John Gibbons benched Orlando Hudson against knuckler Tim Wakefield last week in Boston, fearing that the flutterball would mess up the O-Dog's timing and halt his hitting streak. No such fears tonight, as Hudson bats second against Wakefield while the Jays try to continue their sudden run of success against the AL East. Miguel Batista won't have his A-game defence behind him, as Vernon Wells sits down to rest his ailing calf muscle. Reed Johnson plays center, and Gabe Gross takes over in left; that's still a better outfield than many previous alignments this season in which the name "Berg" appeared. Frank Menechino slides into the DH position and the 5th spot; against Wakefield, the more veteran hitters the better. Chris Gomez picks up what has become a rare start at shortstop.
Lets hope pitching is contagious... If Batista pitches half as good as Lilly did last night we should get a win (what a gem).
Some here have speculated that Rios might eventually push Vernon out of center... if he's that good, why isn't he given a chance there while Vernon rests?
RF is the long term plan for Rios so you might as well keep him out there and get him used to it as much as possible.
Arrrghh...Jays load the bases with no outs and then...
strikeout
strikeout
foul out
They scored a run thanks to a wild pitch, however. This better not be a sign that they're reverting back to normal. :(
strikeout
strikeout
foul out
They scored a run thanks to a wild pitch, however. This better not be a sign that they're reverting back to normal. :(
Carlos is telling Zaun that for gods sake, we don't want Cash up there trying to hit a knuckleballer.
Ah, the old load the boases and fail to score.
Well, we scored through a wild pitch, but if not for that it would have been a typical stranded effort.
Well, we scored through a wild pitch, but if not for that it would have been a typical stranded effort.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/batting?team=tor&cat=avg&season=2004&split=94&seasonType=2&type=reg
Check out the individual stats for bases-loaded situations. It's a bit odd who the leaders are.
Batting Average w/ bases loaded:
Chris Gomez .571
Josh Phelps .538
Kevin Cash .500
Chris Woodward .429
Reed Johnson .364
---
Delgado .222
Rios .222
Wells .143
Hudson .143
...That's just bizarre
Check out the individual stats for bases-loaded situations. It's a bit odd who the leaders are.
Batting Average w/ bases loaded:
Chris Gomez .571
Josh Phelps .538
Kevin Cash .500
Chris Woodward .429
Reed Johnson .364
---
Delgado .222
Rios .222
Wells .143
Hudson .143
...That's just bizarre
Rios and Gross in the same outfield? Runners beware...
Delgado looks like he got lucky there...just the old swing the glove at it.
Man, with Gross, Wells And Rios in the OF and Jonsons as the 4th OF...those are some damn good arms.
Also, thank you Dave Roberts. First he pops out on a bunt, and then gets doubled off after a flyout. Two free outs.
Also, thank you Dave Roberts. First he pops out on a bunt, and then gets doubled off after a flyout. Two free outs.
This is the 6th time Batista has faced the Red Sox this year. The five times before tonight: 6.43 ERA, 25.2 IP, 1.98 WHIP.
His walk total this year still scares the crap out of me for next season.
His walk total this year still scares the crap out of me for next season.
Obviously O-Dog has no trobule with the knuckleballer anymore.
Batista's velocity seems down from the beginning of the season. Highest I've seen him hit tonight was 91, and he only hit that 2 or 3 times. I could have sworn he was hitting 95/96 earlier this year.
His slider hit about 87 though, so maybe it's not a concern.
...O-Dog!!
His slider hit about 87 though, so maybe it's not a concern.
...O-Dog!!
Okay, nevermind. Miguel's hitting 94 now. I guess he just took awhile to warm up.
Delgado looks like he got lucky there...just the old swing the glove at it.
That is kind of how it looks, but it's also a safe way to handle a short hop - when it hits the glove, let it move the glove instead of trying to "catch" it. A short hop might not hit the glove square, might easily pop out. It's more like receiving the throw than catching it.
That is kind of how it looks, but it's also a safe way to handle a short hop - when it hits the glove, let it move the glove instead of trying to "catch" it. A short hop might not hit the glove square, might easily pop out. It's more like receiving the throw than catching it.
The pitchout and the pickoff were well timed. Maybe Gibbons needs to change his steal sign.
Lucky to get the DP to get out of that inning. Scary stuff but we're still ahead by one.
I said it last night, I'll say it again:
Your 2004 starting SS, Eric Hinske!
Your 2004 starting SS, Eric Hinske!
Hmmm, you had to expect that Manny would do some damage sooner or later.
Still leading, however. I hope the Jays offense doesn't die after the fourth inning like it always seems to.
Still leading, however. I hope the Jays offense doesn't die after the fourth inning like it always seems to.
7-2
6-5-3
How often do you see those double plays in the same game?
6-5-3
How often do you see those double plays in the same game?
I'm optimistic about Senor Rios. Not the most earth-shattering of proclamations, but 21 doubles is awfully encouraging in 298 at-bats. Those'll turn to homers when he fills out.
I'm actually concerned about Rios's lack of pop. With close to 80 games under his belt I would have guessed he would have had more than 1 jack. He didn't show much pop in AAA or AA (11 HR's) either.
But he is a good hitter that can get his fair share of doubles. Perhaps a fair comparision for Rios is the Cat.
But he is a good hitter that can get his fair share of doubles. Perhaps a fair comparision for Rios is the Cat.
Nah, I don't think it's a concern.
Rios is 6'5" and weighs as much as Nomar Garciaparra. If he eats a couple more cheeseburgers, he should be able to hit some more bombs. ;)
Rios is 6'5" and weighs as much as Nomar Garciaparra. If he eats a couple more cheeseburgers, he should be able to hit some more bombs. ;)
Should have known someone would step up ;)
and this is why I prefer to lurk.
and this is why I prefer to lurk.
Alright here is our chance... bases loaded zero out... watch us ground into a triple play or something.
I actually can't stand to watch another bases loaded no out situation for the Jays this season. I'm going away for the next 5 minutes.
Ok bases loaded, none out, Wakefield gone. Now's your chance to get back in the game. Go Jays.
Bases loaded, nobody out. No runs. I swear I've seen this game already.
Bases Loaded zero outs top of the order ...
call 911 because the Jay hitters just got abused!!!
call 911 because the Jay hitters just got abused!!!
Well boys you called it. the only thing more painful to watch is a gold medal wanna be (felicien and wotherspoon) not even run their races!
Man 1,000 relief points for Mike Timlin. I give up.
I'm glad I didn't watch that. The utter predictability of that display is the only thing that really frustrating. Oh well, it's just the story of the season.
That highlight package that Sportsnet just showed was beautiful. I hate the Red Sox.
On the upside Speier continues to throw the ball really well. I'd like to see him as the primary set-up man for a month to see how he does in that role.
Agree with loveshack... very very very rare a releiver doesn't give up a run in that situation. Although following Wakefield is a BIG advantage cuz those hitters were seeing the knuckler all night.
Spiers stats can be misleading because you notice he pitches well in low pressure situations but in high pressure situations he fails quite a bit.
Spier is this years version of Trevor Miller.
Spier is this years version of Trevor Miller.
I hope the Jays offense doesn't die after the fourth inning like it always seems to.
*sigh*
PS...Rios' initials are AIR. That's way cool.
*sigh*
PS...Rios' initials are AIR. That's way cool.
PS: What happened when the Jays had the bases juiced? Three K's? Triple play?
Veteran duo of Menechino and Zaun make it a one run ballgame. Nice couple of ABs there.
Ryan: It was 2K's and a groundout to 2nd if I remember right.
Thats one of the longer hang times I've seen on a ball hit to the warning track.
Man Gabe JUST got under that. A sliver higher on the ball and the Jays have a one run lead.
Man, I was sure that was a hoemr.
...jus like Iw as sure Nicholson's shot was a homer. Crappy day.
...jus like Iw as sure Nicholson's shot was a homer. Crappy day.
Lightenberg only allowed 1 walk in that inning??? Wow... *shocked*
Good inning from Ligtenberg.,
It seems he and Speier have improved while Frasor and Chulk have ... unimproved. Unimproved? Deproved?
Bleh, you know what I mean.
It seems he and Speier have improved while Frasor and Chulk have ... unimproved. Unimproved? Deproved?
Bleh, you know what I mean.
I don't understand how the Jays are in this game after walking 8 freaking guys in 8 innings. AND loaded the based with nobody out and not scoring. Yet they only trail by one.
Dang here comes Foulke.
BTW I think this game puts an exclamation point on the idea that Menechino should be in the lineup more, as if there wasnt enough reason already what with him leading the team in every offensive statistic. Hopefully with Wells out for a bit he'll get some time at DH.
BTW I think this game puts an exclamation point on the idea that Menechino should be in the lineup more, as if there wasnt enough reason already what with him leading the team in every offensive statistic. Hopefully with Wells out for a bit he'll get some time at DH.
Okay, I think the Jays have seen enough of Foulke this year that they can figure him out. I'll say Delgado gets on base in the ninth and Menechino hits a walkoff homer to complete the cycle.
How does that sound? ;)
How does that sound? ;)
Well here go. 3 outs left for each side, Sox up by 1 run, heart of the order coming up for both sides. Any chance?
Okay. Here we go. Chulk sets them down, time to win this.
I BELIEVE.
I BELIEVE.
The chance is a lot better than the 63-1 that Sportsnet flashed on the screen; for most of those, the Red Sox probably had more than a 1-run lead after 8 innings. Still, Foulke is pretty tough.
What amazing command by Foulke. Threw a 3-2 pitch in a perfect location up and in. A deadly spot when you're trying to protect against a killer changeup.
Hopefully Frank can go yard here, and at least some good can come of this season...plus the economy in Sudbury could really use the money.
What's the name of the woman who could win a million?
Two tense and exciting games today but tough tough losses none the less.
What really pisses me off is the noise of those damned Sox fans.
SkyDome erupted when Hinske struck out. That shouldn't be. Bah! Go back to Boston.
SkyDome erupted when Hinske struck out. That shouldn't be. Bah! Go back to Boston.
Lind: Sadly, the more boston fans that show up, the better off our team is. Maybe them, and the yankees fans that come up can pay fro carlos next year.
Yeah, I know. It's just somewhat embarrassing when the visting team gets way more noise than the home team.
Grah, I don't know why, but this loss just really pissed me off. I mean, it's just another loss, and they only lost by one run to a good team, but it just ... argh.
Grah, I don't know why, but this loss just really pissed me off. I mean, it's just another loss, and they only lost by one run to a good team, but it just ... argh.
The good news is the pen looked pretty darn sharp tonite.
http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/results/baseball/
4:30am Eastern is the start time for the bronze-medal game.
4:30am Eastern is the start time for the bronze-medal game.
Spier is this years version of Trevor Miller.
I'm not sure where you got that impression from, but I didn't have that impression of Trever Miller.
I know how flawed the following stats are, but they should be good for a quick and dirty measure of if this seems to be the case.
Last year Miller had 2 wins and 2 losses, 16 holds, 4 saves and 1 blwon save. Nothing stands out from those stats that indicates he pitched poorly in pressure situations. He didn't lose many games (only 2 in 79 appearances) and he won just as many. The 16 holds were good enough for 29th in the MLB, and that led the Blue Jays. Miller picked up four saves and only blew one, which is quite a low number considering many of his holds could have turned into blown saves quite easily.
Maybe that looks like he pitched poorly in pressure situations to you, but it certianly doesn't to me. Especially considering last year's Blue Jays team with our fairly awful pen, I'd say he was one of our best options.
I'm not sure where you got that impression from, but I didn't have that impression of Trever Miller.
I know how flawed the following stats are, but they should be good for a quick and dirty measure of if this seems to be the case.
Last year Miller had 2 wins and 2 losses, 16 holds, 4 saves and 1 blwon save. Nothing stands out from those stats that indicates he pitched poorly in pressure situations. He didn't lose many games (only 2 in 79 appearances) and he won just as many. The 16 holds were good enough for 29th in the MLB, and that led the Blue Jays. Miller picked up four saves and only blew one, which is quite a low number considering many of his holds could have turned into blown saves quite easily.
Maybe that looks like he pitched poorly in pressure situations to you, but it certianly doesn't to me. Especially considering last year's Blue Jays team with our fairly awful pen, I'd say he was one of our best options.
Just watching the O's v. A's. Obviously Oakland broadcast. Let me tell you its a differnet game to watch when your teams in a race for a W.C. spot. I kind of forgot what that might be like watching the nights results coming in. The A's are even advertizing next years season tickets. The pitch is get your tickets so you can assure yourself of priority seating for the playoffs.
Thomas: Spier reminds me of Miller from last season because when I think of the overall performance from the first game to the last the first thing that comes to my mind is "blah"
I don't care if JP signs or doesn't sign Spier (knowing he will get a bump in salary after this season). Sure he's pitched well so far in the 2nd half but where was this kind of performance in the first half? I'd rather get people that can bring it right from the beginning of the season and maintain it the rest of the season.
I don't care if JP signs or doesn't sign Spier (knowing he will get a bump in salary after this season). Sure he's pitched well so far in the 2nd half but where was this kind of performance in the first half? I'd rather get people that can bring it right from the beginning of the season and maintain it the rest of the season.
My mistake. I thought he reminded you of Miller because of this statement:
Spiers stats can be misleading because you notice he pitches well in low pressure situations but in high pressure situations he fails quite a bit.
Which was followed by a direct comparison to Miller.
Spiers stats can be misleading because you notice he pitches well in low pressure situations but in high pressure situations he fails quite a bit.
Which was followed by a direct comparison to Miller.
I'm watching the A's on Extra Innings through their broadcast and they are absolutly gushing over Erubiel Durazo or the "holy grail" as Athletics Nation likes to call him.
With that said, they also have a 25 year old 1b prospect named Dan Johnson just tearing it up at AAA Sacramento. He's put up very impressive numbers throughout his minor league career and I wouldn't be surprised if the A's/Jays trade pipeline continues with Johnson being dealt to Toronto for Russ Adams and a pitching prospect, possibly Gustavo Chacin although I don't know if the A's would go for someone like that.
Thoughts?
With that said, they also have a 25 year old 1b prospect named Dan Johnson just tearing it up at AAA Sacramento. He's put up very impressive numbers throughout his minor league career and I wouldn't be surprised if the A's/Jays trade pipeline continues with Johnson being dealt to Toronto for Russ Adams and a pitching prospect, possibly Gustavo Chacin although I don't know if the A's would go for someone like that.
Thoughts?
I'm not sure the A's need Adams. They're locked at 3B and SS with Chavy and Crosby.
A possibility could be 2B though. I know JP ain't going to trade Adams away before seeing him in a Jays uni first.
What JP needs to do is flip Adams for Swisher:)
A possibility could be 2B though. I know JP ain't going to trade Adams away before seeing him in a Jays uni first.
What JP needs to do is flip Adams for Swisher:)
Man, it was freezing at the Dome tonight. I wore a jacket, but the winds were really whipping around in there. They totally should have closed the roof.
Batista is no less frustrating than Kelvim, maybe even more.. hmmm lets walk Dave Roberts and face the Manny Ortiz combo. His aloofness on the mound irks me to no end.
25 year old 1b prospect named Dan Johnson just tearing it up at AAA Sacramento.
What advantage does Johnson have over Eric Crozier?
What advantage does Johnson have over Eric Crozier?