Much better. Dana Eveland is looking more like a #1 or #2 guy, rather than a "bottom of the rotation/filling in for guys on the DL" pitcher right now. Is it sustainable? No, likely not. I mean, he could have a breakout year. It does happen. But the safer bet is that he'll start to falter and his season will tail off. By then he will have done his job, and we should be seeing Rzepczynski, or one of the other guys, coming back. But right now I'll take Eveland.
Honestly, though, the story of the night for me in last night's win over Chicago was Travis Snider. Finally got a home run, and boy was it a long one. As he starts to get more comfortable this season I think we'll see a lot more from him. I'm glad he has a manager behind him who won't panic and give up. And how about that diving catch in left field?
All in all we beat Freddie Garcia last night. The White Sox bullpen essentially shut the Toronto hitters down, and I feel that we caught a break by getting Garcia on an off night. I'll be glad to see the back of the White Sox as they leave town. Looking forward now to seeing how we can do versus the slumping Angels.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Down To Earth
Well, we can't win them all. It's especially hard to lose 11-1, though. I feel for Brandon Morrow, as he's had two rough starts so far. Hopefully he won't let it in his head too deep. Credit really should be given to John Danks, as he solved the Blue Jays hitters pretty well. ANyway, at least our closer(s) got the night off.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Bright Future
The future of Toronto's pitching staff showed his best stuff tonight, as Ricky Romero struck out 12 White Sox batters en route to his first win of the season. Romero was sharp all night, carrying a no-hitter into the 8th inning, and only giving up one hit. That hit was unfortunately a 2-run home run by Alex Rios, but the offense had already backed the young pitcher up, Toronto winning 4-2.
Most impressive tonight was the number of times Romero was able to get ahead of Chicago's batters with a nasty curveball first pitch. He worked in a sweet change-up as well, and caught a lot of batters looking. Credit should be given to catcher John Buck, who called a great game for the pitcher.
The offense started in the 3rd, with RBI hits by Wells and Overbay, and continued in the 5th, with a two-run double by Encarnacion. Kevin Gregg picked up the save in a 1-2-3 9th inning, making a case for the closer's role.
Most impressive tonight was the number of times Romero was able to get ahead of Chicago's batters with a nasty curveball first pitch. He worked in a sweet change-up as well, and caught a lot of batters looking. Credit should be given to catcher John Buck, who called a great game for the pitcher.
The offense started in the 3rd, with RBI hits by Wells and Overbay, and continued in the 5th, with a two-run double by Encarnacion. Kevin Gregg picked up the save in a 1-2-3 9th inning, making a case for the closer's role.
Back Down To Earth
A tough loss to take in Toronto tonight, as the Jays lost their home opener 8-7 to Chicago. Frasor blew his second save of the season, and Jeremy Accardo gave up an 11th inning run for the loss in his first appearance of the season. But before we assign blame for the loss, let's bear in mind that Brian Tallet gave up six runs in his start. It was a team effort.
And yet, the offense did everything they could to stay in it. John Buck launched a long home run, his first of the season, and Vernon Wells hit his fifth. And even in the bottom of the 11th, with big Bobby Jenks on the mound, the Blue Jays made the Chicago closer sweat, managing to get two on with Lind coming to the plate. Not enough in the end, as the young slugger struck out. But a good effort to not give up anyway.
What bothered me the most about this game, though, was the Toronto fans reaction to Alex Rios in his return to the Rogers Centre. He was booed louder than the home players were cheered, and that just seems ridiculous to me. What did Rios ever do wrong to Blue Jays fans? He signed a fat deal that was offered to him, and every one of us would have done the same. In the end he wasn't asking to be traded. He wasn't turning his back on the team. They let him go (to be fair because he wasn't turning into what they were paying for), and he left town with tears in his eyes. And he gets greeted by people who seemed to have come to the stadium specifically to boo him. Sad. I guess we should remember that these are the same fans who almost got last year's home opener against Detroit abandoned by throwing debris at the visiting players. No class in Toronto.
And yet, the offense did everything they could to stay in it. John Buck launched a long home run, his first of the season, and Vernon Wells hit his fifth. And even in the bottom of the 11th, with big Bobby Jenks on the mound, the Blue Jays made the Chicago closer sweat, managing to get two on with Lind coming to the plate. Not enough in the end, as the young slugger struck out. But a good effort to not give up anyway.
What bothered me the most about this game, though, was the Toronto fans reaction to Alex Rios in his return to the Rogers Centre. He was booed louder than the home players were cheered, and that just seems ridiculous to me. What did Rios ever do wrong to Blue Jays fans? He signed a fat deal that was offered to him, and every one of us would have done the same. In the end he wasn't asking to be traded. He wasn't turning his back on the team. They let him go (to be fair because he wasn't turning into what they were paying for), and he left town with tears in his eyes. And he gets greeted by people who seemed to have come to the stadium specifically to boo him. Sad. I guess we should remember that these are the same fans who almost got last year's home opener against Detroit abandoned by throwing debris at the visiting players. No class in Toronto.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Jays Finish Sweep Of Orioles
A good sign for the Blue Jays today, as they finished the sweep in their first division series. OK, let's temper the enthusiasm a bit. It was the Orioles, not the Sox, Yankees or even the Rays. But still, Baltimore has been largely picked to finish ahead of Toronto this year, so it's a positive for the team that they have gotten such a good start. 5-1 now.
Marcum pitched well enough, getting a quality start despite giving up two runs in the first inning. The eight hits he gave up meant he was pitching from the stretch much of the day. But he handled it well, and shut down the scoring for the rest of his six innings.
Alex Gonzalez grabbed a run back for the Jays with a solo home run in the fourth, and managed to hit another as part of a three-run eighth. Who would have thought that Gonzalez would have four home runs to his credit after only six games? Jose Bautista hit a two run shot just before Gonzalez at bat, driving in John McDonald, who reached on a Miguel Tejada error. The scoring was completed in the ninth with a solo homer from Edwin Encarnacion. Late power really was the factor in this one.
It may have come as a surprise that Cito Gaston elected to go with Kevin Gregg for the save today, leaving "regular closer" Jason Frasor on the bench. This seemed strange to me, at first, until I realized that all five Blue Jays wins thus far have been saved, and even the short inning guys need some rest. It's nice to have options in the bullpen.
Well done to the Blue Jays over the first six games of the season. Let's keep it up!
Marcum pitched well enough, getting a quality start despite giving up two runs in the first inning. The eight hits he gave up meant he was pitching from the stretch much of the day. But he handled it well, and shut down the scoring for the rest of his six innings.
Alex Gonzalez grabbed a run back for the Jays with a solo home run in the fourth, and managed to hit another as part of a three-run eighth. Who would have thought that Gonzalez would have four home runs to his credit after only six games? Jose Bautista hit a two run shot just before Gonzalez at bat, driving in John McDonald, who reached on a Miguel Tejada error. The scoring was completed in the ninth with a solo homer from Edwin Encarnacion. Late power really was the factor in this one.
It may have come as a surprise that Cito Gaston elected to go with Kevin Gregg for the save today, leaving "regular closer" Jason Frasor on the bench. This seemed strange to me, at first, until I realized that all five Blue Jays wins thus far have been saved, and even the short inning guys need some rest. It's nice to have options in the bullpen.
Well done to the Blue Jays over the first six games of the season. Let's keep it up!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Bottom Of The Order Helps In Win
Another win against Baltimore tonight, and now the Jays have won the first two series of the season. Lots to come this season, but still a good start for this team.
The offense was sparse again tonight, and it was anchored by the lower half of the order. Edwin Encarnacion scored the first two runs, with number 2 catcher Jose Molina getting the RBIs on both of them. Molina benefited from some surprising respect heaped on Travis Snider by the Baltimore pitchers. Both of his RBIs came on at bats immediately follwoing intentional walks issued to the Toronto left fielder. Questionable decisions, given how much Snider has struggled at the plate this season.
Adam Lind drove in Toronto's third run, cashing in Mike McCoy from first with a rocket double to right. McCoy's speed certainly was a factor in that run as well. No way he has a shot at taking second base regularly, of course, but he's showing up well enough to make his case as a good bench player.
A real positive tonight was Dana Eveland. He pitched very well, carrying a shut out through seven and a third. And only five hits and two walks. He got a lot of ground outs, and pitched very well with runners on. And Jason Frasor managed to dance out of some trouble in the ninth to get the save, including a swinging strikeout of Matt Wieters.. That'll be good for his confidence, I think.
So far we're 4-1, with all four wins needing to be saved. I'd still like to see us start to unload offensively on occasion, but hopefully that will come. We have to expect that once Aaron Hill is back the combination of him, Lind and Vernon Wells will start to click.
The offense was sparse again tonight, and it was anchored by the lower half of the order. Edwin Encarnacion scored the first two runs, with number 2 catcher Jose Molina getting the RBIs on both of them. Molina benefited from some surprising respect heaped on Travis Snider by the Baltimore pitchers. Both of his RBIs came on at bats immediately follwoing intentional walks issued to the Toronto left fielder. Questionable decisions, given how much Snider has struggled at the plate this season.
Adam Lind drove in Toronto's third run, cashing in Mike McCoy from first with a rocket double to right. McCoy's speed certainly was a factor in that run as well. No way he has a shot at taking second base regularly, of course, but he's showing up well enough to make his case as a good bench player.
A real positive tonight was Dana Eveland. He pitched very well, carrying a shut out through seven and a third. And only five hits and two walks. He got a lot of ground outs, and pitched very well with runners on. And Jason Frasor managed to dance out of some trouble in the ninth to get the save, including a swinging strikeout of Matt Wieters.. That'll be good for his confidence, I think.
So far we're 4-1, with all four wins needing to be saved. I'd still like to see us start to unload offensively on occasion, but hopefully that will come. We have to expect that once Aaron Hill is back the combination of him, Lind and Vernon Wells will start to click.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Campaign Against The AL East Starts
Good finish in Baltimore today. Good start too, for that matter, though only at the plate. Jays managed to get 3 to start the game, but Brandon Morrow gave them all back in the bottom of the 1st. I was nervous after that, this being the first time I've seen Morrow pitch. But he settled in quite nicely after that. Sure he wound up giving up 5 earned runs in 5 innings. But he pitched pretty well after that bad 1st.
Bullpen looks good right now, too. Camp pitched very well, and Janssen looked decent, despite giving up the go ahead run late. Kevin Gregg looked outstanding, closing the game on an off day for Jason Frasor. He looks dominant and confident out there.
Something else to note: Alex Gonzalez is looking like a solid acquisition right now. He's knocked a few home runs already. But his defense looked really good today. I thought he showed solid range and accuracy.
It's nice to see this team, involved in a widely advertised rebuilding year, not giving in late in games. They have a real never say die attitude, and have already beaten up on two closers for wins. We're 3-1. Sure, it's early, but let's take what we can.
Bullpen looks good right now, too. Camp pitched very well, and Janssen looked decent, despite giving up the go ahead run late. Kevin Gregg looked outstanding, closing the game on an off day for Jason Frasor. He looks dominant and confident out there.
Something else to note: Alex Gonzalez is looking like a solid acquisition right now. He's knocked a few home runs already. But his defense looked really good today. I thought he showed solid range and accuracy.
It's nice to see this team, involved in a widely advertised rebuilding year, not giving in late in games. They have a real never say die attitude, and have already beaten up on two closers for wins. We're 3-1. Sure, it's early, but let's take what we can.
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