First, the Jays jumped in front 2-0. Josh Towers instantly gave up the lead. Trailing 3-2, the Jays scored once to tie the game. So Pete Walker comes in and gives up a couple of runs. Now trailing 5-3, the Jays score in the 6th and 7th to tie it up again. So Vinnie Chulk gives up a couple more, to put the home side down 7-5. But a run in the 8th and another in the 9th tied it again. Finally, in the 11th inning, Oakland scored 3 off Miguel Batista, and this time the Jays had no more comebacks.
It'll be interesting to see if Hill will play 2B. I imagine that Hudson will be out at least until after the All Star break.
Gabe Gross now has multiple hits in his last four games where he gets at least 2 ABs, and now his average is up to .281.
Gabe Gross now has multiple hits in his last four games where he gets at least 2 ABs, and now his average is up to .281.
I think it's safe to say that Walker, Chulk, and Batista are officially on cold streaks. Though Chulk has always been iffy against lefties.
Nice hitting by Russ again today...fielding not so comfortable.
And you really can't tell what you're going to get start to start with Towers. I'm glad Gibbons pulled him early today. If they can replace Josh with a solid #1A or #2 like Burnett it would have a dramatic effect on the rotation.
Batista has recently shown that he is human afterall. He gives up so many singles through the infield. I don't understand why he doesn't use his splitter or some kind of wrinkle pitch more often to at least keep hitters honest. He doesn't get nearly enough strikeouts for a pitcher with his velocity. It's like watching Kyle Lohse.
It would be REALLY terrible luck if the Jays lost Hudson for any length of time just as he was getting hot again. I mean the guy got injured mid-homerun sprint.
Nice hitting by Russ again today...fielding not so comfortable.
And you really can't tell what you're going to get start to start with Towers. I'm glad Gibbons pulled him early today. If they can replace Josh with a solid #1A or #2 like Burnett it would have a dramatic effect on the rotation.
Batista has recently shown that he is human afterall. He gives up so many singles through the infield. I don't understand why he doesn't use his splitter or some kind of wrinkle pitch more often to at least keep hitters honest. He doesn't get nearly enough strikeouts for a pitcher with his velocity. It's like watching Kyle Lohse.
It would be REALLY terrible luck if the Jays lost Hudson for any length of time just as he was getting hot again. I mean the guy got injured mid-homerun sprint.
Do I need to get my ears cleaned out, or did Gord Miller actually say "Chavez-Ravine is on 3rd base"?
I wonder if Batista was rattled because he was yanked the last game. He had 2 wild pitches when he faced Scooter and then scuffled by giving up a couple of runs. Hopefully he turns it around soon.
I wonder if Batista was rattled because he was yanked the last game. He had 2 wild pitches when he faced Scooter and then scuffled by giving up a couple of runs. Hopefully he turns it around soon.
Well he gave up three runs on 5 hard base hits and getting only two outs.
I saw his strikeout Hatteberg on a pitch out of the zone. He doesn't throw an offspeed pitch nearly enough. His cutter is not Rivera quality where he can get away with throwing only that.
I saw his strikeout Hatteberg on a pitch out of the zone. He doesn't throw an offspeed pitch nearly enough. His cutter is not Rivera quality where he can get away with throwing only that.
Poor old Miller did not do well, but it was still a wonderful blessing not to have to listen to Rod Black. Wonderful!
Let me present to you the new Jays RBI leader..... Russ Adams with 39.
I'm not sure if that's a credit to Adams or a knock on Wells.
I'm not sure if that's a credit to Adams or a knock on Wells.
Knock on Wells.
Thought I'd contribute that, just to be consistent.
Thought I'd contribute that, just to be consistent.
What an exciting game. Disappointing outcome, but a fun game to watch.
Just an observation as the wheels fell off in the 11th:
I thought Hinske should have snagged Hatteberg's single that scored the go-ahead runs. He appeared to outstretch his glove too far as he dove, and the ball went under him. It would have been a relatively routine play if the infield wasn't in, yet at the depth he was playing still seemed possible. If Hinske makes that play Batista could have got out of the inning with no runs scored, assuming events unfolded in the same way (Kielty pop up, Johnson strikeout).
I don't raise this point to slag Hinske, so much as ask if anyone else felt he could have made the play. This loss still gets hung on the pen, but perhaps the D needs to take some of the blame as well.
Just an observation as the wheels fell off in the 11th:
I thought Hinske should have snagged Hatteberg's single that scored the go-ahead runs. He appeared to outstretch his glove too far as he dove, and the ball went under him. It would have been a relatively routine play if the infield wasn't in, yet at the depth he was playing still seemed possible. If Hinske makes that play Batista could have got out of the inning with no runs scored, assuming events unfolded in the same way (Kielty pop up, Johnson strikeout).
I don't raise this point to slag Hinske, so much as ask if anyone else felt he could have made the play. This loss still gets hung on the pen, but perhaps the D needs to take some of the blame as well.
What? We were supposed to win that one!
Good Cheer Club turnout, Me, Usless Tyler, Jamie Campbell, Alex Obal and Co.
This is the kind of game we should've won--not because of any scientific reasoning, or standings, just because we were the home team and we should have. It would've seemed more right.
Good Cheer Club turnout, Me, Usless Tyler, Jamie Campbell, Alex Obal and Co.
This is the kind of game we should've won--not because of any scientific reasoning, or standings, just because we were the home team and we should have. It would've seemed more right.
Small correction.. Hudson also got his 39th RBI on his HR. One ahead of Wells.
That's pretty cool that Jamie Campbell was out with the Cheer Club.
That's pretty cool that Jamie Campbell was out with the Cheer Club.
Well, at least we can celebrate Adams' OBP going over .300. As for dealing with the Hudson absence, what about moving Catalanotto back to 2B vs. righties and have Hill play 2B vs. lefties, w/ Hill DHing vs. righties? Koskie's still a couple weeks away, at least.
David Goodwin,
I'm glad somebody else noticed that play by Hinske. That ball was easily caught, even with the infield in. I don't know if Hinske was trying to make it look good or what, but he didn't really even have to move. He just decided to dive past the ball and the ball literally bounced under his belly.
As for Hudson's injury, I hope he's back soon, but not for his bat or even his defense. I just hope that this injury doesn't put a snag on any imminent trade, Hudson's good trade bait.
If they trade Cat I can see them playing Gross fulltime in left, it looks like he's ready. BUT, does anyone have any thoughts on what they're going to do with Hinske and his contract??? I can't imagine any team trading even a water bottle for him.
I'm glad somebody else noticed that play by Hinske. That ball was easily caught, even with the infield in. I don't know if Hinske was trying to make it look good or what, but he didn't really even have to move. He just decided to dive past the ball and the ball literally bounced under his belly.
As for Hudson's injury, I hope he's back soon, but not for his bat or even his defense. I just hope that this injury doesn't put a snag on any imminent trade, Hudson's good trade bait.
If they trade Cat I can see them playing Gross fulltime in left, it looks like he's ready. BUT, does anyone have any thoughts on what they're going to do with Hinske and his contract??? I can't imagine any team trading even a water bottle for him.
Any thoughts on why Gibbons decided to pinch hit Menechino for Catalanotto after the Hudson home run? It was the right move to make, before Hudson got hurt, knowing that bringing in the lefty would force Macha to go to the pen for Calero and then substitute Gross for Menechino instead. Except once Hudson was hurt, burning Menechino meant riding John McDonald the rest of the game, which is a mistake in my view. You hate to burn Rios in that situation, but if you're going to give up a batter from the bench, better to keep Menechino available to pinch hit for McDonald.
Of course, the other option later in the game was simply to play for the win and pinch hit Rios for McDonald. If the game stays tied, Hill plays second and you lose the DH.
Of course, the other option later in the game was simply to play for the win and pinch hit Rios for McDonald. If the game stays tied, Hill plays second and you lose the DH.
Gibbons has been making the Johnny Mack Mistake all year. Early on it could be kinda-sorta justified by Johnny's hot start (.737 OPS in 54 AB through the end of May), but he's now down to a much more Mack-ish .277/.326/.313 (83 AB) and everybody and his dog should realize that the hot start was indeed just a lesson in small samples. Johnny should be pinned to the bench for emergencies and late-inning defensive substitutions. Well actually, I don't think he should even be on the team, but that's another story... I sure hope Hudson's injury doesn't result in McDonald seeing regular time at second. It's a prime opportunity to try out Adams and/or Hill there and get a better idea of the options for 2006.