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They can really mess up your season, as everyone who lived through the Blue Jays 2005 campaign will tell you. Over and Over again.


The Yankees lost another game by a singleton last night. In twelve games decided by one run, the Yankees have won just two of them, while losing 10 times. Which is one of the ways a team that has scored 258 runs while allowing 239 still finds itself with a 21-29 record.

Only one team in baseball has been worse in close games. That, naturally, would be the Chicago Cubs who have spent the better part of the last one hundred years exploring the various ways defeat can be snatched from the jaws of victory. The Cubs are 2-12 in one run games.

(Of course, maybe Joe Torre and Lou Piniella are doddering old fools who don't have a clue what to do in the late innings of a close game... Nah.)

Weird times in the NL Central. As they've done for the most of the last forty years, the Astros were cruising along at .500 with a 21-21 record. Since then, they've lost eight in a row. And old friend Woody Williams (1-7, 5.65) may be this close to the end of the road. The defending world champs, beset by some very disturbing off-field incidents, have a worse record than the Devil Rays.

As a result, Pittsburgh is in second place. The Pirates. Still in the league and everything.

30 May 2007: One Run Games | 36 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Pistol - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 08:56 AM EDT (#168816) #
The Yankees lost another game by a singleton last night.

It's pretty bad when the Yankee announcers are being blamed for their woes.
paulf - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 09:05 AM EDT (#168817) #
I just watched the replay of Hill's steal from bluejays.com. It cut off before he could finish his thought, but it sounded to me like the first reaction of the YES announcer was to blame Alex Rodriguez.
Craig B - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 09:45 AM EDT (#168821) #

Aaron Hill, All-Star.  Don't tell me you'd rather have B.J. Upton or Brian Roberts at second base this year, flashy batting stats or no.  I won't believe you.

I've got a paean to last night's game over on my blog.  Absolutely fantastic game for the baseball purist, even though those errors make steam come out of my ears.  Johnny Mac's especially... they teach you your first week of Little League to keep your eye on the ball, dum-dum.

I hope everyone here is doing OK.  Sorry I haven't been around much; busy time in my life.

AWeb - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 09:57 AM EDT (#168823) #
That's funny, because the Jays announcers mentioned that the first baseman, who would have been looking in that direction, with Pettitte looking right at him, was the one who might be a bit to blame (it was a great play by Hill, I'd say there is no blame, or glorious credit). The Yankees announcers have a bit of a problem if they try and blame that one on Rodriguez. The only one who could have stopped Hill was Posada, if he had blocked the plate better.

Great to see the Jays win a game thanks to an error (Jeter), a steal of home, a leadoff double reaching home without another hit being recorded, and great pitching. This Marcum kid...he's a keeper. I found it odd that Tabler (I think it was him last night) kept remarking that Marcum wasn't a strikeout pitcher. Despite having 150 strikeouts in 155 innings in AA, and 106 strikeouts in 122 innings in the majors. His strikeout numbers are very similar to Burnett's, possibly better when accounting for league differences (with small sample size caveats, of course).

Mike Green - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 10:04 AM EDT (#168824) #
Aaron Hill, All-Star?  Oh yes.

It's funny how these things work.  Injuries give young pitchers like Shaun Marcum and Jeremy Accardo  a chance in more prominent roles, they thrive and the club emerges stronger.  Speaking of Accardo, I was completely wrong about him and Leigh was right.  I figured that he needed an adjustment period.  Wrong-o.

Dave Till - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 10:16 AM EDT (#168827) #
Sudden thought: if the Yankees think they're going to vault back into contention when Clemens comes up, they might want to ponder this: the Jays are about to get Halladay back.

It's been a long time since I've seen a Yankee team look this flat.

Pistol - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 10:32 AM EDT (#168830) #
it sounded to me like the first reaction of the YES announcer was to blame Alex Rodriguez.

Pretty much.  They said he should have been yelling to Pettitte, which according to the MLB.com article he was.
ayjackson - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 10:56 AM EDT (#168835) #

I'm predicting a loss tonight, three of four fromt he pale-hose and a sweep of the Rays to conclude an 8-2 homestand.

I think young Litsch is going to have a rough time tonight and we'll see Mr. Towers in the third.

Chuck - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 11:04 AM EDT (#168837) #

Great to see the Jays win a game thanks to an error (Jeter), a steal of home, a leadoff double reaching home without another hit being recorded, and great pitching.

I was extremely impressed with Rios' Sac Fly AB. He showed amazing composure, especially for a player whose porch light isn't always on. He went to the plate with fly ball in mind. His adrenaline didn't get the better of him and he was able to lay off some very good change-ups. His patience was finally rewarded when he got an elevated pitch, out of the strike zone. In this context, where a SF meant a whole lot more than a BB, he knew that he could loft the pitch into the outfield. I believe the SF came on the 6th pitch he saw. That showed tremendous discipline and patience.

Leigh - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 11:33 AM EDT (#168840) #
Speaking of Accardo, I was completely wrong about him and Leigh was right.

Even a broken clock...

My strike is over now, by the way.  There are still major problems (shortstop, Towers, wasted roster spots in the back of the bullpen, lack of bench) and new problems will soon emerge (Chacin could be re-instated to the rotation in lieu of superior options and Janssen will soon turn into a pumpkin), but I just cannot stay away.  I have been listening to Jerry and Alan the whole time anyway, but tonight it is back to TV.
christaylor - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 11:38 AM EDT (#168841) #
ARod and Phelps certainly do deserve a ton of blame.

Although Pettite blamed the crowd noise for their failure to let him know that Hill was breaking for home.
Mike Green - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 11:51 AM EDT (#168842) #
Listening to Jerry and Alan is pretty good "strike pay" if you ask me.  Alan's VORCA (Value Over Replacement Colour Analyst) is well into the mid-30s...

Casey Janssen turning into a pumpkin?  Well, it depends what you mean.  If you mean an ERA in the 4.5-4.75 range in 170 innings, I'm buying.  His current ERA is all smoke and mirrors, but I do think that if he's moved into the 5 slot in the rotation, he'll strike out 5-5.5 per 9IP, walk fewer than 3 and give up about 1 homer, just as Marcel projected he would at the start of the season.  I like pumpkin pie though.

Many of the other problems are interrelated.  Olmedo for Wolfe on the 25 man would go quite some way to alleviating three of the issues. 

clark - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 11:52 AM EDT (#168843) #

I personally am glad to see Wolfe come to the bigs.  I feel like he's a guy that maybe Gibbons can trust with a five run lead (Minnesota 7-2 in the eighth) as opposed to Janssen/Accardo or Downs every single time the team has a lead.  Wolfe was having success in AAA in a role that the Jays need some help and he fits their needs better than either Towers or Vermilyea.  They're going to have to get another position player on the roster and I'm guessing Towers gets released soon.

There is a fair bit of criticism heaped on John Gibbons on this site and at times I agree that it is deserved.  On the other side of the coin, how about the two stolen bases leading to runs last night!  The steal of home was an absolutely incredible play, as Jay fans we've witnessed the straight steal just twice in this decade.  We've got to give credit where it is due on that one, definately a gutsy call.  Or maybe it was actually the higher percentage play than hoping Rolls Royce Clayton gets a two-out hit to score the run.

Finally we're having some fun again!

Craig B - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 12:01 PM EDT (#168845) #

Seven different deadball-type little ball plays led to the three runs last night:

  1. steal of third
  2. productive groundout
  3. tough baserunning by Phillips to break up the DP at first
  4. aggressive baserunning by Hill on the bobbled throw
  5. a damn steal of home!!  (oh yeah... I'm still pumped)
  6. sacrifice bunt
  7. sacrifice fly
VBF - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 12:06 PM EDT (#168847) #
My feelings from 518 when Hill stole home, in succession.

-What the--there must be a balk or something wrong.
-No! He's stealing home! He's stealing home!
*Thoughts of the final five minutes of The Sandlot*
-There's no way he makes it!
-He might make it!
-He made it!

Now, for tonight.

Litsch isn't going to strike out many if his last three starts are any indication and historically this Yankees lineup has been pretty patient. But with the way they've been hitting they may find themselves getting over anxious, especially that lower part of the order. This should really help Litsch, as long as he can find his location.

This is the classic game where it will all come down to the bats. Time to win a 12-10 ballgame. Lead the way, Big Hurt.

Thomas - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 12:35 PM EDT (#168851) #

That steal of home will be a play we'll still be talking about in two years. I am sort of sad I wasn't at the ballpark yesterday, but getting the chance to see numerous replays on TV may have made up for it.

While the majority of the credit should go to Hill for reading it perfectly, that play is one of the many reasons I'll put up with Butterfield's occasional poor decisions when coaching 3rd. Butters was the one who talked about the play before the game or between innings with Hill and he found a perfect situation to take the risk. We'd all be shaking our heads if Pettitte had heard the shouts and calmyl thrown Hill out by two steps, but I still think it was a risk worth taking it, given how well Andy was pitching, Clayton's hitting ability and the knowledge that the Jays were basically unable to make substitutions for the duration of the game, because of their short bench.

Chuck - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 12:47 PM EDT (#168853) #

Seven different deadball-type little ball plays led to the three runs last night:

I think I saw Aaron Hill in the dugout sharpening his cleats with a file, which he then hid behind his revolver and mustache wax.

90ft_turnleft - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 12:50 PM EDT (#168854) #

First and foremost from all of us here at BB,I hope and pray that little Ryne is ok and is home soon from hospital.

I think the superhuman feat of the year award,if there is such a thing,must go to Shawn not only for pitching such a clutch game but more-so for having the mettle to do it under such emotionally trying circumstances.

No one would have begrudged him in the least if he chose to skip this start to be back at the hospital with his wife and their ailing son.

Even though we are all huge baseball/jays fans I think most of us know what's truly valuable in our lives.

On to the game.

For me two plays stand out and both involve A-Rod.In the seventh J Mac bunts and it's surely about to roll foul but A-Rod chooses to take the sure out which most purists say you should do.I think knowing J Mac is definetly up there bunting then why not let it roll foul and hope for a poorer bunt with the hope of nailing the runner at 3rd who turns out to steal home shortly there after.Especially in a tie game in the late innings.The next A-Rod play is in the 8th and his poor throw to 1st pulling Phelps off the bag turns out ,in reality, to help produce the Jays winning run.

I think 2 less than stellar plays from a guy who,salary aside,should be counted on to produce both in the field and at the plate.

I guess lucky for us he had an off night in both areas.

J Ges - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 12:59 PM EDT (#168856) #
I was very impressed when, I believe it was with 2 outs in the 5th, Pettitte was at just 51 pitches with Clayton at the plate & Clayton worked Pettitte for 8 or 9 pitches. Then to lead off the 6th, Lind worked him for an 11 pitch walk. Firstly, Pettitte hadn't allowed a runner since the 2nd, & all those pitches seemed to break his rhythm, & secondly, Lind showed tremendous poise & bat control during that at-bat against a skilled, savvy veteran, no less. I was half expecting him to end up flailing at a sweeping off-speed pitch outside the zone, but he happily proved otherwise. I was very, very impressed with his at-bat. In his next at-bat leading off the 8th, he doubled & scored the eventual winning run. Hopefully he's turned a corner.
VBF - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 01:19 PM EDT (#168859) #
Jays officially ink deal with CBC

CBC picks up eight games this season and 20-30 next season. If that's on top of the 20-30 TSN will pick up next year and the 110 or so Sportsnet picks up, they should be able to cover 150-162 games on television next season.

Four Seamer - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 01:46 PM EDT (#168863) #

VBF - not so fast.  Godfrey is quoted right there in the piece saying that 144 games will be televised.  Sportsnet and/or TSN will be cutting back somewhat on their schedule of games to accomodate CBC.

The better news is that Jim Hughson will be doing the games for CBC.  I could listen to him all day.

Ron - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 02:23 PM EDT (#168867) #
Why in the world do the Jays have an 8 man bullpen? 2 of the guys in the pen haven't been used in well over a week.
I would love to hear the Jays "logic" behind this decision.

The steal of home by Hill was easily the highlight of the season.

Rob - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 04:01 PM EDT (#168876) #
Alan's VORCA (Value Over Replacement Colour Analyst) is well into the mid-30s...

Is it ever. I'll never forget where I was when I learned Ashby was in and Sawkiw was out; my upcoming cable-less summer suddenly became much more appealing, without considering the possibility of pumpkin pie.
ayjackson - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 04:34 PM EDT (#168881) #

cable-less summer

What's that???

Oh, I see - you're going to the cottage and it only has a dish!  Seriously, if I ever have to spend any two months without cable, please shoot me.  At least an internet connection, please.

Paul D - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 04:58 PM EDT (#168884) #

Why in the world do the Jays have an 8 man bullpen? 2 of the guys in the pen haven't been used in well over a week.
I would love to hear the Jays "logic" behind this decision.

It's Wednesday's with JP tonight right?   I'll be at the game, but I'd suggest people from the box trying to call in and ask JP that very questions.  It's worked before.

 Seriously, if I ever have to spend any two months without cable, please shoot me. 

The Jays are the only reason I have cable, and I think i'd be fine with radio only.  If it were up to me (and these decisions aren't always up to me) I would get rid of my cable in a second.

Thomas - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 05:00 PM EDT (#168886) #
JP explained the "logic" behind the move in an article on MLB.com.

Ricciardi said. "He's done a good job and he deserves the chance. We need another arm in the bullpen." Ricciardi and Blue Jays manager John Gibbons both insisted that the club needed another reliever.

Wolfe seems shocked to have got the call, not because he doesn't believe in himself, but because he seems to have a better understanding of the bullpen situation than the front office.

Mike Green - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 05:00 PM EDT (#168887) #
BP's Joe Sheehan has some love for McGowan and Marcum.
ayjackson - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 05:26 PM EDT (#168888) #

From that same Bastian article:

"We're shorthanded right now. We're not going to go that way very long," Gibbons said. "Then we go out to the West Coast for some National League games. So, we'll have to make some adjustments. We probably need a guy who can do a little bit of everything. A left-handed bat might be nice."

A left-handed bat from Syracuse could mean Adams, Olmedo (S) or Lydon (S).  None of them can do a little bit of everything defensively, as Adams is strictly 2B, Olmedo SS and Lydon OF.  One could suggest that Olmedo can field, bunt, pinch run, walk...if that's what ol' Forest meant.

ayjackson - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 05:33 PM EDT (#168890) #
BP's Joe Sheehan has some love for McGowan and Marcum.

Not so much love for Jesse Litsch though :

(sell high, boys)

Leigh - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 06:08 PM EDT (#168894) #
Casey Janssen turning into a pumpkin?  Well, it depends what you mean.  If you mean an ERA in the 4.5-4.75 range in 170 innings, I'm buying.

That's probably fair; I may have overstated the pumpkin case.
Thomas - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 07:02 PM EDT (#168897) #
Rotoworld has Howie Clark getting the call and Vermilyea demoted.
AWeb - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 07:56 PM EDT (#168899) #
With Tallet getting the "long-man" call out of the Bullpen early, does this mean Towers is officially deceased? Or just that he'll be along later? If Towers doesn't pitch this game, he might as well quit. Maybe that's the master plan on how to get rid of his contract - humiliate him by not pitching him long enough that he just gives up and goes home.
Ron - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 08:09 PM EDT (#168900) #
Stairs batting in the 4 hole. Clark, Fasano, and McDonald 7-9. This is reminding me of the season from hell when the Jays had Johnson/Hinske/Gomez in the 3-5 order surrounded by Clark, Menechino, Berg, and Kevin Cash.
CeeBee - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 09:39 PM EDT (#168902) #
Stairs in the 4 hole..... Looks like Gibby must have phsycic powers after all. Now if only Frank would start hitting.
Mike Green - Wednesday, May 30 2007 @ 11:06 PM EDT (#168923) #
In case you're wondering, here is Howie Clark's recent line.  The man is 33 years old, and was never a great defender.  His main asset is the ability to control the strike zone, but Olmedo, Lydon or Adams would have all been far better choices.  Sigh.  I guess the club didn't want to hurt Syracuse too much in the deal...
Ryan Day - Thursday, May 31 2007 @ 09:36 AM EDT (#168958) #

Well, at least now we understand why Gibbons and Ricciardi "need" another reliever: Clearly they're going after the record for most pitchers used in a season. Possibly in a game. Is there any reason to take Josh Towers out after only 46 pitches, fairly early in the game, when he hasn't worked in a long time? I know it was still a close game, and even I don't really want Towers pitching in a close game, but sometimes you've just got to suck it up. It's a better plan than "Make Scott Downs Pitch 400 Innings Out Of the Pen".

Ah well. Nice night for Frasor and Tallet, anyway. It's just bizarre how Frasor can look like an elite reliever one week, and an AA scrub the next.

30 May 2007: One Run Games | 36 comments | Create New Account
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