Purcey had been alternating decent starts with terrible starts for the big club this year, and yesterday he was due a bad one. Instead he was lights out, he threw six shoutout frames and allowed just five baserunners - comfortably his best Major League start of the year.
After a rain delay at the end of the sixth, Frasor eased through a couple of Innings and then Downs had a short and ultimately painful spell in the ninth. He left with a twisted ankle after not pitching too well. League took over with 2 out and none on, and although it was a bit of a struggle (thanks to a Rios dropped catch) he ended things with a strong strikeout of Inge. The evening's offence was nicely handled by Wells with a grand slam in the third after a walk and a couple of infield hits had loaded the bases.
Raul Ibanez, who was a subject of Jays interest at the trade deadline, was apparently claimed off waivers yesterday and the rumour at BTF is that the Rays had the successful claim, meaning of course that the Jays took a pass. If this is the case it will be interesting to see what Tampa is prepared to give up for him - with Crawford and Longoria on the DL they could use the bat. It's hard to see them being prepared to offer anything to the Mariners that will be more valuable than the two picks Ibanez will yield in the off-season.
WWJP roundup:
* Downs doesn't have a fracture, they'll have a look at him in a couple of days.
* Talking about Moneyball 'Not a lot of good came out of that book...', obviously doesn't like it that he's seen in some quarters as relying solely on stats when he sees himself as an evaluator.
* Jansen should be 100% by Spring Training
* Syracuse lease is up at the end of the year, would not comment on the AAA team moving to Buffalo.
* Cecil > Ricky Romero > Davis Romero
* Sounded quite frustated with Rios when asked 'Where's his head'
Things get serious for the Jays after one more game in Detroit today. The next 15 games are all against Boston, New York and Tampa. If the Jays are still 'in it', as J.P seems to believe, now is the time to show it.
Game Day: Litsch faces Galarraga in the afternoon delight as the Jays go for the sweep. 1PM (No regular TV)
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20080813230437973