I'm going on vacation next week and I'm heading to Petco Park next Wednesday to watch the Padres vs. D-Backs. Pitching match-up of Boomer vs. Big Unit. I'm really exictied, the park looks beautiful on tv. I'm heading straight from the airport to the Park. I'm going to check out the park, take some pics, and I'll be sure to come back from my vacation and talk about the Park.

Bonds called it "baseball proof" but PETCO can't hold MEN-E-CHIN-O. "I hit lefties pretty well," the modest slugger told Jerry Howarth on the pre-game show. Frank sits against the righty tonight. No Cat, but Orlando is at second, hitting second. Berg is in LF; they like him better than Phelps now, it seems.

Even with the park effect, Towers will have to pitch much better tonight than he did against the Dodgers, or it could be a long night.

Rugby? WTF?

Rugby? Someone 'splain this to me.

It's not like Rogers has any special interest in the Blue Jays... oh wait...

Yeah, it's funny to hear Jerry describe a double play as someone steps on someone else's head.

Who's playing, anyway? England and New Zealand?

Who has rugby? The game's on over here.

Rugby here, Sportsnet Ontario (Burlington). Where are you, Ryan?

Rogers Sportsnet has a rugby game that's gone into Extra Time, and we have a notice at the bottom of the screen that they'll join the baseball game when rugby concludes.

I'm in BC. Sportsnet Pacific has the game.

Heh, but I feel your pain. S-Pac did the same thing to us bout a month ago. At least you're only missing Towers/Tankersley. We missed Halladay/Pedro.

Well, for those watching the 2004 Rugby Churchill Cup, I think it's the Men's Finals: Maori vs England.

Did you miss the whole game, or just the first few innings?

What's really irritating is that for some reason if I have the TV on, the radio reception gets too staticky and awful to listen to. So I have to turn it off, and check in between ABs to see if we're through with rugby.

Same problem here, Magpie. Can someone tell me when rugby is over and I can go back to my TV? :)

"No score," said Jerry of the top of the first, "because of Sean Burroughs." It sounded like he made a couple of excellent plays.

Towers executed his plan well: get them to hit it to Sparky.

I just don't get it. Surely there are more baseball fans than Rugby fans in this country. Same as last week when Randy Johnson was pitching for the last time probably against the Jays

Hey, Jerry Coleman coming to the radio booth, innings 4 & 5

There's no TV tomorrow afternoon, either. You would think that a television empire could create a Jays channel to show those orphaned games or step in live at times like these.

Oh boy, more Jerry Coleman! His stream-of-consciousness is amusing in small doses, but boy, does he make you miss Tom Cheek.

Man, we have StarChoice but didn't even think of checking Sportsnet Pacific.

Well, at least the finish of the rugby was really exciting -- double overtime, with NZ just having to hold on to the tie to win, but then with less than a minute left in the second OT they scored. Go NZ!

It looks like rugby is done. Everybody is shaking hands and drinking water. Probably switch to baseball. Probably soon...

Anyone know if Phelps is hurt? Wilner say anything on the pregame? Why would anyone play Clark/Berg (1B/LF) over Clark/Phelps (LF/1B)?

One more question...is the game on SNET-Ont now?

Soon, Rob. They're going to show the rugby players going out for a postgame beer first.

The rugby game is over. The rugby broadcast, on the other hand, continues...

Haha, nice one Coach. Will there be a postgame roundtable discussion (like they had for the hockey playoffs) as well? And the press conference for both coaches?

I'm only asking because my computer and TV are on different floors. So it's either tough it out with the rugby or talk about it here.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I would subscribe to JaysTV at the drop of a hat if it were priced similarly to LeafsTV ($2 a month).

Games, Jzone, next day / late night edited game replays (like LeafsTV's Game In An Hour), MLB highlights, and classic games in the off-season. And, of course, all the Spring Training games.

So Ryan, tell us all. Good defense by Burroughs? Nice catch by Sparky?

You are the only witness!

Towers perfect through 2, But at least four of those six batters have hit the ball hard. I'm thinking the Jays are going to need some offense tonight. If Berg, Woodward, and Rios can all hit their 1st HR of the season that would be nice.

...and now that we're watching Sportsnet Pacific, hey, Towers looked really good in the second! 13 pitches, 6 outs.

Baseball!! on TV!! Look!!

I would also subscribe to a JaysTV, but not if I had to watch J-Zone. Everything else sounds right.
I'm telling you guys, we need the Batter's Box Television Network. Once the CRTC approves (ha!) you're laughing.

Baseball on TV? Later, gentlemen...a muted TV and Jerry Howarth calls.

...and Dave Berg breaks up the no hitter!

Keith Talent, if your TV is still showing rugby, you just missed Cerutti saying 'watercraft'.

Towers looks miniscule at the plate!

It's too bad Snet Ont wasn't showing you guys the Expos instead of rugby. What a crazy game. 17-14 Montreal in the 8th; the Expos have scored at least one run in every inning except for the seventh, including a nine run 2nd.

Damn national leauge making pitchers bat...

Here's a question I'll ask but doubt anybody would know ...

does anybody know how long of a drive is it from the airport to Petco Park?

Khalil Greene looks like a Beach Boy, He should be named Biff. Anyway, he doesn't look like a Khalil.

Rob, you don't have to watch J-Zone, which isn't aimed at us, anyway. There would be room on JaysTV for BBTV -- a weekly review, commentary, fantasy advice, Cheer Club news, longer interviews with players and coaches.

Towers is saying, "here it is, hit it." Sooner or later, someone will. He's going to need some support.

This is a pretty good park for Towers to do that in. Not as good as Yosemite, but close..

This game is moving along at warp speed. Three complete, and Towers has thrown 25 pitches.

Anyway, he doesn't look like a Khalil.

I pretty much assumed he was a minority. Does that say more about me or the media?

I know a guy named Khalil, its an Arabic name, and it means "a friend."

Actually, I think its kind of neat - its like these Dominican ball players with Russian names. Vladimir Guerrero.

What a crazy game. 17-14 Montreal in the 8th

Cliff Politte was rocked in mopup duty, including a Nick Johnson homer. Elsewhere, Baltimore's headed for a seventh straight loss and Tampa may just come in here on an 11-game win streak.

Coleman has finally arrived.

Jerry C. is so well prepared: "Towers, he's just a baby, isn't he?"

He isn't happy with "his" team's hitting: "They got two runs last night, one more than usual."

Coleman was almost sure Nevin was hit in the head, not the hand, until he watched a TV replay. "Those helmets have saved a lot of players."

He's a big fan of high socks.

Coleman figured prominently in an old paperback I had. Title was something like "Baseball Wit and Wisdom" and it was a collection of baseball humour.

I always remember one from George Bamberger. Comes to the mound, looks at his struggling young pitcher and says: "Son, if you know how to cheat, I wouldn't wait any longer."

Nice one, Woody!

Great play-by-play call by Coleman on the "botched triple" by Woodward that scored Rios. "Klesko is not a good outfielder."

2-1 Jays after three straight hits. Dave Berg, hitting machine.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I would subscribe to JaysTV at the drop of a hat if it were priced similarly to LeafsTV ($2 a month).

Games, Jzone, next day / late night edited game replays (like LeafsTV's Game In An Hour), MLB highlights, and classic games in the off-season. And, of course, all the Spring Training games.

It'd be worth subscribing just to see "Chatting with the O-Dawg"

I listened to Coleman last night and he hurt my brain. A couple of times I thought I had accidentally switched the radio to shortwave and was picking up some country whose language sounded like english but really wasn't.

Tonight it's Faulds and Cerutti until I get tired, and then Jerry on the radio while I fall asleep.

Anything hosted by Orlando Hudson would be wicked. I'd like to see O-Dog On The Town with restaurant, concert, play and movie reviews. With optional subtitles for the unhip.

I was at the game last night... but of course, I missed the top of the first inning. PETCO is up there and in terms of the facility itself, is probably a cut above SBC Park. It's hard to beat SBC's view of the Bay Bridge but PETCO is a zillion times nicer than the Murph. The fans are quite into the game and know when to cheer without being prompted by the scoreboard.

In terms of Coleman, I actually like him. Yes, he rambles at times but listening to 20+ years, he's much more entertaining than his partner, Ted Leitner. Maybe he's an acquired taste. Perhaps he's no Tom Cheek in terms of how he calls a game but in San Diego, he's just as beloved.

I'm watching the game on MLB.TV and thus, I don't see the commercials and am treated to whatever SNET does during breaks. The last few breaks have featured a floating rat, a cowboy (or a wagon or something) and some heavy breathing. What in the world is going on?

Is Cat available to ph?

Oh Rob Faulds. Strike-outies.

Towers through six, 63 pitches. Do you let him hit for himself this inning? Probably. Its either no one on and two out, or a chance for him to bunt.

What a tremendous job by Towers, who just got through the heart of the order for the third time with a key strikeout of Klesko. Yeah, I'm leaving him in.

I assume that Cat isn't available; he could aggravate the groin running to first.

Someone help me who is this berg we have that can hit the ball, was it an alien switch or something?

In terms of Coleman, I actually like him. Yes, he rambles at times but listening to 20+ years, he's much more entertaining than his partner, Ted Leitner. Maybe he's an acquired taste. Perhaps he's no Tom Cheek in terms of how he calls a game but in San Diego, he's just as beloved.

I can totally see myself getting used to him and even enjoying him if I heard him every game, but for one game when you're used to Tom and Jerry, Coleman is astonishingly jarring. Entertaining as all get-out, but like I said, he hurt my brain.

Cerutti's saying that Delgado said this afternoon that he's still sore.

Dave Berg, hitting machine! Average up to .239!

Cerutti earlier was lamenting the disappearance of pitcher's parks - as soon as they played a season at Comerica, they hauled in the fences - and just now waxing nostalgic for the days when Jesse Barfield could lead the league with 40 HRs (or McGriff with 36.)

In 1986, Cerutti allowed 25 HR in 145 IPT; in 1987, he gave up 30 HRs in 151 IPT.

Today's game must scare the crap out of him.

Considering that Berg didn't exactly stink last year, I'd say that statistically he's due for a bunch of games like this. Maybe that's why Tosca keeps putting him in the lineup.

Khalil Greene is a member of the Baha'i faith (which is where the name comes from; Khalil is a very common Baha'i name), so in a sense he is a minority - but a religious one instead of a racial one.

While I though Cerutti seemed a little too bitter about it, I agree that there's nothing wrong with a larger park and that there's nothing wrong with building a speedy team with strong pitching to take advantage of it. That's why it's home field advantage, after all.

He seemed concerned that the lack of offense would eventually impact on attendance, but the Jays had a ton of offense last year and that didn't draw in the fans. Winning draws fans.

KARMA WARNING:
I bet on pro-line today, and nailed every game. I'm waiting for my final bet - The Padres to beat Toronto by 2 or more.
This is what happens when you put your money where your doubts are.
C'mon Toronto, help me out!

Hinske's turning into a Gold Glove candidate in front of our eyes. He's not quite there yet, but the player who couldn't make the throw as a rookie is unrecognizable now.

Berg's now hitting .400 for June.

Superb play by Hinske. Excellent game.

Know what I love about baseball? The names. Thomas Mapother IV, Marion Morrison and Maurice Micklewhite could all have played baseball without changing their names.

Know what I'm loving about Hinske? He's making it look easy, too. Relaxed and confident. Way to go, Eric!

Tom Cruise, John Wayne, Michael Caine. Right?

Magpie, regarding Khalil Greene and his name, Greene was born in Vietnam but is of "American" background. His father was an American who was drafted into the Vietnam War and I believe young Khalil came along with him.

The reason for the unique name (which does mean friend in Arabic BTW, good call whoever said that) is that his father, after seeing the harshness of war became a follower of the baha'i faith.

So if Khalil Greene is of the baha'i faith where everything is centered around "fluidity of mind, body, peace, and motion"...

Does that make a Dave Berg fan "bergha'i"??

And that about sums about this week's "Philosophy with Dave"

;)

Know what I hate about my writing? My tendancy to use the same words and phrases over and over and over again.

Tom Cruise, John Wayne, Michael Caine. Right?

Yep. I'd award you a cuttlefish, but that's really Moffatt's thing.

Darn Craig, you stole my thunder!

;)

Geez, that long-winded, meaningless post for nothing!!

Thank you Craig for the info. Like I said, I know a Khalil and he's from the Middle East. And all I know about the Ba'hai is that they had the crap persecuted out of them by the Iranian theocracy.

That and Seals and Crofts.

Anyone else pondering why Towers was pulled after only 78 pitches?

Was he starting to show signs of tiring?

I don't understand why Towers wouldn't have started this inning. What a shame that Berg pulled a Klesko.

what did berg do?

Aw, crap

Son of a...

Nice throw by Rios.
Mice throw by O-Dawg.

Zaun drops the ball.

That was brutal.

what did berg do?

Failed to catch the Burroughs leadoff "double" he dove for, much like Zaun just failed to catch the third out at the plate.

Errr... that should of course read a "Nice throw by O-Dawg."

Though I suppose a Mice throw would be interesting.

E-manager on pulling Towers. Not tired, 78 pitches. Another case of over-managing. I realize Speier didn't do his job, but there was no reason to pull Towers when he did.

why not, in hockey octopus, octopi, octosomething or others, are thrown, why not throw mice in baseball.

The bad luck continues. Two poor defensive plays and we're now losing.

If I'm Josh Towers, I'm not thinking happy thoughts about my manager right now. Still, the blown save isn't Speier's fault; those two plays not made were enormous. Maybe Carlos should have brought in a left fielder and a catcher.

They blamed the short hop, but it looked like Zaun rushed the play, expecting to have to swing around and slap a tag on a runner. Meanwhile Giles was still 20 feet away...

I just knew that would happen.

Speier wasn't great, but it wasn't all his fault. Berg and Zaun both missed plays, and you can sort of blame Hinske for not "effectively" looking back Burroughs, but I suppose that's a stretch.

And now here's Hoffman. It's about time the Jays light up a dominant closer, I say.

Zaun did the EXACT same thing on a Hoffman changeup last night. Good start.

It's all up to Berg..

you can sort of blame Hinske

Agreed, for that 90 feet. Heads-up baserunning by Burroughs to take advantage of Eric, but he wouldn't have been on second if Berg (or a more nimble LF) makes the catch. Zaun's was even worse -- an easier play, and a much more costly mistake.

Does anyone remember Tosca making any moves that won a game, 'cus all I can remember are moves that cost us...

Did Cerutti just say Gag-nee as in Greg not Eric?

Argh, this stinks.

Can we have Lurch back? At least he was fun...

I'm baffled that Tosca would even THINK about pulling Towers after 78 pitches through 7 in which he only gave up 6 baserunners and a run.

And another question... does Cash make that play? Yet another reason why it's smart to bring in your "defensive" replacements late in the game.

All these "experienced" relievers J.P. keeps bringing in just can't hold any leads. This is getting old already.

I know that Tosca and Speier are going to get a lot of blame for this loss, but I mean come on. Who's to say that even with Towers in, Berg doesn't botch a play, or Zaun doesn't miss another play at the plate?

Again - no offensive production in the late innings. This is getting tiresome. Maybe the Jays should commission Earl Weaver to write a report on how to assemble a productive bench.

Again - no offensive production in the late innings.

Forget the later innings, no offensive production in general.

This team would be a contender if not for the offense draggin them down.

That does hurt, to let a great Towers start slip away.

Keep in mind that the only reason the Jays scored any runs at all was Klesko's misplay of a catchable flare by Woody. The entire problem with this team is the absence of Cat, Wells and Delgado.

Well, the guys who were supposed to make up the productive bench have all been forced into the starting lineup.

In all fairness, they were missing their three best hitters tonight. That being said, I agree with Robert that the bench is the problem. The bench was a big problem when the Jays were healthy - it's even worse now that they have to play everyday.

You dance with the one that brung ya. If Towers loses this game, I'm okay with it. He was baffling the Pads tonight. If he couldn't get it done, at least bring Frasor/Chulk/Nakamura in rather than the losers they signed in Decemeber. A wasted effort tonight, as far as I'm concerned.

On a more interesting note: Dave Berg is hitting well above .200.

Something the Jays haven't had on the bench all year is a 4th or 5th outfielder with plus defence and base stealing ability - someone like the much-maligned Kerry Robinson.

With Zaun leading off with a hit, one could envison a pinch runner coming in who can actually steal bases, stealing one off a slow to the plate Hoffman. The odds of scoring the tying run greatly improve if we can get the guy over to second with none out.

Another type of player we haven't had all year is a guy who can flat out hit to use as a pinch hitter. Simon Pond was supposed to be a guy, but really why would we expect a someone that old who's barely played above AA to be a real major league hitter.

All season the bench has been populated by utility infielders with little power - Gomez, Clark, Berg (though Menechino has surprised).

Speier probably gets the blame because he was on the mound when things fell apart, but I can't really blame him. A real outfielder makes that play; with Catalanotto sitting, the Jays have two outfielders and six middle infielders. Either Berg or Clarke has to go; bring up Benard, or someone more drastic like Godwin. They probably won't hit much, but neither is Berg/Clark, and at least they'd have an outfielder on the bench.

And of course there's the offence that only scored two runs. That's not good.

What's the record for fielding percentage over a season for a 3rd baseman?
I know the limitations of the stat, but Hinske going along at a .993 clip is pretty good

Hinske has the highest FP for 3B in the Majors, but his range factor is last in the Al for 3B. O-Dod leads the league in range factor for 2B.

O-Dod leads the league in range factor for 2B.

Pretty impressive feat, since the O-Dodd died 50 years ago. hehe.

Hinske has the highest FP for 3B in the Majors, but his range factor is last in the Al for 3B.

Yeah, but still, for the guy with 42 errors over the last 2 seasons, this is still a pretty huge improvement.

Don't look now but the hottest team in the majors with ten straight wins is none other than the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. They now hold a 3.5 game lead over both the Orioles and the Jays. They clearly enjoy Interleague play.

If the Jays can take solace in anything, it's that their expected record should be 31-36 while the Devil Rays are expected to be 27-37. The Jays pitching has been nearly a half run better than the D-Rays including almost a strikeout better per 9 innings.

The two teams are scoring runs at virtually the same rate, Toronto 4.39 per game, TB 4.44 per game. TB has allowed more runs per game though (5.03 versus 4.72). The D-Rays are riding a tremendous run of good luck and the Jays are riding a tremendous run of bad luck, high leverage errors, and injuries.

If the Jays end up below .500 which is definately a possibility with their record currently 29-39, this just wasn't their year. But clearly something also has to be done about the makeup of the roster. Injuries or not, Berg has to be released because he can't do anything particularly well and his "defence" is costing the Jays games when they seriously need competent outfield help.

Benard is injured and will be out for a while---he'd be up if healthy IMO.

Well, if the move to replace Towers tonight doesn't get Tosca fired, nothing will. Speier comes in 1-4 and now he's 1-5. I'd have rather put the bat boy in to pitch with a tight lead than Speier.
God help us...

While nice to see Berg actually put a few balls in play that didn't result in outs, his defense clearly cost the Jays the first and second runs. I honestly have no idea what to do with the defense in LF, it's absolutely horrid. Berg looks dumb tonight, Clark last night, Cat often as well. Unfortunately, there aren't many other options at the moment outside of signing a journeyman, or making a trade, which might be a little overzealous.

From what i can read of the mlb wrap up Towers asked to be pulled because he was out of gas.

It might have been here where I saw the reference of Tosca to a kid playing with fire just waiting to get burned. It's so true.

It seems that Tosca picks one guy to do things out of the pen in big spots. At first, it was Terry Adams... but he seems to FINALLY be losing his love for Adams. (despite the fact he brought him in to walk in the run in SF) Now it seems his man to blow things is Speier. He blew it in San Fransisco, and yet two nights later he's out there in yet another big spot and he blows it again. (With the help of some rather poor defense)

So, the question is, how many times will Speier come in in big spots, simply to fail as Adams did? Why not hand the setup role over to Chulk, he's been dynamite this season.

Oh well, another tough loss

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tor/news/tor_gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20040619&content_id=775419&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp
As it turns out, Towers asked to be pulled from last night's game. COMN for last night's game wrapup.

"I was going to send him back out and (pitching coach) Gil (Patterson) came over to me and said he was done," Jays manager Carlos Tosca said of Towers

"I felt kind of tired," Towers said of pulling himself from the game. "Not so much stamina, but kind of arm strength wise. I just didn't feel like I should have been out there for the eighth inning. I know it's not the right thing to say ... I just didn't think it would be the right thing for the team."

As much as it must pain some Jays fans, you can't put the blame on the manager this time. Maybe, just maybe, the bullpen that can't seem to perform should get the blame sometimes.....What a novel idea.

It doesn't really matter who you bring in from the pen. If you fail to make TWO give me outs with a one run lead you're not going to have much luck holding the lead. One of the reason the D-Rays record is so much better than their expected record is that they have a manager who doesn't put up with that crud and makes sure the other team has to earn everything. They are short on talent, particularly in the pitching staff (I think their lineup is legitimately stronger than the Jays as currently constituted).

It's the play in high leverage situations where the Jays have been truly horrid this year, injuries aside. That might mean never getting a hit with runners in scoring position (where they were a bit lucky last year) or relievers or defence doing just badly enough to let the team lose by one run again and again. The type of thing which causes your team to underperform it's projected record by five games.

The team also isn't helping itself by starting Dave Berg again and again and again in the outfield. If I have someone who hits like Dave Berg in my starting lineup he better be able to run fast and save the pitcher some baserunners. I don't care how many people are injured. It's nice that Berg can play the outfield in an absolute emergency but why he's started so many games there this year is anybody's guess. The Jays held on to Berg rather than keep Jesse Harper protected on the 40-man and they continue to hold on to him rather than replace him despite the fact that Menechino does everything he does better. There is value in having a replacement level player who can play a number of positions. As long as he's never starting.

Can Howie Clark play left?

Rob, you don't have to watch J-Zone, which isn't aimed at us, anyway.

True, Coach, but I'm assuming by "us" you mean the...uh...more experienced and wiser members of Da Box. :) I'm only 17, thus right in the target audience for that "show."

And you know you're a Bauxite when...you watch SCTV and daydream about "BBTV", with Bobby Bittman leading the Cheer Club.

can Howie Clark play LF?

Sure, it's possible. The knock on him is generally that he doesn't have the glove or the arm to justify his rather streaky hitting tendancies.

There is value in having a replacement level player who can play a number of positions. As long as he's never starting.

Man do I agree with this. Unlike some other bauxites I don't detest Berg or Menchino or Gomez or Clark.

What I do detest is Berg AND Menchino AND Gomez AND Clark, all on the roster at the same time. I wouldn't even consider any of them to be above average defensively at any position. Two to three of these guys are starting every day while Phelps and sometimes Hinkske sit. This Bauxite just doesn't understand.