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The Jays, about 16 hours after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, must either regroup, or settle for a split of this series. It's the great Pedro Martinez taking on journeyman John "Way Back" Wasdin and his 45.00 ERA. They shouldn't even bother to play it, right?

Not so fast. A Toronto win is unlikely, not impossible. Wasdin knows Fenway Park pretty well; he's pitched there 90 times (7 starts) for an 11-5 record with two saves. In 182 IP, he's walked 51 and struck out 138; his ERA is 4.30 with the Monster looming over his shoulder. Sure, he got lit up in his Toronto debut, but it was a very tough spot and he deserves another chance. The guy does have a perfect game in AAA this season.

Pedro is 6-2, 3.19 in 13 career starts against the Jays. But he hasn't faced the 2003 version, and had a 4.70 ERA against last year's team, which batted .295 against him in four meetings. Tosca the master juggler is at it again, stacking his lineup with seven lefty swingers. Reed Johnson sits, with versatile Bobby Kielty in right. Cat's in left, and Howie Clark is the DH, leading off. These Jays won't roll over -- this could be a better game than you think.
Game 99: Mismatch? Maybe Not | 9 comments | Create New Account
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Coach - Sunday, July 20 2003 @ 02:17 PM EDT (#96972) #
On the radio pregame, the skipper admitted to Jerry Howarth "we're up against it," and said he's counting on Wasdin to give him six innings.

According to Tosca, Juan Acevedo changed his tempo and his aggressiveness against Garciaparra last night. "We're trying to do the best we can with the bullpen we've got," he explains, "but there's not a team in baseball that isn't looking for one more good pitcher."

The highlight of Tom Cheek's interview with Bobby Kielty was learning that Kirby Puckett calls him "Mick," and told people he would be the next Mickey Mantle. The switch-hitters do bear a slight facial resemblance, but it's quite a stretch -- about like comparing me to Bill James.

_Lurch - Sunday, July 20 2003 @ 02:36 PM EDT (#96973) #
I knew Cerruti would say "way back"
Coach - Sunday, July 20 2003 @ 02:37 PM EDT (#96974) #
Kevin Millar hit one way back (actually, just into the first row of the Monster seats) and it's 1-0 Boston in the second. The Jays have taken Pedro to the warning track a couple of times.

WOW! Bobby Kielty just made the year-end highlight films, robbing Trot Nixon of a home run with a spectacular catch.
Coach - Sunday, July 20 2003 @ 03:02 PM EDT (#96975) #
Wasdin threw a first pitch fastball down the middle, belt high, to Nomar, who crushed it over the center field wall with two men on. 4-0 Boston, and it could get ugly.
_the shadow - Sunday, July 20 2003 @ 03:11 PM EDT (#96976) #
Wasdin actually looks to have some good pitches, but definitely not that fast??ball down the middle
Coach - Sunday, July 20 2003 @ 03:20 PM EDT (#96977) #
It's been 11 days since Tanyon Sturtze pitched, and now he's used in a 6-0 mopup situation. He appears to be on thinner ice than Wasdin, who could still be tried in the bullpen if the rotation experiment is over. I hope they give Corey Thurman the start next Friday vs. Baltimore, but Way Back might get one last chance.
_Brian Williams - Sunday, July 20 2003 @ 03:33 PM EDT (#96978) #
Hey John, who doesn't hit Tanyon Sturtze?
_nelly - Sunday, July 20 2003 @ 03:37 PM EDT (#96979) #
free corey thurman!!!!
_Donkit R.K. - Sunday, July 20 2003 @ 10:54 PM EDT (#96980) #
I guess it was a mismatch... the defense has been fun lately though
;-)
Game 99: Mismatch? Maybe Not | 9 comments | Create New Account
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