Giving the Tigers a false sense of security before they're swept in next week's four game series at the Rogers Centre, the Jays lost 8-5 to Detroit Thursday afternoon in Lakeland.
(That should put the Tigers well on their way to an 0-16 start like a certain NFL team I know that repeatedly stabs me in my blue and silver-coloured heart year after year after year after year. Sorry, I'm bitter they didn't get Jay Cutler yesterday. Football rant over!)
It wasn't a do or die start for Scott Richmond as he was named the team's number five starter on Wednesday. However, it wasn't a great day on the hill for the tall Canadian righty. He gave up six runs on nine hits and one walk over six innings. He was burned big time by the extra base hit as he gave up a two run homer to Brandon Inge as well as a triple and two doubles. On the flip side, he did strike out four and got eight groundball outs. Still, he ends the pre-season with an 0-2 mark with a 6.63 ERA. He pitched 19 innings with a K/BB mark of 17-3.
Jason Frasor also struggled by allowing two runs on a hit and two walks in the seventh and saw newly acquired Josh Anderson run wild on him and catcher Michael Barrett by stealing second and third base. Earlier in the contest, Rod Barajas nabbed noted speed merchant Magglio Ordonez. Lefty Jesse Carlson worked an uneventful ninth.
The Jays spotted the Tigers a 4-0 lead before rallying for two runs in the fourth and three in the fifth. Aaron Hill decided to give Mr. Rawlings a concussion by smacking one over the fence for his first spring training dinger. The second baseman also drew a walk and has a .283 batting average to go along with 8 RBI. Alex Rios also launched his first homer in Grapefruit League action with a three run bomb that put the Jays ahead briefly. He went 2-for-3 to lift his average to .323.
Scott Rolen had an RBI single and he's hitting .375. Vernon Wells and Adam Lind didn't have a hit but they each drew two walks on the afternoon. Oh yeah, Travis Snider did alright! Your 2009 ROY only went 3-for-4 and vaulted his average to .421. Matt Wieters should just concede the race and stay in Norfolk already.
Tonight, the Jays end their Grapefruit League schedule with the first of two games against the Marlins in Jupiter, Florida. Jesse Litsch and Chris Volstad are the probable starters in a 7:05 p.m. EDT start.
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In other TDIB notes...........
* Jays manager Cito Gaston slams the man with the initials R.C. More Cito quotes can be found here.
* The Jays have a celebration in the works to celebrate the good ol' days. Joe Carter reminisces about a certain home run in 1993.
* In case you missed it, Matt Bush will not join Homer and Dave on the all-time Jays roster.
* Angels lefty Joe Saunders says he can pitch Opening Day after going through a dead-arm period. Someone has to, as John Lackey, Ervin Santana and Kelvim Escobar are on the DL.
* Scott Baker will not pitch Opening Day for the Twins thanks to a sore shoulder. That honour will go instead to Francisco Liriano. Baker may wind up making his 2009 debut later this month against the Jays at the Metrodome.
* Huston Street is the new closer for the Colorado Rockies.
* White Sox fan Barack Obama will not able to throw the ceremonial first pitch at U.S. Cellular Field. Something about running a country came up.
* The Cardinals finalize their 25 man roster and top prospect Colby Rasmus is on it.
* The Brew Crew also decide on their 25 players and Tony Gwynn Jr. is not one of them.
