There's also Frasor's collapse sparks Arizona, a good game story by Jeff Blair with a misleading headline. That was hardly a collapse, as none of the hits came on anything resembling a good swing.

Best wishes to Tom Cheek for a speedy return to full health. I'm sorry I missed Justin Miller in the radio booth last night; that must have been fun. Any reviews?

http://www.thewolfshack.com
I caught about the first 3 innings on the radio, and Justin Miller didn't really contribute much. When Jerry asked him a question about something going poorly he'd say that "Well I know Pat can get it back on track. He pitched well in Oakland"' Jerry mentioned that Pat couldn't seem to throw his curveball for strikes, and Miller said that "I can't really tell from up here. It's alot different".

Nothing wrong with anything he said, it was just sort of bland.

I was leaving a pub last night and it was 2-0. By the time I got home it was 3-2. Depressing.
I wish Tosca had let Frasor finish that inning, especially if the alternative was bringing in Adams. Hopefully Frasor gets another save opportunity soon. I'd love to see how he bounces back.

I was at that debacle last night. I think the blame should go to the offence because they had opportunities to put this one away.

1. Gregg Zaun ran into the final out of the 1st inning after Catalanatto scored on the wild pitch (I still couldn't believe he went with the ball and catcher that close to him but more power to him!).

2. Cash grounded into a DP with the bases loaded to end another rally.

3. They couldn't push home a run in the 8th with runners on 1st and 2nd and 1 out.

I had a bad feeling Frasor was due for a letdown and unfortunately, that's what happened. I was hoping they'd tack on some insurance runs in the 8th and that Speier would've been left in because he looked good last night. It really sucks for Hentgen who pitched great after the 1st inning. I can't blame Tosca for any of these moves though. Frasor's the closer, you have to go to him. The Adams move didn't work out but Tosca was trying to keep the game tied and it didn't appear to be Frasor's night.

Hopefully this won't affect Frasor in the long run but again, I blame this one on the offence, especially for wasting a great performance by Hentgen. Oh well, at least we got a free slice of pizza. That especially amazed me with Hentgen on the mound, but he rallied for 4 K's through 7.

Thanks, Paul. Miller is anything but bland off the air, but he was probably conscious of being on his best behaviour. I thought Frank Catalanotto was excellent in his recent radio debut, suggesting a promising career after his playing days, if he's so inclined.

I think it's a bit unfair to pin the loss on Frasor. I'd think the offence deserves a fair share of the blame, given they only scored 2 runs off a guy who entered the game with a 6.39 ERA.

While Frasor's fall was dissapointing, let's give it up for Hentgen. He seems to be getting stronger and the calls for him to be the closer have died down. Who knew the starting rotation would become such a strength so fast?

How about we pair up Zaun and Adams for AA prospect? Catching position is plenty as are arms available at AAA. Adams has got to go...find an NL team that hasn't scouted the Jays and just look at his half decent numbers.

Anybody else wondering that the CBC should ditch the reality show featuring guys trying to make the NHL and focus instead on trying to find a closer? Or maybe not even a closer - just someone that can come out of the bullpen and get some outs.

Not sure if anyone has any stats handy to back this up but how does this year's bullpen stack up with respect to inherited runners allowed to score, blown saves, etc. in Jays history? My impression is that its pretty bad, so just wondering if the facts back it up.

http://journals.jevon.org/users/keith_talent
I awoke this morning blissfully forgetful of last night's collapse. I got my Toronto Star from the porch and read the entire A section, and boy did my heart sink when I got to Sports. It seems the Jays only get on the front of the Sports pages when they collapse. What's with this city? When I lived in Vancouver it was understandable that the Jays were a fringe item. But why such scant coverage in the papers here? This is a Major League Baseball team!

Yeah, it seems Adams only does well in low pressure situations. And if you're a relief pitcher, what good is that? I had a sinking feeling about Frasor, that other Bauxites have shared, that his fastball is just so straight. Sure it can go as fast as 96, but MLB players are trained to hit balls that fast. It's really easy if they know it's coming. Frasor says the ball's been bouncing so much his way this year, except tonight. How much of Frasor's success has been luck?

I don't want to come down on a guy after one poor result. But I haven't seen any movement in his pitches or guile in his tactics. He's no Tom Henke, despite what Rod Black might think.

http://journals.jevon.org/users/keith_talent
how does this year's bullpen stack up with respect to inherited runners allowed to score, blown saves, etc. in Jays history?

I know we have had far more than our fair share of brutal, agonizing losses. If there is a silver lining it is that the Jays have been close in almost all their games this year. Just a few more pieces, or some more seasoning in that bullpen, and this could be a 95-win team.

Do you remember how bad Duane Ward used to suck? I mean back in 88-90. I remember how he'd come running in from the bullpen, already dripping with sweat, and just blow. Walking guys, giving up screaming extra-base hits, before finally allowing that life-sapping homerun. I hated to look at the guy. And he became the best closer in the league a few years later.

I don't know if anybody is watching the Texas - Vanderbilt college world series game but Thigpen so far is 3 for 3 with a home run, an RBI single and a bunt base hit. This guy can flat out hit!

Frasor's fastball may be straight, but the hits came against breaking balls. If you're going to throw a 3-2 breaking ball, you can't be afraid to walk the batter. Frasor was, and instead he gave up hits.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/transactions
Ligtenberg is on the DL with hip inflamation. Halladay takes his spot...the Jays stay at 11 pitchers. COMN.

Quick, those of you with media guides: What's the most players used by the Blue Jays in one season?

Down Goes Frasor

Ok Im not a big fan of "pun"-ny headlines most of the time, but that got a laugh out of me.

What's the most players used by the Blue Jays in one season?

53 in 1999. The fewest ever is 33, in 1983 and 1984. The record for most pitchers is 24, set in 2002; in '82 and '84 they needed a mere 13.

Double by Woody cashes in Hinske -- 1-0 Jays.

It seems the Jays only get on the front of the Sports pages when they collapse. What's with this city?

Keith, with all due respect to the Jays and their fans, I understand what you're saying and agree. However, you have to keep in mind that in a city as diverse and multicultural as Toronto not everyone is equally enthused about baseball. This certainly is not meant to excuse their baseball writers from their performances, which have often been brought up here. I couldn't have been happier this morning as a soccer fan to actually see a few pages dedicated to Euro 2004, the 3rd most watched sporting event in the world. As much damage as people like Griffin may do to the credibility of the Jays operations, at least he's not Chris Young trying to revive the myth that most soccer players are divers.

BTW, it was also nice to see the coverage of the Prentice Cup this past week, I think David Grossman did a good job with some of the stories surrounding that. Having gone to Clarkson here in Mississauga, it was bittersweet seeing long time rivals Lorne Park get so far, knowing that most teams have been cut from my alma mater, and anyone who wants to play now has to do so for a bitter enemy.

Down Goes Frasor

I guess I'm thick today. Somebody explain this pun to me.

Keith that was Howard Cosell's call when Ali knocked out Frazier, if I recall correctly.

http://journals.jevon.org/users/keith_talent
The very same Ali, I take it, who was 'In Person' at SkyDome and sponsored by Coca-Cola and the Argos. Did you read that article on the Argos in the Star's business section and the new owner making fun of that sign. I thought it was silly when I saw it too.

Wasn't it Foreman?

That was Cossel's call in Foreman vs. Frazier, yup. I've seen that fight a couple of times. An incredible dismantling and destruction of a damned good fighter. No wonder nobody gave Ali a snowball's chance in Hell against Big George.

http://journals.jevon.org/users/keith_talent
Ok Im not a big fan of "pun"-ny headlines

Sports writing, and sports writing only, should be allowed to embrace puns. Revel in the corniness. Imagine future headlines:

BOB FILE PUTS THEM AWAY