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Two starts, two strong appearances for Dustin McGowan.


Syracuse 1 @ Charlotte 3

Kevin Goldstein had a bit in Unfiltered at BP recently that he had been told that Dustin McGowan was "awfully impressive" in Florida. Well, McGowan has confirmed that as he's come out of the gates strong this year. In 10 innings McGowan has given up just two runs (one unearned) on 8 hits and 3 walks. He has struck out *17*.

The key for McGowan now will be to stretch his starts out beyond 5 innings. Last night he threw 96 pitches (54 strikes) over his 5 innings.

It will be interesting to see what the Jays do if they need to replace a starter in the rotation. McGowan could very well get the call - especially if the Jays want to keep Janssen in relief (perhaps being a Heilman-like reliever, in that he could start, but might be more valuable for the team in the pen).

Adam Lind was 2-5 and Sal Fasano was 2-4 with a HR. In the doesn't mean much department, Lind had 23 walks in 109 ABs with the Chiefs last year. He has yet to walk this year.


Connecticut 5 @ New Hampshire 4

Californian Ricky Romero got the start and gave up 3 runs in the first - two on an Eddy Martinez-Esteve HR. On the night Romero gave up 5 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks in 4.2 innings with only 1 K. It's tough to play baseball in cold weather if you're used to it. I'm not sure how much worse it would be if you're used to LA weather.

Schneider, Cosby and Lydon each had two hits for the Fisher Cats.


Dunedin - Postponed: Rain


Lansing 1 @ West Michigan 2

Well, it's cold in Michigan and they didn't seem to have any problems pitching last night. The Nuts had just 3 hits on the night - 2 by Brian Pettway. Pettway is off to a quick start this season hitting .444/.444/.667 to start the year. He needs to hit his way to Dunedin quickly if he wants any chance of ever seeing the majors.

Lefty Nathan Starner started for Lansing and pitched 5 solid innings, giving up 2 runs (1 ER) on 2 hits and a walk. He struck out 6. I can't remember Starner from last year, but he pitched out of the bullpen in Pulaski.


3 Stars!
3 - Nathan Starner
2 - Sal Fasano
1 - Dustin McGowan

McGowan Strong Again | 26 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
krose - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 07:40 AM EDT (#165521) #
Could J. F. Griffin (1.162 OPS) be the first call-up? He has a left-handed bat and is surely a better fielder than Stairs. The sample size is still small, but if this continues Griffin could be the answer to a 25 man roster spot that looks very weak.

I believe Griffin missed a large part of last season with an injury. He had some impressive stats in the 2005 season. Here is a link to an interview on Scout, done after the 05 season. http://bluejays.scout.com/2/518080.html
Lugnut Fan - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 07:46 AM EDT (#165522) #

While I agree that Pettway is off to a strong start, I don't know what to make of it.  He is 4-9 to start the season, but he has also struck out four times in nine at bats.  That number is quite troubling to me as I see him struggling at higher levels.  I have to believe the Jays want him to make more consistent contact in Lansing.

greenfrog - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 08:28 AM EDT (#165526) #
I'm curious to know how much of McGowan's success is because he's healthy (now that he's addressed the diabetes problem). I hope he keeps it up. It would be huge to have him return to "blue chip" prospect status.
Magpie - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 09:01 AM EDT (#165529) #

It's tough to play baseball in cold weather if you're used to it. I'm not sure how much worse it would be if you're used to LA weather.

Romero has a blog this season, and yes, there was a little culture shock:

The second day we were here, we got about 7 inches of snow, and it was freezing cold. It was the coldest I think I have ever been in my life.

We Canadians are laughing with you, Ricky. Not at you.

Mike Green - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 09:23 AM EDT (#165532) #
It should be noted that in each of McGowan's starts, the opposing starter has pitched very well (Jason Hammel, a marginal D-Ray pitching prospect threw 5 perfect innings with 5 strikeouts in McGowan's opener).  McGowan has very good stuff, but there have been false starts before.
Maldoff - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 09:25 AM EDT (#165533) #
I think what's more impressive than McGowan's 17 K's is his paltry walk total of 3. That gives him a K/BB ratio of 5.7, and, more importantly, a K/9 of 2.7. Shows that his command, thus far, has been great, which has been the concern with him for the last few seasons.
MatO - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 09:46 AM EDT (#165536) #

I don't recall McGowan putting up those kind of K totals even before his injury.  It's an indication that whatever he's settled on for his breaking pitch must be working right now.  The high pitch counts are a concern though.

Mike Green - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 10:46 AM EDT (#165544) #
Yesterday, Nathan Starner's successful start in Lansing was an interesting development. His control was a very pleasant surprise. Tonight, Kyle Ginley gets the ball for the Luggies if by some fluke the storm does not hit Lansing.
#2JBrumfield - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 11:44 AM EDT (#165554) #

Granted, it's really early but the stolen base seems to be back in vogue.  Ryan Klosterman swiped his 3rd bag of the season for the F-Cats after stealing a pair the night before and like Klosterman, the Lugnuts Sean Shoffit stole 2nd and 3rd in the same inning last night.  Unfortunately, in both cases, Klosterman and Shoffit wound up not scoring as a result.  If they could just teach them to steal home :)   

Yuber Rodriguez had a hitless night but did draw his 4th walk of the season.  He's only hitting .200 but has an on-base of .556 thanks to 3 bases on balls in the season opener.

In addition to McGowan's 9K's, Syracuse hurlers wound up striking out 15 batters on the night against 1 walk but they still lose.  It would help if the Syracuse offence would get going.  Chad Mottola and Kevin Barker are off to really slow starts.

And looking at the top of the New Hampshire boxscore page, a Seinfeld reference as the F-Cats were beaten by the J. Petersen Reality Tour.

Lugnut Fan - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 12:17 PM EDT (#165557) #
#2, very observant on Yuber's line in Lansing.  I noticed that too.  As a matter of fact, when I was listening to the game on Monday night, I was wondering who was wearing Yuber's jersey.  He needs a high OBP more than he needs a high BA.  He just needs to get on and utilize his speed.
MatO - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 02:31 PM EDT (#165567) #
The entire MWL schedule has been postponed.  Some ugly weather is coming this way.
Lugnut Fan - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 02:41 PM EDT (#165569) #
Yep, the enitre MWL is wiped out for the night and if I was a betting man, I would be willing to bet that it is going to be wiped out again tomorrow too.  We have four inches of snow on the ground right now.
Rob - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 05:26 PM EDT (#165582) #
Could J. F. Griffin (1.162 OPS) be the first call-up? He has a left-handed bat and is surely a better fielder than Stairs.

I feel like I've said this before, but JFG won't hit as well and won't play the outfield as well. As impressive as Matt Stairs' lack of range was last night, Griffin's much, much slower. Besides, if you think his 2005 was an impressive season by a LHB, I'd like to introduce you to the 2006 MVP of the Eastern League.
Mike Green - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 06:05 PM EDT (#165587) #
When you give up 5 earned runs in an inning, and your ERA is cut in half, you know things are not going well.  So, it is with Brandon Magee.
Gerry - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 08:31 PM EDT (#165602) #

At the end of 2006 Brandon Magee was highly touted but 2007 has been very disappointing so far.  Magee struggled in spring and also now in the regular season.  Lets hope its not a physical injury.

David Purcey is pitching very well tonight, six shutout innings so far.  Aaron Mathews is 3-3.

krose - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 11:22 PM EDT (#165610) #
Rob: On what are you basing your opinion that JFG will not hit as well or field as well as Stairs? If Griffin is , is he slower than Molina? I'm assuming that Lind was the 06 MVP in the EL. Lind will not be an early recall because he is viewed as a long-term, high ceiling major league hitter who needs to become effective in the outfield; a position he is now learning. If JFG continues to hit, and is an adequate fielder, he could be an upgrade over Stairs as the fourth outfielder. When, and if, Lind is ready to assume an everyday outfield position, one of Rios, or Johnson will likely be traded (or DL'd).
timpinder - Wednesday, April 11 2007 @ 11:51 PM EDT (#165615) #

It looks like Purcey's taken his strong spring into at least the first game of the regular season.  Perhaps spending the off-season working on his command has paid off.  6.1 IP, 1 run, 7 K's. 

Ok, ok, ok.  I know it's only 2 starts for McGowan and 1 for Purcey, and their strong springs won't necessarily translate into strong regular seasons.  BUT, I'm starting to get excited about the possibilities.  If Purcey and McGowan could pitch to their potential, Halladay, Burnett, Purcey, McGowan, Romero/Janssen/Marcum) could be awesome.  I know it's quite premature, but a fan can dream. 

VBF - Thursday, April 12 2007 @ 12:27 AM EDT (#165622) #
Only the magical powers handed to me by Vernon Wells will make the italics go away.
krose - Thursday, April 12 2007 @ 12:52 AM EDT (#165625) #
[Sorry guys. I think I messed up the italics. Don't know how I did it, and don't know how to fix it. Maybe its this sophisticated Safari browser running on my 20th century Mac. Or maybe its just my ignorance of HTML. MMMM, all these little arrows and brackets really do weird things to the text!!]
McGowan Strong Again | 26 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.