The Jays continue their struggles at home; despite receiving a fine outing from Roy Halladay the offense could only manage 1 run and the good doctor took the loss.
The Rangers scored four runs against Halladay, who valiantly pitched nine innings to spare the Jays pen. Vincente Padilla meanwhile pitched a comparable seven innings but with a little luck got the win. Halladay put up a line of 9 IP 11 H 4 R 4 ER 1 BB and 4 K's, but this really understates his effectiveness - I thought he was pretty good, if a little too hittable and a little unlucky.
To Recap: The Rangers got their first run in the second on a cheesy hit by Milton Bradley, a groundout and a double down the third base line from David Murphy that with a little luck gets caught by Inglett manning third. In the third, a flare by Kinsler, a stolen base and a Cat fliner into centre made it 2-0 Rangers. The third Texas run scored in the 7h, as Doc got two outs and gave up David Murphy's second double of the day, another slash the opposite way down the third base line. Gerald Laird promptly took a good pitch and knocked it into CF, making it 3-0 Rangers. Zaun doubled in the bottom half of the 7th, and a groundout and an Eckstein infield hit drove him in. The Rangers got the run back in the 9th, as Murphy hit his third double, which was also pretty much the only ball hit hard into the outfield off Doc. Laird again singled him in but Vernon's throw was taken by Zaun who threw a strike to second and nailed Laird advancing. On the whole, Doc pitched rather well, and like any 'off' Doc start simply let hitters put the ball in play against him a little too hard.
The Jays offense, by contrast, was not good. They got a runner on base in every inning, hit into two double plays, and stranded two runners twice. The worst part was how bad Thomas looked all game. Rance and Jamie even started getting into it - all Padilla would throw Thomas were fastballs outside, and Thomas simply could not do anything with them. He ended up whiffing twice, grounding out to the pitcher and hitting a little flare that Kinsler handled at second easily. On the plus side, the top of the order is really coming together - Eck/Hill/Rios/Wells went 6/16 with a walk. The rest of the team was 2/17 with 3 walks. Eckstein is quietly hitting .290/.380/.323 - he is not the problem with the team at the moment.
All and all its been a frustrating couple of days being a Jays fan. At least it wasn't as frustrating as...
ROCKIES 1+??, PADRES 1+??? in 20+??? Innings.
We're heading into the top of the 20th as I write this - I won't say what time it is... Jake Peavy and Jeff Francis combined to throw 15 scoreless innings, allowing 7 hits, 4 walks and striking out 18... and they haven't pitched in 10 innings. Colorado scored the first run of the game in the top of the 14th as Brad Hawpe walked in a run, but the Rockies could get no more. San Diego countered in the bottom half of the inning by loading the bases and singling in a run, but they also couldnt score the winner. Willie Taveras has led the charge - he is 3 for 8 with one of only two runs scored, and Holliday is 2 for 4 with 3 walks and 2 stolen bases. The two teams have combined for 21 hits in 36 innings, so that should be a surprise.
Other fun facts:
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