Jays Roundup - Hello.

Wednesday, September 22 2004 @ 09:45 AM EDT

Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home?

Yankees 5 - Jays 3

1. Recaps:
   
   
   • Spencer Fordin:
     
     
     Forget about the numbers.
     
     The very fact that Roy Halladay was able to take the mound on Tuesday night was a victory in itself for the Blue Jays, even if that win doesn't count in the standings. The Yankees ruined the ace's return with a few early runs and cruised to a 5-3 win in the middle act of a three-game set.
     
     
     
   • Mark Feinsand:
     
     
     Jason Giambi has less than two weeks to state his case for a spot on the Yankees' playoff roster. Tuesday night was a good first step, as he belted a two-run home run to lead New York to a 5-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.
     
     Giambi's home run lifted the Yankees to their 58th comeback win of the season, tying them with the 1977 Phillies for the most in a single season in the modern era.
     
     
     
   • Larry Millson:
     
     
     It was a matter of good location and bad location for Roy Halladay.
     
     The good location was that he was back in his office, the pitcher's mound, in his first start since July 16.
     
     The bad location came in the first inning or two. Last year's Cy Young Award winner's pitches were up, especially his curveball, possibly a product of being overeager after missing so much time because of a cranky right shoulder.
     
     
     
   • Larry Millson (again):
     
     
     Roy Halladay gave up one home run in each of his first two innings and then retired eight of his final nine batters in his first start in more than two months last night.
     
     The New York Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 before 36,675 fans at Yankee Stadium but even if Halladay did not return in triumph, the outing seemed to provide reassurance that his right shoulder is sound.
     
     
     
   • Mike Rutsey:
     
     
     "My location on the curveball the first inning or so wasn't very good, it was a case of overthrowing it," Halladay said. "But I felt good, the ball was moving so I felt happy with that. It's just a matter of getting the location down."
     
     Halladay wasn't talking about results -- he'd take the wins if they came -- but the all-important factor for him is to make his starts and to be pain free. The other stuff is gravy.
     
     
     
   • Ben Walker:
     
     
     Jason Giambi took a curtain call and Esteban Loaiza got the souvenir ball. For a pair of guys struggling since playing in the all-star game, it was a nice time to break out.
     
     Giambi homered to end the longest slump of his career and Loaiza finally earned his 100th career victory and first for the Yankees, leading New York over the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 Tuesday night. "It doesn't get much better than that," Giambi said.
     
     Added Loaiza: "I feel a lot more part of it now."
     
     Gary Sheffield hit his 36th home run two days after getting a pair of cortisone shots. Alex Rodriguez almost homered for the Yankees, too, but centre-fielder Vernon Wells made a spectacular catch to stop him.
     
     
     
   • Geoff Baker:
     
     
     Jays reliever Brandon League made his big-league debut by retiring Sheffield on a chopper to end the fifth and tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings. League was the franchise-record 25th pitcher to work for the Jays this season, mainly because of the innings lost to Halladay's injury.
     
     "I wouldn't mind getting the last two (possible starts) in,'' Halladay said. "Just to go out and get the (pitch) count up. We've come this far. Why not?''
     
     
     
   
   
   
2. Fordin Notes on the pitching staff, particularly Miguel Batista:
   
   
   One week removed from the starting rotation, the right-hander is still looking for a steady routine. Batista got used to life as a starter, and he carved out his work habits to fit his assignment. When he switched to the bullpen, he did so thinking he'd be able to throw every day. Imagine his surprise to find out it doesn't really work that way.
   
   "My first day, I threw one inning," he said, setting up a story. "When I came in the next day, they told me I had a day off and I said, 'What? Day off? I just got my first day of work.'
   
   
   
   
3. Rutsey Notes on Vernon Wells' catch, Miguel Batista's adjustment to the bullpen, Greg Zaun's foot, Frank Catalanotto's groin, assorted other body parts, and the rotation:
   
   
   Following the game interim manager John Gibbons announced that Justin Miller is out of the rotation and will end the season in the bullpen. The Jays rotation is now Roy Halladay, Ted Lilly, Gustavo Chacin, David Bush and Josh Towers.
   
   "That may be Miller's role," Gibbons said of the plans for Miller next season. "We'll see how he looks."
   
   Miller has struggled with his location since returning to the rotation after a lengthy stint on the disabled list.
   
   In 17 games, 15 starts, he's 3-4 with a 5.87 ERA.
   
   
   How do the Bauxites feel about the new rotation? I'm quite excited to see Chacin start again.
   
   
4. Tonight's 7:05PM EST start in New York: LHP Ted Lilly (11-10, 3.91 ERA) vs. RHP Orlando Hernandez (8-0, 2.51 ERA). More details in the game preview.
   

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