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Friday night was a fun night at the ballpark for Blue Jay fans.  The Yankee fans in the house, and there were a lot of them, didn't have much to cheer about.  Jose Bautista was Da Man and Brett Cecil was outstanding too.

When Cecil took 22 pitches to get through a three up, three down, first inning I though to myself "typical Yankee game, wear down the pitcher by fouling off a lot of pitches'".  Nick Swisher and Derek Jeter did that all night but the rest of the lineup was hacking so Cecil was able to go eight which was great given the struggles of the Jays bullpen recently.  I have to say that the bottom third of the Yankee line-up, Marcus Thames, Curtis Granderson and Chad Moeller was not very Yankee like.  They certainly don't put "the fear" in a pitcher.

But credit Cecil and I liked his quote after the game where he said he wasn't intimidated by anyone this year.  Cecil was helped by an excellent double play turned by the Jays on A-Rod.  Here is a shot of A-Rod hitting first base after hitting into that DP.

I taped the game and I watched a few highlights when I came home including that double play and Curtis Granderson's catch off Adam Lind in the first inning.  The TV slows everything down so you don't get the same appreciation of how good those plays were.  I didn't think Granderson was going to catch that ball and he had to go a long way, the distance looks much shorter on TV.  And A-Rod smoked that ball that Gonzalez speared to start the DP.

But the man was Jose Bautista who continued his hot hitting.  The Rays were careful with Jose and walked him a lot but the Yankees didn't learn and AJ missed his spot several times.  Here is a shot of Jose fouling a ball off.

The crowd was quite lively on Friday and the Yankee fans were quiet.  I heard lots of Yankees suck and AJ sucks chants.  I just wish we had some Jose chants going to offset the lets go Blue Jays.  But I am sure the players enjoyed playing in front of a big crowd that was behind them all the way.

Finally A-Rod had some unusual warm up exercises before the game.  He uses a trainer to help him get ready.

How About Those Blue Jays? | 56 comments | Create New Account
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ayjackson - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 10:35 AM EDT (#216245) #

It's amazing that I look at the Jays lineup on June 5 and the three worst hitters, and only hitters under 100 OPS+, are Overbay, Lind and Hill.  I think it bodes well for the sustainability of the offense (to a certain extent) that those three could get hot and carry us for a while (and possibly Snider).  I think the bigggest threat to a 86-90 win season is starting pitching tiring in the second half.

The Jays are currently 5th in the Majors in hitting (wOBA) and 3rd in the majors in pitching (FIP).

Jdog - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 11:03 AM EDT (#216247) #
Its a treat to watch Bautista at the plate right now. His batting eye is remarkable. He rarely chases outside the zone and swings for the fences when he gets a ball in the zone.
uglyone - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 11:32 AM EDT (#216248) #
What finally dawned on me last night watching Jose's interview post-game.....and it's something that's been creeping up on me, without me able to put my finger on it.......is that Jose Bautista DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS IS JUST A HOT STREAK.

Every other player in an abnormal hot streak would be both resorting to the tried and true cliches like "just gotta ride it while it's hot" or "the breaks are just going my way right now" or "just gotta keep my head straight while things are going good" and would be joking around about lucky he's been getting and about how his bat must be magic or some other superstitions like that.

But Jose does none of that.

Jose says the same thing every time he's questioned about it - he says simply and flatly that the timing change in his approach at the plate that he specifically changed in the final months of last year is THE reason for his improvement at the plate, that now he's not just playing catchup to pitches, and that he's ready for them and now can just let his swing do the work for him.

Jose doesn't believe this is just a fluke hot streak - he thinks he's turned into a much better hitter.
Mike Forbes - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 11:43 AM EDT (#216254) #
Not only is Bautista a beast at the plate right now, he is also playing very good defense in the outfield. I would really like to see him start getting some consideration for the All-Star game. Vote for Jose?
Magpie - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 11:44 AM EDT (#216255) #
I was speculating a couple of weeks back that one reason to regard Bautista as legimtimate late-bloomer is his extremely weird career path to this point. He lost two years out of his minor league development (one to a hand injury, one to being a Rule 5 guy), and since making the majors has mostly wasted another couple of seasons (one to another hand injury, and another season was mostly spent caddying for Scott Rolen.)

We might also consider that he's spent most of his professional career working for one of the worst organizations in all of baseball. This sort of thing may have always been there, but the Pirates weren't the people to help him develop it.
Chuck - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 12:26 PM EDT (#216259) #

I posted this in another thread: Bautista has 28 homeruns in his last 302 at-bats.

The number of late bloomers in baseball is, predictably, very small. Very few players do better in their 30's than in their 20's. But such players do exist. Raul Ibanez and Luis Gonzalez are two recent players that spring to mind. I'm sure there are other current players who do not come immediately to mind. 

Bautista could well be another legitimate member of this group. It's certainly not a given, but it seems a genuine possibility that this current streak is more than just randomness run amok. It will be interesting to see where his true new level of ability stablizes. I am reluctant to prorate his 28 HR/302 AB stretch to a 56 HR/604 AB ability.

I am not a Cito Gaston fan in many regards. But he does deserve credit for recognizing players whom many of us, myself certainly included, easily dismissed. Marco Scutaro had a terrific 2009. Bautista finished 2009 with a very strong month and is continuing to warrant the regular playing time in 2010. Neither seemed at all to be diamonds in the rough. Either could have been jettisoned prior to their big year with few tears shed.

I will say that both Scutaro and Bautista have been easy to root for. They approach their at-bats with intelligence, generally showing the discipline to lay off balls outside the strike zone. Defensively, they augment seemingly modest physical talents with intelligent play and sound decisions.

raptorsaddict - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 12:41 PM EDT (#216261) #
Those are some very good arguments by everyone that perhaps Jose isn't just experiencing the mother-of-all statistical aberrations. I particularly like the point that his career trajectory, with all the fits -and-starts and the extreme misfortune of playing for Pittsburgh, bodes well for the argument that this is genuine player development.
Gerry - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 01:14 PM EDT (#216266) #
The Jays have signed DeWayne Wise to a minor league deal.  Wise reports to extended spring training.
Mick Doherty - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 01:24 PM EDT (#216267) #

The Yankee fans in the house ... didn't have much to cheer about.

Meh. :-)

I just wish we had some Jose chants going to offset the lets go Blue Jays.

Well, the obvious one is to alter "Let's go Blue Jays" into "Jose, Blue Jay" ... that works.

scottt - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 05:58 PM EDT (#216285) #
Apart from Gregg who made me sweat,  the bullpen was solid today.

The Jays haven't looked outmatched against any team this year except perhaps those games at Fenway.

Shane - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 06:09 PM EDT (#216286) #

Apart from Gregg who made me sweat,  the bullpen was solid today.

Wonderful. Gregg strikes out the side, but still makes people sweat watching. I'm glad I had to leave watching the game in the eighth.

PeteMoss - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 06:14 PM EDT (#216287) #
3-3 so far in this stint through the big boys... and tomorrow is one of those pitching battles (Vazquez vs Morrow) where you wouldn't be surprised with a 1-0 game or 13-10 game where both starters are out by the 4th inning.

Sadly four of the top five records in the AL are currently in the AL East (And it could be the top four if Boston wins and Minnesota loses tonight)
92-93 - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 06:35 PM EDT (#216292) #
It's pretty amazing that the Jays have the only 2 starting pitchers who have gone 8 innings vs. the Yankees. Let's see if Morrow can get through 7.
Sano - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 07:22 PM EDT (#216297) #
Interesting note on tomorrow's game.  I seem to remember that Cito was not a fan of 'personal catchers' for pitchers.  But with Morrow, he's changing his tone slightly.

"According to Gaston, after an off-day Thursday, Buck approached him and said he felt rested enough to catch both Friday and Saturday. Gaston said he not only appreciated Buck's initiative, but it also provided him with the opportunity to use Jose Molina in Sunday's contest, with youngster Brandon Morrow on the mound.

"I don't want to make a big thing out of this," Gaston said. "[but] I was happy [Buck] came to me and said that, because it gives me a chance to let Molina catch Morrow again, who did a great job with him last time."

Statistically, Morrow -- 4-4 with a 6.00 ERA -- has had significantly better splits with Molina catching. The right-handed flamethrower has an outstanding 2.49 ERA over 25 1/3 innings with Molina behind the dish, relative to the lackluster 8.81 ERA over 31 2/3 with Buck.

Gaston said that, while he has certainly noticed the difference, he doesn't want any of his pitchers, especially developing pitchers like Morrow, to get too comfortable with one catcher. Gaston illustrated his point using an analogy involving a GPS system -- if you become too dependent on it, you might get lost if you're ever without it."

On today's game, great job by the BP.  These two wins have shown a great deal of character after the heartbreak of the Tampa series.  Here's hoping for the sweep!
scottt - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 07:25 PM EDT (#216298) #
Wonderful. Gregg strikes out the side, but still makes people sweat watching.

Striking out the side usually means 3 ups, 3 down. This was a 24 pitch inning with runner in scoring position for the last out.

I was more impressed with Camp going though his first inning on 6 pitches.

I hope Morrow come out strong tomorrow, because his next start is against Jimenez in Colorado.
Maybe they should send Purcey back down to get some work after tomorrow.

Javier Vazquez is probably the one guy on the Yankee staff who'd rather play somewhere else.
Even if they make the playoff, he's unlikely to throw a pitch.
92-93 - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 07:52 PM EDT (#216302) #

With no game on Monday it's a good idea to give Buck 2 days in a row of rest, and Molina helps Morrow, who can be very slow to the plate, control the running game. The Yankees have 3 guys in Gardner, Jeter, and Granderson who like to run, and even ARod gets cocky out there and goes for a few. Hopefully Molina comes up with a CS or PO and a big hit or two to stick it to his old team - Yankees fans were thoroughly unimpressed with his bat.

China fan - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 08:08 PM EDT (#216305) #
After the heavy use of the bullpen today, who is available in the bullpen tomorrow, aside from Lewis, Purcey and Frasor?    Purcey is not seen as a high-leverage pitcher, so he's not really an option in a tight game.  I suppose Downs could do an inning, although he was used heavily against Tampa.  Probably not Janssen -- that would be pushing our luck.  I hope not Gregg -- he seems to do better with lots of rest.  Maybe, in a pinch, Shawn Camp, since there's a rest day on Monday.  But still, let's hope this is the good Morrow tomorrow, and not the 2nd-inning-meltdown Morrow.
bpoz - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 08:10 PM EDT (#216306) #
Our pen was great today. The last time each guy pitched is as follows Downs June 2nd, Gregg, Camp and Janssen June 1st, actually on june 1st everyone in the pen pitched but Purcey who last pitched on May 25th.

I am interested in hearing peoples thoughts on what would be fair expectations by individual pitchers out of the pen if things had been different.

If we had a 1, run lead today going into the 9th what would you do.
a) Stay with Rickey.
b) Its a save situation so go with our closer Gregg who last pitched on the 1st so he is rested or is he rusty.
c) Downs who last pitched on the 2nd, should be OK.
d) Fraser 1 IP yesterday so he should be in the best position, not tired nor rusty.

There are obviously other ways some of you would handle a 1 run lead and I would like to hear your thoughts.

Would you have someone else warming up just in case?

To me the most difficult jobs today belonged to Gregg and Janssen who both last pitched June 1st and were horrible Gregg .2IP 4ER & Janssen .1IP 2ER. They performed great and hopefully they can build on this.
Magpie - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 08:17 PM EDT (#216307) #
I seem to remember that Cito was not a fan of 'personal catchers' for pitchers.

Gaston has always said that, and the reasons he gives make perfect sense. Not that it prevented Roger Clemens deciding in 1997 that he didn't much like pitching to Benito Santiago, and Gaston responding by having Charlie O'Brien catch every Clemens start - 19 in a row - from late June until the end of the year.

Oddly enough, Clemens had a 1.47 ERA pitching to Santiago.
brent - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 10:00 PM EDT (#216311) #
The AL East race has tightened up nicely this week. How great would it be to have four teams neck and neck for a pennant drive? 
PeteMoss - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 10:20 PM EDT (#216312) #
The graph/image here - http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_article/visual-baseball-are-the-rays-starters-all-that/

Show's just how good the Jays starters have been so far this year.
Sano - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 10:32 PM EDT (#216313) #
Any care to give me a one/two sentence explanation on FIP?  Excuse my ignorance.
Alex Obal - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 10:58 PM EDT (#216314) #
FIP = pitching independent of fielding = (HR*13+(BB+HBP-IBB)*3-K*2)/IP, adjusted for context. It's supposed to estimate your ERA based on your three-true-outcome stats. If you have a bad ERA because you've given up lots of hits or had trouble stranding baserunners, FIP will give you a hug and try to mend your trampled feelings.

Personally, I don't care for it. My impression is that it tends to be favored by the kind of person who likes to roll players' performance into one nice number for easy, oversimplified comparison. The concept of measuring pitchers' performance independent of fielding is very important, but I have no use for FIP as a statistic. Better to stick to the more concrete stats - K%, BB%, GB%, IFFB% - individually instead of amalgamating them, unless you need to. (In my opinion.)

Mike Green - Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 11:46 PM EDT (#216318) #
I actually find a use for FIP, particularly on a team level.  The comparison between team FIP and team ERA gives me a good read on the overall quality of the team's defence for use in assessing defensive statistics (i.e. Dewan or UZR or whatever). 
scottt - Sunday, June 06 2010 @ 06:36 AM EDT (#216329) #
I think it would make perfect sense to use Purcey as a LOOGY since he's the lowest leverage pitcher on the team.

That way he would get a bit of work every few days. Tallet will likely get all the long haul once he goes back to the pen anyway.


Dave Till - Sunday, June 06 2010 @ 07:54 AM EDT (#216330) #
I always assume that when a veteran hitter goes on a tremendous run, it's because he's successfully dealing with pitches that used to be considered his weakness. Bautista has made an adjustment, and pitchers haven't caught up to him yet. Eventually, pitchers will (probably) find a hole in his swing, and will build a new "book" on him. (This is what has happened to Adam Lind - and, to a certain extent, to Hill. Though Hill is trying to teach himself to walk more, which has affected his timing.)

But you have to give Bautista credit for an absolutely tremendous season. He's played wherever the Jays have put him (third base, right field) and has batted all over the lineup (leadoff, seventh, fifth) without any complaints or declines in performance. Cito Gaston was quoted recently that he has been an absolute pleasure to manage.

I agree that Bautista's recent surge says bad things about the Pirates organization. The talent was obviously there, and they didn't develop it. Same thing for Kansas City: John Buck arrived in Toronto seemingly without the ability to block pitches in the dirt. Most organizations have coaches that teach catchers how to do that sort of thing; the Royals obviously don't.

zeppelinkm - Sunday, June 06 2010 @ 10:00 AM EDT (#216333) #
Dave: I haven't been able to watch any ball games in about 3 weeks because I was studying for a massive exam that I just wrote yesterday. But I am curious about your comment about Buck.

When I was last watching games on a nightly basis, Buck was making me absolutely crazy for his refusal to follow conventional catching techniques and attempting to block pitches in the dirt, and instead was trying to pick everything on the short hop with his glove.

Has he made strides in this department? If so, this would help the Jays pitchers out quite a bit, I think. I notice the Jays are still leading the AL in WP and 2nd overall in the Majors...

rtcaino - Sunday, June 06 2010 @ 03:39 PM EDT (#216355) #
zeppelinkm: I haven't been able to watch any ball games in about 3 weeks because I was studying for a massive exam that I just wrote yesterday.

I presume you speak of the CFA. Hope it went well!
jerjapan - Sunday, June 06 2010 @ 04:06 PM EDT (#216359) #
Zeppelinkm, for what it's worth, Martinez and Tabler were praising Buck for getting down quickly to block balls for Romero in Saturdays game.  To my inexpert eye, he does look much better in this department. 
92-93 - Sunday, June 06 2010 @ 04:41 PM EDT (#216362) #

The IBB to Teixeira and the non-IBB to Cano were serious head-scratchers. It was also funny to see Clarence go back to Lewis in a one run game when he refused to use him the other night after Gregg's fourth walk.

What a tremendous start by Brandon Morrow, and that little fist-pump by VDub was priceless.

rfan8 - Sunday, June 06 2010 @ 05:00 PM EDT (#216364) #

Morrow was great.  He seemed to be in control the entire time.  I was little surprised he came out for the 8th.  I thought after pitching 7 strong and being over 100 pitches he would be taken out. 

With regards to the IBBs, I was a little nervous walking Tex who wasn't hitting well to get to ARod, but I can see why they did it (double play possibility).  I was surprised they pitched to Cano.  I was really hoping they were going to walk him too, considering how hot he has been lately. 

Sano - Sunday, June 06 2010 @ 05:08 PM EDT (#216365) #
They did say that Cano was 0-for the series before today.  Still, I might have tried to get after Posada instead.

Really this loss came down to the two HBPs.  Downs has not been my favourite pitcher this season, seems to have lost something of his former sharpness.  Hopefully this appearance by Rommie Lewis has convinced Cito that he can trust him.  So far, I like what I see from him.

Shane - Sunday, June 06 2010 @ 05:14 PM EDT (#216366) #

It was also funny to see Clarence go back to Lewis in a one run game when he refused to use him the other night after Gregg's fourth walk.

Indeed.

rtcaino - Sunday, June 06 2010 @ 05:36 PM EDT (#216368) #
that little fist-pump by VDub was priceless.

Agreed. Would have been a nicer moment if that stood as the game winner.
PeteMoss - Sunday, June 06 2010 @ 07:43 PM EDT (#216376) #
I'm sure the fact that it was Granderson, who basically can't hit lefties, that made the decision to go to Lewis easier.
The_Game - Sunday, June 06 2010 @ 11:32 PM EDT (#216389) #
That 4th run was on Cito today...frustrating.
China fan - Monday, June 07 2010 @ 09:08 AM EDT (#216399) #
Why is the 4th run "on Cito"?   He went to the mound and specifically told Frasor that he could pitch around Cano if he wanted.  Frasor thought he could beat Cano, and the bullpen isn't going to improve if it's afraid of every strong hitter.  But even if Frasor had pitched around Cano, there's no guarantee that he could have beat Posada.   Or are you blaming Cito for not giving the ball to Rommie Lewis, a rookie?  Ultimately pitchers like Frasor have got to do the job -- if they fail, it's not Cito's fault, you could equally blame AA for failing to build a better bullpen.
Mike Green - Monday, June 07 2010 @ 09:31 AM EDT (#216400) #
Cano's hit was just one of those things, like Jeter's line drive on Saturday which ended up in Hill's glove.  Frasor actually made a pretty good pitch in on the fists, which Cano insided out on a little dunk shot into left.  In a 2-2 game in the eighth, pitching to Cano with runners on 2nd and 3rd or Posada with the bases loaded is a bit of a Hobson's choice. 

I look at the last 6 games this way.  The club won one blow-out and went 2-3 in close games with leads (or tie games) entering the eighth inning against tough competition.  Ideally, you go 3-2 or 41-1, and with better bullpen performance they would have.  Personally, I'd take the cup half-full approach; the starting pitching was superb and that will carry you a long way.

Tallet is listed as the starting pitcher for Tuesday rather than Marcum.  I guess the brain trust has decided that Tallet will be the 5th starter for a while. 

ayjackson - Monday, June 07 2010 @ 11:10 AM EDT (#216410) #
I predict that the Rommie Lewis love affair in Jays blogdom will end in short order - a steady diet of 93mph flatballs isn't going to work against the Yankees most days.
John Northey - Monday, June 07 2010 @ 11:45 AM EDT (#216417) #
I figure after the solid starts going 7/8 innings each the Jays feel they need to give their starters a bit of a breather thus not skipping Tallet on Tuesday.

It must be hard on Cito right now - who do you go to in that pen of horrors right now? The rookie is doing the best but he doesn't have the type of stuff to give you confidence. Your vets you thought you could count on are blowing leads left-right-and center (Frasor/Downs/Gregg) while your most reliable is too valuable in a multi-inning role (Camp). Janssen is OK but not a guy I'd count on either.

Right now I suspect AA is hunting for a solid closer and other solid relievers while talking up the guys we have in an effort to shift things a bit. No one in AAA jumps out at you, while AA has a few who each have issues (Collins & Farquhar walk too many and give up too many HR, Magnuson has just 41 innings at AA and 0 at AAA and only 4 saves so far in his career). I'd be pushing Magnuson to AAA and closing to see if he has it for a month then if he is good call up in August for a 2 month audition. If he has the stuff he could make the end of the season exciting.
bmy1 - Monday, June 07 2010 @ 11:57 AM EDT (#216419) #

Here's what I would have done:

1) Putting in Morrow to start the 8th is a tossup. He was over 100 pitches but he'd shown no signs of fatigue. I don't question this move too much.

2) When Morrow hit Cervelli, putting in Downs was fine to face the lefty Gardner.  Downs hits Gardner.

3) Next up is Jeter. He was a lifetime 5 for 8 vs Downs. Jeter is also a righty. Why not bring in a righty at that point? (Frasor probably). Camp, our most reliable reliever this year, was used yesterday and probably wasn't available unless necessary.  Instead Downs serves up (quite predictably) a double to Jeter.  NOW Frasor comes in. Again, why not bring in Frasor one batter earlier?

4) The Cano vs. Posada issue has already been debated at length.  As the manager, I would have walked the 2 for 3 (at the time), .350+ hitting Cano to face Posada and open up force outs at every base.

5) In the bottom of the 8th, why wasn't Molina run for? We got lucky he scored from 2nd on that single to centre by Lewis because it was chopped slowly enough.

6) When Hill went up to bunt with Lewis on 1st and nobody out, he fouled the first pitch off, but then stopped trying to bunt. What gives? Either you're bunting or you're not bunting.  If you're bunting or you're not.  Personally, with Joba out there (big windup), you either bunt or you try to send Lewis to avoid the double play.  We know of course what transpired.

Just my two cents. Comments?

85bluejay - Monday, June 07 2010 @ 12:24 PM EDT (#216423) #

It's interesting - Back in 1983, when we also had a bullpen that poured gasoline and cost us a shot at the

playoffs - nobody blamed Bobby Cox, but everyone is blaming Cito when Camp has been his only reliable

reliever. WHY? - is it personality?,reputation?or something else?

James W - Monday, June 07 2010 @ 01:44 PM EDT (#216429) #
2) Gardner stuck his hands over the plate and in the way of the pitch. It's cruel (but unfortunately true) to say that Downs hit Gardner.

5) Giving John Buck the whole day off was worth more than the difference between McCoy's speed and Molina's, apparently. (I agree, if it's worth anything.)

6) We can only guess, but perhaps that was a tactic: Either he gets the bunt down on the first pitch, or it draws the corner infielders in and gives him a better opportunity to get a hit. It didn't work out, but I'd rather have Aaron Hill swinging than bunting.
Magpie - Monday, June 07 2010 @ 02:10 PM EDT (#216431) #
why wasn't Molina run for?

It might also be noted that Encarnacion (sore leg) and McDonald (absent from the team) weren't available. If McCoy runs and Buck comes in to catch, Shaun Marcum is grabbing a glove if someone turns an ankle.
ayjackson - Monday, June 07 2010 @ 02:45 PM EDT (#216436) #
Encarnacion was available in such a scenario.  He should have been pinch run.
92-93 - Monday, June 07 2010 @ 02:53 PM EDT (#216438) #

Gardner stuck his hands over the plate and in the way of the pitch. It's cruel (but unfortunately true) to say that Downs hit Gardner.

I'm glad somebody else noticed this...just once I'd like to see an umpire stick to the rulebook, the one that states it's only a HBP if the batter makes an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch. Gardner sticks his elbow right over the plate and didn't move at all - that wasn't a HBP, and as the tying run it was a pretty damn important non-call.

jerjapan - Monday, June 07 2010 @ 05:56 PM EDT (#216455) #
just once I'd like to see an umpire stick to the rulebook, the one that states it's only a HBP if the batter makes an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch. Gardner sticks his elbow right over the plate and didn't move at all - that wasn't a HBP, and as the tying run it was a pretty damn important non-call.

92-93, I've NEVER seen that called - not disagreeing with your preference, just wondering if it ever happens?

Of course, until last week, I'd never seen an ump deny a batter's request for time resulting in a strikeout either. 
Sano - Monday, June 07 2010 @ 06:03 PM EDT (#216458) #
We should also recall that Reed Johnson used to play for us.  If there ever was a guy who made no effort to get out of the way and crowded the plate, it was Reed.
Spifficus - Monday, June 07 2010 @ 06:07 PM EDT (#216459) #
That Gardner-HBP gave me flashbacks to Joey Cora. It wasn't quite in the zone which is probably why it wasn't going to be called, and there's always the argument that he was thinking it was going to be a slider but it never broke.

Personally, I would like it to be anything between the inside lines of the batters boxes isn't a HBP, but I hate divers.
Gerry - Tuesday, June 08 2010 @ 03:44 PM EDT (#216655) #

From Mike Rutsey at the Sun:

 Right-handed pitcher Dustin McGowan (who is on the 60-day disabled list in his lengthy recovery from shoulder surgery performed in July of 2008) threw off the mound Monday for the first time since a triple-A spring training game March 19. McGowan threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session. Afterward he reported: “No problems.”

McGowan’s recovery has been an on-again, off-again misadventure for quite some time as last season he even missed time due to a knee injury that required surgery.

This spring, McGowan at one time was progressing so well that the Jays were talking about him breaking camp as one of the members of their rotation. Then came his outing in the spring training game against the Pirates affiliate where he experienced a “dead arm”. Now he is back and throwing but given his history and the problem with shoulder injuries there are no guarantees that he will make it back to the big-league level. The Jays have put no timetable on his latest recovery.

Sano - Tuesday, June 08 2010 @ 04:02 PM EDT (#216660) #
Gerry, I've been thinking for a while now that the Jays should put McGowan in the pen.  He's got the power stuff to perhaps develop into a closer and given his arm troubles, it might prolong his career a little.  What do you think?
scottt - Wednesday, June 09 2010 @ 05:54 AM EDT (#216698) #
He had the power stuff. I'm not so sure what he has now.
Gerry - Wednesday, June 09 2010 @ 08:57 AM EDT (#216700) #

I would assume that if/when McGowan comes back the pen might suit him better for a while.  It depends on how he recovers.  If he does go to the pen he might not be available for back to back games if he is still getting sore after pitching. 

If he is over his soreness the pen might help him avoid getting hurt again by reducing the workload on the shoulder.

bpoz - Wednesday, June 09 2010 @ 10:36 AM EDT (#216705) #
Regarding McGowan, they are not rushing him. Below are the factors that are in play. Please correct any wrong information that I may be presenting.

1) Injury Mar 19th... dead arm.
2) Starts playing catch May 1st.
3) June 7th bullpen session.
4) Fastball currently in the mid 80's

I am diabetic. I know that diabetics take a very long time to heal. I am not a doctor but a minor scratch (on me) that used to heal in 3 days to a week is taking about 5 weeks for the scab to finally fall off.

Maybe this explains his slow recovery.

I think he is getting decent money while he is recovering. I hope the FB comes back and with time on his hands he learns other pitches. Keep fighting Dustin.
Mike Green - Wednesday, June 09 2010 @ 11:04 AM EDT (#216707) #
As I listen to "Harvey Haddix" from the Baseball Project, I wonder how Doc's name would fit in now that he has thrown a perfect game.  There's a line from the list of pitchers  "Len Barker against the Jays, Catfish for the A's", maybe he'd fit in somehow there.
Gerry - Wednesday, June 09 2010 @ 08:09 PM EDT (#216767) #
Rommie Lewis has been sent down to Las Vegas.  Brian Tallet is heading back to the bullpen.  Jesse Litsch has been recalled and will start against Colorado on Sunday.
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