Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Two Late Treys = Win For Jays!

Start the friggin' parade down Yonge Street! The Blue Jays rallied from a four-run deficit by scoring three times in both the eighth and ninth innings to give them a 7-5 win over Atlanta Thursday afternoon in the hotly contested "Larry Jones-Toronto" grudge match.

David Cooper (pictured above with Dunedin last season) and Aaron Matthews (to your right) had two hits and an RBI apiece as part of the Jays 11 hit attack. Sean Shoffit also had a two-run single to spark the rally. Before the eighth, the Jays did pretty much next to nothing against Atlanta starter Derek Lowe. All they could muster was an RBI base knock by John McDonald in the fifth. Lowe did get some help from center fielder Jordan Schaefer, who threw out Jason Lane at home. Life in the J-Lane - baby, you could lose your mind!

The wind was also blowing in at Disney and that cut down a few potential home runs or extra bases for both sides. Among those robbed by that windbag Mother Nature were Kevin Millar in the second and Russ Adams in the ninth. However, Adams did get a sac fly to plate Joe Inglett with the winning run. Brian "BB" Jeroloman started the ninth inning rally with a walk and came around to score. I look forward to starting up the walk meter again for 2009!

Pitching wise, here's what rotoworld.com had to say about the four-run, six inning outing by Brad Mills.

"Mills allowed 10 hits in the contest and saw his spring ERA rise to 5.23. He'd be opening the year in Double-A if he pitched for practically any other team in baseball. Since he's a Blue Jay, he's still clearly in the mix for a rotation spot."

Don't you love how they word that? Since he's a Blue Jay? Good Lord, he's not a Pirate!! Of course, a WHIP of nearly two (10 hits and one walk) is less than stellar and the Braves were hitting some balls hard. However, there were some positives. Mills induced 10 groundball outs and two infield popups among his 15 outs in play and he started a 1-6-3 double play. He had three K's and made Jeff Francoeur look silly by freezing him with a bender to end the third inning. I was impressed by how quickly he worked and he didn't seem to be rattled at all. The young lefty also finished up strong by giving up just one hit in his last two innings, including a 1-2-3 fifth. I don't think Mills really helped his case to make the rotation but I don't think he hurt it either. However, I think the door is still open for Scott Richmond if he can put together a good outing against Detroit Saturday. Lefty Ricky Romero could also nail down a spot with a good effort against Houston Sunday.

As for the relief effort, the Braves got to Dirk Hayhurst for a run in the seventh but Jeremy Accardo and Robert Ray put up goose eggs in their one inning of work. They each gave up a hit but Accardo got a strikeout and the win while Ray got the save.

Tonight, the Jays are in Bradenton where Doc Halladay makes a house call to the Pirates at 7:05 p.m. EDT. B.J. Ryan is also scheduled to pitch and he's hoping to get his velocity back in time for the start of the season.

---------------

In other news.......

* Oakland RHP Justin Duchscherer will miss the start of the season because of elbow troubles.

* Boston RHP John Smoltz (that's weird typing that!) finally threw off a mound but it didn't go as expected.

* Thoughts and prayers to Houston 3B Aaron Boone, who is undergoing heart surgery.

Posted by #2JBrumfield on Friday, March 27 2009 @ 02:02 AM EDT.

Two Late Treys = Win For Jays! | 35 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

christaylor - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 02:33 AM EDT (#197537) #

If I were a Yankee or a Boston fan I'd say, "Aaron f'in Boone"... but I'm a Jays fan so a rotation with Mills in it sounds pretty good to me.

The photo of Cooper #43 screams, "Will be good but just not yet."

Back to thesis...

Barry Bonnell - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 09:06 AM EDT (#197539) #

On the Fan this morning they said the Jays would use Scott Downs as a closer if BJ can't pitch to start the season.

andrewkw - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 11:35 AM EDT (#197543) #

It would be interesting if they would use someone other then Downs as the closer if Ryan is out since he is too valuable in other situations... I would hope they'd still bring him in in the 8th inning if the situation was critical since he obviously has the ability to pitch more then one inning.

Hurry up air canada! i'm at the airport waited for my delayed flight to go check out Ryan's velocity first hand. Sadly I didn't bring a radar gun.

85bluejay - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 11:57 AM EDT (#197544) #

If BJ is finished - Imagine spending $45m for 1 good season (2006) - Another brilliant signing - But, we can't afford to draft overslot talent - I guess this is just

bad luck - LOOK FORWARD to reading one of the long unintelligible response defending the great gm

VBF - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 01:25 PM EDT (#197548) #

First things first: Someone go buy an iron for Dunedin.

I am entertained by the idea of having our 3rd and 4th hitters both be #43 and #45.

#2JBrumfield - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 01:46 PM EDT (#197549) #

Someone go buy an iron for Dunedin.

I don't think it's in the budget. Maybe they can buy a spray bottle to iron out the wrinkles as a cheap, er, cost-effective solution.

Ducey - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 03:56 PM EDT (#197553) #

If BJ is finished - Imagine spending $45m for 1 good season (2006) - Another brilliant signing...

If he is not done, then you take it back?

See, that is the luxury that real GM's don't have. Its amazing how 20/20 hindsight makes one a genius. Didn't see you around here 3 years ago complaining.

Was that short and intelligible enough for ya?

Ozzieball - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 04:10 PM EDT (#197554) #

If BJ is finished - Imagine spending $45m for 1 good season (2006)

Just as well they're only paying for very good season, one solidly above average season, and having insurance cover all the time he's missed due to injuries!

That was a close one, wasn't it? PHEWF!

Gerry - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 04:10 PM EDT (#197555) #

Curtis Thigpen era is over, MLB Rumors say he has been traded to the A's for a player to be named later.

scottt - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 04:22 PM EDT (#197556) #

Moneyball.

vw_fan17 - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 05:03 PM EDT (#197559) #

If you follow the links from the Curtis Thigpen page labelled "Jays moves", it links to:
"More Moves" where it notes that: Mike Maroth and Rick Bauer have been released, and Matt Clement agreed to report to AAA.

(not sure if this was already posted, mea culpa if it was)

Mick Doherty - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 05:07 PM EDT (#197560) #

Someone go buy an iron for Dunedin.

I admit it, I spent a good five seconds trying to figure out the reference and why a golf club would matter ...

#2JBrumfield - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 06:27 PM EDT (#197562) #

I admit it, I spent a good five seconds trying to figure out the reference and why a golf club would matter

I guess you could say it's ironic you didn't get it right away. Glad you were able to get that ironed out and pull the iron out of the fire. Maybe you need more iron in your diet. I'm here all week folks, tip your wait staff!

brent - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 07:42 PM EDT (#197563) #

Ducey, to be fair, Bluejay85 only started posting last April. However, the basics of your point still stand.

greenfrog - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 08:15 PM EDT (#197565) #

I liked the Ryan signing at the time, but a lot of others noted his mechanical issues and predicted pretty much what's transpired since 2006.

TamRa - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 08:23 PM EDT (#197566) #

If BJ is finished - Imagine spending $45m for 1 good season (2006) - Another brilliant signing - But, we can't afford to draft overslot talent - I guess this is just

bad luck - LOOK FORWARD to reading one of the long unintelligible response defending the great gm

2 things:

1. Wondering if he's finished at the moment is kinda premature, donchathink?

2. It could be argued that if he were, you got one good season and one great season....still too much to pay for that but still, might as well state it accurately.

Howzat? Short and inteligible enough for ya?

;)

TamRa - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 08:27 PM EDT (#197567) #

If he is not done, then you take it back?

Rationality is only required in defense of the team, never when attacking it - then it's optional.

See, that is the luxury that real GM's don't have. Its amazing how 20/20 hindsight makes one a genius

Not only that, 20/20 hindsight mixed with rank speculation about events that haven't occurred yet.

timpinder - Friday, March 27 2009 @ 11:09 PM EDT (#197568) #

Emaus hit another homerun today to go with a double. He's looked really good this spring. I like his swing, and he looks pretty thick, kind of like Aaron Hill. It's really too bad that he isn't good enough defensively to play third base, because Ahrens is a long way away and no sure thing, and Hill's going to block Emaus at 2B. I guess if he keeps this up the Jays will find a spot for him, maybe Hill eventually moves over to the hot corner if his power numbers return to 2007 form or better.

It'll be a tough year this year, but there are some nice looking prospects coming up that offer hope for the future. I'm not even worried about Ryan since there's some guys that can fill in now, and I have a feeling that Bush is going to be a lights-out closer by 2011.

brent - Saturday, March 28 2009 @ 06:34 AM EDT (#197571) #

Actually, the injuries they predicted were different than the Tommy John that he had. Until someone is accurately predicting the exact injury, saying X pitcher will get hurt is an easy game with so many of them dropping to injuries anyway.

andrewkw - Saturday, March 28 2009 @ 09:08 AM EDT (#197572) #

Doc was in vintage form last night, just like he pitches back home. He gave the pirates 2 options : strike one on the black or a groundout to the shortstop / second basemen. He didn't seem overly happy giving up a hit to Hinske and the next time he was up promptly shattered his bat. In fact he broke a few bats perhaps a sign he's throwing more cutters? I don't think he threw more then 80-85 pitches through 7.

Emus does look very good yesterday was the first time I had a chance to see him.

Ryan on the other hand seemed to be throwing more sliders since no ones afraid of the fastball. I did notice JP come over and sit right behind home plate for the inning Ryan pitched constantly checking the gun and having what looked like a concerned conversation with 2-3 other people. After Ryan pitched he promptly when back behind the jays dugout.

greenfrog - Saturday, March 28 2009 @ 08:38 PM EDT (#197577) #

"Actually, the injuries they predicted were different than the Tommy John that he had."

Oh, so a prediction is only valid if the commentator specifies which body part is likely to break down? That might make sense if a player suffers a flukey or unexpected injury, but we're talking about the elbow of a 6'6", 230 lb. pitcher whose mechanics were widely recognized as a major red flag.

Yes, there is always some risk in signing pitchers to long-term deals, but I think it's fair to say that BJ carried more risks than most. The real debate is whether a 5 year/$45M contract was worth it in light of those risks. At the time I thought it was--the Jays had money to spend and were making a push for contention, and Ryan had some pretty gaudy numbers (which he exceeded in 2006)--but there was also a solid case that the team should have taken a pass.

VBF - Saturday, March 28 2009 @ 11:24 PM EDT (#197578) #

I think it's important to note the free agent atmosphere at the time Ryan was signed. The money the Jays had didn't go as far as it would have this season, and there were two excellent closers on the market in Ryan and Wagner. Billy Wagner was the favorite potential closer of any team interested, and I recall him drawing a lot more interest. Ryan signed for a huge offer, but Wagner signed for more per year. I think that had Wagner signed first, there would be a bidding war for Ryan. Hence, the only way they could have picked up a closer was to act quickly. Sometimes you just have to take that risk, otherwise you'll just have this apathetic culture towards your team.

Everyone loves to criticize signing a free agent that might not work out, but everyone this season has been talking about how Halladay wants out because they didn't sign a big free agent.

ramone - Sunday, March 29 2009 @ 01:08 PM EDT (#197582) #

A couple of injury tid bits from Bastian's blog, Wells hurt his wrist (same one he broke) yesterday and took a cortisone shot, Snider's jarred his knee, Barajas back is hurt and McGowan may not be back this year.

Link

ANationalAcrobat - Sunday, March 29 2009 @ 03:30 PM EDT (#197583) #

Very strong start for Ricky Romero: 7 IP, 8 Hits, 2 ER, 6K/0BB, 11/4 Groundouts/Flyouts, 1 HR.

westcoast dude - Sunday, March 29 2009 @ 04:03 PM EDT (#197584) #

Second the motion, a HUGE start for Romero. Ink another southpaw into the rotation, just when we needed it most.

China fan - Sunday, March 29 2009 @ 04:52 PM EDT (#197585) #

After all the ridicule and scorn heaped on poor Ricky Romero over the past three years (as if it was his fault that he was drafted so high and that a certain shortstop drafted behind him had such a faster start to his career), wouldn't it be ironic if it was Ricky who saved the Jays' bacon in 2009? I'm not saying that it's definitely going to happen, but after today's performance it is a tantalizing scenario that leaps to the mind's eye. Vindication would be sweet.

greenfrog - Sunday, March 29 2009 @ 08:51 PM EDT (#197587) #

If Romero has a strong year, the BBWAA would probably have to write an open letter of apology to Ricciardi. Of course, I've been pretty critical of JP for the Romero pick too. I would happily issue a mea culpa in exchange for a breakthrough season from R.R. Maybe something like John Cleese's in 'A Fish Called Wanda':

Kevin Kline (holding John Cleese upside down from a window ledge): "You take it back?"

Cleese:

"I do. I offer a complete retraction.

The imputation was
totally without basis in fact,

and was in no way fair comment,
and was motivated purely by malice.

I deeply regret any distress my comments
may have caused you or your family.

And I hereby undertake not to repeat any
such slander at any time in the future."

Mylegacy - Monday, March 30 2009 @ 01:31 AM EDT (#197588) #

Romero - King for a Day. It's a nice heartwarming story.

Headline reads: "Much maligned pitcher with serious control problems has 7 innings without a walk. Jay's fans swoon." Yawn.

Our starting rotation is composed of; a truly great Pro, a chubby overachiever, a guy with a great arm - little control - and 12 starts in the Bigs, and two rookies one with - wait for it - 6 starts at AA and the other with - wait for it - 7 starts at AAA after YEARS of not being able to throw strikes. These vagabonds are going to be set loose - like dogs of war - on the unsuspecting AL East. Pity the mighty Red Sox, the storied Yanks and the Upstart Boys from the Bay - The Jays - (with apologies to Shelley) will rise all-powerful and shout out to the baseball world - "My name is Ozymandias - King of Kings - look on my works ye mighty and despair!"

What a great story that would be - except the next line os Shelley's masterpiece also fits - "Nothing beside remains: Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, level sands stretch far away."

I wish it weren't so. Alas, MLB is a marathon and young pitchers - they break your heart - and over the season, the mills of the baseball gods grind them slowly - relentlessly over 162 games - and they grind them exceedingly fine. Sigh.

Thomas - Monday, March 30 2009 @ 09:38 AM EDT (#197589) #

The Blue Jays have cut ties with two Canadians in their farm system, as Toronto has reportedly released starting pitcher AJ Wideman and Bauxite favourite Joel Collins.

Pistol - Monday, March 30 2009 @ 09:39 AM EDT (#197590) #

After all the ridicule and scorn heaped on poor Ricky Romero over the past three years

I don't think much of that was directed at Romero as much as JP who picked him (while the majority of his scouting staff disagreed).

Part of the reasoning stated behind drafting Romero was that pitching is tough to acquire (in addition to being expensive) so the Jays were better off developing their own starting pitchers. And if you had 'too many' you could always trade one. (Of course, good shortstops are also tough and expensive to acquire as well.)

Romero was seen by a lot of people as one of the surest picks in the draft; I remember a Theo Epstein quote saying as much last year in an article on that draft. I think if he had that situation arise again, JP wouldn't go the safe route with a pick that high in the draft. And actually, if there were no budget constraints, the Jays probably would have taken Pelfrey.

Mike Green - Monday, March 30 2009 @ 10:00 AM EDT (#197591) #

I wish Joel Collins the best, and hope that he gets a full opportunity somewhere.

ANationalAcrobat - Monday, March 30 2009 @ 10:36 AM EDT (#197592) #

Romero joins Halladay, Litsch, and Purcey in the rotation. Purcey goes today and Mills tomorrow.

ANationalAcrobat - Monday, March 30 2009 @ 12:15 PM EDT (#197594) #

There's baseball on Sportsnet at 1:00. Despite the fact that the Jays and Yanks are playing, Sportsnet is airing the Twins and Rays. It's better than nothing, I guess.

#2JBrumfield - Monday, March 30 2009 @ 12:54 PM EDT (#197596) #

I wish Joel Collins the best, and hope that he gets a full opportunity somewhere.

Way to go, Green. You jinxed him in our 2007 Top Prospects list. Actually, I was also in Collins' corner during our discussions on the rankings so I also take responsibility. :) I thought that .614 slugging percentage in the GCL that year meant great things in store for his future. Oops!

Pistol - Monday, March 30 2009 @ 03:37 PM EDT (#197610) #

For whatever reason (perhaps justified) Collins never really got a shot with the Jays. I hope he has a good agent because I think he has a chance if things break right for him.

Two Late Treys = Win For Jays! | 35 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.