Swallowed up in symbols
Wanting what I don't need
If sympathy's the answer
I'll have temporary cancer
But that's not what I'll have you believe
The Indians finally found their can-opener, and were therefore able to open that vacuum-sealed tin of whup-ass on the Blue Jays last night. With Pat Hentgen's retirement, Josh Towers has seemingly taken over the role of dispensing refreshingly candid assessments of his bad performances. To wit:
MLB.com: Jays can't catch up with Indians: "[My] slider was one of the worst I've ever seen."
The Sun: Indians topple Towers' run: "I was second-guessing a lot of pitches I threw tonight."
The Globe & Mail: Towers' win streak ends: "I didn't feel like there was life on the ball today."
The Star: Blue Jays bonked by Pronk, Indians: "The best I can take out of this one is that it's gone."
Just one of those games -- the Indians are a powerhouse club, and Towers had probably been playing a little over his head lately. Happily, Toronto gets an early chance at redemption today in a 12:35 pm start at the Dome. David Bush squares off against Chad Durbin as the Jays try to take 3 of 4 from the Tribe. Mike Rutsey interviews Bush about the recent first speed bump in his young major-league career.
Elsewhere around the e-baseball world:
* As we saw, Justin Miller was activated last night (he probably wishes the team had waited one more game), and in all likelihood will spend the next several days in the bullpen as he makes his way back into game shape. Until then, Sean Douglass will probably remain in the rotation. Micheal Nakamura drew the short straw again and is back on board the Syracuse Shuttle.
* Dave Berg, not Reed Johnson, will continue to get the starts in left field against righty pitchers for at least the next little while. As was pointed out in last night's game thread, Tosca has recognized that Reed is tiring (.266/.310/.339 in July) and needs a breather. Since Berg is swinging a hot bat right now, I think this is actually excellent use of his bench by Tosca.
* Spencer Fordin talks about the steadying influence of veteran catcher Gregg Zaun, who has been a real help for Toronto's younger pitchers. Zaun has been a windfall for the organization, bringing character, expertise and a hot bat for the first couple of months of 2004. That said, it's time for Kevin Cash to take over the catching duties as soon as he's able. I supported playing Zaun over Cash when the lineup was decimated -- the Jays needed all the bats they could get -- but with the regulars back and Zaun's offence back to its regular proportions once more, it's time to showcase Cash for what will likely be an off-season trade.
* Canada's Olympic effort got off to a good start with a 5-3 exhibition win over Greece yesterday. Though really, aren't these Olympic matches all exhibition games?
* One night after Tony Batista tied and then won the game for Montreal with late-innings homers, the incredible Albert Pujols returned the favour with a 9th-inning walk-off round-tripper against Les Expos. Setting aside Barry Bonds for a moment as a special case, can it not be argued that the two best players in the National League, and perhaps in all of baseball, man the infield corners for St. Louis? Pujols and Scott Rolen run the real risk of splitting possible MVP votes at season's end.
* Speaking of Canucks, how long will it be before Justin Morneau wrests the title of best Canadian ballplayer from Larry Walker? The rookie first baseman cranked his second home run in as many nights in Minnesota's 6-3 victory over Anaheim. And speaking of infield corners, here's a related trivia question, one to which I don't know the answer and don't intend to go find out: has any team ever regularly started Canadians at first base and third base (Corey Koskie) before?
* Daily Diversion: Turbo Tanks. Think this Pongish-looking tank game is easy? Guess again. The opposition tank is AI-powered, and learns as it goes on. So every time you lose a round, it gets better; basically, you can't afford to lose. Watch your palms get sweaty.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20040805090845999