These ninth inning comebacks are all very exciting and everything, but I'd rather they result in a win.
I think we're all glad to see the back of Texas as the Jays lose another heartbreaker in Arlington.
I do still, for the record, believe.
Easily the most painful series ever.
Score 24 runs, get outscored by only 4 runs, and can't win one game.
I hate to talk about "bad breaks", but man, we didn't get one break this series, and the rangers god a whole helluva lot of them.
This hurts. A lot.
Score 24 runs, get outscored by only 4 runs, and can't win one game.
I hate to talk about "bad breaks", but man, we didn't get one break this series, and the rangers god a whole helluva lot of them.
This hurts. A lot.
I totally concur with you Ug'. If 4 plays go the jays way the jays PROBABLY sweep the rangers. It was that close.
Not to disagree with uglyone, but I think that the closing series of the 1987 season rates as the worst series ever. This one's right up there, though.
As for a comment on today's game: I am reduced to nothing but vowels. Aieeeeeiaiiiooooooo.
As for a comment on today's game: I am reduced to nothing but vowels. Aieeeeeiaiiiooooooo.
I missed the whole series. I was at my cottage, couldn't get the channel for the games, got the news on Saturday, didn't show the score but told us Halladay left the game with a 6-3 lead...
I came back and the Jays got swept and Halladay's out
And what's worse is League is back and Downs started :|
I came back and the Jays got swept and Halladay's out
And what's worse is League is back and Downs started :|
I hate to talk about "bad breaks", but man, we didn't get one break this series
Alright. Who wants to make the obvious joke? I'm too depressed.
That was both the most frustrating and at the same time most uplifting (considering we were swept) series all year.
The frustration is obvious. The boys averaged 8 runs/game over the three-game series, had their ace starter pitching while leading by 5, scored 10 runs in the 9th innings of the three games, and yet still come up empty.
O Fortuna...
nunc per ludum
dorsum nudum
fero tui sceleris.
"Oh Fortune...
now through the game
I bring my bare back
to your villainy."
But at the same time, we Jays fans have much to look forward to. "Hold your head up," as Rod Argent might say.
1. The Jays have 10 more home games than road games in the second half. The Bankees and Baltimore have more road games, 10 for NY and 7 for Baltimore.
2. With the +47 run differential, a better record in the second half is not improbable. The team showed this weekend they can hit on the road. And, though I may be in the minority on this (perhaps even as much as Creationists are now the minority opinion on natural history), I am convinced Hinske can turn it around in the second half.
3. After three tough series (plural), the schedule is gentle on us right after the break: 3 at home vs. TB and Sea, then 3 on the road vs. the Royals. If Halladay has to spend a month on the DL, I'd rather have that stretch start with these three teams than any others. Hopefully it will be a momentum-builder for a tough last week in July and tough August.
4. Koskie's coming back very soon.
5. And after all that, we're still only 5.5 back of the division and 5 back of the Wild Card.
6. I survived my near-nervous breakdown after watching the ninth inning today.
The frustration is obvious. The boys averaged 8 runs/game over the three-game series, had their ace starter pitching while leading by 5, scored 10 runs in the 9th innings of the three games, and yet still come up empty.
O Fortuna...
nunc per ludum
dorsum nudum
fero tui sceleris.
"Oh Fortune...
now through the game
I bring my bare back
to your villainy."
But at the same time, we Jays fans have much to look forward to. "Hold your head up," as Rod Argent might say.
1. The Jays have 10 more home games than road games in the second half. The Bankees and Baltimore have more road games, 10 for NY and 7 for Baltimore.
2. With the +47 run differential, a better record in the second half is not improbable. The team showed this weekend they can hit on the road. And, though I may be in the minority on this (perhaps even as much as Creationists are now the minority opinion on natural history), I am convinced Hinske can turn it around in the second half.
3. After three tough series (plural), the schedule is gentle on us right after the break: 3 at home vs. TB and Sea, then 3 on the road vs. the Royals. If Halladay has to spend a month on the DL, I'd rather have that stretch start with these three teams than any others. Hopefully it will be a momentum-builder for a tough last week in July and tough August.
4. Koskie's coming back very soon.
5. And after all that, we're still only 5.5 back of the division and 5 back of the Wild Card.
6. I survived my near-nervous breakdown after watching the ninth inning today.
The Fighting Jays bit is fun and all, but I believe that they've yet to win a game that they've trailed after six innings. Rather than snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, it seems they're snatching heartbreak from the jaws of humiliation. At least it makes for some exciting ball games.
What was with the pitch-out with Alomar at 1st?
What was with the pitch-out with Alomar at 1st?
What a frustrating weekend. Saw parts of all 3 games, but missed the ending of all 3. The last two days showed the problem with the latest moves though. While Miller made sense to call up (doing great in AAA, at a stage where you have to know if he is a keeper or a release waiting to happen) League really doesn't look ready for prime time. Bringing up League cost the Jays a left handed bat on the bench in Gross, who finally seemed to figure out which end of the bat to use. Today Gross would've been a great help as having Johnson hit against a right handed closer is really not a good idea, nor is letting McDonald hit, nor would've been putting in Menechino, and the less said about Huckaby's bat the better. Johnson was the best of a batch of poor options for that situation.
I really hope JP has a trade or two in the works right now which would help explain League being called up (reliever traded, or League himself). I know more pen help was needed for this wild weekend, but why League? He is 22 and has a 5.71 ERA at AAA. I see no reason for him being in the majors at this point. If more pitching was needed (and relief help) why not Jason Arnold (4.30 ERA, 32 K in 37 IP)? There are other guys pitching better at AAA (Adrian Burnside 2.25 ERA 29K/36 IP, Matt Whiteside (2.86 ERA, 31 K/28 IP 4 BB), and Spike Lundberg (3.29 ERA)) but are not on the 40 man. League just did not make sense to me to call up.
I really hope JP has a trade or two in the works right now which would help explain League being called up (reliever traded, or League himself). I know more pen help was needed for this wild weekend, but why League? He is 22 and has a 5.71 ERA at AAA. I see no reason for him being in the majors at this point. If more pitching was needed (and relief help) why not Jason Arnold (4.30 ERA, 32 K in 37 IP)? There are other guys pitching better at AAA (Adrian Burnside 2.25 ERA 29K/36 IP, Matt Whiteside (2.86 ERA, 31 K/28 IP 4 BB), and Spike Lundberg (3.29 ERA)) but are not on the 40 man. League just did not make sense to me to call up.
"There are other guys pitching better at AAA (Adrian Burnside 2.25 ERA 29K/36 IP, Matt Whiteside (2.86 ERA, 31 K/28 IP 4 BB), and Spike Lundberg (3.29 ERA)) but are not on the 40 man. League just did not make sense to me to call up."
Well the stats sure dont lie, but then again League is a lot more talented compared to anyone in the group. Plus, we all know how the Whiteside experiment turned out..
Well the stats sure dont lie, but then again League is a lot more talented compared to anyone in the group. Plus, we all know how the Whiteside experiment turned out..
"Easily the most painful series ever."
sums it up best
sums it up best
Another quote from Fox Sports Southwest:
Tom Grieve: "Boy, this [Blue Jays team] is a nondescript lineup, but it's sure a pretty good team."
Tom Grieve: "Boy, this [Blue Jays team] is a nondescript lineup, but it's sure a pretty good team."
I know John's comment was not dis'ing Menchino and McDonald, but I just want to go on the record as supporting these two guys as well as generally supporting Gibbons usage of them.
I think its flat out immature to bitch and moan whenever one or both of them gets into the starting line-up. If theres a better idea how to get through a 162 game schedule I'd like to hear it. Granted neither of them will ever be confused Tejada or Crosby or Hill and Adams. I think Ricciardi knew this and had a purspose in mind when they were signed.
By the way, if its difficult to buy into this, check out how each has performed over the past three weeks or so. At the plate they have out produced what Hudson might have been expected to contribute.
I think its flat out immature to bitch and moan whenever one or both of them gets into the starting line-up. If theres a better idea how to get through a 162 game schedule I'd like to hear it. Granted neither of them will ever be confused Tejada or Crosby or Hill and Adams. I think Ricciardi knew this and had a purspose in mind when they were signed.
By the way, if its difficult to buy into this, check out how each has performed over the past three weeks or so. At the plate they have out produced what Hudson might have been expected to contribute.
I really hope JP has a trade or two in the works right now which would help explain League being called up
I think both League and Miller were called up to help make it through the weekend after the bullpen had a long night on Friday and Downs going on Saturday. I'd be surprised if either is with the team after the All Star break. I'd guess that Bush and Gross will be called up for those two.
I don't understand what they're doing to Brandon League. Up, down, up, down. He's clearly not ready and only 22 so what's the rush? For a team with "great pitching depth" they sure love rushing League.
These rallies are useless if they keep coming up short. As abother poster mentioned, have they even come back once when traling after 6 innings to win? That doesn't seem "scrappy" to me.
This series was lost by the pitching staff. I don't think a single guy managed to turn in an above-average outing. Just brutal. If this is how they react to Roy going down we're toast. We need everyone to pick it up a notch not go into a tailspin. But only one weekend of course.
What will the rotation look like after the All-Star game? Lilly-Chacin-Walker-Towers-Bush? Or does Batista get the nod if they don't trust Bush yet?
I think Speier should be the main set up guy now. Frasor looks tired with the heavy workload. Bump him back to #2 and Chulk to the #3. Hope Miller gets better because he'll get some innings in long relief. Downs proved he is just mop-up material. League back down to AAA. Made no sense calling him up anyways.
.500 at the break is pretty good. I just hope this hasn't killed Roy's Cy chances. He was surely going to take #2.
These rallies are useless if they keep coming up short. As abother poster mentioned, have they even come back once when traling after 6 innings to win? That doesn't seem "scrappy" to me.
This series was lost by the pitching staff. I don't think a single guy managed to turn in an above-average outing. Just brutal. If this is how they react to Roy going down we're toast. We need everyone to pick it up a notch not go into a tailspin. But only one weekend of course.
What will the rotation look like after the All-Star game? Lilly-Chacin-Walker-Towers-Bush? Or does Batista get the nod if they don't trust Bush yet?
I think Speier should be the main set up guy now. Frasor looks tired with the heavy workload. Bump him back to #2 and Chulk to the #3. Hope Miller gets better because he'll get some innings in long relief. Downs proved he is just mop-up material. League back down to AAA. Made no sense calling him up anyways.
.500 at the break is pretty good. I just hope this hasn't killed Roy's Cy chances. He was surely going to take #2.
I don't understand what they're doing to Brandon League. Up, down, up, down. He's clearly not ready and only 22 so what's the rush? For a team with "great pitching depth" they sure love rushing League.
...
League back down to AAA. Made no sense calling him up anyways.
Huh? The bullpen just threw 6+ innings on Friday after Halladay's injury and you have a "starter" going Saturday that you aren't expecting more than about 3 or 4 innings from. To me it makes perfect sense to bring up an extra reliever that is capable of going a couple of innings. As it turns out, the Jays needed pitchers to eat some innings when Downs didn't make it through the third. Sure League got roughed up when he did appear, but I agree with the logic behind bringing him up. The options were basically League or Arnold (anybody else would need to be added to the 40 man roster). I believe Arnold has mostly been used for one inning stints lately, so that leaves League as the obvious pick.
<i>As abother poster mentioned, have they even come back once when traling after 6 innings to win? That doesn't seem "scrappy" to me.</i>
I'm not sure if that's teh only definition of "scrappy" I'd use, but even if we rely on that strict technical definition....
Apr.19 v. BOS: Trailing 3-1 in the 8th, win 4-3.
Apr.28 v. TB: Trailing 3-0 in th 6th, win 7-4.
May 1 v. NY: Trailing 6-3 in the 6th, win 8-6.
May 11 v. KC: Trailing 9-7 in the 8th, win 12-9.
JUN 28 v. TB: Trailing 1-0 in the 6th, win 3-1
And there's a bunch of other games that were tied late and won by the Jays....including a number of games in which the other team came back late to tie it, and then the Jays fought right back and won the game.
I'm not sure if that's teh only definition of "scrappy" I'd use, but even if we rely on that strict technical definition....
Apr.19 v. BOS: Trailing 3-1 in the 8th, win 4-3.
Apr.28 v. TB: Trailing 3-0 in th 6th, win 7-4.
May 1 v. NY: Trailing 6-3 in the 6th, win 8-6.
May 11 v. KC: Trailing 9-7 in the 8th, win 12-9.
JUN 28 v. TB: Trailing 1-0 in the 6th, win 3-1
And there's a bunch of other games that were tied late and won by the Jays....including a number of games in which the other team came back late to tie it, and then the Jays fought right back and won the game.
Good call uglyone. I was wondering how long until someone actually looked that up.
What will the rotation look like after the All-Star game
Due to off-days they will only go with a four man rotation consisting of Lilly, Chacin, Towers, Walker until the Sunday game of the Kansas City series in which Bush will likely be called up to start. I wouldn't mind seeing Bush right now though in place of Walker.
I'm somewhat surprised they didn't call up Jason Arnold... he's performing ok at AAA, but he's on the 40 man roster, and it makes sense to figure out if he can handle the majors. That way you can decide whether or not to keep him on the 40. If they take him off, I suspect he'd get picked up.
Maybe I should have pretended this series wasn't happening.
Game #1: I turn on the television to see if the game's still going on to find out the Blue Jays are leading 6-5 in the bottom of the 9th. Two errors and a single later - game over.
Game #2: I turn on the radio to find the Jays are somehow up 3-0 on Kenny Rogers and Scott Downs is perfect in the third inning. Texas immediately puts up a 3-spot on a foul-ball homer and Downs is gone. I turn the radio off. Next time I check it, it's 12-3.
Game #3: I turn on the radio in the 7th inning to listen to Jason Frasor's warmups, and Jerry tells me that Texas has just scored two to break open a 5-5 tie. Immediately Teixiera homers and scores what turns out to be the eventual winning run.
Honestly. That's just ridiculous.
Game #1: I turn on the television to see if the game's still going on to find out the Blue Jays are leading 6-5 in the bottom of the 9th. Two errors and a single later - game over.
Game #2: I turn on the radio to find the Jays are somehow up 3-0 on Kenny Rogers and Scott Downs is perfect in the third inning. Texas immediately puts up a 3-spot on a foul-ball homer and Downs is gone. I turn the radio off. Next time I check it, it's 12-3.
Game #3: I turn on the radio in the 7th inning to listen to Jason Frasor's warmups, and Jerry tells me that Texas has just scored two to break open a 5-5 tie. Immediately Teixiera homers and scores what turns out to be the eventual winning run.
Honestly. That's just ridiculous.
Yea, you shouldn't be listening to Blue Jay games anymore.