Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Jays Owed The Tigers & Owned The Tigers!

Jays Owed The Tigers & Owned The Tigers!

That makes up for Opening Day 2004! The Maple Leaf wearing Blue Jays hammered the Tigers 12-5 Monday night at the Rogers Centre to grab a share of first place in the American League East.

After losing by a converted touchdown five years ago to the Tigers on Opening Day at the Dome, the Jays responded with a seven run victory of their own . Justin Verlander got the first two men out in the first inning but Alex Rios kept the inning alive with a walk. Vernon Wells then ripped a double down the left field line but the speed of Tigers left fielder Josh Anderson prevented Rios from coming home to score. In the first indication that this year's offence isn't last year's offence, Adam Lind came up with a two-run single and that was eventually followed by a two-run opposite field double by Lyle Overbay.

Detroit responded with a solo poke from Curtis Granderson in the fourth but Travis Snider responded with an opposite field poke over the left field wall. The Jays poured it on with an Aaron Hill sac fly and a three run bomb from Lind to go up 9-1. Roy Halladay was on cruise control until the seventh when Detroit responded with four runs. Jesse Carlson, Brandon League and Scott Downs were needed to put away Detroit in the eighth as Downs stranded a pair of League singles with a groundball out. Lind drove in his sixth run of the night with an RBI single as part of a three run rally in the eighth and Brian Tallet and his new moustache put the Tigers away in order in the ninth.

Of course, some a-hole fans nearly cost the Jays the game by throwing stuff onto the field, including a baseball during Lind's RBI single in the eighth. That led to Tigers manager Jim Leyland pulling his team off the field and a 10 minute delay. Leyland said he didn't want to rain on the Jays parade and upstage their big night but he felt he had to pull his club off the field for safety's sake. Personally, I have a whole new level of respect for Leyland for saying that and for not going ballistic on the "idiot fans". I thought Jays manager Cito Gaston also showed class by apologizing on behalf of these moron fans.

It's obvious that alcohol has to stop being served during home openers. I know that'll never happen because teams are in the business of making money and fan/player safety is a distant second. It's too bad we couldn't have the Columbus Police on hand to provide security and taser some people. Having attended each home opener from 2000 to 2007, the trouble began in 2005 when Rogers provided free game programs, magnet schedules, and assorted flyers in a plastic bag that was taped to their seats. Instead of accepting the nice gesture, the knucklehead "fans" decided to chuck the magnets onto the field as well as paper airplanes. Surprisingly, neither team was pulled off the field unlike last night. Just when I thought the height of idiocy was reached during last year's home opener when there were fights in the stands and streakers in the field, the jackass "fans" took it to a new level last night.

I'm not sure what can be done to stop these morons. Unless breathalyzer tests are administered and each and every fan is patted down by security (which they do at Detroit Lions games, yes I know they were 0-16 last season, shaddap!), I have a feeling this new Opening Day "tradition" will not end anytime soon.

Tonight's game marks the first of three "alcohol free" nights at the Rogers Centre thanks to liquor licence violations that took place over the past few months. Lefty David Purcey goes to the hill against Edwin Jackson in his Detroit debut. First pitch is at 7:07 p.m. EDT.

====================

In other TDIB notes.........

* Da Yankees lose! DAAAAAAAAA YANKEES LOSE! To the Orioles, co-leaders of the AL East.

* The Twins broke out their 1982 duds but just like 27 years ago, it didn't help them against the Mariners as the Twins fell 6-1 in their final home opener at the Metrodome. It's too bad it doesn't have a retractable roof because it's a nice enough ballpark.

* The sleeve wearing Pirates stun the Cards and their new closer Jason Motte with a come from behind 6-4 win.

* Maybe Cliff Lee's Cy Young award was a fluke. He saw a lot of red and it wasn't just the Rangers new unis as the Tribe got spanked 9-1.

* The Mets bullpen doesn't blow one for Johan Santana as they hold off the Reds 2-1.

* Here are your probable starters for Tuesday, April 7th.

Posted by #2JBrumfield on Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 11:32 AM EDT.

Jays Owed The Tigers & Owned The Tigers! | 27 comments | Create New Account

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

Ryan Day - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 12:06 PM EDT (#197976) #

I was at the game last night, and had a great time until the idiocy of the last few innings. Throw stuff on the field and get the game delayed when your team has loaded the bases? Brilliant.

If they're not going to ban alcohol (which, I agree, would be extreme), they need to have a more meaningful security presence. There's usually one usher per section in the 500 level, and most of them look like they're about 19. By the time the usher notices there's a problem, figures out who it is, calls for security, and waits for security to arrive, things can completely get out of hand.

But still: Great game, even if Roy ran out of gas a bit more quickly than we're used to.

Matthew E - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 12:35 PM EDT (#197980) #

I was at a Jays game once where they were giving away those baseballs signed by the whole team, with a little stand, all encased in plastic. I got there early and was sitting somewhere on the first deck. Somebody up in the top deck was tearing bits of the plastic off and dropping them on me. I complained to an usher but they couldn't catch whoever it was.

ANationalAcrobat - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 12:35 PM EDT (#197981) #

There was a lot of speculation that Vernon Wells would be getting regular time off this year to rest his hamstrings; Cito Gaston says that won't be happening.

"Vernon is going to have to go out and just play hard," Gaston said. "If he comes up hurt, there's nothing we can do about that. I think that's the only way he knows how to go about it. When you go out and try to guard yourself from getting hurt, most of the time you do get hurt."

Gaston also mentioned that Lind won't be the everyday DH; he will be in left regularly to give Wells, Snider, and Rios a break.

ANationalAcrobat - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 01:03 PM EDT (#197984) #

A question for the admins: would it be possible to fix the live chat log?

Mike D - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 01:42 PM EDT (#197985) #

For some reason, the home opener has become Halloween. I have no doubt that thousands of fans were in attendance precisely because it's become an occasion for wild debauchery. Jays fans won't behave like this again until next April.

I think an afternoon home opener might achieve the same effect as an alcohol ban. It also might break the cycle of more and more fans each year eagerly anticipating bedlam at the home opener.

GrrBear - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 01:42 PM EDT (#197986) #

The a-holes always show up on Opening Day, and I agree that a greater security presence is needed in the 500 level, perhaps even in the 200 level outfield (that's apparently where the thrown baseballs came from). I remember the Opening Day with the fridge magnets quite well - my wife got hit with one in the back of the head. Guess what? We haven't attended an Opening Day since, and have avoided any games with giveaways. The Jays should make a bigger deal of the no-booze games - I think it would attract a lot more families and people like me who are tired of the drunken antics of douchebags.

My concern is that if Red Sox and Yankee fans realize the potential in causing enough havoc to force a forfeit, they might actually use this tactic if their team is losing at the Rogers Centre. That's right - I honestly believe there are enough lunatic Sox/Yankees fans that would actually consider jail time and criminal prosecution in order to secure a win for their team.

LouisvilleJayFan - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 01:49 PM EDT (#197987) #

My concern is that if Red Sox and Yankee fans realize the potential in causing enough havoc to force a forfeit, they might actually use this tactic if their team is losing at the Rogers Centre. That's right - I honestly believe there are enough lunatic Sox/Yankees fans that would actually consider jail time and criminal prosecution in order to secure a win for their team.

This made me laugh because this is exactly how University of Louisville alums/fans view University of Kentucky fans.

Ryan Day - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 01:53 PM EDT (#197988) #

When's the last time a game was actually forfeit due to fan behaviour?

Radster - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 03:31 PM EDT (#197992) #

I'm not sure when the last one happened, but I was thinking of the infamous Disco Demolition night while watching the delay on TV:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disco_Demolition_Night

whiterasta80 - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 03:52 PM EDT (#197995) #

This should answer the "last one" question. In fact there's a Blue Jays connection as Raul Mondesi was the catalyst

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forfeit_(baseball)

Timbuck2 - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 04:14 PM EDT (#197997) #

There could truth to the fact it was Tigers fans not Jays fans causing the ruckus... Found this in the comments section of the MLB article:

Considering the fact that the people I was near were Detroit fans and they were throwing stuff on to the field and continued to do so even after I asked them to stop I like most people dont enjoy being told to f..off decided to complain to the higher ups. During my time away the throwing of baseballs and harder items happened. When I got back they were laughing at the anoucement and commenting about how Canadians cried about everything. Seems to me that those that blamed the Jays fans for the barrage should be appologizing for the Detroit fans but of course we all know how perfect the americans are and since they have the bigger guns how could anyone think that they can do anything wrong.

Glevin - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 05:35 PM EDT (#197998) #

The game made me think of the absurdity of the scheduling in baseball. The Tigers were the Jays' biggest rivals for years and are the team's most natural rival and yet the two teams only play two series a year which is as many as they play against their "natural rivals" (you know, Washington, Philly, etc...)

Zao - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 05:44 PM EDT (#197999) #

Anyone catch Prime Time Sports this afternoon? Bob McCown now believes the Jays will win at least 90 games. I laughed the whole drive home.

sduguid - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 06:33 PM EDT (#198001) #

I'm surprised to see that the game isn't televised today. Is there anywhere to watch it online? I see it's on Extra Innings Previews but I don't think I can get that with Shaw Cable..

johnny was - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 06:33 PM EDT (#198002) #

Would any technically savvy good samaritan mind hooking a brother from Cogeco territory up with a video link for the game tonight?

sduguid - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 07:13 PM EDT (#198003) #

It's yet another year of being blacked out of watching Jays games on MLB.TV. Though I think it is shortsighted, I would be OK with being blacked out of games that are actually on TV. However, I am also blacked out of games that are not on TV at all. It would make sense to make sure fans can watch all of the games on TV but they (and I'm not exactly sure who "they" are) just don't seem to care.

Chuck - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 07:17 PM EDT (#198004) #

Anyone on Bell TV can catch the game on channel 493, one of the MLB channels with a free week of previews.

Paul D - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 08:03 PM EDT (#198008) #

Are the Satellite radio feeds also blacked out? I don't have cable and would like to listen to the Jays games while on the computer, and I'm not sure what the best way to do so is.

sduguid - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 09:12 PM EDT (#198010) #

There is a free trial on Gameday Audio on MLB.com right now.....it is also only $14.99 a year, which is quite cheap.

I may also try Gameday Mobile on my phone again this year. I tried it out last year but the quality was too low for it to be enjoyable - maybe they're encoding it at a better rate this time...

Mike Green - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 09:52 PM EDT (#198012) #

Nice win. It would probably be a good idea to remove starters in their first game of the season when they reach 85 pitches or so. You could levy this gentle criticism at any number of managers this year.

timpinder - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 10:17 PM EDT (#198013) #

I know it ended up working out, but is it just me or would it be nice to have Inglett's left-handed bat, and some speed, on the bench? Bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, one out, righty Brandon Lyon pitching with the slow, right-handed hitting Barajas at the plate. They were pitching Barajas low and inside to get him to roll over one to the left side and into a double play. Millar and McDonald were the only players on the bench, both righties. Like I said, it worked out in the end, but I was honestly surprised that it did.

brent - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 10:31 PM EDT (#198015) #

http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?gameid=290407114

That is just pretty to look at. Check out former Jay Lyon's WPA- ouch!

Nolan - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 10:37 PM EDT (#198017) #

Just watched the highlights from the game and saw Snider field a double [can't remember the batter or inning, but early in the game] and he made a great throw. Seemed very strong and accurate.

Glevin - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 10:41 PM EDT (#198018) #

The Jays should send a gift basket for Leyland for this one. Brandon Lyon has been terrible all spring (and was .976 OPS against him in the second half of the year last year as well.) Even if you bring him out to finish the 8th, once the 9th starts and you see how awful he's been, how can you justify bringing him out again? OF course, batting Thames and his ,581 SLG against lefties last year behind Gerald Laird seems pretty insane as well.

ANationalAcrobat - Tuesday, April 07 2009 @ 11:35 PM EDT (#198021) #

It's starting to feel a lot like 2006, when the Jays posted a collective .284/.348/.463 line. Led by Wells, Overbay, Glaus, and (pre-staph) Rios, the only significant sinkholes in that offense were 566 PAs from J-Mac and Adams. The only other sub-800 OPS guys, including the main members of our bench, were Hill and Molina (the latter being just under at 785.)

brent - Wednesday, April 08 2009 @ 12:37 AM EDT (#198023) #

The Jays didn't do well against their first test in Edwin Jackson. They get another chance next game facing Miner. According to Jays.com, "He has been incredibly effective against the Jays in his career, tossing 16 2/3 innings with three earned runs allowed." Let's see how the offense shakes out. I'm also looking ahead to Scott Lewis with the Indians who is a finesse lefty according to the Jays' site. Is Overbay going to be sitting, and how will Barrett look?

Jays Owed The Tigers & Owned The Tigers! | 27 comments | Create New Account

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