Toronto Blue Jays

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

I was glad to see goins get that nice double, otherwise he would have had a so so game, and back in
gibbin's black book for batting.

Goins is great defensive 2B/SS but is not in his hitting black books without reason. He is averaging .169 this year which is down from his career (not impressive) .223 average. The issue is that Travis seems to be struggling as well but I think they feel he has possibility of improvement. Barney is having a great season but is well above his career average so is an adoration most likely. So in late innings, I can see why if they are behind or offense is important they would pull Goins. Travis and Barney are also good defensive players (as is Tulo) so they are not giving up much when they put them in over Goins.

Not meant to be a knock on Goins btw. I like him and he is a nice cog in the machine.

 

[talloola]

Goins is great defensive 2B/SS but is not in his hitting black books without reason. He is averaging .169 this year which is down from his career (not impressive) .223 average. The issue is that Travis seems to be struggling as well but I think they feel he has possibility of improvement. Barney is having a great season but is well above his career average so is an adoration most likely. So in late innings, I can see why if they are behind or offense is important they would pull Goins. Travis and Barney are also good defensive players (as is Tulo) so they are not giving up much when they put them in over Goins.

Not meant to be a knock on Goins btw. I like him and he is a nice cog in the machine.

yes, I totally agree, I love watching him play defense, he is a natural, loves to play, a pure ball player,
but yes, he has struggled at bat before, had a good streak last year, but struggling again, so I do know
why he is in the black book, so when he is batting I want to see him do well, so much so, that when travis
is batting I 'don't want him to do well, now that is just mean of me, and I shouldn't even admit it,
but I know they want travis to be their 2nd base star, but it means goins is out, so I am cheering for
goins to get hot with the bat, but that isn't so easy when he isn't playing all the time, getting to bat
every day is helpful to being able to improve, so it is tough, but that is pro ball, or pro any sport
those who deliver, play.

 

[Mowich]

Listening to Jay's pre-game show and find that I am in complete agreement with Greg Zaun - I'm greedy too and would like to see the Jays sweep the series. At the very least they should take 3 out of 4. All of a sudden it seems, the Jays are sitting in a pretty darn good position and I want to see them improve even more. 3 of 4 would do that but a sweep would be even sweeter.

RA on the mound tonight. Hope this is good night for him and that knuckle-ball is more under control - don't want to see a bunch of stolen bases or worse stolen home bases.

 

[Mowich]

Top of the 8th and the Philly's are working on a shut-out. 4 - 0 for Philadelphia.

Forgot to mention that the Jay's are also going to their bullpen often tonight.

 

[talloola]

jays left their bats at home tonight, got a few hits but couldn't bunch anything together.

a bit of a lull after the exciting week end with orioles, that was fun, and after they
finish this series, in philly, they will go to Baltimore and do another series there.

hopefully tomorrow, they wake up again and play ball the way we know they can.

dicky didn't pitch too bad at all, but without a run, pretty hard for him to win the game.

stroman tomorrow, he's looking a bit more humble these days, maybe that's good for him, bring
him down a notch or two,take a bit of that strut out of him, maybe he can grow up just a tad more, he needs to pitch better, he's not as sharp as he can be.

u.s. open golf this week, Oakmont, PA

 

[Mowich]

So I'm watching the ball game and decide to check my email during a commercial. I get newsletters from CBC about sports and sporting related events. Made the mistake of looking at it and now know who won the game today.










Nope............not gonna tell you. :lol:

Edwing walked the parrot right to the top of the league in homers today.

Grand Slam
​

9 - 3 and Marcus goes 7 innings. Good bounce back, guys.

 

[talloola]

oh yeah, that's maddening. we watched it at 9:30 this morning.

then we watched orioles and red sox late today, orioles won 3-2

 

[Mowich]

Not checking my emails until after the game today. :smile: Happ doing a solid job of pitching through 5 innings - he's allowed only one hit. Meanwhile the bats are still pretty lively. They started to score early and with a little help from hapless Philly outfielders, they are sitting at 8 - zip top of the 6th.

Wow! I've never seen an error like the one the Philly's just drew. Jays at bat. 2 out. Edwin was on 1rst. Michael hit a fly ball that was caught.............but the outfielder thought he was the 3rd out and threw the ball to a kid in the stands. Edwin gets automatic 2 bases. Russel comes to bat hits a double, scores Edwin. Kevin Pillar homers and scores Russel. We're top of the 8th and the Jays lead 13 - 1.

The Philly outfielders are not having a good night......heh, heh, heh........they've had a couple of glaring errors tonight.

Happ went 7 innings gave up one single lonely hit.

Herrera - the Philly outfielder that goofed up just redeemed himself somewhat by scoring a runner on a single off a Gavin Floyd - who took over for JA - pitch.

Joey is out of the game after stubbing his foot on the back fence - looked like he was in some discomfort hobbling off the field with the trainer by his side.

Floyd gives up a run but the Jay's get out of the inning ahead 13 - 2 and we're off to the 9th. I think it is safe to say the Jay's have this one in the glove.....er bag.

Joe Biagini into finish off the game for the Jay's.

3 up, 3 down for Joe and the Jay's win this series and off to play Baltimore again.

 

[talloola]

well, jays had lots of fun in this series, playing a team that is at the beginning of a complete
rebuid, its definitely good for the confidence, good for the points, and keeps the team 'up' and
positive and rareing to go, BUT I hope they are ready for Baltimore tomorrow, they arent' rebuilding
and are game for any team who wants to challenge them, loved the series with Baltimore and boston, so
here we go again, should be tough, and good to watch.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

While the Jays have been winning, Baltimore and Boston have been beating each other up. Jays have made up some ground. Also it should be noted they are in the final wildcard spot.

 

[Mowich]

The battle for the top begins today but without Joey Bats who has been placed on the DL with a sore toe - darn it. He is going to be missed in the line-up especially as he was top of the order. Apparently, he won't be back for a couple of weeks. Doesn't sound like much but he is facing a battery of tests to determine exactly the cause of his injury. Heal fast, Joey. We'll miss you.

Baltimore sits in first place in the ALE and have four games in hand. The Jays are 2 games back and currently sit in the second wild-card spot.

Aaron Sanchez will be on the mound today for the Jays while Mike Wright will pitch for the Orioles. Apparently, Wright made some slightly disparaging comments about Edwin so it will be interesting to see how the latter fairs against the former today.

I don't think Gibbons can chew his gum any harder or faster than he is right now as he watches Aaron really struggling in the 1rst. The Orioles have scored one, the bases are loaded and Sanchez is throwing way too many balls. And there goes another one. Full count. One out. Bases loaded.............and Aaron comes through with a strike-out. Come on Aaron ...........one more out and we are still ahead by 2.

Strike
Fouled ball
Ball
Fouled ball - 31 pitches for Aaron so far
Hit easily caught and thrown to first for the out

Whew............got out of that one better than I first thought we would.

Jays went 3 up, 3 down top of the 2nd
Sanchez pitched much better in the bottom and got off the mound with no more damage

Top of the 3rd - Donaldson hits a homer - Saunderson just, just misses another and Jays put another one on the board.

The Jays have chased Wright from the mound in the 4th..................Whoaaaaaaaaa!

Missed some reporting there.........a friend called.

Russel Martin is having himself a game. Oriole's were on the way home to score there 3 run. Runner went into a slide and missed the base while Martin missed the first tag but he didn't miss the second. Then he comes up bat and hits a double top of the 5th.

BTW, Jays are up 6 - 2

Donaldson just hit a 2-run triple.

8 - 2 Jays

Edwin walks with 2 out and Josh at 3rd

Michael Saunders second 2-run homer of the night.

11 - 2 Jays

Martin walks with 2 out and no one on base

I think the Jay's have got this pitcher's number too

Justin Smoak strikes out to the end the inning leaving Josh on 3rd but the Jay's scored 7 runs.

I remember reading an article the other day that mentioned something about how the Oriole's pitching might be their Achilles heel. It's their bats that have been smokin' hot. So far, I'd say whoever wrote that wasn't far from the mark.

Aaron makes me nervous. He's only given up 2 runs but he's let a lot of guys reach base. Well there you go, just as I write that, he gets a strike out to end the inning.

And we are off to the top of the 5th

Oriole pitcher Jimenez might be getting his mojo back. He struck out Kevin but Smoak is making him work but gets thrown out.

Barney gets thrown out to end the inning

Second time in the ball game the Jays have been retired in order.

Michael Saunders just pulled off a hat-trick with another 2-run homer for 8 RBI's on the night.

13 - 2 Jays

Aaron gets out of the inning leaving an Oriole stranded on base........heh, heh, heh

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Wonderful play by play. Just will interrupt that I got an alert that Tulo may be back in a couple of days from injury.

Now back to the play by play.

 

[Mowich]

Michael Saunders is back at the plate with the bases loaded and 1 out. Can't imagine the pressure he must be feeling.

But it's not to be. They throw Michael out on a short single. Hold your head high kid. You done real good tonight.

Jays still up 13 - 2 going to the bottom of the 8th.

Storen got us out of the 7th and now Girado(sp?) went 3 up, 3 down in the 8th. I'd say our bull pen is looking not too shabby.

And we are off to the 9th

Buck..." Oriole's pitchers got roughed up by the Blue Jays"..........no **** Sherlock.

I think I need to pinch myself, IRBS - really. I never saw this coming. I hoped that we would at least stay a bit ahead of the Orioles. In my wildest dreams, I never would have imagined they would be so far ahead with a commanding lead in the 9th. They are rockin'.

Jays go down in order and we are off to the bottom of the 9th.

 

[talloola]

lol, so much for my little rant about the jays having to be careful playing Baltimore today, seems they

still think they are playing the Phillies, lol

too bad saunders didn't hit the fourth one, but jeesh, we sure want everything don't we.

they are still having fun, bats are sizzling.

 

[Mowich]

Be nice if we could keep the score just as it is. Take some of the stuffing out the Orioles. :lol:

Roberto is in to bring this one home for the team.

Strike
Strike
Foul
Ooops, ball
And he's........ouuuuut!

1 down

Strike
Ball
Foul tip
Ball
Low ball bouncer
3 and 2
High foul to the seats
"
Single to third and Burns - playing for Josh makes a nice catch and pitch to first

2 out

Oriole's get a home-run darn it.

Foul
Ball - 17 pitches for Osuna now
Strike
And that's the ball game as Roberto gets strike 3.

13 - 3 the final and though the Oriole's did get another run, they surely were served notice that the Jays are here to play.

Michael Saunders is my hero.

Here's a bit of trivia for you. There have been 249 Canadians in the majors. Only two of them have had hat-tricks. Michael Saunders is now the 3rd.

BTW, did I mention he's my hero. :lol:

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Walker was one of the other 2. Forget the first name.

Boston also lost to Seatle so Jays are now tied with Boston for top wildcard spot and now only 1 game behind for division lead. Several games in hand by Baltimore and Boston at this point.

 

[Mowich]

I'm enjoying the afterglow of the win today, IRBS as I have a feeling tomorrow could be an entirely different ball game. I surely hope I am totally misguided in feeling that way but the Orioles didn't get to the top of the ALE by lying back.

Seems Buckie was wrong about Michael being the 3rd Canadian to have a hat-trick. Just read that he is actually the 4th with Votto, Morneau and Walker leading the way. Sorry, there were no first names mentioned. 4th out of 249 is a pretty nice place to be sitting.

 

[Mowich]

vs
​

RA on the mound today. Darwin Barney is on the bench and Devon Travis will take to the field - something that Greg thinks is just plain stupid as Darwin has batted .300 all season and has more experience in the outfield. Tulo is finally back in the line-up. Welcome back Tulo - hope your bat is working well.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

vs
​

RA on the mound today. Darwin Barney is on the bench and Devon Travis will take to the field - something that Greg thinks is just plain stupid as Darwin has batted .300 all season and has more experience in the outfield. Tulo is finally back in the line-up. Welcome back Tulo - hope your bat is working well.

Everybody needs a day off. The had 3 infielders rotating between 2 spots. Now with Tulo back it is 3 infielders rotating between 1 spot. Barney has been hitting welll but well above his carreer average. Travis is who they believe will be their future at 2B. They got to give him some playing time.

 

[Mowich]

Yovani Gallardo is the starting pitcher for the Orioles today.

2 out and Encarnacion walks then Michael gets a single and lands on first.

I don't know what it is about the Jays but I often see the bats come alive when they are 2 down.

The Jays have out homered - don't you just love baseball terminology - their opponents 16 - 3

Smoak flies out leaving Edwin and Michael stranded. Hey they got on base - it's a start.

Now it's RA's turn to show us his stuff. His knuckle-ball got a little wild last time out - sure hope he has more control against the Oriole's - they can bat and they can run.

RA strikes out first batter then gives up a double to the next batter.

Carrera misses a high fly ball at the wall finally gets the throw away - Josh misses it at third and the Orioles score their first run.

Hitter gets a single but is thrown out at first - 2 down

Thole misses a wild pitch from Dickie who comes to the plate but too late to stop the Orioles from scoring another run.

Hitter flies out to end the inning but the Red Birds have two on the board.

Tulo up to bat

Singles out at first - 1 down top of 2nd

Kevin singles out at first - 2 down

Travis singles out at first and the inning is over for our bats. Sure hope they can get a bead on this Gallardo or that RA quickly improves over the innings. He cannot allow the Orioles to get a good lead.

One out
Next batter gets a single and lands on first
Dickie gets out of that one thanks to a solid double play by the outfield.

Carrera gave one up at the wall but he took one back at the plate with a lovely homer to get the Jays on the board.

Josh with one to the wall in left center lands on second

Edwin draws his second walk

Michael facing a full count draws a walk and the bases are loaded for Smoak.

Smoak gets caught looking

Tulo gets caught looking leaving the bases loaded

On the bright side they put more men on base. The batters are finding their pitches more often .........and it's only the 3rd inning.

The Orioles are working RA over pretty well tonight - he's thrown a lot of pitches and he just gave up another base hit.

Outstanding play by Carrera as he climbs the wall to get the out then throws to first base in time to get the other out when the runner couldn't make it back to base in time.

And then RA gives up a homer and it is 3 - 1 Red Birds

Next hitter singles out around first to end the inning - RA got lucky in that one too - he owes the outfield big time and Carrera rocks.

Kevin struts his stuff to first after taking a walk on a full count

Outfielder misses high fly ball from Travis that finds the wall and bounces. Kevin makes it home but Devon errs on trying for 3rd and is thrown out. Not a very smart play Devon.

Another outfielder misses an easy single and Carrera makes it to first on what should have been an easy out for the Orioles.

Josh flies out to center and the inning is over not without closing the gap on the Orioles though.

I can hear Greg now when the subject of Devon's error comes up.