no problem for Johnny Mac throw to Bautista for first out. Roberts at bat, full count, don’t walk this guy Scott, lines out to Bautista nice catch. Two down. Markakis singles into right centre . One on two down. Mora singles into CF. Two on two down for Huff. This guy has 108 RBIs. Jays top guy is Rios with 79 and therein lies the tale of 2008. Pops it up to Rolen, very nice pitching by Richmond. Definitely playing for consideration in 2009 rotation. He has my vote. 79 pitches.
Top 7th: Thigpen first pitch gets holds of this one and this is out of here fast into LF seats , his first ML HR, 2-0 Jays. Way to go Curtis. McDonald Singles into RF. Scutaro is he bunting? Showing it. 3-1 count. Full count. Singles up the middle and Johnny Mac is at 3B. No one out for Bautista. Break it open Jose. That’s it for Waters. 101 pitches. Rain is now heavier and crowd starting to stream out as well. Cormier now pitching, Bautista grounds first pitch to Salazar throw to Cormier McDonald scores 3-0 Jays. Scutaro moves to 2B. One down and one in scoring position for Rios. Here comes the ground crew, this game is in rain delay. 8.50.
9.50 Game is called and Jays win one.
What they are saying:
Baltimore Adam Jones: "I'm out here having fun still, but the outcome is not what we all want. That's the hardest part. We're men out there. We're not looking for someone to pat us on the back when we do wrong."
Halladay on the management contracts: "I like what Cito has done in the time he's been here. I think we've gone in some good directions and I've always trusted J.P. I feel confident the organization will continue to go the right way
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Halladay perfect for win number 20 and bats show up to finish Yankees off.
Toronto v New York. Series finale and last home game of the season.Thursday September 25, 2008.
Preview: Lots here in this game, can Halladay win number twenty tonight ? Yankees are trying to match their longest winning streak of the season eight wins. Will Cito bounce back from his poor decision making last night OR worse still has nothing changed since his first exit from Toronto ? To many fans, the biggest knock against Cito, was having a team in 92 and 93 that didn’t need any managing and was made up of intense committed professionals who knew and did their jobs every day. Thus they fitted his style of passive indifference perfectly. The second knock was his inability to handle pitchers. He left them in too long and never changed them until the last minute which was usually too late if they were in trouble. Let them pitch out of trouble was the motto. Of course his predecessor Captain Hook was the opposite extreme and had no problems using three pitchers to get three outs. So far this season Cito has steered the middle path and enabled the great bullpen to do their work but also played the percentages which is about as far as this guy will gamble. Last night however he strayed from that philosophy. Whether or not he was still dewy- eyed over Burnett’s curtain call, but whatever his reason, Carlson was left in probably at least three hitters too many. Why was he pitching the tenth when he had already pitched a great inning ? Cito has at his disposal one of the best bullpens in baseball, there were several options some of who had already been warming up. But no, he left Jesse in far too long and Abreu who was 0-4 and had already struck out three times made him pay for that error. Cito should have noticed that Carlson was in trouble long before he loaded the bases, and even then he left him in. Strange decision, but probably playing the percentages in his mind at least, not the minds of the few who were left. I never understand people who leave a game tied at two in the top of the ninth ???? Can Jays hold Yankees win streak ? Not as a result of Halladay but because this team is underachieving bigtime with the bat up and down the lineup. But especially so with the heart of the order Rios, Wells and Overbay. It is very sad when the team leading RBI guy has less than 80. But we all know they could also score 20 tonight. Cito and the coaching staff still need work. The hitting has not improved, they are still awful with runners in scoring position. They have scored a total of three ! runs in the last three games. Can’t get worse than that, although the optimists would say they are improving each game, zero, one and two in the last three games. That is a joke friends. The oft quoted ten game run streak was a once in a decade achievement and not normal for this poor group of athletes. Yankees can’t wait to sweep them tonight at home for the first time since 2003. Ouch… Interesting stat. Many fans are not happy with BJ Ryan despite 32 saves after coming back from Tommy John surgery but Rivera only has 38 saves…. BJ has had a very good season.
What they said: Manager Girardi on Abreu grand slam. "That's the amazing thing about the game. You can have an awful day and in your last at-bat, you can have the biggest hit of the night. That's why you have to be able to turn the page and he's really good at doing that."
Halladay on potential twenty game win: "It's obviously a great milestone. It would mean a lot, but I think that it's always reflected more so on the team than anything." (he is 100% right on that. Roy could pitch a complete game and has done and still lose with this team.)
Pitching tonight: Halladay (19-11, 2.81 ERA) v Pavano (4-1, 4.99 ERA)
Halladay is trying for his first 20-win season since 2003 when he finished with 22 en route to winning the AL Cy Young Award. Halladay is 4-1 with a 2.50 ERA in five starts against Yankees this season, and has won both of his home outings against them, posting a 1.69 ERA over 16 innings. Halladay is 14-5 with a 2.90 ERA in 29 starts and two relief appearances against Yankees. He is 7-1 with a 2.83 ERA against them at Rogers Centre.
Parvano is 2-2 with a 4.65 ERA in six career starts against Toronto. On Aug. 29 against them, he allowed one run in six innings to gain credit for a 2-1 win. That sounds like a typical Halladay game loss.
Lineups: New York: Gardner, Cano, Abreu, Nady, Giambi, Betemit, Ransom, Cabrera, Cervelli and Pavano pitching. No Damon, Jeter or Rodriguez, Yankees feel they can handle Jays anyway. That should be red flag to Jays hitters.
Toronto: Inglett, Scutaro, Rios, Wells, Lind, Overbay, Rolen, Snider, Zaun and Halladay pitching. I rest my case above re Cito and his managing style. At very minimum he should be moving Lind down, and changing Rolen’s position. But this is Cito and the bad news is that this is it until 2010.
The result: Jays hammer Yankees 8-2. Thanks to great complete game win number 20 for Halladay and hitting up and down the lineup. As we suggested in the preview, this team can score big one night and then go cold for a week, IF ONLY they could be consistent this team would be a challenger no doubt. Lets see if they can carry this in to Baltimore tomorrow.
The good: 13 hit attack. Wells first two at bats, HR and single, 4RBIs. Jays 6/13 with runners in scoring position and still left ten on base. Snider 3-4. Lind back to form with two hits. Ten singles from these Jays tonight. Turning two double plays.
The bad: No not tonight… lets enjoy the Yankees losing.
The game: Top 1st: Gardner at bat, singles into CF. Cano at bat one on, grounds to Scutaro flip to Inglett on to Overbay double play ball, just what the doctor ordered. Two down for Abreu,fly ball out to Lind in LF for third out. Eleven pitches.
Bottom 1st Let’s see what the Jays hitters have brought tonight. Inglett leading off. Grounds to 2B Cano throw to Giambi, one down. Scutaro last night’s goat with his terrible throw away at 1B to allow two runs to score, grounds out to Giambi at 1B two down for Rios. Fly ball out to Gardner. Jays go quietly, no meekly more like it. Is that just eight pitches ?
Top 2nd: Nady at bat, fly ball out to Snider in RF tonight. That is his best position and let’s hope it will not be too long before he is out there everyday. Giambi with one down. Doubles into LF, the shift right was on and Lind’s throw weak and off the bag. One on one down for Betemit, grounds to Inglett throw to Overbay for the out, Giambi moves to 3B. Ransom at bat. Grounds to Scutaro, throw to Overbay for third out. Twenty nine pitches.
Bottom 2nd: Wells, has been sitting for half an hour DH tonight. Swings at first pitch though, good to see he is consistent. Grounds to Betemit, who drops the ball. Wells safe on the error. That would have been an easy out. Can Jays make them pay? Lind at bat, strikes out, Adam really is in an end of season slump. Head in the air and off the ball as he swings away. One down for Overbay. 3-1 count, Lyle is patient, takes ball four outside.Two on now with one down for Rolen. Scott this is where we all need a big HR here. Fly ball out to Gardner in CVF, runners have to hold. Snider at bat, moving up the order, good for Travis. Good time to cash in, singles into RF, Wels holds at 3B, bases loaded. Zaun at bat two down, this is probably Gregg’s last home game for the Jays. Takes ball three there a little too close Gregg. Grounds out to Giambi and that is one reason why he is history with this team. Thirty five pitches.
Top 3rd: Cabrera bunting pops it up foul but Zaun cannot get there, lines this one hard up the middle great highlight reel catch by Halladay. Cervelli grounds first pitch to Scutaro throw to Overbay for second out. Gardner doubles into RF corner, Cano doubles into RF corner, Gardner scores. 1-0 Yankees. Two down one on for Abreu. Grounds to Scutaro throw to Overbay for third out. 41 pitches.
Bottom 3rd: Inglett at bat, pops it up to shallow RF Nady, one down for Scutaro. Grounds to SS Ransom nice play and throw to Giambi for second out. Rios at bat. singles into LF. Finally a clean hit. Wells with one on and two down. Is Alex running ? seems like a long time since he did steal. Yes, he is going here and safe at 2B. Some aggressive play here for a change by the Jays. 3-1 count now on Vernon. Line drive into LF this one is out of here, HR Vernon,just clears the fence and Jays finally get a run and go out ahead of Yankees 2-1 Jays. Lind at bat, keep the line moving Adam. Grounds one hard off Pavano’s foot, no chance for Betemit throw and Lind safe at 1B. Overbay now keep the pressure on this guy Lyle. Pops it up foul to LF nice running catch by Cabrera for third out but Jays hit back to take the lead. 53 pitches.
Top 4th: Nady fly ball out to Rios in RF, one down. Giambi at bat with shift right on again and pops up foul at 3B. Rolen would have had that in normal fielding position. Come on Cito take note here that is the second at bat Giambi is going opposite field. Strikes out. Two down for Betemit. Strikes out. Good quick inning for Halladay here. 51 pitches. Now for the hitters to put this one away for him.
Bottom 4th: Rolen first pitch high fly ball to CF wall for Gardner. One down. Snider at bat. I like this kid, always seems to be thinking, does not swing at first pitch for a start. 3-1 count. Chops this one to 2B Cano throws the ball away at 1B. Would not have had Snider anyway. Zaun swings way off the ball, now singles this one up the middle past a diving Cano, two on for Inglett. Singles into RF, Snider scores. 3-1 Jays. Zaun moves to 2B and Inglett at 1B for Scutaro. 72 pitches. Grounds to SS throw to Cano for Inglett out but Zaun moves to 3B. Two on two down for Rios. Make me a believer Alex. You can break this one open. 3-0 count, and now walks on four pitches. Bases loaded for the big guy sitting on the bench tonight. Wells with bases loaded. Earn your money here Vernon. Good man, lines it into LF Zaun scores, Scutaro scores. 5-1 Jays. 4 RBIs tonight for Vernon. That’s it for Pavano. Here comes Girardi. Rios at 3B, Vernon at 1B for Lind at bat. Dan Giese now pitching. Lid high fly ball out to Gardnber in CF for third out. Jays have given Halladay something to work with now finally, Burnett must be sorry these guys were not doing this last night.
Top 5th: Ransom at bat 3-0 count and walks on four pitches,that is unusual for Roy. Cabrera with one on. Singles into RF corner, Ransom moves to 3B. Two on and no outs. Grounds to Scutaro on to Inglett on to Overbay double play ball. Perfect timing for Halladay. Cabrera scores 5-2 Jays. Two down for Gardner. Grounds to Inglett great diving stop and throw to Overbay not in time. First pitch, Gardner stealing, Cano grounds to Scutaro throw to Overbay for third out. 65 pitches.
Bottom 5th: Can Jays hitters keep the line moving? Overbay at bat strikes out swinging. One down for Rolen. Singles into RF, no chance for diving Betemit. Snider at bat one down and one on. Doubles to the wall in CF Rolen scores from 1B. Snider’s sixth double this season 6-2 Jays. Zaun with Travis at 2B and one down. Full count, hits this one off the wall in right centre, Snider scores 7-2 Jays. Hit number nine for Jays.That’s it for Geise. David Robertson now pitching. Inglett at bat, grounds to Cano throw to Giambi for second out. Zaun to 3B. Scutaro now. Full count. Walks him high and outside pitch. Rios again, would love to get in on the action, not like that Alex, high fly ball first pitch swing for out to Nady in RF. Not the smartest at bat when he has just walked Scutaro, but then it is Alex.
Top 6th: Halladay with a nice comfortable lead here. He has not had many of these this season so deserves it. Abreu at bat. Grounds to 2B Inglett throw to Overbay for first out. Nady grounds out to Overbay at1B. Two down. Giambi, this time the shift does work, grounds first pitch to Inglett almost behind Overbay at 1B, throw to Lyle for third out and very quick three up and down for Roy. 70 pitches.
Bottom 6th: Wells at bat, Edwar Ramirez pitching. Vernon two hits and four RBIs tonight. Jays hitters are already 5/11 tonight go figure this team, someone. Vernon swings wildly at this one One down for Lind. Adam lines this one into right centre. One on one down for Overbay Overbay and Scutaro are the only ones without a hit tonight. Full count. Strikes out swinging over this one. Rolen with two down and one on. Grounds to Betemit at 3B throw to Cano to get Lind at 2B.
Top 7th: Betemit grounds to Overbay, throw to Halladay for out at 1B, one down for Ransom bounces first pitch back to Halladay throw to Overbay for second out. Cabrera strikes out, eight pitch inning for Halladay. 79 pitches.
Bottom 7th: Snider at bat, Humberto Sanchez now pitching. Pitcher number five for Yankees tonight. Lines one to LF corner but Cabrera runs it down for nice catch. Zaun with one down. Gregg 2-3 tonight. Walks, he has had a good evening. Top of the order again for Jays. Inglett his fifth at bat. Twelve hits and three walks will do that for a team. 3-0 count. Walks another. Two on and one down for Scutaro who is hitless tonight. Your big chance Marco. There you go Marco, singles into RF corner, Zaun scores 8-2 Jays. Inglett at 3B.Two on for Alex. Keep this going Alex, these are the Yankees, not like that, grounds to SS Ransom on to 2B Cano on to Giambi double play ball.
Top 8th: Cervelli at bat, strikes out on three pitches. Number 285 for Roy a career high.Gardner at bat, one down. 3-3 tonight, not this time grounds to Overbay throw to Halladay beats out Gardner at 1B, two down. Cano grounds out to Overbay. 88 pitches. He will be out for the ninth.
Bottom 8th: Wells at bat, Darrell Rasner now pitching. Grounds to Betemit throw to Giambi for first out. Lind at bat, 2-4 tonight, much better game for him, maybe he can finish this weekend hitting. Grounds out to Giambi. Two down. Overbay the only Jays hitter without a hit tonight. Not this time either, grounds to SS Ransom throw to Giambi for third out.
Top 9th: Can Halladay finish this one and get number twenty win? Abreu at bat, strikes out on three pitches, not tonight Bobby. Nady lines out first pitch to Snider in RF. Two down for Damon pinch hitting for Giambi, grounds to Inglett throw to Overbay and Roy has win number twenty. Is he a happy guy ? Jays win this one 8-2 going away with a great all-round performance that we have not seen much of this season.
Hitting, fielding and Halladay on form for yet another complete game. In only 96 pitches.20 ground ball outs for Roy.
.
Preview: Lots here in this game, can Halladay win number twenty tonight ? Yankees are trying to match their longest winning streak of the season eight wins. Will Cito bounce back from his poor decision making last night OR worse still has nothing changed since his first exit from Toronto ? To many fans, the biggest knock against Cito, was having a team in 92 and 93 that didn’t need any managing and was made up of intense committed professionals who knew and did their jobs every day. Thus they fitted his style of passive indifference perfectly. The second knock was his inability to handle pitchers. He left them in too long and never changed them until the last minute which was usually too late if they were in trouble. Let them pitch out of trouble was the motto. Of course his predecessor Captain Hook was the opposite extreme and had no problems using three pitchers to get three outs. So far this season Cito has steered the middle path and enabled the great bullpen to do their work but also played the percentages which is about as far as this guy will gamble. Last night however he strayed from that philosophy. Whether or not he was still dewy- eyed over Burnett’s curtain call, but whatever his reason, Carlson was left in probably at least three hitters too many. Why was he pitching the tenth when he had already pitched a great inning ? Cito has at his disposal one of the best bullpens in baseball, there were several options some of who had already been warming up. But no, he left Jesse in far too long and Abreu who was 0-4 and had already struck out three times made him pay for that error. Cito should have noticed that Carlson was in trouble long before he loaded the bases, and even then he left him in. Strange decision, but probably playing the percentages in his mind at least, not the minds of the few who were left. I never understand people who leave a game tied at two in the top of the ninth ???? Can Jays hold Yankees win streak ? Not as a result of Halladay but because this team is underachieving bigtime with the bat up and down the lineup. But especially so with the heart of the order Rios, Wells and Overbay. It is very sad when the team leading RBI guy has less than 80. But we all know they could also score 20 tonight. Cito and the coaching staff still need work. The hitting has not improved, they are still awful with runners in scoring position. They have scored a total of three ! runs in the last three games. Can’t get worse than that, although the optimists would say they are improving each game, zero, one and two in the last three games. That is a joke friends. The oft quoted ten game run streak was a once in a decade achievement and not normal for this poor group of athletes. Yankees can’t wait to sweep them tonight at home for the first time since 2003. Ouch… Interesting stat. Many fans are not happy with BJ Ryan despite 32 saves after coming back from Tommy John surgery but Rivera only has 38 saves…. BJ has had a very good season.
What they said: Manager Girardi on Abreu grand slam. "That's the amazing thing about the game. You can have an awful day and in your last at-bat, you can have the biggest hit of the night. That's why you have to be able to turn the page and he's really good at doing that."
Halladay on potential twenty game win: "It's obviously a great milestone. It would mean a lot, but I think that it's always reflected more so on the team than anything." (he is 100% right on that. Roy could pitch a complete game and has done and still lose with this team.)
Pitching tonight: Halladay (19-11, 2.81 ERA) v Pavano (4-1, 4.99 ERA)
Halladay is trying for his first 20-win season since 2003 when he finished with 22 en route to winning the AL Cy Young Award. Halladay is 4-1 with a 2.50 ERA in five starts against Yankees this season, and has won both of his home outings against them, posting a 1.69 ERA over 16 innings. Halladay is 14-5 with a 2.90 ERA in 29 starts and two relief appearances against Yankees. He is 7-1 with a 2.83 ERA against them at Rogers Centre.
Parvano is 2-2 with a 4.65 ERA in six career starts against Toronto. On Aug. 29 against them, he allowed one run in six innings to gain credit for a 2-1 win. That sounds like a typical Halladay game loss.
Lineups: New York: Gardner, Cano, Abreu, Nady, Giambi, Betemit, Ransom, Cabrera, Cervelli and Pavano pitching. No Damon, Jeter or Rodriguez, Yankees feel they can handle Jays anyway. That should be red flag to Jays hitters.
Toronto: Inglett, Scutaro, Rios, Wells, Lind, Overbay, Rolen, Snider, Zaun and Halladay pitching. I rest my case above re Cito and his managing style. At very minimum he should be moving Lind down, and changing Rolen’s position. But this is Cito and the bad news is that this is it until 2010.
The result: Jays hammer Yankees 8-2. Thanks to great complete game win number 20 for Halladay and hitting up and down the lineup. As we suggested in the preview, this team can score big one night and then go cold for a week, IF ONLY they could be consistent this team would be a challenger no doubt. Lets see if they can carry this in to Baltimore tomorrow.
The good: 13 hit attack. Wells first two at bats, HR and single, 4RBIs. Jays 6/13 with runners in scoring position and still left ten on base. Snider 3-4. Lind back to form with two hits. Ten singles from these Jays tonight. Turning two double plays.
The bad: No not tonight… lets enjoy the Yankees losing.
The game: Top 1st: Gardner at bat, singles into CF. Cano at bat one on, grounds to Scutaro flip to Inglett on to Overbay double play ball, just what the doctor ordered. Two down for Abreu,fly ball out to Lind in LF for third out. Eleven pitches.
Bottom 1st Let’s see what the Jays hitters have brought tonight. Inglett leading off. Grounds to 2B Cano throw to Giambi, one down. Scutaro last night’s goat with his terrible throw away at 1B to allow two runs to score, grounds out to Giambi at 1B two down for Rios. Fly ball out to Gardner. Jays go quietly, no meekly more like it. Is that just eight pitches ?
Top 2nd: Nady at bat, fly ball out to Snider in RF tonight. That is his best position and let’s hope it will not be too long before he is out there everyday. Giambi with one down. Doubles into LF, the shift right was on and Lind’s throw weak and off the bag. One on one down for Betemit, grounds to Inglett throw to Overbay for the out, Giambi moves to 3B. Ransom at bat. Grounds to Scutaro, throw to Overbay for third out. Twenty nine pitches.
Bottom 2nd: Wells, has been sitting for half an hour DH tonight. Swings at first pitch though, good to see he is consistent. Grounds to Betemit, who drops the ball. Wells safe on the error. That would have been an easy out. Can Jays make them pay? Lind at bat, strikes out, Adam really is in an end of season slump. Head in the air and off the ball as he swings away. One down for Overbay. 3-1 count, Lyle is patient, takes ball four outside.Two on now with one down for Rolen. Scott this is where we all need a big HR here. Fly ball out to Gardner in CVF, runners have to hold. Snider at bat, moving up the order, good for Travis. Good time to cash in, singles into RF, Wels holds at 3B, bases loaded. Zaun at bat two down, this is probably Gregg’s last home game for the Jays. Takes ball three there a little too close Gregg. Grounds out to Giambi and that is one reason why he is history with this team. Thirty five pitches.
Top 3rd: Cabrera bunting pops it up foul but Zaun cannot get there, lines this one hard up the middle great highlight reel catch by Halladay. Cervelli grounds first pitch to Scutaro throw to Overbay for second out. Gardner doubles into RF corner, Cano doubles into RF corner, Gardner scores. 1-0 Yankees. Two down one on for Abreu. Grounds to Scutaro throw to Overbay for third out. 41 pitches.
Bottom 3rd: Inglett at bat, pops it up to shallow RF Nady, one down for Scutaro. Grounds to SS Ransom nice play and throw to Giambi for second out. Rios at bat. singles into LF. Finally a clean hit. Wells with one on and two down. Is Alex running ? seems like a long time since he did steal. Yes, he is going here and safe at 2B. Some aggressive play here for a change by the Jays. 3-1 count now on Vernon. Line drive into LF this one is out of here, HR Vernon,just clears the fence and Jays finally get a run and go out ahead of Yankees 2-1 Jays. Lind at bat, keep the line moving Adam. Grounds one hard off Pavano’s foot, no chance for Betemit throw and Lind safe at 1B. Overbay now keep the pressure on this guy Lyle. Pops it up foul to LF nice running catch by Cabrera for third out but Jays hit back to take the lead. 53 pitches.
Top 4th: Nady fly ball out to Rios in RF, one down. Giambi at bat with shift right on again and pops up foul at 3B. Rolen would have had that in normal fielding position. Come on Cito take note here that is the second at bat Giambi is going opposite field. Strikes out. Two down for Betemit. Strikes out. Good quick inning for Halladay here. 51 pitches. Now for the hitters to put this one away for him.
Bottom 4th: Rolen first pitch high fly ball to CF wall for Gardner. One down. Snider at bat. I like this kid, always seems to be thinking, does not swing at first pitch for a start. 3-1 count. Chops this one to 2B Cano throws the ball away at 1B. Would not have had Snider anyway. Zaun swings way off the ball, now singles this one up the middle past a diving Cano, two on for Inglett. Singles into RF, Snider scores. 3-1 Jays. Zaun moves to 2B and Inglett at 1B for Scutaro. 72 pitches. Grounds to SS throw to Cano for Inglett out but Zaun moves to 3B. Two on two down for Rios. Make me a believer Alex. You can break this one open. 3-0 count, and now walks on four pitches. Bases loaded for the big guy sitting on the bench tonight. Wells with bases loaded. Earn your money here Vernon. Good man, lines it into LF Zaun scores, Scutaro scores. 5-1 Jays. 4 RBIs tonight for Vernon. That’s it for Pavano. Here comes Girardi. Rios at 3B, Vernon at 1B for Lind at bat. Dan Giese now pitching. Lid high fly ball out to Gardnber in CF for third out. Jays have given Halladay something to work with now finally, Burnett must be sorry these guys were not doing this last night.
Top 5th: Ransom at bat 3-0 count and walks on four pitches,that is unusual for Roy. Cabrera with one on. Singles into RF corner, Ransom moves to 3B. Two on and no outs. Grounds to Scutaro on to Inglett on to Overbay double play ball. Perfect timing for Halladay. Cabrera scores 5-2 Jays. Two down for Gardner. Grounds to Inglett great diving stop and throw to Overbay not in time. First pitch, Gardner stealing, Cano grounds to Scutaro throw to Overbay for third out. 65 pitches.
Bottom 5th: Can Jays hitters keep the line moving? Overbay at bat strikes out swinging. One down for Rolen. Singles into RF, no chance for diving Betemit. Snider at bat one down and one on. Doubles to the wall in CF Rolen scores from 1B. Snider’s sixth double this season 6-2 Jays. Zaun with Travis at 2B and one down. Full count, hits this one off the wall in right centre, Snider scores 7-2 Jays. Hit number nine for Jays.That’s it for Geise. David Robertson now pitching. Inglett at bat, grounds to Cano throw to Giambi for second out. Zaun to 3B. Scutaro now. Full count. Walks him high and outside pitch. Rios again, would love to get in on the action, not like that Alex, high fly ball first pitch swing for out to Nady in RF. Not the smartest at bat when he has just walked Scutaro, but then it is Alex.
Top 6th: Halladay with a nice comfortable lead here. He has not had many of these this season so deserves it. Abreu at bat. Grounds to 2B Inglett throw to Overbay for first out. Nady grounds out to Overbay at1B. Two down. Giambi, this time the shift does work, grounds first pitch to Inglett almost behind Overbay at 1B, throw to Lyle for third out and very quick three up and down for Roy. 70 pitches.
Bottom 6th: Wells at bat, Edwar Ramirez pitching. Vernon two hits and four RBIs tonight. Jays hitters are already 5/11 tonight go figure this team, someone. Vernon swings wildly at this one One down for Lind. Adam lines this one into right centre. One on one down for Overbay Overbay and Scutaro are the only ones without a hit tonight. Full count. Strikes out swinging over this one. Rolen with two down and one on. Grounds to Betemit at 3B throw to Cano to get Lind at 2B.
Top 7th: Betemit grounds to Overbay, throw to Halladay for out at 1B, one down for Ransom bounces first pitch back to Halladay throw to Overbay for second out. Cabrera strikes out, eight pitch inning for Halladay. 79 pitches.
Bottom 7th: Snider at bat, Humberto Sanchez now pitching. Pitcher number five for Yankees tonight. Lines one to LF corner but Cabrera runs it down for nice catch. Zaun with one down. Gregg 2-3 tonight. Walks, he has had a good evening. Top of the order again for Jays. Inglett his fifth at bat. Twelve hits and three walks will do that for a team. 3-0 count. Walks another. Two on and one down for Scutaro who is hitless tonight. Your big chance Marco. There you go Marco, singles into RF corner, Zaun scores 8-2 Jays. Inglett at 3B.Two on for Alex. Keep this going Alex, these are the Yankees, not like that, grounds to SS Ransom on to 2B Cano on to Giambi double play ball.
Top 8th: Cervelli at bat, strikes out on three pitches. Number 285 for Roy a career high.Gardner at bat, one down. 3-3 tonight, not this time grounds to Overbay throw to Halladay beats out Gardner at 1B, two down. Cano grounds out to Overbay. 88 pitches. He will be out for the ninth.
Bottom 8th: Wells at bat, Darrell Rasner now pitching. Grounds to Betemit throw to Giambi for first out. Lind at bat, 2-4 tonight, much better game for him, maybe he can finish this weekend hitting. Grounds out to Giambi. Two down. Overbay the only Jays hitter without a hit tonight. Not this time either, grounds to SS Ransom throw to Giambi for third out.
Top 9th: Can Halladay finish this one and get number twenty win? Abreu at bat, strikes out on three pitches, not tonight Bobby. Nady lines out first pitch to Snider in RF. Two down for Damon pinch hitting for Giambi, grounds to Inglett throw to Overbay and Roy has win number twenty. Is he a happy guy ? Jays win this one 8-2 going away with a great all-round performance that we have not seen much of this season.
Hitting, fielding and Halladay on form for yet another complete game. In only 96 pitches.20 ground ball outs for Roy.
.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Burnett's last gem ruined by Scutaro and Cito errors
Toronto v New York Game two, Wednesday September 24, 2008.
If Cito and coaching staff had not already been anointed and discussing contract on the table, I seriously believe Rogers /Jays management would be looking at new faces. Take out that ten game win streak and what do we have? This team is just not hitting. One run in eighteen innings before today’s game is hardly playoff material. Tonight Burnett going for his win number nineteen against a Phil Hughes 0-4 this season after injured rib caused him to miss most of the season. You know that is a recipe for disaster for the Jays tonight and they will not be able to blame the umpire this time. Yankees have also won six straight and nine of 11 but AJ is one guy who can stop them, but once again Jays have to score more than one run.
Lineups: New York: Gardner, Cano, Abreu, Nady, Giambi, Betemit, Ransom,Miranda, Moeller and pitching. Second team for the Yankees tonight which is an even worse omen. No Damon, Jeter or Rodriguez.
Toronto: Inglett, Scutaro, Rios, Wells, Lind, Overbay, Rolen, Snider, Zaun and Burnett pitching. (the first team) I don’t think Lind should be batting behind Wells, should probably switch with Rolen. He needs to get his confidence back. His hitting is not good right now but then who is hitting?
Pitching: Burnett (18-10, 4.18 ERA) Hughes. 0-4. Yankees have struggled against Burnett, who is 3-1 with a 1.78 ERA in four starts against them this season. Burnett, who is 8-1 with a 3.06 ERA in his last 12 overall starts. Burnett is 6-3 with a 2.58 ERA in 10 career starts against New York.
Result: Yankees win with grand slam in the tenth by Abreu 6-2. Tough no decision for Burnett after pitching so well for eight. Is that his last game for Jays? Did Cito blow this one ? Scutaro’s error certainly made it a tie game instead of 2-1 lead for Jays in the top of the ninth and is the goat tonight.
The good: Burnett a tremendous effort. Rolen HR, good execution in the 1st by Jays hitters.
The bad: Scutaro game losing error, Cito and his pitching judgement which backfired tonight. Jays 0-4 with runners in scoring position. Priority number one for Dunedin but do Jays have the coaching staff to make a difference ?
The game: Top 1st: Gardner singles to LF, trying for two and great throw by Snider to 2B Inglett to get Gardner out. That was a Forrest Gump moment “stupid is stupid be”. Gardner trying to impress manager ? I think Damon is safe for now. Cano grounds to SS Scutaro to 1B Overbay. Two down for Abreu pops up to SS Scutaro. Quick inning for AJ.
Bottom 1st: Inglett doubles down the line into LF. Nice start. Scutaro, is he bunting ? No, but grounds to 2B Cano throw to 1B Miranda, and moves Inglett to 3B. Key though is can Alex or Vernon bring him in from 3B ? Rios gets hold of this one, a high fly ball to LF Nady, Inglett scores and Jays go ahead 1-0. Good execution for a change by Jays. Wells with two down singles to CF. They are jumping on Hughes this first inning as they should. Lind grounds out, to 1B Miranda. His troubles continue. I think he should move down the order and take some pressure off him.
Top 2nd: Nady strikes out. Giambi strikes out. Two quick outs. Betemit infield single to SS Scutaro. Ransom full count and walks, Betemit moves to 2B. Miranda fly ball out to LF Snider.
Bottom 2nd: Overbay grounds to 2B Cano throw to 1B Miranda. One down. Rolen strikes out.Snider strikes out. Jays quiet again.
Top 3rd: Moeller singles to CF. One on for Gardner grounds to 2B Inglett throw to SS Scutaro, to get Moeller. One down one on for Cano, singles to SS Scutaro short, Gardner moves to 2B, Scutaro trying a Johnny Mac play throws it away at 1B. There was no chance there, that was reckless brain spasm play by Scutaro. Gardner moves to 3B and Cano to 2B. Scutaro's error. Still only one down but two runners in scoring position. Abreu strikes out. Two down for Nady singles to CF, Gardner and Cano score. Yankees take the lead 2-1. There Scutaro’s error is big as Cano would have had to hold at 3B. Giambi grounds to 2B Inglett throw to 1B Overbay. Now that error is even greater, this should be a tied game. A small thing but I am sure Burnett is not happy.
Bottom 3rd: Zaun fly ball out to LF Nady. No way is Gregg striking out. Inglett fly ball to CF Gardner. Scutaro grounds to Hughes throw to 1B Miranda and Jays go quietly.
Top 4th: Betemit doubles to CF. Ransom grounds to SS Scutaro throw to 1B Overbay. One down. Miranda singles to CF, Betemit moves to 3B. Two on again and only one out. Moeller strikes out. Two down. Gardner strikes out. Great pitching by Burnett to get out of big trouble.
Bottom 4th: Rios doubles to LF Good start, Alex is producing tonight. Wells grounds to 3B Betemit throw to 1B Miranda. Alex has to hold at 2B. Lind strikes out. Please Cito get this kid out of his misery, you can see him tighten up in his at bats. Too much pressure for him. Overbay lines out to SS Ransom. Jays hitters have three tries and cannot bring in the runner at 2B. Cito this is the problem you and your staff should be working on bigtime.
Top 5th: Cano grounds to 2B Inglett throw to 1B Overbay. One down for Abreu strikes out.Two down for Nady fly ball out to RF Rios. Good inning for AJ, he is more than doing his part.
Bottom 5th: Rolen grounds to 2B Cano throw to 1B Miranda.Snider grounds to Hughes throw to 1B Miranda. Zaun singles to CF. No messing around with taking strikes tonight for Gregg. Inglett fly ball out to LF Nady. Jays leave another one on.
Top 6th: Giambi walks on four pitches. Betemit grounds to 2B Inglett on to Scutaro, that was not a good play Joe but Scutaro manages throw to 1B Overbay, Betemit just out. Two down. Ransom strikes out. Another quick one for AJ but helped by that double play.
Bottom 6th: Top of Jays order, Hghes is making it look very hard for Jays hitters tonight. Scutaro fly ball out to RF Abreu. One down for Rios grounds to 2B Cano on to 1B Miranda. Two down for Wells. Fly ball out to CF Gardner. Looks as if Burnett will have to be perfect tonight there is nothing coming from the Jays bats again tonight for the third game this week.
Top 7th: Miranda strikes out. Moeller fly ball out to CF Wells. Two down for Gardner strikes out. Three up and down for AJ pitching very well but pitch count is nearing 100, you know he wants to stay in to get the win.
Bottom 7th: Lind fly ball out to CF Gardner. One down for Overbay, strikes out. Rolen, here we go, gets hold of this one, from my seat this is going out all the way. HR Scott to LF and this game is tied up 2-2. Snider strikes out.
Top 8th: Burnett still out there with pitch count over 100. Cano strikes out. Abreu strikes out. Burnett is just getting stronger. Nady with two down fly ball out to CF Wells. AJ gets a standing ovation all the way back to the dugout. Is this the last time we shall see him pitching for Jays? Eleven strike outs tonight and but for Scutaro error in the third he would be leaving game 2-1 lead and BJ Ryan would be preparing for the ninth. Little things and Jays have lots of those recently and throughout the season.
Bottom 8th: Can Jays hitters get one run for AJ ? Zaun strikes out looking Gregg ? not again.. that is the first time you have not been aggressive tonight. Top of the order. Inglett ground sto 2B Cano throw to 1B Miranda. Two down for tonight’s goat. Scutaro fliy ball out to CF ed out to Gardner.
Top 9th: Not BJ Ryan I am afraid. Carlson now pitching. Giambi hit by a pitch. One on and here comes Damon pinch-running for Giambi. Betemit pops up to 2B Inglett. One down for Ransom, Damon stealing, Zaun throw to 2B Inglett, lots of time and Damon is out. Nice throw Gregg.
Ransom strikes out.
Bottom 9th: Damon in as designated hitter. Veras now pitching to the big bats. Alex and Vernon have hits tonight. Can they do it here ? Rios grounds to SS Ransom throw to 1B Miranda. One down for Wells fly ball out to CF Gardner. Two down for Lind, strikes out. Cito are you watching this kid ? Give him a break here. Take the pressure off him.
Top 10th. Extra innings for Jays. No Ryan though, Carlson in for a second inning, Cito is rolling the dice here, not his usual one inning and with such a great bullpen plus Halladay pitching tomorrow they should be available. Miranda doubles to RF. Cabrera pinch-running for Miranda.
Moeller full count and walks. Carlson is staying in there ???? Gardner trying to bunt and not a great at bat but finally manages it to 3B Rolen throw to 2B Inglett, Cabrera to 3B, Moeller to 2B.
Cano hit by a pitch to load the bases, still no Cito. Abreu with bases loaded, there it goes HR to RF, this game is blown open 6-2 Yankees. Cito you blew this one by not taking out Carlson here. Definitely not your style to leave a guy in like that, you were gambling on his previous inning but that is why you have a (very good) bullpen. This one will come back to haunt you for the naysayers who remember your last stint as Manager and the handling of pitching staff. Still only one out for Nady and Carlson still pitching. Nady grounds out to 1B Overbay. Two down here comes Damon. Singles to RF. Carlson is in there to finish this one off. Betemit with one and two down pops up to SS Scutaro.
Bottom 10th: Nady in at 1B. Cabrera in at LF. Ponson now pitching to finish this one up.. Overbay grounds out to 1B Nady with the crowd that are left groaning. Not happy with Lyle. Rolen grounds back to Ponson throw to 1B Nady. Two down for Snider fly ball out to LF Cabrera. Yankees didn’t need Rivera tonight. Very disappointing loss.
What they are saying: A-Rod. "The last two weeks we've shown the kind of baseball we can play. It's just very unfortunate and frustrating that we weren't able to put stretches like this together more often. It was a very inconsistent year for all of us. With the talent that we have in this clubhouse, that's the way we should have played all year." ( I think he could be talking about the Blue Jays)
Burnett on future: "My plans, my goals are to finish out a healthy season. And then we'll go from there."
Hughes on his early season problems: "I really felt like I would have gotten out of it, it's just the injury held me back. I never really got an opportunity to dig myself out of that hole."
Manager Cito Gaston. “Third place is certainly better than fourth place," "With some luck we wouldn't be playing for third place, we'd just about have it wrapped up. But to finish third is very important for us."
Gaston said of last night home umpire Vanover's strike zone "Guys were complaining about it, but I'm not back there, I can't see it. That's a lot of strikeouts." (14) tied a season high.
If Cito and coaching staff had not already been anointed and discussing contract on the table, I seriously believe Rogers /Jays management would be looking at new faces. Take out that ten game win streak and what do we have? This team is just not hitting. One run in eighteen innings before today’s game is hardly playoff material. Tonight Burnett going for his win number nineteen against a Phil Hughes 0-4 this season after injured rib caused him to miss most of the season. You know that is a recipe for disaster for the Jays tonight and they will not be able to blame the umpire this time. Yankees have also won six straight and nine of 11 but AJ is one guy who can stop them, but once again Jays have to score more than one run.
Lineups: New York: Gardner, Cano, Abreu, Nady, Giambi, Betemit, Ransom,Miranda, Moeller and pitching. Second team for the Yankees tonight which is an even worse omen. No Damon, Jeter or Rodriguez.
Toronto: Inglett, Scutaro, Rios, Wells, Lind, Overbay, Rolen, Snider, Zaun and Burnett pitching. (the first team) I don’t think Lind should be batting behind Wells, should probably switch with Rolen. He needs to get his confidence back. His hitting is not good right now but then who is hitting?
Pitching: Burnett (18-10, 4.18 ERA) Hughes. 0-4. Yankees have struggled against Burnett, who is 3-1 with a 1.78 ERA in four starts against them this season. Burnett, who is 8-1 with a 3.06 ERA in his last 12 overall starts. Burnett is 6-3 with a 2.58 ERA in 10 career starts against New York.
Result: Yankees win with grand slam in the tenth by Abreu 6-2. Tough no decision for Burnett after pitching so well for eight. Is that his last game for Jays? Did Cito blow this one ? Scutaro’s error certainly made it a tie game instead of 2-1 lead for Jays in the top of the ninth and is the goat tonight.
The good: Burnett a tremendous effort. Rolen HR, good execution in the 1st by Jays hitters.
The bad: Scutaro game losing error, Cito and his pitching judgement which backfired tonight. Jays 0-4 with runners in scoring position. Priority number one for Dunedin but do Jays have the coaching staff to make a difference ?
The game: Top 1st: Gardner singles to LF, trying for two and great throw by Snider to 2B Inglett to get Gardner out. That was a Forrest Gump moment “stupid is stupid be”. Gardner trying to impress manager ? I think Damon is safe for now. Cano grounds to SS Scutaro to 1B Overbay. Two down for Abreu pops up to SS Scutaro. Quick inning for AJ.
Bottom 1st: Inglett doubles down the line into LF. Nice start. Scutaro, is he bunting ? No, but grounds to 2B Cano throw to 1B Miranda, and moves Inglett to 3B. Key though is can Alex or Vernon bring him in from 3B ? Rios gets hold of this one, a high fly ball to LF Nady, Inglett scores and Jays go ahead 1-0. Good execution for a change by Jays. Wells with two down singles to CF. They are jumping on Hughes this first inning as they should. Lind grounds out, to 1B Miranda. His troubles continue. I think he should move down the order and take some pressure off him.
Top 2nd: Nady strikes out. Giambi strikes out. Two quick outs. Betemit infield single to SS Scutaro. Ransom full count and walks, Betemit moves to 2B. Miranda fly ball out to LF Snider.
Bottom 2nd: Overbay grounds to 2B Cano throw to 1B Miranda. One down. Rolen strikes out.Snider strikes out. Jays quiet again.
Top 3rd: Moeller singles to CF. One on for Gardner grounds to 2B Inglett throw to SS Scutaro, to get Moeller. One down one on for Cano, singles to SS Scutaro short, Gardner moves to 2B, Scutaro trying a Johnny Mac play throws it away at 1B. There was no chance there, that was reckless brain spasm play by Scutaro. Gardner moves to 3B and Cano to 2B. Scutaro's error. Still only one down but two runners in scoring position. Abreu strikes out. Two down for Nady singles to CF, Gardner and Cano score. Yankees take the lead 2-1. There Scutaro’s error is big as Cano would have had to hold at 3B. Giambi grounds to 2B Inglett throw to 1B Overbay. Now that error is even greater, this should be a tied game. A small thing but I am sure Burnett is not happy.
Bottom 3rd: Zaun fly ball out to LF Nady. No way is Gregg striking out. Inglett fly ball to CF Gardner. Scutaro grounds to Hughes throw to 1B Miranda and Jays go quietly.
Top 4th: Betemit doubles to CF. Ransom grounds to SS Scutaro throw to 1B Overbay. One down. Miranda singles to CF, Betemit moves to 3B. Two on again and only one out. Moeller strikes out. Two down. Gardner strikes out. Great pitching by Burnett to get out of big trouble.
Bottom 4th: Rios doubles to LF Good start, Alex is producing tonight. Wells grounds to 3B Betemit throw to 1B Miranda. Alex has to hold at 2B. Lind strikes out. Please Cito get this kid out of his misery, you can see him tighten up in his at bats. Too much pressure for him. Overbay lines out to SS Ransom. Jays hitters have three tries and cannot bring in the runner at 2B. Cito this is the problem you and your staff should be working on bigtime.
Top 5th: Cano grounds to 2B Inglett throw to 1B Overbay. One down for Abreu strikes out.Two down for Nady fly ball out to RF Rios. Good inning for AJ, he is more than doing his part.
Bottom 5th: Rolen grounds to 2B Cano throw to 1B Miranda.Snider grounds to Hughes throw to 1B Miranda. Zaun singles to CF. No messing around with taking strikes tonight for Gregg. Inglett fly ball out to LF Nady. Jays leave another one on.
Top 6th: Giambi walks on four pitches. Betemit grounds to 2B Inglett on to Scutaro, that was not a good play Joe but Scutaro manages throw to 1B Overbay, Betemit just out. Two down. Ransom strikes out. Another quick one for AJ but helped by that double play.
Bottom 6th: Top of Jays order, Hghes is making it look very hard for Jays hitters tonight. Scutaro fly ball out to RF Abreu. One down for Rios grounds to 2B Cano on to 1B Miranda. Two down for Wells. Fly ball out to CF Gardner. Looks as if Burnett will have to be perfect tonight there is nothing coming from the Jays bats again tonight for the third game this week.
Top 7th: Miranda strikes out. Moeller fly ball out to CF Wells. Two down for Gardner strikes out. Three up and down for AJ pitching very well but pitch count is nearing 100, you know he wants to stay in to get the win.
Bottom 7th: Lind fly ball out to CF Gardner. One down for Overbay, strikes out. Rolen, here we go, gets hold of this one, from my seat this is going out all the way. HR Scott to LF and this game is tied up 2-2. Snider strikes out.
Top 8th: Burnett still out there with pitch count over 100. Cano strikes out. Abreu strikes out. Burnett is just getting stronger. Nady with two down fly ball out to CF Wells. AJ gets a standing ovation all the way back to the dugout. Is this the last time we shall see him pitching for Jays? Eleven strike outs tonight and but for Scutaro error in the third he would be leaving game 2-1 lead and BJ Ryan would be preparing for the ninth. Little things and Jays have lots of those recently and throughout the season.
Bottom 8th: Can Jays hitters get one run for AJ ? Zaun strikes out looking Gregg ? not again.. that is the first time you have not been aggressive tonight. Top of the order. Inglett ground sto 2B Cano throw to 1B Miranda. Two down for tonight’s goat. Scutaro fliy ball out to CF ed out to Gardner.
Top 9th: Not BJ Ryan I am afraid. Carlson now pitching. Giambi hit by a pitch. One on and here comes Damon pinch-running for Giambi. Betemit pops up to 2B Inglett. One down for Ransom, Damon stealing, Zaun throw to 2B Inglett, lots of time and Damon is out. Nice throw Gregg.
Ransom strikes out.
Bottom 9th: Damon in as designated hitter. Veras now pitching to the big bats. Alex and Vernon have hits tonight. Can they do it here ? Rios grounds to SS Ransom throw to 1B Miranda. One down for Wells fly ball out to CF Gardner. Two down for Lind, strikes out. Cito are you watching this kid ? Give him a break here. Take the pressure off him.
Top 10th. Extra innings for Jays. No Ryan though, Carlson in for a second inning, Cito is rolling the dice here, not his usual one inning and with such a great bullpen plus Halladay pitching tomorrow they should be available. Miranda doubles to RF. Cabrera pinch-running for Miranda.
Moeller full count and walks. Carlson is staying in there ???? Gardner trying to bunt and not a great at bat but finally manages it to 3B Rolen throw to 2B Inglett, Cabrera to 3B, Moeller to 2B.
Cano hit by a pitch to load the bases, still no Cito. Abreu with bases loaded, there it goes HR to RF, this game is blown open 6-2 Yankees. Cito you blew this one by not taking out Carlson here. Definitely not your style to leave a guy in like that, you were gambling on his previous inning but that is why you have a (very good) bullpen. This one will come back to haunt you for the naysayers who remember your last stint as Manager and the handling of pitching staff. Still only one out for Nady and Carlson still pitching. Nady grounds out to 1B Overbay. Two down here comes Damon. Singles to RF. Carlson is in there to finish this one off. Betemit with one and two down pops up to SS Scutaro.
Bottom 10th: Nady in at 1B. Cabrera in at LF. Ponson now pitching to finish this one up.. Overbay grounds out to 1B Nady with the crowd that are left groaning. Not happy with Lyle. Rolen grounds back to Ponson throw to 1B Nady. Two down for Snider fly ball out to LF Cabrera. Yankees didn’t need Rivera tonight. Very disappointing loss.
What they are saying: A-Rod. "The last two weeks we've shown the kind of baseball we can play. It's just very unfortunate and frustrating that we weren't able to put stretches like this together more often. It was a very inconsistent year for all of us. With the talent that we have in this clubhouse, that's the way we should have played all year." ( I think he could be talking about the Blue Jays)
Burnett on future: "My plans, my goals are to finish out a healthy season. And then we'll go from there."
Hughes on his early season problems: "I really felt like I would have gotten out of it, it's just the injury held me back. I never really got an opportunity to dig myself out of that hole."
Manager Cito Gaston. “Third place is certainly better than fourth place," "With some luck we wouldn't be playing for third place, we'd just about have it wrapped up. But to finish third is very important for us."
Gaston said of last night home umpire Vanover's strike zone "Guys were complaining about it, but I'm not back there, I can't see it. That's a lot of strikeouts." (14) tied a season high.
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