Time after time
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
I've had my share of sand
Kicked in my face
But I've come through
And I need to go on and on and on and on
This time Bush wins in Florida without any controversy 4-2.
Recaps:
* Bush shuts down D-Rays - Fordin
Dave Bush (4-4) provided one of his best starts and Toronto's bullpen threw three scoreless innings. Jason Frasor, Justin Speier and Miguel Batista all pitched in, with Batista locking down the ninth inning for the second save of his career.
"Our pitching was outstanding today. Bush had a strong outing and the bullpen lined up just right," Gibbons said. "Batista, in his first opportunity, did a nice job. ... It was a good game all the way around."
* Jays fend off D-Rays - CP
After spending the past two seasons primarily as a starter, adjusting to that mindset will be his biggest challenge.
"Being able to go out from my first pitch, here it is, let's go home," said Batista. "When I get used to that consistently, a lot of things are going to change.
"There's no tomorrow. When you're a starter, you keep in your mind that you have to pitch seven, eight innings for a respectable start. As a closer it's all I got, you have to swing. I'm not going to trick you, you have to swing."
Batista is also worried about improving his entrance. He wouldn't mind an Eric Gagne-like Welcome to the Jungle theme, with lights flashing and fans going crazy.
Ok Bauxites, the team needs your help. Find Batista an appropriate song for his entrance that'll fire up the crowd.
* Batista saved by fastball - Baker
Third baseman Eric Hinske came through in the fifth, lining a two-run double off southpaw D-Rays closer Robert Seay. Gabe Gross and Reed Johnson supplied the earlier offence with solo homers off Tampa Bay starter Todd Ritchie — a 32-year-old journeyman called up from Triple A — in the second and fourth innings to provide all the runs Toronto needed.
* New Closer Is Off and Running - Ganter
Batista took a while to get comfortable on the mound as well and walked Tino Martinez on five pitches. After a Jose Cruz ground ball to short forced Martinez at second, B.J. Upton singled to centre.
Batista settled in nicely after that as Geoff Blum looked at strike three for the second out and pinch-hitter Midre Cummings swung through strike three to end the game.
Notes:
* Shortstop making progress - Fordin
Butterfield said he's astounded by the progress he's seen in such a short amount of time. When he saw Adams in Spring Training, he thought there'd be a lot of room for improvement. Now, he sees the youngster picking up a nuance during pregame practice and applying it during the games.
"With some young guys, you know it's going to take a lot of time just because they're so raw," he said. "With him, he's come so fast with little incremental things. All it's going to need is a steady dose of repetition and the confidence will grow. He's a great athlete. He's got a great lower half and he can run."
* Blue Jay Watch - Jays are calling up the Kids
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats closed out their Eastern League championship final yesterday with a 3-0 win over the Altoona Curve.
The sweep is good news for the Blue Jays, who will add left-hander Gustavo Chacin and hard-throwing reliever Brandon League to their roster for the final two weeks of the season.
Chacin, 16-2 with a 2.92 ERA and the Eastern League's pitcher of the year, will start for the Jays tomorrow in New York against the Yankees.
* Elliot on Baseball - Elliot
So, that's $15 million the O's have to spend. And they won't be moving right fielder Jay Gibbons to first base. In fact, they might non-tender him a contract.
We would say the Orioles are the September leaders in the chase for Delgado.
* Rich Griffin asks, 'What's Up Doc?'
Halladay's return to rotation begs question: Why now?
Jays ace wants `peace of mind' of knowing shoulder's healthy.
Griffin also uses his column on Halladay to beat his chest about moving Batista to the bullpen:
The Miguel Batista era as Blue Jays closer has begun.
It took the club four months to come around, but after this space suggested, back in late April, that Batista's major-league future might be better served as a closer, the move was made official yesterday.
Griffin for manager! He obviously has all the answers (and an affinity for using too many commas).
* Today's Game - Justin Miller vs. hot shot prospect Scott Kazmir. Kazmir is coming off an inpressive start in Fenway earlier this week. Game time is 1:05.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20040919101720999