Inter-league: Astros v Jays, Game one of three.
Jaya have traditionally had a horrible time with inter-league and one of the few AL teams with a losing record over the years. This weekend they have the worst team in NL but with the Jays that doesn’t mean anything, they often have their worst games against unknown rookie pitchers, and they must not take Astros lightly here. That might be hard for the younger players.
Line-ups: Astros: Bourn, Barmes, Pence, Lee, Michaels, Downs, Johnson, Hall, Towles, and Rodriguez pitching. Brett Wallace NOT in the line-up. Jays fans were looking forward to seeing him again, well maybe.
Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Hill, Rivera, Arencibia, Thames, Davis, Nix and Jo Jo Reyes pitching. I love that speed at the bottom of the order.
Top 1st: Bourn, no what a horrible start, bunting up the line, where is Reyes ???? Rivera has it but Reyes not at the bag. This is National League guys, wake up. Barmes, there he goes, Bourn takes second without even a throw, wow so easy. Full count. Ball four, two on nobody out. Pence, grounds to Rivera throw to Reyes but both runners move up. Two in scoring position, one down. Lee, 0-2 count, 2-2, nice pitch strikes out swinging, two down. Michaels, 0-2 count, strikes out swinging, and Reyes escapes big trouble.
Bottom 1st: Jays need to get a few runs on the board to give Reyes some breathing room here. Escobar leading off, fly ball to left but not far enough, one down. Patterson, strikes out swinging, two down for Bautista. Outside ball one, gets under this one looper to left but Bourn gets it on the run, he can fly, three up and down for Jays.
Top 2nd: Downs, full count, strikes out swinging number three tonight, Johnson, lines it to left, of the wall to Patterson, great throw to get Johnson at second, two down. Hall, full count, grounds to Nix, throw to Rivera for third out. Much better inning for Reyes.
Bottom 2nd: Hill, hammers this one into left field corner, high off the wall, just misses going out and dives headfirst into second, close but ok. Aaron has been getting closer and closer to that wall in the last week. He will be out of there soon, no doubt at all. Rivera now, this one gets way way high inside to knock Rivera off the plate. Grounds to short, Hill breaking and out at third, should have held there Aaron. The mental stuff. Rivera at first, one down. Arencibia, doubles in to left that would have scored Hill Rivera to third. Two in scoring position for Thames. Grounds to second, here comes Rivera 1-0 Jays as throw gets Thames at first. Two down for Davis. Arencibia at third. Lines it to centre for the out. Hill’s error costly as that hit would have brought in second run.
Top 3rd: Towles, pops up to Bautista in shallow right centre. Bourn, strikes out looking, Bourn cannot believe it, two down. Barmes, strikes out swinging, his fifth strikes out in first nine at bats.
Bottom 3rd: Nix, grounds to first, makes the play himself, one down for Escobar. Grounds to third, throw to first two down. Patterson, singles into left. Hit number 1,000. Bautista, lines it hard to left but great diving, rolling catch by Michaels to rob Jose there of an RBI double. Excellent catch.
Top 4th: Pence singles first pitch into centre, one on for Lee, pops up to Hill, one down. Michaels, that will do it, grounds to Escobar, to Hill over to Rivera double play ball. Nice play.
Bottom 4th: Hill, wants to make up for that mental, error last at bat. 2-2 count, down and way and leaves it, that much better Aaron, full count, singles back up the middle, 2-2 night. Rivera, that will do Juan, singles into centre, Hill to second, two on nobody out for Arencibia. Grounds to Barmes diving to get the ball and flip to second throw to first, double play ball. Ouch. Hill to third. NO Eric, swinging away at first pitch, head way in the air, and pops it up, not good at all. Leaves Hill out at third.
Top 5th: Matt Downs, grounds to Nix at third, long throw to Rivera, one down. Johnson, hits him on the foot, one on one down for Hall, strikes out swinging, throw to second but Johnson safe. Two down for Towles, pops it up foul, OH way to go Juan, Rivera, sliding at the wall to make great catch. We have not seen that from a Jays first baseman for LONG time.. looking good out there Juan. With your glove as well as your bat.
Bottom 5th: Davis leading off, grounds to short, great effort by Rajai but throw gets him. Nix, strikes out looking but that was very low, Escobar, two down, doubles to the wall in left, Patterson. 3-1 count, Escobar distracting Rodriguez, low ball four, two on two down for Bautista. Jose a little quiet in recent games but to be fair the pitchers are not giving him much to hit. Strikes out looking. Jose does NOT like that call. Jays are leaving runners out there in droves tonight.
Top 6th: Bourn, singles to Bautista in right, one on for Barmes, bunting, pops it up to Rivera, one down. Pence, Bourn going but pitch out and Arencibia throw gets him, Bourn does not agree !!! is FURIOUS, first time he has been caught this season. Lee, two down, full count. Pops up to centre, Davis cannot see it but at last minute dives to grab third out. Drama at Rogers Centre in that inning.
Bottom 6th: Hill leading off again, 2-2 tonight. Does it again doubles into the left field corner but for third time has been there and yet to score, can they bring him in this time? Rivera, pop up into shallow right, and they drop it, whoa... Hill gets to third, Rivera to first, two on for Arencibia, not enough, pops it to shallow centre. Have to bring him in there JP, forget the home run swing, base hit is what is needed. He will (have to) learn. Jays now 1-8 runners in scoring position. Thats it for Rodriguez. Escalona now pitching, lefty lefty match up. Thames, strikes out swinging on three pitches. Two down, that’s it for Escalona, one guy. Del Rosario, Davis FINALLY singles into left, here comes Hill to score 2-0 Jays. Two on two down for Nix. 2-2 count, strikes out swinging. The guy I feel sorry for is Reyes, watching all those hitters getting on base and not bringing them in for a bag of runs.. 2-10 now with runners in scoring position. That is really bad.
Top 7th: Lee, grounds to Escobar, diving stop to save it and throw to Rivera for first out, Michaels grounds to short but Escobar long off-balance throw not in time to get Michaels at first. Downs, slow bouncer to Escobar throw to first for second out, no chance for double play. Johnson, strikes out swinging, nice pitching JoJo. You have done more than enough tonight. Too bad you have not had the run support.
Bottom 7th: Top of the order. Escobar, leading off, grounds first pitch to third, throw to first for the out. One down for Patterson, grounds to second throw to first for second out. Three pitches two outs. Bautista, last chance for Jose tonight. 2-0 outside, inside, inside again 3-0. Takes strike one ??? ball four. One on two down for Hill who is 3-3 tonight. Jose distracting pitcher here, 2-0 count, grounds to Johnson at third, throw to first for the out.
Top 8th: That’s it for Reyes, Rauch now pitching. Jo Jo hanging around to see if they can hold it for him here. Bogusevic pinch hitting, bounces to Rivera at first throw to Rauch for the out. Towles, lifts it to Bautista shallow right for second out. Bourn top of the order. Full count, ball four, that was very close pitch, you didn’t want to put this guy on. Barmes, 0-2 count, 2-2, singles back up the middle, two on two down for Pence, oh boy, this was an accident waiting to happen, Hammers it to right over Bautista here comes two runs, and Reyes once again throw to home not good. Runner at second, Lee fly ball to Davis for third out but too little too late. Jays hitters all night long have thrown away their chances and once again ruined game for JoJo Reyes. Now they are up against it.
Bottom 8th: What do Jays hitters have here?, hopefully no more of that undisciplined first pitch swinging which has backfired big-time tonight. Rivera leading off. Lopez now pitching. Strikes out swinging. One down for Arencibia, this is one guy who has to forget the home run swing on every pitch, a single was all that was needed last time JP. Strikes out looking. Thames another one but at least he has the inexperience as an excuse. Full count, strikes out on ball four outside. You can feel this one slipping away from the Jays but they have themselves to blame tonight,
Top 9th: Francisco pitching. Michaels, full count, strikes out looking, one down. Downs, another full count, ball four, Johnson, 2-0 two in the dirt, now Francisco is having trouble, 3-1 another in the dirt. Another full count, oh boy, this one is out of here, long drive into left field 4-2 Astros. Francisco has nothing tonight. That will clear crowd out, What a mess. To the worst team in the majors !!! Hall, singles to centre, Camp warming up, that’s it for Francisco horrible outing to ruin this one. Sanchez singles to centre. Towles, WHOA great play by Rivera. Grounds to Escobar, throw to Rivera great play to get him and fall off the bag. Sanchez at third on play. Bourn two down. Grounds back off leg of Camp, throw by Escobar no chance to get Bourn and Sanchez scores 5-2 Astros. Barmes, there goes Bourn safe on throw, fly ball to Davis for third out.
Bottom 9th: Always interesting to see how much fight this team has in this situation. This is embarrassing against a team that is on five game losing streak, has won three games in the last fifteen and is in the cellar in the NL Central. But many fans have left and I for one do not blame then here this game was awful. I would be asking for my money back tonight. Melancon now pitching. Davis leading off, singles to right, Nix who has just not found his stroke yet since his injury. Strikes out swinging, overmatched there. One down. Escobar, grounds to second throw to the bag over to first double play to end this. I have no idea why Davis had not stolen second earlier to stay out of that very situation but tonight this team was at its worst. Ruining an excellent game from Reyes and denying him once a win once again.
The major issue here tonight was the 2-10 runners in scoring position.
The very good: We have to give JoJo Reyes the gold star tonight, he did everything he could to win this one. Seven strikes outs in seven innings. Took the game into the eighth where his bullpen let him down so badly tonight,
The good: Rivera catch in fifth and over all hitting, Hill with three hits, we have said before over the last week definitely getting his stroke back.
The not so good: Hill mental error in the second inning getting thrown out at third. But the runners in scoring position was the major problem and until this team can improve that stat they will continue to lose games like this one. Rauch and Francisco what can one say. It looks as if Francisco had a dead arm, has had too many outings recently, he had nothing tonight, full counts, balls in the dirt, and did not look dominant at all.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Romero wins one from Rays with long ball from JP and Rivera
Rays v Jays, Game two of two game series. Revenge time.
Line-ups: Rays: Zobrist, Damon, Longoria, Joyce, Upton, Johnson, Rodriguez, Brignac, Shoppach and Wade Davis pitching.
Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Hill, Rivera, Arencibia, Thames, Davis, Nix and Romero pitching. Surprise, surprise NO Edwin. Listening to all the talk shows and reading today it is surprising only that Edwin is still in Toronto, that was an appalling display by Encarnacion last night. Although the scorer only gave him two errors, this was at least a four error game but more importantly it was the quality of the errors, simple plays that he could not handle. Throwing, catching, let alone his at bats. This guy is NOT playing at major league level this season period.
Top 1st: Zobrist leading off. Grounds to Escobar at short throw to Rivera at first, big Bronx cheer, mindful of the disaster at first last night. Damon, grounds to Hill throw to first two down. Longoria, full count, that looked like strike to me. Strikes out swinging. So far so good.
Bottom 1st: Escobar first pitch, fly ball to right, one down. Patterson, oh boy, bunting up the line right at first base for the out, that was a miserable at bat Corey, two down three pitches !!!!! Bautista, lifts this one to left but not far enough for the out, Jays go quickly and miserably in FIVE pitches? The lead-off guy should take five.
Top 2nd: Romero had not even sat down. Thanks guys. Joyce grounds first pitch to Rivera at first, takes it himself for the out, more cheers (in relief) from the crowd, one down for Upton, singles off the glove of diving Nix in to shallow left. Dan Johnson with one on one down. Perfect, shatters his bat as he grounds to Hill on to Escobar, to Rivera, double play ball to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd: Hill, drives it to right centre for Zobrist, one down for Rivera. 3-0 count, this is what I like about Juan Rivera, patience, not often going after pitch one, drives this one to left and bounces (the right way) off the wall, home run Rivera, 1-0 Jays. Arencibia, grounds to Brignac, throw to first two down. Thames. DH again tonight. Full count, strikes out but it took a good pitch and six pitches to do it. More than the top three in first inning combined. I will take that any day.
Top 3rd: Ricky pitching with a lead. Rodriguez, grounds to Nix, good throw to Rivera at first, one down. Brignac, full count, strikes out but took eleven pitches. Not good for Ricky. Two down. Shoppach, first pitch fly ball to Bautista. For third out.
Bottom 3rd: Davis, singles into shallow right, Nix, pops up to shallow left, one down. Escobar. Terrible, Davis picked off but Escobar does not even swing at it, and leaves him hung out to dry there, Shoppach had easy job, throwing. You have to protect runner Yunel, grounds to first easy out. Escobar at fault in that at bat big-time and ruins the leadoff single by Davis.
Top 4th: Three innings in 40 minutes ! but due to lousy first pitch swinging as opposed to great pitching. Zobrist grounds to Escobar, throw to Rivera one down. Damon, 3-0, grounds to Rivera, takes it himself, two down. Longoria, strikes out to end this one.
Bottom 4th: Patterson grounds first pitch !!!!!!!!! to short, throw to first, waste of an at bat. Bautista, full count inside, grounds to short, throw to first, two down, Hill, pops up to shallow left.
Top 5th: Joyce, fly ball to Davis in centre, one down. Upton, this one is trouble, high fly ball to left centre and this one is just out of here, home run Upton, 1-1 game. Johnson, strikes out, two down for Rodriguez, full count, looked good here, outside ball four, one on two down. Brignac, 3-0 come on Ricky, full count, gets him looking strike three to finish him off. But his pitch count at 77. Not that good.
Bottom 5th: Here is the glaring difference tonight Wade Davis only 42 pitches. Rivera, lines out to right, one down for Arencibia, singles to left, Thames singles to right, Davis, swinging at first two way outside, grounds to third, throw to second on to first double play to end this one, not a good at bat by Davis.
Top 6th: Could be the last one for Ricky. Shoppach, grounds to Nix at third, throw to Rivera, one down for Zobrist. 0-2 count, strikes out swinging, two down. Damon, singles into right. Longoria, 3-0 count, ball four, two on two down. Ricky had Damon at 0-2. Joyce, 1-0 oh boy, eight in a row, 3-1 count, has to come to him. Full count, fly ball to Bautista in right but it cost Romero another twelve pitches and probably coming out in the seventh. 95 pitches.
Bottom 6th: Meantime Wade Davis no problems with the free swinging undisciplined Jays tonight. They are getting themselves out. Nix leading off here. First pitch (I rest my case) pop up to short, one down. Escobar, (first pitch) lines to left two down, two pitches. Patterson, can he make it three pitch inning? Has to take strike one. Singles into left. Bautista, will Maddon walk him? No need to, first pitch, great swing but gets under it to left for high pop up to left for the out. Six pitch inning. If the pitcher knows they are
Top 7th: Upton, pops up to Davis in centre. Johnson, pops up to Bautista in shallow right. Two down for Rodriguez, grounds to Nix, long throw to Rivera at first for third out. 103 pitch count.
Bottom 7th: Hill, fly ball to Upton in centre, one down. Rivera patient here, full count, ball four, one on one down for Arencibia, yes JP, he gets hold of this one and it us out of here dead centre, 3-1 Jays. Thames, full count, way outside, ball four, Davis 2-0 Thames is distracting Davis here, way outside 3-0 in danger of third walk this inning here. Ball four, wow. what a turn around. Nix, 1-0, Gomes warming up in bullpen. 2-0, 24 pitch inning already. 2-2 count. Takes third strike outside. Two down for Escobar with two on two down. Grounds to short, throw to first, not a good night for Escobar. But Jays take the lead again.
Top 8th: Rzepczynski now pitching, Brignac leading off, grounds to third throw to Rivera, one down. Shoppach, 2-2 count, this one is trouble, opposite field home run into right field bullpen. 3-2 game. Zobrist, pops up to Bautista shallow right, two down. Damon, full count, grounds to Hill, throw to Rivera for third out.
Bottom 8th: Patterson, pops up to third first pitch. Never learns. Bautista, whoa that was a bad swing, strikes out swinging. Hill, takes first pitch yeah. 2-0 count, 3-0, full count, ball four see what patience does Corey. One on for Rivera, 1-0 count, 1-2 count, doubles to left, Hill almost comes home and slams on the brakes just gets back to third. Two in scoring position for Arencibia, he has done it before, hit two home runs I mean. But here a base hit will be perfect JP and just as good. That`s it for Davis. Juan Cruz, came in last night. 2-0 count, 3-1, patience, patience, full count. Grounds back to Cruz, fumbles it but recovers to get Arencibia at first.
Top 9th: Francisco now pitching. Has been shaky recently so hang on here. Longoria leading off. Pops up way high but to Escobar at short. Got under that one fortunately. Joyce lines first pitch to Davis in centre, two down for Upton, always trouble. MAN !!! pops it up, Arencibia and Nix back off and let it drop in front of Jays dugout. Awful. I don’t think manager will be too happy with that. Someone has to take charge. You don’t give Upton a life. No problem though, high fly ball to Davis at the wall, close but not enough, and Jays win this one. 3-2. Francisco goes three up and down for save, good to see.
The very good: Romero second consecutive good outing. JP the two run home run that decided it, his number seven on the season in the first six weeks, he could be hitting 25 this year. But don’t forget Rivera tonight, in his own mini slump and under the microscope with the fans, gave a solid performance at first tonight and added on two hits including his home run and his walk before JP hit the home run also figured big. If only he had been out there last night perhaps Jays would be celebrating a sweep tonight.
The not so good and yes we have to note it: Jays impatience at bat tonight, it was not until the seventh when they showed some patience with Davis that it paid off immediately with the walks and the home run. Similarly in the eighth.
Line-ups: Rays: Zobrist, Damon, Longoria, Joyce, Upton, Johnson, Rodriguez, Brignac, Shoppach and Wade Davis pitching.
Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Hill, Rivera, Arencibia, Thames, Davis, Nix and Romero pitching. Surprise, surprise NO Edwin. Listening to all the talk shows and reading today it is surprising only that Edwin is still in Toronto, that was an appalling display by Encarnacion last night. Although the scorer only gave him two errors, this was at least a four error game but more importantly it was the quality of the errors, simple plays that he could not handle. Throwing, catching, let alone his at bats. This guy is NOT playing at major league level this season period.
Top 1st: Zobrist leading off. Grounds to Escobar at short throw to Rivera at first, big Bronx cheer, mindful of the disaster at first last night. Damon, grounds to Hill throw to first two down. Longoria, full count, that looked like strike to me. Strikes out swinging. So far so good.
Bottom 1st: Escobar first pitch, fly ball to right, one down. Patterson, oh boy, bunting up the line right at first base for the out, that was a miserable at bat Corey, two down three pitches !!!!! Bautista, lifts this one to left but not far enough for the out, Jays go quickly and miserably in FIVE pitches? The lead-off guy should take five.
Top 2nd: Romero had not even sat down. Thanks guys. Joyce grounds first pitch to Rivera at first, takes it himself for the out, more cheers (in relief) from the crowd, one down for Upton, singles off the glove of diving Nix in to shallow left. Dan Johnson with one on one down. Perfect, shatters his bat as he grounds to Hill on to Escobar, to Rivera, double play ball to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd: Hill, drives it to right centre for Zobrist, one down for Rivera. 3-0 count, this is what I like about Juan Rivera, patience, not often going after pitch one, drives this one to left and bounces (the right way) off the wall, home run Rivera, 1-0 Jays. Arencibia, grounds to Brignac, throw to first two down. Thames. DH again tonight. Full count, strikes out but it took a good pitch and six pitches to do it. More than the top three in first inning combined. I will take that any day.
Top 3rd: Ricky pitching with a lead. Rodriguez, grounds to Nix, good throw to Rivera at first, one down. Brignac, full count, strikes out but took eleven pitches. Not good for Ricky. Two down. Shoppach, first pitch fly ball to Bautista. For third out.
Bottom 3rd: Davis, singles into shallow right, Nix, pops up to shallow left, one down. Escobar. Terrible, Davis picked off but Escobar does not even swing at it, and leaves him hung out to dry there, Shoppach had easy job, throwing. You have to protect runner Yunel, grounds to first easy out. Escobar at fault in that at bat big-time and ruins the leadoff single by Davis.
Top 4th: Three innings in 40 minutes ! but due to lousy first pitch swinging as opposed to great pitching. Zobrist grounds to Escobar, throw to Rivera one down. Damon, 3-0, grounds to Rivera, takes it himself, two down. Longoria, strikes out to end this one.
Bottom 4th: Patterson grounds first pitch !!!!!!!!! to short, throw to first, waste of an at bat. Bautista, full count inside, grounds to short, throw to first, two down, Hill, pops up to shallow left.
Top 5th: Joyce, fly ball to Davis in centre, one down. Upton, this one is trouble, high fly ball to left centre and this one is just out of here, home run Upton, 1-1 game. Johnson, strikes out, two down for Rodriguez, full count, looked good here, outside ball four, one on two down. Brignac, 3-0 come on Ricky, full count, gets him looking strike three to finish him off. But his pitch count at 77. Not that good.
Bottom 5th: Here is the glaring difference tonight Wade Davis only 42 pitches. Rivera, lines out to right, one down for Arencibia, singles to left, Thames singles to right, Davis, swinging at first two way outside, grounds to third, throw to second on to first double play to end this one, not a good at bat by Davis.
Top 6th: Could be the last one for Ricky. Shoppach, grounds to Nix at third, throw to Rivera, one down for Zobrist. 0-2 count, strikes out swinging, two down. Damon, singles into right. Longoria, 3-0 count, ball four, two on two down. Ricky had Damon at 0-2. Joyce, 1-0 oh boy, eight in a row, 3-1 count, has to come to him. Full count, fly ball to Bautista in right but it cost Romero another twelve pitches and probably coming out in the seventh. 95 pitches.
Bottom 6th: Meantime Wade Davis no problems with the free swinging undisciplined Jays tonight. They are getting themselves out. Nix leading off here. First pitch (I rest my case) pop up to short, one down. Escobar, (first pitch) lines to left two down, two pitches. Patterson, can he make it three pitch inning? Has to take strike one. Singles into left. Bautista, will Maddon walk him? No need to, first pitch, great swing but gets under it to left for high pop up to left for the out. Six pitch inning. If the pitcher knows they are
Top 7th: Upton, pops up to Davis in centre. Johnson, pops up to Bautista in shallow right. Two down for Rodriguez, grounds to Nix, long throw to Rivera at first for third out. 103 pitch count.
Bottom 7th: Hill, fly ball to Upton in centre, one down. Rivera patient here, full count, ball four, one on one down for Arencibia, yes JP, he gets hold of this one and it us out of here dead centre, 3-1 Jays. Thames, full count, way outside, ball four, Davis 2-0 Thames is distracting Davis here, way outside 3-0 in danger of third walk this inning here. Ball four, wow. what a turn around. Nix, 1-0, Gomes warming up in bullpen. 2-0, 24 pitch inning already. 2-2 count. Takes third strike outside. Two down for Escobar with two on two down. Grounds to short, throw to first, not a good night for Escobar. But Jays take the lead again.
Top 8th: Rzepczynski now pitching, Brignac leading off, grounds to third throw to Rivera, one down. Shoppach, 2-2 count, this one is trouble, opposite field home run into right field bullpen. 3-2 game. Zobrist, pops up to Bautista shallow right, two down. Damon, full count, grounds to Hill, throw to Rivera for third out.
Bottom 8th: Patterson, pops up to third first pitch. Never learns. Bautista, whoa that was a bad swing, strikes out swinging. Hill, takes first pitch yeah. 2-0 count, 3-0, full count, ball four see what patience does Corey. One on for Rivera, 1-0 count, 1-2 count, doubles to left, Hill almost comes home and slams on the brakes just gets back to third. Two in scoring position for Arencibia, he has done it before, hit two home runs I mean. But here a base hit will be perfect JP and just as good. That`s it for Davis. Juan Cruz, came in last night. 2-0 count, 3-1, patience, patience, full count. Grounds back to Cruz, fumbles it but recovers to get Arencibia at first.
Top 9th: Francisco now pitching. Has been shaky recently so hang on here. Longoria leading off. Pops up way high but to Escobar at short. Got under that one fortunately. Joyce lines first pitch to Davis in centre, two down for Upton, always trouble. MAN !!! pops it up, Arencibia and Nix back off and let it drop in front of Jays dugout. Awful. I don’t think manager will be too happy with that. Someone has to take charge. You don’t give Upton a life. No problem though, high fly ball to Davis at the wall, close but not enough, and Jays win this one. 3-2. Francisco goes three up and down for save, good to see.
The very good: Romero second consecutive good outing. JP the two run home run that decided it, his number seven on the season in the first six weeks, he could be hitting 25 this year. But don’t forget Rivera tonight, in his own mini slump and under the microscope with the fans, gave a solid performance at first tonight and added on two hits including his home run and his walk before JP hit the home run also figured big. If only he had been out there last night perhaps Jays would be celebrating a sweep tonight.
The not so good and yes we have to note it: Jays impatience at bat tonight, it was not until the seventh when they showed some patience with Davis that it paid off immediately with the walks and the home run. Similarly in the eighth.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Litsch and Encarnacion comedy show as they throw this one away early
Rays v Jays in Toronto. Game one of two.
Big series as division leaders come into two, on a losing streak and Jays on six game winning streak. Jays would love to get two here. I think the key will be Litsch, if he can hold them to two or three for five innings then Jays bats have a chance.
Rays: Fuld, Zobrist, Damon, Longoria, Joyce, Upton, Kotchman Johnson, Jaso and Hellickson pitching.
Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Hill, Encarnacion, Arencibia, Thames Davis , Nix and Litsch pitching. Hill behind Bautista, finally Jose has some support. Thames DH and until Lind gets back I guess we have to put up with Edwin at 1B. But definitely a stronger hitting lineup with Nix and Thames and no Rivera or Johnny Mac.
Top 1st: Fuld, grounds to Hill, throw to Encarnacion for first out. Zobrist, 3-1 ball four, come on Jesse. Damon one on one down. Here we go, grounds to Encarnacion, fumbles the ball and everyone safe instead of going for double play, how many runs does this guy have to give up before they sit him. No error given but that was definitely one. Longoria, with two on, full count, There we go lines a bullet to 3B, Nix makes brilliant diving catch to his left, recovers and throws to second to double up Zobrist. AND that is how to play defence Edwin. Welcome back Jayson. 3B is yours for taking.
Bottom 1st: Escobar, strikes out on high ball three. Patterson, pops up to Kotchman behind 1B. Bautista with two down. How will they pitch him? Down and away. Inside, 2-0, pulls it hard into right corner, long single, that’s the problem hitting a rocket Jose, gets to the left fielder too fast, Hill, swings at one down and away for third out.
Top 2nd: Joyce, 3-1 count, ball four, Jesse not too sharp here early on. Upton, you don’t want this guy on base. Hits him, was leaning in to bunt. Two on again and jnobody out, Kotchman, grounds to Hill, another bobble, throw to Encarnacion for first out, but maybe two there if lucky. Runners at second and third with one down. Jesse needs some help here. Eliot Johnson, 2-2 count, lines it to right, here comes two ball bounces off the bag at 2B, Litsch backing up but his throw goes into centre, 2-0 Rays Two errors on that play. Jose and Jesse but that was a freaky throw to hit the bag and bounce that way. . Johnson goes all the way to 3B on that play. Awful.Jaso with runner at 3B , full count, ball four, his third walk already. Litsch having rough outing early. Top of the order again, Fuld, oh boy, bunts to first Encarnacion once again huge error throws it high to Litsch safe at first 3-0 rays. Encarnacion cannot THROW. Zobrist with two on one down. 45 pitches already for Litsch. Not helped by his defence but has been walking guys too much. Lines to left great catch by Patterson, two down. Grounds to Encarnacion at 1B, Edwin manages to hold on to it here and step on first, but this is one horror evening for Encarnacion and he has not yet had an at bat.
Bottom 2nd: Now Encarnacion first at bat, he owes Jese bigtime, does his usual, pops up to first, the boo birds continue. And deserved. The good thing is that it was not a double play I guess. Arencibia, Strikes out swinging. Thames now for his major league debut, great ovation for him. Now relax Eric you can’t score three here, going for the fences with that swing. Strikes out looking, Hellickson cruising tonight.
Top 3rd: Litsch needs a good inning here and stop giving up these walks which are killing him. Longoria, hits him, walks another, Joyce first pitch here we go home run into right centre 5-0 Rays. Litsch might as well go home tonight. Upton, still nobody out, singles back up the middle. Kotchman, it gets worse, Litsch throws over and ball gets away from Encarnacion, Upton all the way to third. Error to Litsch but this is Edwin.Question to Jesse whay are you throwing over there knowing this? Kotchman grounds to first Encarnacion,noo-body to throw to, Litsch not over there at first, Edwin throw to home everyone safe. Awful, Johnson with two on and nobody out. Wow Litsch throws behind Johnson !!! all the way to back stop but runners moves to second. What is going on with Litsch and Encarnacion tonight. Bronx cheer for that strike. Lines it to Bautista in right, Upton beats the throw. 6-0 Rays. One down at least. Jaso, pops up to Davis two down. Fuld for the third time already tonight, Davis and Nix still yet to bat for the first ! That is BAD. 18 hitters for the Rays -7 for the Jays OUCH. Fuld pops up to Escobar, probably last pitch for Litsch as Villanueva ready. Four errors by Jays, two to Litsch plus his walks and hit batter !!
Bottom 3rd: How do you score 7 against the Rays? Good luck. Davis first at bat, strikes out swinging number five for Hellickson, Nix, grounds up the middle throw just beats him at first, two down for Escobar, bounces to short, throw to first and Jay go quietly. I think they are in shock.
Top 4th: Litsch still out there I don’t believe it. I thought he would be on the Vegas bus already. Probably told to suck this one up. Zobrist. Full count, pops up to Bautista but only after ten pitch at bat. Damon, another full count, singles into right, one on one down for Longoria, Damon stealing and Arenciba drops the ball, par tonight for the Jays and their defense. They might as well get it all out now. Lines it to Patterson in left. Damon not even bothering to tag here, they have more than enough already. Two down for Joyce. Pops up to Patterson for third out and first scoreless inning by Litsch.
Bottom 4th: Patterson, there we go Corey, lines it to the wall in left and all the way to 3B, lead off triple. Bautista. 2-0 not giving Jose anything so far. 3-0, ball four inside, Rays chickening out here, Hill now come on Aaron make them pay here, grounds to short, throw to second to get Bautista on to first, not in time, Patterson scores 6-1 Rays. Runner at first for Encarnacion, not really the guy we need here. Hill stealing and safe on throw, I don't blame him, stays out of that double play, 2-2 count, strikes out looking, boo birds on his case. Two down. Arencibia, pops up to second for third out.
Top 5th: Litsch still out there, sucking it up. Upton, fly ball to Davis in centre, one down for Kotchman, fly ball to Patterson in left, two down. Johnson triples to left centre. Jaso, 100 pitch count for Litsch. A night to forget. Strikes out swinging, too little too late Jesse I am afraid.
Bottom 5th: Thames leading off, full count, inside ball four. One on for Davis, thats better grounds it up the middle through the legs of Zobrist trying to get double play there and Thames all the way to third, error to Zobrist, two on for Nix now. Grounds to second throw to bag on to first double play, but Thames scores 6-2 game. Escobar, 2-2 count, pops up to Fuld in left, Upton almost collides with him. Jays get another one back.
Top 6th: No more Litsch. Villanueva now pitching. Fuld leading off, singles to left, Zobrist, perfect, grounds to Hill flips to Escobar at second on to Encarnacion double play. Damon, with two down, strikes out.
Bottom 6th: Can Jays keep clawing their way back into this one now that Litsch has gone? A lot to ask against the division leaders. Patterson 2-2 count, doubles into right, Bautista but with first base open. Will they pitch to him. Ball one outside, lines a bullet to left but right at Fuld, one down, Patterson has to hold. Hill, way to go Aaron, lines it off the wall in left, here comes Patterson, 6-3 game, Hill at second, Encarnacion, feeble pop up to Longoria at third, again no chance for double play. Arencibia with two down but runner at second. 3-0 count, takes ball four, two on two down and tying run at the plate for Thames. Great time to pop one here, but base hit is also good Eric. Thats the way Eric singles into centre, love that swing Eric, here comes Hill, 6-4 game. First major league hit for Thames and first RBI. Two on two down for Davis, keep it going Rajai. That's it for Hellickson, Juan Cruz now pitching. Davis grounds to first, throw to Cruz for third out. Jays closing the gap with two more but miss chance there for another.
Top 7th: Longoria, strikes out swinging, nice, one down for Joyce, full count, strikes out swinging, Upton with two down. Strikes out swinging. Four in a row for Villanueva, wow. Jesse are you watching this.
Bottom 7th: Nix leading off, oh wow, pops it up and Jaso leaves it to Kotchman, and drops it, 2-2 count, loops it to Fuld in left for the out. Escobar, 3-0 count, takes ball four. Thats it for Cruz. Cesar Ramos now pitching. Patterson with runner at first. Full count, take or swing, strikes out swinging. Bautista. Intentional walk to Jose, two on two down for Hill, and thats it for Ramos. Peralta now pitching. Make him pay Aaron. Pops it up into right, great running catch by Joyce to end the inning. Jays using up the Rays bullpen. Three pitchers to get three outs.
Top 8th: Casey Janssen pitching, Kotchman leading off, grounds to Escobar, throw to Encarnacion, one down, Johnson, grounds first pitch to Encarnacion steps on the bag, two down for Jaso, grounds to Encarnacion, straight through him into right, error for Encarnacion. Groan. Fuld, gets him strikes out looking, Casey had to get four outs but did it.
Bottom 8th: Encarnacion leading off. A night to forget for Edwin. 3-1 count, pops up to Zobrist, lots more boos for Edwin. I am surprised that Farrell doesn’t pinch hit for this guy. Even when Lind gets back Jays have to have a back up guy to play first not named Edwin. One down for Arencibia, First pitch ! Arencibia's major, major weakness, pops it up for two down. JP should talk to Rivera, he is the most patient guy the Jays have apart from Bautista. Thames, 0-2 count, 2-2, strikes out swinging to end this one.
Top 9th: Frasor now pitching. Zobrist leading off, grounds to Encarnacion, big Bronx cheer, steps on the bag for the out. One down for Damon, 3-1 count, ball four outside. One on one down for Longoria, doubles into left field corner, two in scoring position. Frasor in deep trouble here. Joyce, intentional walk for him to load them up for Upton. Full count, whoa strikes out looking, Upton does not agree with that call. Nor does Manager Maddon. Two down. Kotchman, 2-2 count, full count, goes after high ball four and pops it up to Bautista in right.
Bottom 9th: Farnsworth now to finish it off. Davis, Nix and Escobar trying to ruin his night. That will do doubles to the left field wall, Nix now. Will Rajai steal here. There he goes no throw. Safe at third. Pops up behind the plate, one down. Escobar, just a base hit Yunel. Grounds to short, here comes Rajai, 6-5 but two down. Patterson 0-2, takes strike three, Corey you can't do that with Jose on deck.
Jays fight back very well but Litsch and Encarnacion had dug too deep a hole.
Last time this team gave up five errors was in 2000. WOW !!!
The excellent: Nix great catch in first inning and double play, Hill with his bat. Patterson triple. Jays hitters despite Encarnacion and Litsch fought back to get within one. That was very good as they must have been shell-shcked with thise four errors to Litsch and Encarnacion, Bullpen amazing four scoreless innings after Litsch had gone.
The bad: Guess who. Encarnacion in first inning, awful in the second awful all night long. At bat awful, even worse with the glove as the ball followed him around all night, two more errors. Please Adam get back here. Litsch just fell apart, lost his control, two more errors for him, narrowly behind Edwin for the lousy game award.
Big series as division leaders come into two, on a losing streak and Jays on six game winning streak. Jays would love to get two here. I think the key will be Litsch, if he can hold them to two or three for five innings then Jays bats have a chance.
Rays: Fuld, Zobrist, Damon, Longoria, Joyce, Upton, Kotchman Johnson, Jaso and Hellickson pitching.
Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Hill, Encarnacion, Arencibia, Thames Davis , Nix and Litsch pitching. Hill behind Bautista, finally Jose has some support. Thames DH and until Lind gets back I guess we have to put up with Edwin at 1B. But definitely a stronger hitting lineup with Nix and Thames and no Rivera or Johnny Mac.
Top 1st: Fuld, grounds to Hill, throw to Encarnacion for first out. Zobrist, 3-1 ball four, come on Jesse. Damon one on one down. Here we go, grounds to Encarnacion, fumbles the ball and everyone safe instead of going for double play, how many runs does this guy have to give up before they sit him. No error given but that was definitely one. Longoria, with two on, full count, There we go lines a bullet to 3B, Nix makes brilliant diving catch to his left, recovers and throws to second to double up Zobrist. AND that is how to play defence Edwin. Welcome back Jayson. 3B is yours for taking.
Bottom 1st: Escobar, strikes out on high ball three. Patterson, pops up to Kotchman behind 1B. Bautista with two down. How will they pitch him? Down and away. Inside, 2-0, pulls it hard into right corner, long single, that’s the problem hitting a rocket Jose, gets to the left fielder too fast, Hill, swings at one down and away for third out.
Top 2nd: Joyce, 3-1 count, ball four, Jesse not too sharp here early on. Upton, you don’t want this guy on base. Hits him, was leaning in to bunt. Two on again and jnobody out, Kotchman, grounds to Hill, another bobble, throw to Encarnacion for first out, but maybe two there if lucky. Runners at second and third with one down. Jesse needs some help here. Eliot Johnson, 2-2 count, lines it to right, here comes two ball bounces off the bag at 2B, Litsch backing up but his throw goes into centre, 2-0 Rays Two errors on that play. Jose and Jesse but that was a freaky throw to hit the bag and bounce that way. . Johnson goes all the way to 3B on that play. Awful.Jaso with runner at 3B , full count, ball four, his third walk already. Litsch having rough outing early. Top of the order again, Fuld, oh boy, bunts to first Encarnacion once again huge error throws it high to Litsch safe at first 3-0 rays. Encarnacion cannot THROW. Zobrist with two on one down. 45 pitches already for Litsch. Not helped by his defence but has been walking guys too much. Lines to left great catch by Patterson, two down. Grounds to Encarnacion at 1B, Edwin manages to hold on to it here and step on first, but this is one horror evening for Encarnacion and he has not yet had an at bat.
Bottom 2nd: Now Encarnacion first at bat, he owes Jese bigtime, does his usual, pops up to first, the boo birds continue. And deserved. The good thing is that it was not a double play I guess. Arencibia, Strikes out swinging. Thames now for his major league debut, great ovation for him. Now relax Eric you can’t score three here, going for the fences with that swing. Strikes out looking, Hellickson cruising tonight.
Top 3rd: Litsch needs a good inning here and stop giving up these walks which are killing him. Longoria, hits him, walks another, Joyce first pitch here we go home run into right centre 5-0 Rays. Litsch might as well go home tonight. Upton, still nobody out, singles back up the middle. Kotchman, it gets worse, Litsch throws over and ball gets away from Encarnacion, Upton all the way to third. Error to Litsch but this is Edwin.Question to Jesse whay are you throwing over there knowing this? Kotchman grounds to first Encarnacion,noo-body to throw to, Litsch not over there at first, Edwin throw to home everyone safe. Awful, Johnson with two on and nobody out. Wow Litsch throws behind Johnson !!! all the way to back stop but runners moves to second. What is going on with Litsch and Encarnacion tonight. Bronx cheer for that strike. Lines it to Bautista in right, Upton beats the throw. 6-0 Rays. One down at least. Jaso, pops up to Davis two down. Fuld for the third time already tonight, Davis and Nix still yet to bat for the first ! That is BAD. 18 hitters for the Rays -7 for the Jays OUCH. Fuld pops up to Escobar, probably last pitch for Litsch as Villanueva ready. Four errors by Jays, two to Litsch plus his walks and hit batter !!
Bottom 3rd: How do you score 7 against the Rays? Good luck. Davis first at bat, strikes out swinging number five for Hellickson, Nix, grounds up the middle throw just beats him at first, two down for Escobar, bounces to short, throw to first and Jay go quietly. I think they are in shock.
Top 4th: Litsch still out there I don’t believe it. I thought he would be on the Vegas bus already. Probably told to suck this one up. Zobrist. Full count, pops up to Bautista but only after ten pitch at bat. Damon, another full count, singles into right, one on one down for Longoria, Damon stealing and Arenciba drops the ball, par tonight for the Jays and their defense. They might as well get it all out now. Lines it to Patterson in left. Damon not even bothering to tag here, they have more than enough already. Two down for Joyce. Pops up to Patterson for third out and first scoreless inning by Litsch.
Bottom 4th: Patterson, there we go Corey, lines it to the wall in left and all the way to 3B, lead off triple. Bautista. 2-0 not giving Jose anything so far. 3-0, ball four inside, Rays chickening out here, Hill now come on Aaron make them pay here, grounds to short, throw to second to get Bautista on to first, not in time, Patterson scores 6-1 Rays. Runner at first for Encarnacion, not really the guy we need here. Hill stealing and safe on throw, I don't blame him, stays out of that double play, 2-2 count, strikes out looking, boo birds on his case. Two down. Arencibia, pops up to second for third out.
Top 5th: Litsch still out there, sucking it up. Upton, fly ball to Davis in centre, one down for Kotchman, fly ball to Patterson in left, two down. Johnson triples to left centre. Jaso, 100 pitch count for Litsch. A night to forget. Strikes out swinging, too little too late Jesse I am afraid.
Bottom 5th: Thames leading off, full count, inside ball four. One on for Davis, thats better grounds it up the middle through the legs of Zobrist trying to get double play there and Thames all the way to third, error to Zobrist, two on for Nix now. Grounds to second throw to bag on to first double play, but Thames scores 6-2 game. Escobar, 2-2 count, pops up to Fuld in left, Upton almost collides with him. Jays get another one back.
Top 6th: No more Litsch. Villanueva now pitching. Fuld leading off, singles to left, Zobrist, perfect, grounds to Hill flips to Escobar at second on to Encarnacion double play. Damon, with two down, strikes out.
Bottom 6th: Can Jays keep clawing their way back into this one now that Litsch has gone? A lot to ask against the division leaders. Patterson 2-2 count, doubles into right, Bautista but with first base open. Will they pitch to him. Ball one outside, lines a bullet to left but right at Fuld, one down, Patterson has to hold. Hill, way to go Aaron, lines it off the wall in left, here comes Patterson, 6-3 game, Hill at second, Encarnacion, feeble pop up to Longoria at third, again no chance for double play. Arencibia with two down but runner at second. 3-0 count, takes ball four, two on two down and tying run at the plate for Thames. Great time to pop one here, but base hit is also good Eric. Thats the way Eric singles into centre, love that swing Eric, here comes Hill, 6-4 game. First major league hit for Thames and first RBI. Two on two down for Davis, keep it going Rajai. That's it for Hellickson, Juan Cruz now pitching. Davis grounds to first, throw to Cruz for third out. Jays closing the gap with two more but miss chance there for another.
Top 7th: Longoria, strikes out swinging, nice, one down for Joyce, full count, strikes out swinging, Upton with two down. Strikes out swinging. Four in a row for Villanueva, wow. Jesse are you watching this.
Bottom 7th: Nix leading off, oh wow, pops it up and Jaso leaves it to Kotchman, and drops it, 2-2 count, loops it to Fuld in left for the out. Escobar, 3-0 count, takes ball four. Thats it for Cruz. Cesar Ramos now pitching. Patterson with runner at first. Full count, take or swing, strikes out swinging. Bautista. Intentional walk to Jose, two on two down for Hill, and thats it for Ramos. Peralta now pitching. Make him pay Aaron. Pops it up into right, great running catch by Joyce to end the inning. Jays using up the Rays bullpen. Three pitchers to get three outs.
Top 8th: Casey Janssen pitching, Kotchman leading off, grounds to Escobar, throw to Encarnacion, one down, Johnson, grounds first pitch to Encarnacion steps on the bag, two down for Jaso, grounds to Encarnacion, straight through him into right, error for Encarnacion. Groan. Fuld, gets him strikes out looking, Casey had to get four outs but did it.
Bottom 8th: Encarnacion leading off. A night to forget for Edwin. 3-1 count, pops up to Zobrist, lots more boos for Edwin. I am surprised that Farrell doesn’t pinch hit for this guy. Even when Lind gets back Jays have to have a back up guy to play first not named Edwin. One down for Arencibia, First pitch ! Arencibia's major, major weakness, pops it up for two down. JP should talk to Rivera, he is the most patient guy the Jays have apart from Bautista. Thames, 0-2 count, 2-2, strikes out swinging to end this one.
Top 9th: Frasor now pitching. Zobrist leading off, grounds to Encarnacion, big Bronx cheer, steps on the bag for the out. One down for Damon, 3-1 count, ball four outside. One on one down for Longoria, doubles into left field corner, two in scoring position. Frasor in deep trouble here. Joyce, intentional walk for him to load them up for Upton. Full count, whoa strikes out looking, Upton does not agree with that call. Nor does Manager Maddon. Two down. Kotchman, 2-2 count, full count, goes after high ball four and pops it up to Bautista in right.
Bottom 9th: Farnsworth now to finish it off. Davis, Nix and Escobar trying to ruin his night. That will do doubles to the left field wall, Nix now. Will Rajai steal here. There he goes no throw. Safe at third. Pops up behind the plate, one down. Escobar, just a base hit Yunel. Grounds to short, here comes Rajai, 6-5 but two down. Patterson 0-2, takes strike three, Corey you can't do that with Jose on deck.
Jays fight back very well but Litsch and Encarnacion had dug too deep a hole.
Last time this team gave up five errors was in 2000. WOW !!!
The excellent: Nix great catch in first inning and double play, Hill with his bat. Patterson triple. Jays hitters despite Encarnacion and Litsch fought back to get within one. That was very good as they must have been shell-shcked with thise four errors to Litsch and Encarnacion, Bullpen amazing four scoreless innings after Litsch had gone.
The bad: Guess who. Encarnacion in first inning, awful in the second awful all night long. At bat awful, even worse with the glove as the ball followed him around all night, two more errors. Please Adam get back here. Litsch just fell apart, lost his control, two more errors for him, narrowly behind Edwin for the lousy game award.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Jays and Drabek keep the streak going as they beat Tigers 4-2
Jays v Tigers.
Line-ups: Jays: same old same old, still no Lind. Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Encarnacion, Hill, Arencibia, Rivera, Davis, McDonald, and Drabek pitching. I think Lind will be going on DL soon if he does not get back in line-up, Jays need another bench bat.
Tigers: Jackson, Dirks, Boesch, Cabrera, Martinez, Peralta, Avila, Inge, Santiago, Scherzer pitching.
Where is everybody ? very small crowd to start here. Tigers are on 7-0 streak and Jays 5-0 streak. Surely a great series to be at for those Candadians in Windsor. Very cold night though.
Top 1st: Escobar, grounds up the middle, throw not in time. Patterson 2-2 count, strikes out Bautista with one on one down. Pops up to right, two down. Encarnacion, pops up to short for third out.
Bottom 1st: Jackson, singles into left. Dirks, there goes Jackson, beats the throw to second. 3-0 count, walks him. Two on nobody out. Boesch, 2-0, Drabek in a mess here. 3-0, will be loading them up. Ball four. Bases loaded for Cabrera. 3-1, still nobody out. Well at least not a ball as Cabrera sac fly to Bautista, 1-0 Tigers one down. Martinez, that will do, grounds to second throw to first, double play. Drabek escapes trouble big-time. 25 pitch inning.
Top 2nd: Hill, fly ball to Jackson in centre, one down. Rivera, fly ball to Dirks in left, Arencibia, fly ball to Jackson in centre, easy picking for Scherzer tonight.
Bottom 2nd: Peralta, strikes out. One down. Avila, full count, pops up to Patterson in left, two down. Inge, strikes out. Much better inning for Drabek. 42 pitches.
Top 3rd: Davis, 2-2 count. Pops up to first. McDonald, pops up to left, two down, Escobar, singles back up the middle, 2-2, Patterson grounds to Santiago at second, throw to first for third out. Pitch count 44.
Bottom 3rd: Santiago, grounds to Hill, throw to Encarnacion, one down for Jackson, 2-2 count. VERY nice lines it to second, great leap by Hill, to get the ball, WOW. Two down, Dirks singles into left. First major league hit. Boesch, 2-1 count, Drabek distracted with Dirks on base. Gets him, great pickoff. 55 pitches. Kyle improving every inning.
Top 4th: Bautista, full count, swinging or taking? Swinging, off the end of the end of the bat back to pitcher, throw beats Jose to first, one down for Encarnacion. Pulls it into left. Hill, 2-2 count, there we go Aaron, singles into left centre, Edwin moves up to second, two on one down for Rivera, long, long overdue for a big hit. 2-0 count, lines this one hard to left but right to Dirks. Two down for Arencibia, first pitch, say no more, pops up to short to end this one. No thought about that one JP.
Bottom 4th: Boesch fly ball to Patterson in left, one down. Cabrera, 3-0 count, nowhere near, bounces one wide. Martinez, pops up to McDonald, Peralta two down one on, fly ball to Davis in centre, 64 pitch count for Drabek but so far not much run support from his hitters though tonight.
Top 5th: Davis, bunting, back to pitcher throw to first, one down. Johnny Mc. grounds back to Scherzer, throw to first two down. Two down for Escobar, ball four, one on two down. Patterson, there goes Escobar, throw gets him at second. Patterson left on base.
Bottom 5th: Avila, fly ball to Davis in centre, one down for Avila, singles to left, Santiago, pops up to Encarnacion. Jackson, ball four, two on two down for Dirks, full count, pops up to Patterson in left. 83 pitch count. Might be lucky and get one more in.
Top 6th: Patterson leading off. GREAT bunt, will not beat Corey on this one. Beats out Scherzer. On base for Bautista, not a good night for Jose yet. Hitless. Not anymore, singles opposite field corner, Patterson to third on the play. Two on nobody out but here comes Encarnacion, pops up to catcher, at least it was not a double play Edwin. One down for Hill. Takes strike three, that was awful. Rivera with two down, grounds to third throw to second to get Jose. That was pretty bad hitting by Jays with runner at third and nobody out. Culprits, Encarnacion, Hill and Rivera.
Bottom 6th: Drabek getting no help at all tonight. Boesch, grounds to Johnny Mac at third, throw to first for the out. One down for Cabrera, full count, Ball four. Martinez, grounds back at Drabek, knocks it down and throw to first to get Martinez, two down. Peralta with runner at second. 3-1 count, drives it to Patterson in left to end this one and probably his outing for tonight at 101 pitch count. That first inning did him in tonight. Six walks do not help much either.
Top 7th: Arencibia, 2-2 count. Gets two lives here as Cabrera drops two in foul ground, now he goes the other way and singles into left. Davis, singles into centre, Arencibia only gets to second on this ???? We are so used to seeing the speedsters get to third, but not JP. Two on for McDonald. Showing bunt. Perfect this time up the first base line and both runners move up as throw to first gets Johnny Mac. BUT we have been here before; can Jays get it done this time? Escobar, 2-0 count, that will do it lines to right, here comes the throw and Arencibia scores 1-1 game. Davis to third for Patterson, 2-0 count, pops it up to shallow right. Jays 0-6 with runners in scoring position. Outhit Tigers 8-3 but unable to bring them in.
Bottom 7th: Drabek still out there, way over 100 pitches. Avila, 3-1 count, ball four, still leaving him out there ?? Inge, bunts back to Drabek, throw to first one down but runner in scoring position. Santiago, pops up to Johnny Mac, two down. Jackson, whoa great play, bounces to Johnny Mac throw to Encarnacion for the out, just. That was great play by McDonald.
Top 8th: Benoit replaces Scherzer, at least he will not get his win number seven against Jays tonight. Bautista leading off. Singles into left, second hit tonight. Encarnacion singles into left, his second hit. Hill now, he will not be taking third strike this time. 0-2 count, 2-2, that’s the way Aaron, pulls it into the left field corner, here comes Jose, Butterfield holds Edwin at third. Hill at second, Rivera now two in scoring position fly ball to right, here comes Encarnacion 3-1 game with Hill at third. One down, Arencibia, needs to do the same here. Perfect high fly to Inge in left and here comes Hill 4-1 Jays. Two down. Davis, swinging bunt five feet away from plate and no catching Rajai here, McDonald, pops up to Santiago in shallow right but Jays come through with runners in scoring position.
Bottom 8th: Rzepczynski now pitching. Raburn pinch hitting for Dirks. Grounds to McDonald at third, throw to first for the out. Boesch lines it to second, incredible play by Hill going to his left, makes the play, spins around and throw to first to rob Boesch. That was some play Aaron. Cabrera bounces first pitch to Escobar throw to first for third out. Two great defensive plays by Aaron to go with the RBI double tonight, he is really heating up himself now.
Top 9th: Ryan Perry pitching. Escobar, perfect night for Yunel. Not this time fly ball to right, one down for Patterson, pops up to Inge in shallow left, two down for Bautista. Singles opposite field into right. One on two down for Encarnacion, pops up to Santiago at second. Tampa has beaten Yankees. They scored six in the fifth, Burnett was pitching. Baltimore leading Boston.
Bottom 9th: Francisco pitching. Martinez leading off. Pops up to Johnny Mac. One down for Peralta, full count, oh boy, gets hold of this one home run into left centre, 4-2 game. Francisco continues his adventures as closer. Avila, 2-0 come on Frank settle down. Another full count. Ball four. Inge with tying run at plate. Fly ball to Patterson in left two down. Kelly pinch hitting. That will do it fly ball to right centre for Bautista to make nice running catch in front of Davis. Jays win this one 4-2 and continue win streak to six whilst stopping Tigers seven game streak.
Francisco makes it too close for Jays hearts but
The very good: Escobar, almost perfect night. Walk, sac fly and two hits. More great defense by Johnny Mac. BUT for me tonight the MVP was Hill, two excellent defensive plays, single and an RBI double, he really looks as if he is coming around after that injury.
Bautista tonight no fireworks but he still gets two hits and does his bit to start the four run rally in the eighth. Drabek, only three hits and one run but all those walks hurt his pitch count tonight but still managed to get through the seventh. Bullpen of Rzepczynski a hitless inning, and Francisco close it out.
Line-ups: Jays: same old same old, still no Lind. Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Encarnacion, Hill, Arencibia, Rivera, Davis, McDonald, and Drabek pitching. I think Lind will be going on DL soon if he does not get back in line-up, Jays need another bench bat.
Tigers: Jackson, Dirks, Boesch, Cabrera, Martinez, Peralta, Avila, Inge, Santiago, Scherzer pitching.
Where is everybody ? very small crowd to start here. Tigers are on 7-0 streak and Jays 5-0 streak. Surely a great series to be at for those Candadians in Windsor. Very cold night though.
Top 1st: Escobar, grounds up the middle, throw not in time. Patterson 2-2 count, strikes out Bautista with one on one down. Pops up to right, two down. Encarnacion, pops up to short for third out.
Bottom 1st: Jackson, singles into left. Dirks, there goes Jackson, beats the throw to second. 3-0 count, walks him. Two on nobody out. Boesch, 2-0, Drabek in a mess here. 3-0, will be loading them up. Ball four. Bases loaded for Cabrera. 3-1, still nobody out. Well at least not a ball as Cabrera sac fly to Bautista, 1-0 Tigers one down. Martinez, that will do, grounds to second throw to first, double play. Drabek escapes trouble big-time. 25 pitch inning.
Top 2nd: Hill, fly ball to Jackson in centre, one down. Rivera, fly ball to Dirks in left, Arencibia, fly ball to Jackson in centre, easy picking for Scherzer tonight.
Bottom 2nd: Peralta, strikes out. One down. Avila, full count, pops up to Patterson in left, two down. Inge, strikes out. Much better inning for Drabek. 42 pitches.
Top 3rd: Davis, 2-2 count. Pops up to first. McDonald, pops up to left, two down, Escobar, singles back up the middle, 2-2, Patterson grounds to Santiago at second, throw to first for third out. Pitch count 44.
Bottom 3rd: Santiago, grounds to Hill, throw to Encarnacion, one down for Jackson, 2-2 count. VERY nice lines it to second, great leap by Hill, to get the ball, WOW. Two down, Dirks singles into left. First major league hit. Boesch, 2-1 count, Drabek distracted with Dirks on base. Gets him, great pickoff. 55 pitches. Kyle improving every inning.
Top 4th: Bautista, full count, swinging or taking? Swinging, off the end of the end of the bat back to pitcher, throw beats Jose to first, one down for Encarnacion. Pulls it into left. Hill, 2-2 count, there we go Aaron, singles into left centre, Edwin moves up to second, two on one down for Rivera, long, long overdue for a big hit. 2-0 count, lines this one hard to left but right to Dirks. Two down for Arencibia, first pitch, say no more, pops up to short to end this one. No thought about that one JP.
Bottom 4th: Boesch fly ball to Patterson in left, one down. Cabrera, 3-0 count, nowhere near, bounces one wide. Martinez, pops up to McDonald, Peralta two down one on, fly ball to Davis in centre, 64 pitch count for Drabek but so far not much run support from his hitters though tonight.
Top 5th: Davis, bunting, back to pitcher throw to first, one down. Johnny Mc. grounds back to Scherzer, throw to first two down. Two down for Escobar, ball four, one on two down. Patterson, there goes Escobar, throw gets him at second. Patterson left on base.
Bottom 5th: Avila, fly ball to Davis in centre, one down for Avila, singles to left, Santiago, pops up to Encarnacion. Jackson, ball four, two on two down for Dirks, full count, pops up to Patterson in left. 83 pitch count. Might be lucky and get one more in.
Top 6th: Patterson leading off. GREAT bunt, will not beat Corey on this one. Beats out Scherzer. On base for Bautista, not a good night for Jose yet. Hitless. Not anymore, singles opposite field corner, Patterson to third on the play. Two on nobody out but here comes Encarnacion, pops up to catcher, at least it was not a double play Edwin. One down for Hill. Takes strike three, that was awful. Rivera with two down, grounds to third throw to second to get Jose. That was pretty bad hitting by Jays with runner at third and nobody out. Culprits, Encarnacion, Hill and Rivera.
Bottom 6th: Drabek getting no help at all tonight. Boesch, grounds to Johnny Mac at third, throw to first for the out. One down for Cabrera, full count, Ball four. Martinez, grounds back at Drabek, knocks it down and throw to first to get Martinez, two down. Peralta with runner at second. 3-1 count, drives it to Patterson in left to end this one and probably his outing for tonight at 101 pitch count. That first inning did him in tonight. Six walks do not help much either.
Top 7th: Arencibia, 2-2 count. Gets two lives here as Cabrera drops two in foul ground, now he goes the other way and singles into left. Davis, singles into centre, Arencibia only gets to second on this ???? We are so used to seeing the speedsters get to third, but not JP. Two on for McDonald. Showing bunt. Perfect this time up the first base line and both runners move up as throw to first gets Johnny Mac. BUT we have been here before; can Jays get it done this time? Escobar, 2-0 count, that will do it lines to right, here comes the throw and Arencibia scores 1-1 game. Davis to third for Patterson, 2-0 count, pops it up to shallow right. Jays 0-6 with runners in scoring position. Outhit Tigers 8-3 but unable to bring them in.
Bottom 7th: Drabek still out there, way over 100 pitches. Avila, 3-1 count, ball four, still leaving him out there ?? Inge, bunts back to Drabek, throw to first one down but runner in scoring position. Santiago, pops up to Johnny Mac, two down. Jackson, whoa great play, bounces to Johnny Mac throw to Encarnacion for the out, just. That was great play by McDonald.
Top 8th: Benoit replaces Scherzer, at least he will not get his win number seven against Jays tonight. Bautista leading off. Singles into left, second hit tonight. Encarnacion singles into left, his second hit. Hill now, he will not be taking third strike this time. 0-2 count, 2-2, that’s the way Aaron, pulls it into the left field corner, here comes Jose, Butterfield holds Edwin at third. Hill at second, Rivera now two in scoring position fly ball to right, here comes Encarnacion 3-1 game with Hill at third. One down, Arencibia, needs to do the same here. Perfect high fly to Inge in left and here comes Hill 4-1 Jays. Two down. Davis, swinging bunt five feet away from plate and no catching Rajai here, McDonald, pops up to Santiago in shallow right but Jays come through with runners in scoring position.
Bottom 8th: Rzepczynski now pitching. Raburn pinch hitting for Dirks. Grounds to McDonald at third, throw to first for the out. Boesch lines it to second, incredible play by Hill going to his left, makes the play, spins around and throw to first to rob Boesch. That was some play Aaron. Cabrera bounces first pitch to Escobar throw to first for third out. Two great defensive plays by Aaron to go with the RBI double tonight, he is really heating up himself now.
Top 9th: Ryan Perry pitching. Escobar, perfect night for Yunel. Not this time fly ball to right, one down for Patterson, pops up to Inge in shallow left, two down for Bautista. Singles opposite field into right. One on two down for Encarnacion, pops up to Santiago at second. Tampa has beaten Yankees. They scored six in the fifth, Burnett was pitching. Baltimore leading Boston.
Bottom 9th: Francisco pitching. Martinez leading off. Pops up to Johnny Mac. One down for Peralta, full count, oh boy, gets hold of this one home run into left centre, 4-2 game. Francisco continues his adventures as closer. Avila, 2-0 come on Frank settle down. Another full count. Ball four. Inge with tying run at plate. Fly ball to Patterson in left two down. Kelly pinch hitting. That will do it fly ball to right centre for Bautista to make nice running catch in front of Davis. Jays win this one 4-2 and continue win streak to six whilst stopping Tigers seven game streak.
Francisco makes it too close for Jays hearts but
The very good: Escobar, almost perfect night. Walk, sac fly and two hits. More great defense by Johnny Mac. BUT for me tonight the MVP was Hill, two excellent defensive plays, single and an RBI double, he really looks as if he is coming around after that injury.
Bautista tonight no fireworks but he still gets two hits and does his bit to start the four run rally in the eighth. Drabek, only three hits and one run but all those walks hurt his pitch count tonight but still managed to get through the seventh. Bullpen of Rzepczynski a hitless inning, and Francisco close it out.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Amazing Bautista hitting display with three home runs as Jays sweep Twins
Jays v Twins. Final game of the series.
Jays want to sweep Twins today and also get back to .500 going in to Detroit. Morrow pitching.
Line-ups: Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Encarnacion at 1B (Cooper still on the bench and may see limited action in Detroit if Lind returns), Hill, Rivera, Davis, McDonald, Molina and Morrow pitching.
Twins: Span, Plouffe, Kubel, Morneau, Young ,Cuddyer, Valencia, Butera, Casila and Duensing pitching.
Great crowd and also good weather as oppose to all that rain and cold yesterday.
Jays gets a great start with Escobar and Patterson on base for Bautista in the first inning but what is ironic in light of the rest of the game is that Bautista pops up to third, one of the few times today Twins pitcher gets him out. As Span, Plouffe, Kubel went very quickly, Morrow and the Jays were off and running.
Jays scored in the first four innings, 2,1, 4, and1 and were leading 8-0 before twins final get on the board, by then this game was over. Jays were to add three more in the sixth to put this one way out of reach given the quality of Jays bullpen.
Jo Jo Reyes made the comment last night that “they could throw the kitchen sink at Bautista and he would still hit it out”. Prophetic as Jose hits his three home runs for the first time in his career evidently. But what I think is the most interesting development for Jose, is that he is hitting them in all directions now. Up until yesterday his first 12 of the season (as well as majority in 2010) were all to left. Then yesterday he hit one to right, today left centre, left field corner and the third one to right centre. JoJo is right, and the only way opposing pitchers will stop right now is to walk him. It should be an interesting week as Jays go to Detroit and Tampa before returning home for the two game series with Houston.
The other good news I think is the gradual warming up of Hill. The last few games he has been hitting well. Today another two hits but his important one was the two out double to left to score the first two runs.
What I really liked today was the Jays hitters with runners in scoring position 4-9. Yes they left eleven on base and the top four left nine of those.
Morrow gets the win and deserved it, despite high pitch count and getting into trouble.
Jays 13 hit attack with only Encarnacion and Rivera without a hit today and also both leaving two runners on base. As Edwin was hitting behind Bautista it was even more exceptional to see Jose getting those hits. Duensing was out of the game after only three innings and Slowey took the game the rest of the way, saving his bullpen in the process.
Today the hits were spread throughout the order and even Molina at number nine having a three hit game. The RBIs were split between six players with Jose getting four from his three home runs.
Interesting that Escobar and Patterson with the only two walks today. Good to see more patient at bats from them both. Of course it is to their own advantage to get on base for Jose hitting behind them.
Jays pitching excellent today, the bullpen of Camp, Villanueva and Dotel shut the Twins down after Morrow went five.
The downside today: Encarnacion ? playing at 1B, who knows why and worse still behind Bautista in the line-up. But going hitless once again. The good news is that Lind should be playing in Detroit. Dotel in the ninth managed to load the bases before getting the third out. Not quite what Manager Farrell had in mind (I hope) with an eight run lead. A grand slam at that stage would not have been well received. On the other hand Farrell may have though Dotel could use up the inning and he could save his better pitchers for the tough week ahead.
Jays move to .500 on the season with a five game win streak. Tonight Boston playing in New York to try to get themselves to .500 and also sweep Yankees in New York. Tough assignment. Meantime Baltimore has taken their second from Tampa. Perhaps the Rays in a swoon in time for Jays visit on Wednesday. Orioles continue to surprise everyone. Overall the division is tightening which is good.
Target Field is one beautiful stadium. We can only envy in Jays land.
Jays want to sweep Twins today and also get back to .500 going in to Detroit. Morrow pitching.
Line-ups: Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Encarnacion at 1B (Cooper still on the bench and may see limited action in Detroit if Lind returns), Hill, Rivera, Davis, McDonald, Molina and Morrow pitching.
Twins: Span, Plouffe, Kubel, Morneau, Young ,Cuddyer, Valencia, Butera, Casila and Duensing pitching.
Great crowd and also good weather as oppose to all that rain and cold yesterday.
Jays gets a great start with Escobar and Patterson on base for Bautista in the first inning but what is ironic in light of the rest of the game is that Bautista pops up to third, one of the few times today Twins pitcher gets him out. As Span, Plouffe, Kubel went very quickly, Morrow and the Jays were off and running.
Jays scored in the first four innings, 2,1, 4, and1 and were leading 8-0 before twins final get on the board, by then this game was over. Jays were to add three more in the sixth to put this one way out of reach given the quality of Jays bullpen.
Jo Jo Reyes made the comment last night that “they could throw the kitchen sink at Bautista and he would still hit it out”. Prophetic as Jose hits his three home runs for the first time in his career evidently. But what I think is the most interesting development for Jose, is that he is hitting them in all directions now. Up until yesterday his first 12 of the season (as well as majority in 2010) were all to left. Then yesterday he hit one to right, today left centre, left field corner and the third one to right centre. JoJo is right, and the only way opposing pitchers will stop right now is to walk him. It should be an interesting week as Jays go to Detroit and Tampa before returning home for the two game series with Houston.
The other good news I think is the gradual warming up of Hill. The last few games he has been hitting well. Today another two hits but his important one was the two out double to left to score the first two runs.
What I really liked today was the Jays hitters with runners in scoring position 4-9. Yes they left eleven on base and the top four left nine of those.
Morrow gets the win and deserved it, despite high pitch count and getting into trouble.
Jays 13 hit attack with only Encarnacion and Rivera without a hit today and also both leaving two runners on base. As Edwin was hitting behind Bautista it was even more exceptional to see Jose getting those hits. Duensing was out of the game after only three innings and Slowey took the game the rest of the way, saving his bullpen in the process.
Today the hits were spread throughout the order and even Molina at number nine having a three hit game. The RBIs were split between six players with Jose getting four from his three home runs.
Interesting that Escobar and Patterson with the only two walks today. Good to see more patient at bats from them both. Of course it is to their own advantage to get on base for Jose hitting behind them.
Jays pitching excellent today, the bullpen of Camp, Villanueva and Dotel shut the Twins down after Morrow went five.
The downside today: Encarnacion ? playing at 1B, who knows why and worse still behind Bautista in the line-up. But going hitless once again. The good news is that Lind should be playing in Detroit. Dotel in the ninth managed to load the bases before getting the third out. Not quite what Manager Farrell had in mind (I hope) with an eight run lead. A grand slam at that stage would not have been well received. On the other hand Farrell may have though Dotel could use up the inning and he could save his better pitchers for the tough week ahead.
Jays move to .500 on the season with a five game win streak. Tonight Boston playing in New York to try to get themselves to .500 and also sweep Yankees in New York. Tough assignment. Meantime Baltimore has taken their second from Tampa. Perhaps the Rays in a swoon in time for Jays visit on Wednesday. Orioles continue to surprise everyone. Overall the division is tightening which is good.
Target Field is one beautiful stadium. We can only envy in Jays land.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Jays find their bats in the 11th scoring six to win 9-3
Jays v Twins. Game two of three.
Lineups: Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Rivera, Hill, Arencibia, Cooper, McDonald, Davis and Reyes pitching. Cooper in for Encarnacion today, I think there are many fans who have no problem with that. No Lind, and will Nix be back tomorrow ? That bench could surely use them these days and give Bautista a break.Reyes The left-hander is 0-12 with a 6.11 ERA in his last 25 starts.
Twins: Span, Plouffe,Kubel, Morneau, Young, Cuddyer, Valencia, Hughes, Rivera, and Blackburn pitching.
Top 1st: Escobar grounds to short, throw will not get him and safe at first. Patterson bunting, great bunt catcher Rivera throw Hughes to get Patterson but Escobar to second. One down for Bautista. Wild pitch, Escobar to third. Bautista grounds to Valencia, throws it away, Bautista safe at first, Valencia had time there. Escobar comes in to score 1-0 Jays. Nice start. Rivera, there goes Bautista but great throw by Twins Rivera (catcher )Bautista is hung up now and easy tag out. Two down. Rivera strikes out.
Bottom 1st: Span 3-2, ball four. Lead off guy on. Plouffe grounds to McDonald at third, Johnny Mac will not get him, two on, nobody out. Reyes in early trouble here Span to second on the play. Kubel, that’s better, strikes out. Morneau grounds to Cooper at first flip to Reyes high and off the bag, error on play. Here comes Span and this one is tied up 1-1. Plouffe to third. One down for Young, that should do it, sac fly to Davis in centre, Plouffe scores 2-1 Twins. Crowd loves this. Cuddyer strikes out.
Top 2nd: Hill, fly ball to Span in centre for the out but that was a good hit for Aaron, gradually getting it back and perhaps by the time he is hot, he will be picking the others up. One down for Arencibia, oh boy no question about this one, the moment it left the bat, great swing from Arencibia and this one is high into left centre for Arencibia’s sixth home run of the season. There is another player who is improving weekly. 2-2 game. Cooper ball four and walk to David. One on one down for Johnny Mac. walked. Fly ball to Young in left. Davis strikes out.
Bottom 2nd: Valencia singles to centre. Hughes strikes out. Rivera fly ball to Davis in center for second out. Span singles to centre, Valencia to second. Plouffe grounds to McDonald at third to get Valencia out.
Top 3rd: Escobar leading off, singles to centre. One on for Patterson, grounds to Morneau at first, throw to Plouffe to get Escobar at second. Bautista with two down and one on, pops up to Hughes at second, two down. Rivera strikes out.
Bottom 3rd: Kubel leading off pops up to Johnny Mac at third. Morneau, strikes out, two down. Young fly ball to Davis in centre for third out.
Top 4th: Hill leading off, strikes out. Arencibia, home run last at bat, not this time strikes out. Blackburn getting stronger by the inning. Cooper, two down, fly ball to Young in left to end this very quick inning from Blackburn.
Bottom 4th: Cuddyer, leading off, singles to Davis in centre. One on for Valencia, singles to centre, Cuddyer to second. Hughes two on nobody out, lines to Davis. One down. Rivera pops up to Cooper at first, two down. Span grounds to Escobar at short, throw to Hill, to get Valencia. Reyes pitches out of the mess with the first two on base. Hope this gives him confidence here, he is not pitching badly, and is keeping them close, just needs some run support friends.
Top 5th: Jays in stalemate here with Blackburn. McDonald leading off, grounds to Plouffe at short throw to Morneau at first for out number one. Davis, strikes out. Escobar strikes out. Another three up and down for Blackburn.
Bottom 5th: Plouffe grounds to Escobar, error on the throw and Plouffe moves up to second. Kubel grounds to Hill throw to Cooper at first, Plouffe to third on the play. Reyes in big trouble here now with only one out and runner at third. Morneau, strikes out. Two down. Young strikes out. Very nice JoJo. To get both Morneau and Young with runner at third is very very good. Twins fans do not agree but then if I had been sitting out there in this rain and cold and see that I would not either.
Top 6th: Patterson leading off, fly ball to Cuddyer in right. One down. Bautista grounds to Valencia at third, throw to first to get Jose. Rivera strike three. Third time already tonight, the sombrero for Juan.
Bottom 6th: Cuddyer, full count and there she goes, home run into left field seats for Cuddyer, 3-2 game. Valencia grounds to Escobar throw to Cooper, first out of the inning. Hughes fly ball to Bautista in right. Two down. Catcher Rivera ,singles to centre. Span singles to left, Rivera to second. Frasor pitching. Plouffe struck out.
Top 7th: Hill leading off, grounds to third, Valencia throw to Morneau at first, one down. Arencibia, fly ball to Cuddyer in right, two down. Cooper, lines out to Cuddyer in right to end this one.
Bottom 7th: Rzepczynski now pitching. Reyes did well, nothing again to show for it but he has kept Twins close in this game and that is all a pitcher can hope for, and to leave the rest to the hitters. This is what Ricky had to do last night, until Bautista home run in the ninth to give him that extra run. Kubel singles to centre. Morneau with runner on, pops up to Hill. That’s it for Marc today. Here comes the boss man. Dotel now pitching. Hang on to your hats here. Why would Farrell replace Rzepczynski with Dotel ? Percentages. Young strikes out. Farrell knows best. Cuddyer singles to centre, Kubel to second. Two down for Valencia, 3-0, ball four, walks on four pitches, and bases are loaded for Hughes, heart palpitations in Jays Nation, strikes out to leave bases loaded. Much too close for me.
Top 8th: Johnny Mc. leading off, grounds to Plouffe at short, throw to first Morneau. One down. Davis grounds to Plouffe throw to Morneau. Two down for top of the order. Escobar grounds to third but safe at first, hustle and speed. One on two down for Patterson, there we go, finally, Patterson triples to centre, here comes Escobar to tie this one up 3-3 game. Bautista with runner at third, too risky, they are walking him intentionally. Capps now pitching. Rivera, a miserable afternoon, must hate this rain, has struck out three times, oh my, another one, strikes out. The golden sombrero for Juan today. Will we see that April hit streak return?
Bottom 8th: Casey Janssen now pitching. Farrell using all his bullpen today. Revere pinch-hitting for Rivera. Revere grounds to Escobar throw to Cooper, one down. Span grounds back to Janssen throw to Cooper for second out. Plouffe fly ball to Davis in centre. Tidy inning for Casey, on the short list for being sent back to Vegas when Nix returns. I hope not. Dotel would be the one in my book but will never happen.
Top 9th: Butera now catching. Hill grounds to short, throw to Morneau for the out, one down. Arencibia strikes out. Cooper grounds to Morneau for the third out. Takes it himself for the out. Very quick three up and down.
Bottom 9th: Rauch now pitching. Pitcher number six this afternoon. I hope they get a good game tomorrow from the starter. Kubel fly ball to Patterson in left, one down for Morneau, this one is trouble long high drive to right centre, but off the scoreboard and bounces back into play. Double for Morneau but that was so very, very close and in other areas of the ballpark would have been home run. Jays lucky there. But still have to deal with runner in scoring position. Crowd is on their feet sensing last strike victory and end to this losing streak. Casilla now pinch-running for Morneau. Young, strikes out, two down. Breathe a little easier here, one more Jon. Cuddyer pops up to Hill and Rauch saves the day. Extra innings friends. Will Jays have enough pitchers ?
Top 10th: Defensive changes for Twins, Casilla in at second, Hughes at first, Perkins now pitching, only the third for Twins after that great outing by Blackburn. Johnny Mac leading off, strikes out. Davis full count and ball four, now perhaps some sparks. Escobar, swinging away, now letting Davis get a chance to steal here, grounds to Casilla, on to Plouffe over to first, double play ball to end this one here. Too bad Davis did not get a chance to steal and even get to third.
Bottom 10th: Rauch still out there. Valencia grounds to Johnny Mac. at third, throw to Cooper for first out, good start. Hughes fly ball to Davis, two down. Butera pops up to Davis in centre for third out. Nice job by Rauch. Twins hitters a little over eager there.
Top 11th: Patterson leading off, there we go, singles to centre. Patterson is getting stronger and stronger the more he plays here. He is going to get lots of good pitches in front of Bautista. That’s it for Perkins, Hoey now pitching. Bautista, OH WOW, Jose does it yet again, this one is out of here in right, yes RIGHT field, home run number 13 but the first one to right. 5-3 Jays. That is huge for Jose as it will show that he is dangerous to opposite field, so many of these pitchers have been pitching him away, they may be a little more careful now. This guy can hit them both sides of the field. Now can Jays add here, still no one out. Rivera, a day to forget, four strikeouts this afternoon. 3-0 and ball four, that is hilarious but will give Manager Gardenhire more stress. Walking a guy on four pitches who had struck out four times. Hill, Hoey have trouble finding his zone here, ball four to Aaron, two on nobody out. Sayonara to Hoey. Mijares now pitching. Arencibia already with a home run today, two on. Doubles to left, here comes Rivera, here comes Hill and Jays are 7-3 now, still with nobody out. Encarnacion pinch hitting for Cooper. Singles to left, Arencibia to third. Two on still no outs, crowd is pouring out of the gates, this is too much. Johnny Mc. Full count, ball four and bases are loaded for Davis. 3-0 Mijares cannot find the strike zone, ball four and he has walked in a run. 8-3 Jays. Bases still loaded. Good bye to Mijares. Fourth pitcher this inning !!! still without an out. Burnett now pitching and the top of the order again. Escobar, grounds to second, Casilla coming home to get Encarnacion, first out.Bases remain loaded. Patterson for second at bat this inning. Fly ball to Young in left, enough for Johnny Mc to come home 9-3 Jays. Bautista with two out and two on, another opposite field hit, fly ball to Cuddyer to finally end the inning, Jays score six here and destroy the hope that Twins had in bottom of the ninth with winning run at second.
Bottom 11th: Encarnacion now in at first at first base. Camp now pitching and for the game with six run lead, Camp had better not blow this one. Span leading off, grounds to Hill, throw to Encarnacion, one down. Plouffe strikes out. Kubel grounds to Hill at second, throw to first Encarnacion. And this one is in the books, Jays win four in a row and are now one under .500. Rays have lost today blanked by the Orioles. Boston New York play tonight. Jays were outhit 13-9 by the Twins and yet win by six. But all about runners in scoring position, Jays 2-6 and Twins 1-13. That’s the story.
The very good: Bautista with the game winning home run in extra innings and opposite field shot. Arencibia with his home run and the 2 RBI double in the 11th. Yes tonight JoJo Reyes, he held this game close for six. Did all he could and would have loved a six run inning earlier. Escobar with three of the nine hits by Jays, the top three had six of the nine hits. Jays bullpen all six of them shutting out the Twins on three hits.
The not so good: Middle of the order is Jays weakness right now, but that should improve with Lind and Nix back in the lineup. Cooper and Escobar with errors.
Four of the Jays starting lineup did not have a hit today but everyone reached first base.
Lineups: Jays: Escobar, Patterson, Bautista, Rivera, Hill, Arencibia, Cooper, McDonald, Davis and Reyes pitching. Cooper in for Encarnacion today, I think there are many fans who have no problem with that. No Lind, and will Nix be back tomorrow ? That bench could surely use them these days and give Bautista a break.Reyes The left-hander is 0-12 with a 6.11 ERA in his last 25 starts.
Twins: Span, Plouffe,Kubel, Morneau, Young, Cuddyer, Valencia, Hughes, Rivera, and Blackburn pitching.
Top 1st: Escobar grounds to short, throw will not get him and safe at first. Patterson bunting, great bunt catcher Rivera throw Hughes to get Patterson but Escobar to second. One down for Bautista. Wild pitch, Escobar to third. Bautista grounds to Valencia, throws it away, Bautista safe at first, Valencia had time there. Escobar comes in to score 1-0 Jays. Nice start. Rivera, there goes Bautista but great throw by Twins Rivera (catcher )Bautista is hung up now and easy tag out. Two down. Rivera strikes out.
Bottom 1st: Span 3-2, ball four. Lead off guy on. Plouffe grounds to McDonald at third, Johnny Mac will not get him, two on, nobody out. Reyes in early trouble here Span to second on the play. Kubel, that’s better, strikes out. Morneau grounds to Cooper at first flip to Reyes high and off the bag, error on play. Here comes Span and this one is tied up 1-1. Plouffe to third. One down for Young, that should do it, sac fly to Davis in centre, Plouffe scores 2-1 Twins. Crowd loves this. Cuddyer strikes out.
Top 2nd: Hill, fly ball to Span in centre for the out but that was a good hit for Aaron, gradually getting it back and perhaps by the time he is hot, he will be picking the others up. One down for Arencibia, oh boy no question about this one, the moment it left the bat, great swing from Arencibia and this one is high into left centre for Arencibia’s sixth home run of the season. There is another player who is improving weekly. 2-2 game. Cooper ball four and walk to David. One on one down for Johnny Mac. walked. Fly ball to Young in left. Davis strikes out.
Bottom 2nd: Valencia singles to centre. Hughes strikes out. Rivera fly ball to Davis in center for second out. Span singles to centre, Valencia to second. Plouffe grounds to McDonald at third to get Valencia out.
Top 3rd: Escobar leading off, singles to centre. One on for Patterson, grounds to Morneau at first, throw to Plouffe to get Escobar at second. Bautista with two down and one on, pops up to Hughes at second, two down. Rivera strikes out.
Bottom 3rd: Kubel leading off pops up to Johnny Mac at third. Morneau, strikes out, two down. Young fly ball to Davis in centre for third out.
Top 4th: Hill leading off, strikes out. Arencibia, home run last at bat, not this time strikes out. Blackburn getting stronger by the inning. Cooper, two down, fly ball to Young in left to end this very quick inning from Blackburn.
Bottom 4th: Cuddyer, leading off, singles to Davis in centre. One on for Valencia, singles to centre, Cuddyer to second. Hughes two on nobody out, lines to Davis. One down. Rivera pops up to Cooper at first, two down. Span grounds to Escobar at short, throw to Hill, to get Valencia. Reyes pitches out of the mess with the first two on base. Hope this gives him confidence here, he is not pitching badly, and is keeping them close, just needs some run support friends.
Top 5th: Jays in stalemate here with Blackburn. McDonald leading off, grounds to Plouffe at short throw to Morneau at first for out number one. Davis, strikes out. Escobar strikes out. Another three up and down for Blackburn.
Bottom 5th: Plouffe grounds to Escobar, error on the throw and Plouffe moves up to second. Kubel grounds to Hill throw to Cooper at first, Plouffe to third on the play. Reyes in big trouble here now with only one out and runner at third. Morneau, strikes out. Two down. Young strikes out. Very nice JoJo. To get both Morneau and Young with runner at third is very very good. Twins fans do not agree but then if I had been sitting out there in this rain and cold and see that I would not either.
Top 6th: Patterson leading off, fly ball to Cuddyer in right. One down. Bautista grounds to Valencia at third, throw to first to get Jose. Rivera strike three. Third time already tonight, the sombrero for Juan.
Bottom 6th: Cuddyer, full count and there she goes, home run into left field seats for Cuddyer, 3-2 game. Valencia grounds to Escobar throw to Cooper, first out of the inning. Hughes fly ball to Bautista in right. Two down. Catcher Rivera ,singles to centre. Span singles to left, Rivera to second. Frasor pitching. Plouffe struck out.
Top 7th: Hill leading off, grounds to third, Valencia throw to Morneau at first, one down. Arencibia, fly ball to Cuddyer in right, two down. Cooper, lines out to Cuddyer in right to end this one.
Bottom 7th: Rzepczynski now pitching. Reyes did well, nothing again to show for it but he has kept Twins close in this game and that is all a pitcher can hope for, and to leave the rest to the hitters. This is what Ricky had to do last night, until Bautista home run in the ninth to give him that extra run. Kubel singles to centre. Morneau with runner on, pops up to Hill. That’s it for Marc today. Here comes the boss man. Dotel now pitching. Hang on to your hats here. Why would Farrell replace Rzepczynski with Dotel ? Percentages. Young strikes out. Farrell knows best. Cuddyer singles to centre, Kubel to second. Two down for Valencia, 3-0, ball four, walks on four pitches, and bases are loaded for Hughes, heart palpitations in Jays Nation, strikes out to leave bases loaded. Much too close for me.
Top 8th: Johnny Mc. leading off, grounds to Plouffe at short, throw to first Morneau. One down. Davis grounds to Plouffe throw to Morneau. Two down for top of the order. Escobar grounds to third but safe at first, hustle and speed. One on two down for Patterson, there we go, finally, Patterson triples to centre, here comes Escobar to tie this one up 3-3 game. Bautista with runner at third, too risky, they are walking him intentionally. Capps now pitching. Rivera, a miserable afternoon, must hate this rain, has struck out three times, oh my, another one, strikes out. The golden sombrero for Juan today. Will we see that April hit streak return?
Bottom 8th: Casey Janssen now pitching. Farrell using all his bullpen today. Revere pinch-hitting for Rivera. Revere grounds to Escobar throw to Cooper, one down. Span grounds back to Janssen throw to Cooper for second out. Plouffe fly ball to Davis in centre. Tidy inning for Casey, on the short list for being sent back to Vegas when Nix returns. I hope not. Dotel would be the one in my book but will never happen.
Top 9th: Butera now catching. Hill grounds to short, throw to Morneau for the out, one down. Arencibia strikes out. Cooper grounds to Morneau for the third out. Takes it himself for the out. Very quick three up and down.
Bottom 9th: Rauch now pitching. Pitcher number six this afternoon. I hope they get a good game tomorrow from the starter. Kubel fly ball to Patterson in left, one down for Morneau, this one is trouble long high drive to right centre, but off the scoreboard and bounces back into play. Double for Morneau but that was so very, very close and in other areas of the ballpark would have been home run. Jays lucky there. But still have to deal with runner in scoring position. Crowd is on their feet sensing last strike victory and end to this losing streak. Casilla now pinch-running for Morneau. Young, strikes out, two down. Breathe a little easier here, one more Jon. Cuddyer pops up to Hill and Rauch saves the day. Extra innings friends. Will Jays have enough pitchers ?
Top 10th: Defensive changes for Twins, Casilla in at second, Hughes at first, Perkins now pitching, only the third for Twins after that great outing by Blackburn. Johnny Mac leading off, strikes out. Davis full count and ball four, now perhaps some sparks. Escobar, swinging away, now letting Davis get a chance to steal here, grounds to Casilla, on to Plouffe over to first, double play ball to end this one here. Too bad Davis did not get a chance to steal and even get to third.
Bottom 10th: Rauch still out there. Valencia grounds to Johnny Mac. at third, throw to Cooper for first out, good start. Hughes fly ball to Davis, two down. Butera pops up to Davis in centre for third out. Nice job by Rauch. Twins hitters a little over eager there.
Top 11th: Patterson leading off, there we go, singles to centre. Patterson is getting stronger and stronger the more he plays here. He is going to get lots of good pitches in front of Bautista. That’s it for Perkins, Hoey now pitching. Bautista, OH WOW, Jose does it yet again, this one is out of here in right, yes RIGHT field, home run number 13 but the first one to right. 5-3 Jays. That is huge for Jose as it will show that he is dangerous to opposite field, so many of these pitchers have been pitching him away, they may be a little more careful now. This guy can hit them both sides of the field. Now can Jays add here, still no one out. Rivera, a day to forget, four strikeouts this afternoon. 3-0 and ball four, that is hilarious but will give Manager Gardenhire more stress. Walking a guy on four pitches who had struck out four times. Hill, Hoey have trouble finding his zone here, ball four to Aaron, two on nobody out. Sayonara to Hoey. Mijares now pitching. Arencibia already with a home run today, two on. Doubles to left, here comes Rivera, here comes Hill and Jays are 7-3 now, still with nobody out. Encarnacion pinch hitting for Cooper. Singles to left, Arencibia to third. Two on still no outs, crowd is pouring out of the gates, this is too much. Johnny Mc. Full count, ball four and bases are loaded for Davis. 3-0 Mijares cannot find the strike zone, ball four and he has walked in a run. 8-3 Jays. Bases still loaded. Good bye to Mijares. Fourth pitcher this inning !!! still without an out. Burnett now pitching and the top of the order again. Escobar, grounds to second, Casilla coming home to get Encarnacion, first out.Bases remain loaded. Patterson for second at bat this inning. Fly ball to Young in left, enough for Johnny Mc to come home 9-3 Jays. Bautista with two out and two on, another opposite field hit, fly ball to Cuddyer to finally end the inning, Jays score six here and destroy the hope that Twins had in bottom of the ninth with winning run at second.
Bottom 11th: Encarnacion now in at first at first base. Camp now pitching and for the game with six run lead, Camp had better not blow this one. Span leading off, grounds to Hill, throw to Encarnacion, one down. Plouffe strikes out. Kubel grounds to Hill at second, throw to first Encarnacion. And this one is in the books, Jays win four in a row and are now one under .500. Rays have lost today blanked by the Orioles. Boston New York play tonight. Jays were outhit 13-9 by the Twins and yet win by six. But all about runners in scoring position, Jays 2-6 and Twins 1-13. That’s the story.
The very good: Bautista with the game winning home run in extra innings and opposite field shot. Arencibia with his home run and the 2 RBI double in the 11th. Yes tonight JoJo Reyes, he held this game close for six. Did all he could and would have loved a six run inning earlier. Escobar with three of the nine hits by Jays, the top three had six of the nine hits. Jays bullpen all six of them shutting out the Twins on three hits.
The not so good: Middle of the order is Jays weakness right now, but that should improve with Lind and Nix back in the lineup. Cooper and Escobar with errors.
Four of the Jays starting lineup did not have a hit today but everyone reached first base.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Romerto superb performance as Jays beat Twins 2-0
Jays v Twins. Game one of three.
Sad news for the Jay to hear in Minnesota of the death of Mel Queen, Jays ex-pitching coach and also interim manager for several games. Mel worked with many of the Jays pitchers and Pat Hentgen current bullpen coach was talking about his mentor today, but Mel was the one who worked with Halladay when he was sent down to the minors to rebuild his pitching, and that might well be the work that he would like to be remembered for as a fitting epitaph for him.
Jays on a two game win streak and playing against a battered Twins lineup. Still without Joe Mauer but Young is back off the DL for first time tonight.
Romero v Pavano a rematch of opening day where Jays hitter ran amok with 13 runs. Maybe again but not likely. Plus Romero is in real need of a win after several lousy performances. If he is to be numero uno in the rotation then he has to show it.
Line-ups: Jays: Escobar, Patterson Bautista, Rivera, Hill, Arencibia, Encarnacion, McDonald, Davis and Romero pitching. Lind was pencilled in but late scratch as Jay di not want to take chance on his back. Plus rain is forecast and it is cold, not the ideal time to return. Encarnacion is in not Cooper, as Edwin has lit up this stadium. Mmm we shall see.
Twins: Span, Plouffe, Kubel, Morneau, Young, Cuddyer, Valencia, Hughes, Butera, and Pavano pitching.
This game is divided into three.
Jays start off well and get runner after runner on base, the problem is they could not bring them in until Rivera bloop single into shallow left brings in Patterson from second to make it 1-0. Bautista of course would add to this with huge home run in the ninth into left where the wind was blowing in. If there had been no wind this one would have been top deck no doubt, it was a Jose special to make it 2-0.
The other was an exceptional outing by Ricky Romero who went 8.2 innings and was on a no-hitter into the sixth, as Ricky was overpowering Pavano was giving up the hits. To my mind Ricky was left sitting too long in the top of the ninth when Joe Nathan took for ever to get through his inning, 33 pitchers for one inning with very slow and deliberate pitching. Ricky was trying to keep loose throughout that and add in the cold and rain it is not surprising that he could not finish.
The third part was Pavano who gave up so many hits was continually in trouble and his pitch count was more than double Ricky’s, the only problem was Jays were leaving runners on base all night long and Pavano was Houdini, escaping trouble in almost every inning that he pitched.
Everybody had hits except for Arencibia, Bautista went 3-4 and a walk, Johnny Mac had another good night with two hits. Aaron Hill had a double into left, slowly getting that left field rhythm. Stolen base tonight for Patterson. Jays get 13 hits and 4 walks but only two runs.
The other good news is that Jays only used two pitchers, gave the bullpen another day off after yesterday’s day off, and also managed to get into Twins bullpen. Twins used five pitchers tonight which might be a factor by Sunday if Jays can continue their hitting.
A great win, good to see Romero pitch like Halladay for a change. The downside tonight was the runners in scoring position. 2-15 with runners in scoring position and they leave 14, ouch bigtime, out there. Arencibia 6 and Patterson 5 were the biggest offenders tonight. Frank Francisco got the save but not without the winning run at the plate.
Tomorrow JoJo Reyes and he will be in great need of the hitters to help him out. Maybe Lind will be back at first and perhaps by Sunday we will see Jason Nix back with the club.
Sad news for the Jay to hear in Minnesota of the death of Mel Queen, Jays ex-pitching coach and also interim manager for several games. Mel worked with many of the Jays pitchers and Pat Hentgen current bullpen coach was talking about his mentor today, but Mel was the one who worked with Halladay when he was sent down to the minors to rebuild his pitching, and that might well be the work that he would like to be remembered for as a fitting epitaph for him.
Jays on a two game win streak and playing against a battered Twins lineup. Still without Joe Mauer but Young is back off the DL for first time tonight.
Romero v Pavano a rematch of opening day where Jays hitter ran amok with 13 runs. Maybe again but not likely. Plus Romero is in real need of a win after several lousy performances. If he is to be numero uno in the rotation then he has to show it.
Line-ups: Jays: Escobar, Patterson Bautista, Rivera, Hill, Arencibia, Encarnacion, McDonald, Davis and Romero pitching. Lind was pencilled in but late scratch as Jay di not want to take chance on his back. Plus rain is forecast and it is cold, not the ideal time to return. Encarnacion is in not Cooper, as Edwin has lit up this stadium. Mmm we shall see.
Twins: Span, Plouffe, Kubel, Morneau, Young, Cuddyer, Valencia, Hughes, Butera, and Pavano pitching.
This game is divided into three.
Jays start off well and get runner after runner on base, the problem is they could not bring them in until Rivera bloop single into shallow left brings in Patterson from second to make it 1-0. Bautista of course would add to this with huge home run in the ninth into left where the wind was blowing in. If there had been no wind this one would have been top deck no doubt, it was a Jose special to make it 2-0.
The other was an exceptional outing by Ricky Romero who went 8.2 innings and was on a no-hitter into the sixth, as Ricky was overpowering Pavano was giving up the hits. To my mind Ricky was left sitting too long in the top of the ninth when Joe Nathan took for ever to get through his inning, 33 pitchers for one inning with very slow and deliberate pitching. Ricky was trying to keep loose throughout that and add in the cold and rain it is not surprising that he could not finish.
The third part was Pavano who gave up so many hits was continually in trouble and his pitch count was more than double Ricky’s, the only problem was Jays were leaving runners on base all night long and Pavano was Houdini, escaping trouble in almost every inning that he pitched.
Everybody had hits except for Arencibia, Bautista went 3-4 and a walk, Johnny Mac had another good night with two hits. Aaron Hill had a double into left, slowly getting that left field rhythm. Stolen base tonight for Patterson. Jays get 13 hits and 4 walks but only two runs.
The other good news is that Jays only used two pitchers, gave the bullpen another day off after yesterday’s day off, and also managed to get into Twins bullpen. Twins used five pitchers tonight which might be a factor by Sunday if Jays can continue their hitting.
A great win, good to see Romero pitch like Halladay for a change. The downside tonight was the runners in scoring position. 2-15 with runners in scoring position and they leave 14, ouch bigtime, out there. Arencibia 6 and Patterson 5 were the biggest offenders tonight. Frank Francisco got the save but not without the winning run at the plate.
Tomorrow JoJo Reyes and he will be in great need of the hitters to help him out. Maybe Lind will be back at first and perhaps by Sunday we will see Jason Nix back with the club.
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