Toronto Blue Jays

[Mowich]

Wow! Justin Smoak safe on first and scored Devon on a short single that was missed by the Oriole player.

8 - 6

I haven't voted for anybody in the all star game since 1994. I only then voted when they passed out those little cards where you punched holes in them. My buddies and I went to some combination of 10-12 games a year and we used to get about 3-4 votes. We sometimes did themes. We never voted just because they were blue jays although most were the favourites. After last year it is pretty clear the current 'voting' system is a bit rigged. Weren't there like 8 KC Royals in the starting 9 last year? Truth be told, I probably won't even watch the game. The whole experience kind or rubs me the wrong way and I firmly believe that it should not decide home field advantage for the World Series.

I didn't realize that I could vote until this year, IRBS and I am totally biased. Had no idea it could be rigged........damn it. And honestly, besides watching all the Jays games I can and the occasional Mariner's game, my understanding of what is going on in baseball with all the other teams is really minimal. Heck, I didn't even know the AS game decided home-field advantage.

Is there any advantage for the players in being elected to go?

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Wow! Justin Smoak safe on first and scored Devon on a short single that was missed by the Oriole player.

8 - 6

In this context it is not a single ... he was safe on first by an error. A single is only a base hit that gives the runner 1 base. Sometimes runner will wind up on second due to an error after the play in which case it is not a double but a single and an error. In this case, just an error.

 

[Mowich]

So now Chavez is in to pitch for the Jays with nobody out and a man on second.

Chavez gives up a hit and the runner on second makes it home and the Oriole's follow that with a homer that adds to more to their total so far

11 - 6

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Wow! Justin Smoak safe on first and scored Devon on a short single that was missed by the Oriole player.

8 - 6



I didn't realize that I could vote until this year, IRBS and I am totally biased. Had no idea it could be rigged........damn it. And honestly, besides watching all the Jays games I can and the occasional Mariner's game, my understanding of what is going on in baseball with all the other teams is really minimal. Heck, I didn't even know the AS game decided home-field advantage.

Is there any advantage for the players in being elected to go?

$$$ is the only advantage I think. Prestige. The fact you can vote 5 times and again in a 24 hour period is the reason it is rigged. The ballot box can be stuffed.

I used to be very into baseball. I would watch and score almost all 162 games (even the west coast ones which made me very tired). Only ones I missed were day games during working hours or if I was on vacaton or doing something else. After strike of 1994 I lost that level of interest in the game. Now I will probably go to 4-6 games a year and watch some. I don't even seriously watch until August and only if they are still in it. Still do occasionally as I do find the game entertaining. But not regularly. I will likely subscribe to MLB.TV when they offer their $10 special. I can watch any game then. I do follow the games via updates on my phone and your play by play on this forum (if I am on my computer).

 

[Mowich]

Michael robs the Oriole's of another homer and the Jays follow that with an out at first to end the inning.

I have no interest in expanding my baseball viewing, IRBS. I watch too many other sporting events as it is and when I support a team, I tend to watch every single game I am able too. Baseball games overlap both hockey and CFL football and that alone makes it difficult to decide what I a going to watch.

Got called away for a bit...looks as though we have yet another pitcher on the mound for the Jays........I believe it is Storen.

Oriole's have a man on base with 1 out

Oriole's get an extra base hit and advance a man to third.

Jays are walking Chris Davis...

Next batter flies out - 2 away with 2 on base

Oh sorry, the bases are loaded

Storen gets the strike-out for the 3rd out of the inning but the Oriole's are taking a nice lead into the 9th.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

The Oriole's are out to wreak their revenge for the 13 - 3 blowout in their first game of this series with the Jays on Friday

Well, if they win today they would win the series and have gained a full game on the Jays so the revenge would be sweet.Of course it is still very early.

I am more concerned with Stroman. I thought when he had a good outing against Philly that he may have righted himself. While the Jays offense is good, you don't want to have to score 10+ runs to win a game.

 

[Mowich]

That's the ball game. Oriole's take the game and the series. Jays have a day off then will host the Diamond Backs to Toronto for a 2-gae series.

I'm wondering about Stro too, IRBS. What can they do to help him out or does he just have to struggle through this on the field?

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

That's the ball game. Oriole's take the game and the series. Jays have a day off then will host the Diamond Backs to Toronto for a 2-gae series.

I'm wondering about Stro too, IRBS. What can they do to help him out or does he just have to struggle through this on the field?

That is always the million dollar question Mo. Is it psychological or is it physical? Also factoring in what his contract status is. Can he be sent down to the minors? If he can't, he can be sent to the pen. They could bring up Huchitson for example and let him work out his stuff in long relief. The key will be how would he react to such a move. Sometimes with young pitchers it is best to just take the lumps every 5th day.

Another thing they can do is push him back. Since off day is tomorrow he could skip his next start and everybody else would be on regular rest.

 

[Mowich]

That is always the million dollar question Mo. Is it psychological or is it physical? Also factoring in what his contract status is. Can he be sent down to the minors? If he can't, he can be sent to the pen. They could bring up Huchitson for example and let him work out his stuff in long relief. The key will be how would he react to such a move. Sometimes with young pitchers it is best to just take the lumps every 5th day.

Another thing they can do is push him back. Since off day is tomorrow he could skip his next start and everybody else would be on regular rest.

Whatever they and Marcus decide is best, I hope they do it right away and that he is able to work out his pitching problems. Greg mentioned that he really needs to get his pitches down more as he was throwing flat balls that were being eaten up by the Oriole bats. I listen to stuff like that and think - yeah easy for you to say but hard it must be in reality to go out there and throw good pitch after good pitch inning after inning. I know it can be done, seen it done but still full credit to the guys who are able to have that power of control. I don't expect anyone to be perfect but consistency would be nice.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Whatever they and Marcus decide is best, I hope they do it right away and that he is able to work out his pitching problems. Greg mentioned that he really needs to get his pitches down more as he was throwing flat balls that were being eaten up by the Oriole bats. I listen to stuff like that and think - yeah easy for you to say but hard it must be in reality to go out there and throw good pitch after good pitch inning after inning. I know it can be done, seen it done but still full credit to the guys who are able to have that power of control. I don't expect anyone to be perfect but consistency would be nice.

If you listen to pitchers talk about their struggles, a lot of time it is mechanical. They pitch pretty much on reflex and if their arm slips a bit in the delivery this will result in a ball being not where it is supposed to be. But to make that adjustment is difficult because their routine remembers that bad motion. That is why you need a pitching coach that can work on the mechanics sometimes even mid game. Estrada is like that. He will be cruizing a long and then one inning everything goes wonkers. Last year's 2nd catcher (forget his name) was almost always with him and he would go out to the mound and say something like 'stop doing this' and it would work. He would return to his efficient rhythm. Not sure why he strayed from it but he needed to be reminded to get back into it. Of course, Estrada is a more seasoned pitcher. Stroman is still young and emotional and may not be ready maturity wise to listen to what he needs to hear. That will come with time and experience.

This all comes back to the Jays front office. They did not secure an ace for their starting rotation this off season. That could have been Price or somebody else. But it would have cost Rogers some money and that is not something that will happen. Stroman one day will be an ace but I don't think he is there yet. Putting that pressure on him may also be contribution to his issues (if they are not mechanical).

 

[Mowich]

Second game of the two-game series with the Arizona Diamond Backs. Arizona won yesterday but so far the Jays are ahead 5 - 2 in this one. JA Happ was so-so but the relief pitchers have been solid. Osuna will close it out for the Jays in the 9th.

Edwin and Tulo have both hit homers in the game.

And we are off to the 9th.

Osuna gets the save. Happ gets the win. The Jays ties the series. 5 - 2 Jays.

 

[talloola]

watched the jays game as usual, it was early today, as the NHL awards show was on later, also watched
that.

 

[Mowich]

Top of the 5th. Score 1 - 1. Jays at the plate. O out. Lake at the plate. Jays have a runner on 1rst.

Lake strikes out after going 3 and 2

Carrera at the plate - he's top of the order

Ball and a strike

Ball and 2 strikes

Gets a piece of the next one - foul

And the count is even

Tip foul

Full count

Flies out to center field

2 away

Josh takes a ball

2 and 0

Strike - no swing

Big swing and a strike - counts even

High foul to the seats

Foul to the Sox' dugout and the guys were scattering off the benches

Full count

Rifles one into the seats

Josh walks on ball four...............way to go Josh!

2 out, runners on 1rst and 2nd.

Edwing comes to the plate

and gets ball one

fouls to the right field

swings at a high pitch

1 and 2

and gets thrown out at 1rst to end the inning. Jays strand 2 on base.

Bottom of the 5th

1 pitch - one out

single to Tulo - thrown out at first - 2 away

Cabrerra homers and the Sox put another one up

Sanchez gives up a steal to 2nd but gets the out on the next batter to end the inning with the Jays down by 1

Top of the 6th

Michael at bat

high foul far into the right corner of the field

Ooooh.........Michael just got hit by a nasty pitch that caught him in the hip and earns him a walk

Sox coach out to mound for a little chat with his pitcher...........activity in the Sox bullpen.

Russell gets caught looking at a fast ball and he's gone

Tulo hits a high fly ball deep into center field and he's out but Michael advances to 3rd


Tag missed on first, Pillar slides in safe and scores Michael

2 - 2

Travis' second hit of night advances Kevin to 3rd and lands him on first and that's it for the Sox pitcher.

What did I say once about Jay's bat's coming to life when there are 2 out - it's like a lucky charm for them at times. Mind you, Kevin would not have made it safely to first if the baseman had not withdrawn his foot from the bag long enough for Kevin to get his hand there first.

Goins off the bench takes a breaking ball in the dirt

Then gets thrown out at first and the Jays are retired

Sanchez got out the inning with no runs scored.

Josh is tagged at first

2nd out for Jays top of the 7th

Should be magic time but Edwin just took a wild swing at an outside ball and is down 2 strikes and then goes down with a swing and a miss for his third



Jesse Chavez on the mound

Breaking ball to 3rd and takes a tricky hop that Josh misses. The runner is safe on second with no one out.


Goins catches a high fly ball for the out, throws to 3rd but not in time to tag the go-ahead runner

Simply inspiring play by Edwin who in full extension just manages to catch the ball in the webbing of his glove for the out at first and holding the runner at 3rd.

2 out hit by Sox batter scores the runner from 3rd and he's safe at 1rst.

Jesse having his troubles out there.........too many balls

Strikes out the next batter and the inning is over with the Sox ahead by 1

Switched channels to the CFL and caught the last couple of minutes of the 2nd Q

Back in the ball game, we're in the bottom of the 8th. Storen is in to pitch and the count is 1 and 2 with no one out and no one on base.

Edwin makes the catch and it's one down.

Base hit to center and the runner is safe on 1rst with 2 out

Okay........... Storen gets out of the inning no worse for wear

Darwin flies out to left

Josh hits one hard to 3rd, the baseman fumbles the ball, Barney slides in safe to 3rd on a call that is under review and Donaldson is safe on 1rst with Carrerra on 2nd.

And guess who is coming to the plate

Bases loaded and the parrot really needs a walk home

And the parrot goes back to its perch as Edwin strikes out bringing Michael to the plate. Michael flies out and that's the ball game as the Sox take Game 1, 3 - 2.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Last year when we came up in the 9th we got the big hit. Not so much this year.

 

[spaminator]

gibs being tossed more than baseballs, ships, coins, salad, etc.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Today, the Chicago White Sox hit 7 HRs against Blue Jay pitching (4 against Dickey, 3 against the bullpen). The only non-HR they scored was Dickey's inherited runner in the 6th. The 7 HRs set a major league record as the most HRs scored in a single game by the losing team. Despite giving up 8 runs, the Jays hung on to win 10-8 with Dickey getting the win and Osuna getting the save (despite giving up 1 of those HRs). When Dickey left he had an 8-4 lead. The 2 runs scored in the top of the 9th were huge today.

 

[Mowich]

Today, the Chicago White Sox hit 7 HRs against Blue Jay pitching (4 against Dickey, 3 against the bullpen). The only non-HR they scored was Dickey's inherited runner in the 6th. The 7 HRs set a major league record as the most HRs scored in a single game by the losing team. Despite giving up 8 runs, the Jays hung on to win 10-8 with Dickey getting the win and Osuna getting the save (despite giving up 1 of those HRs). When Dickey left he had an 8-4 lead. The 2 runs scored in the top of the 9th were huge today.

I was in town today and didn't get the chance to catch the game. Wouldn't you know, it sounds like I missed a good one. Thanks for the report, IRBS. So now the series is tied.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

I was in town today and didn't get the chance to catch the game. Wouldn't you know, it sounds like I missed a good one. Thanks for the report, IRBS. So now the series is tied.

Yep. Stroman tomorrow. He did get pushed back behind Dickey.

 

[Mowich]

Marcus got out of the first thanks to the defense. Here in the 2nd, he's got two men on base with nobody out. Wild pitch gives Sox a chance to steal third but Josh makes the play.

3 - 2 count and Marcus walks the batter putting another man on base.

Jays get a nice double play to end the inning and Marucs' gets lucky again.

3 up, 3 down for the Jays

Marcus walks the first batter

Throws to first to try and catch the runner off-base - Edwin fumbles the ball and advances the batter then immediately saves the run on the next pitch. Runners on 1rst and 3rd with 1 out.

Sox score a run after the batter bunts, Marcus unable to get the ball to home plate fast enough to stop the runner from sliding home safe.

Marcus gets his first strike out of the game and it's 2 out with runners on 1rst and 2nd.

Jays give up another run then get the last batter out on a high fly ball to Michael.

Jays make it out of the 4th down 2 - 0 then go quietly in order top of the 5th

Sox get a homer - no one out

Marcus gets his second strike-out on a swing from the batter

1 out and Marcus' gives up another hit landing a batter on first and advancing one to 3rd.

Wild pitch and missed catch by Russell and Sox score another run taking a double-play for the Jays off the board - then Marcus walks the next batter.

Batter goes down swinging and it's 2 out........finally

Another swing and a miss and the Jay's are out of this inning with the Sox ahead by 4

Don't know how many more innings we will see Marcus on the mound

3 up.................and very quickly............3 down for the Jays

There you go, Biagini is on the mound to finish off the 6th for the Jays and yet another really iffy game for Marcus.

No luck for Jay's batters in the top so we go to the bottom of the 7th - Biagini back on the mound.

Batter reaches first on a strike-out breaking ball that got away on Martin after Biagini struck out the first two batters.

Biagini gets the next batter out on a fly ball to Darwin Barney.

Tulo get the Jay's on the board with a nice little homer

Junior Lake with his first home run since coming up to the Jays gets another point on the board for the Jays.

Then.............they walk Barney.........it's that old 2 and out thing again for the Jays........hope they can keep it going

Darwin grounds out to second and the inning is over but the Jays are on the board.

Schultz is on the mound for the Jays

Schultz strikes out the first two batters then gives up a homer to the 3rd.

Schultz gets the 3rd out on a swing and a miss but the Sox are ahead 5 - 2 heading to the 9th.

Jays taken down in order and the White Sox win the game and the series.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Can't seem to get the offense to fire up 2 days in a row. Need the offense firing when Stroman is on the mound these days.