baseballtourist

And on the 10th day, they rested.

I

Is Doc throwing up a little, in his mouth? Might be.

The 9th loss of 9 in a row, the capper on the worst road trip in Jay's history -  was a killer. It looked like a laugher, with Doc leaving the game after 7, with a 5 run lead. The fat lady hadn't sung however, and the O's quickly got to the Jays pen and tied the game - sending the contest into extras and Roy to the showers with a no-decision.

The Jays offense, which had slumbered for the better part of 8 straight games (especially in the clutch) wasn't going to take this one lying down, and tried their best to save the relief pitchers from themselves. Specifically, Aaron Hill stroked a two run dinger in the 11th and the Blue Birds were back on top 10-8. Enough right? No. Wolfe came on, and was the goat (in sheep's clothing?)...giving up a 3-run shot to a AAA call-up. Jays lose a 5 run lead and then a 2 run advantage...and then the game.

9 losses in a row on the road. Hasn't been done before in Jays history. Ouch.

23-17 overall. Team heads home for a day off today, but here comes the BoSox.

Romero is back....backing up to wall that is.

Not sure he needs to be asking BJ for advice on how not give up home runs?

May 26 - Aliteration Man, Rickey Romero returns from his rehab stint, after recovering from a strained oblique muscle, he had hurt....while sneezing (really). The kid looked good early in the season and may again, but not tonight.

See...I have this two part theory - 1) when a rookie pitcher comes up, he must be good. He's starting in the 'show" right? So, he has the stuff...maybe not the strongest arm, or the best location, or the best curve etc., but he has enough to let the big club give him a shot. Rarely, as I beleive, do the rookies (pitchers or hitters) have the mental game...the strength they need for the show, right away. Only natural. Exposure to the grind, practice in the pressure cooker against the best players, will shape your mental resolve one way or another. Not to say that Romero hasn't got this resolve, this shaping yet...i don't know? But perhaps a guy like Scott Richnond, an older rookie,  has a better shot at dealing with all the game will throw at him?

2) The aforementioned boilerplate rookie may have the talent to fool a few lineups that haven't seen him pitch (and haven't got a "book" on him yet) and a rookie hiter may hit a few pitchers hard (Travis Snider?, heck ..Carlos Delgado when he came up), but sooner than later, the teams adjust and ususally shut the hitters down, or rough up the pitchers a bit.

Is this what happened to Rickey in his first game back - possibly? Or was he rusty? Still hurt? A few more games will let us know. Alliteration man gave up 11 hits and 5 runs, including 3 bombs, and departed after 5 1/3 innings. The hitters (even the vets) weren't much help - stranding 10. Jays lose 7-2 and fall to 27-22.

7 in a Row - Stop the Bleeding! / Another Cycle for the Twinkies

May 22 - Jays and Cito return to Altanta for their first game of '09 Interleague play and Cito's first game at the helm since his Game 6 WS win in 1992. With Roy on the hill, the Jays looked to stop the mini losing streak and get back in the win column. No dice. The Doc pitched...well, Doc like (7 innings, 5 hits, ZERO earned runs), but had to be pulled as the Jays had not put any runs on the board either, and Roy was coming around to bat again. Carlson came on, gave up a quick double, a ground out(moving the runner to third) and a sac-fly. One run...no responding offense from the Jays....game over. With this hard luck loss (1-0), the team falls to 27-18.

 

Twins's right fielder Micheal Cuddyer smacks his first career cycle at home versus the Brew Crew. Only the 10th Twinkie ever (and the seconsd this year) to do so. He did it is 4 straight at-bats - homer, double, single and triple. 5 cycles were hit in 2008 and now, this season, there have been 4 through May 22.

May 23 - Casey Janssen gave the Jays almost what they needed...PROS: a non-rookie arm on the mound and one that ate up 6 innings. Despite coming back from AAA after a long rehab, Casey gave up 3 runs on 8 hits.....adequate, considering the Jays typically active offense this season. CONS: the offense didn't kick in until the 9th, staging a comeback - loading the bases, but falling short. Jays drop loss 4-3 and fall to 27-19 but cling to 1st place by 1/2 a game over the BoSox.

May 24 - Scott Richmond gives up two solo taters in the first, but settled down and lasted 5 innings. Frason and Camp then took a beating - (7 runs in the 7th) from the Braves and the Jays were done 10-2. 27-20 on the season and out if first place. Braves sweep at Turner Field. 

May 25 - Wow! This is worse than I feared! The pitching was good in today's afternoon tilt at Camden Yard, vs. the Orioles...but the batters haven't been able to cash in runners, despite banging out another 9 hits. Brian Talet's mustchace and his snappy, Memorial Day cap, drop to 2-3 with the 4-1 loss and the Jays continue their tumble to 27-21.

SWEPT BY THE BOSOX...uhhg! / VANCOUVER MAN DONATES A RARE, RUTH & GEHRIG SIGNED 1934 TOUR OF JAPAN BALL TO HOF

May 19 - Tallet's mustache continues to pitch well, but this game, it was pitted against a knuckle ball artist (Tim Wakefield). Brian gave up only 2 runs on 4 hits through 6, but the wily vet, Wakefield gave up only one run through 8...and scattered 5 hits. Jays fall to 27-15.

May 20 - Uh oh! Rookie Brett Cecil looked a lot like the guy in the photo above during this one.  He gave up five (yes 5!) homers to the Sox..including the first of the season to "Big Papi" - David Ortiz and one to the ever-dangerous, but just returned from the DL" Yoooooouk". Taters were flying out over the heads of the Jays fielders at a record pace. Actually, at a record-tying pace. Ray matched a dubious team record held by former Cy Younger - Pat Hentgen. The Jays offense hit 14 knocks of their own, but they were scattered and the runs (3) came to late and too few. The 8-3 result pushed the Blue Birds back to 27-16.

May 21-The "Green Monster" hasn't been kind to the boys...or are the Jays coming back down to earth after their tremendous start? The run of the rookie pitcher might just be over....as Robert Ray loses tonight in Fenway after giving up 5 runs on 6 hits, and lasts only 4 1/3. The Jays still pumped out 11 hits, including at least one from everyone in the lineup, save Lind (of course..he is on my fantasy team). At 27-17 they are still in 1st place, but the Jays need some healthy and experienced pitchers back soon.

An amazingly rare, 1934 Tour of Japan "team" signed, barnstorming ball - autographed by Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Connie Mack, Lefty O'Doul and others was donated by a Vancouver gent...to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Nice gesture, especially when you realize that it surely worth six figures. Here's the story.

SWEEP! Jays take 4 from the ChiSox / Pudge smacks 300 (Jays 27-14 on the Campaign)

May 15 - Rookie Bret Cecil improves to 2-0 with a 6 inning, six hit performance over the Sox. Three hits from Hill, and two from each of Rolen (who is heating up), Scutaro and Lind....pushing the Jays to a 8-3 win in their baby blues. Jays are 24-14 overall.

May 16 -Rookie Robert Ray pitches a gem of a game, for his first major league win - 3 hits, one run over 8 innings and Downs comes in for the save. Jays win a squeaker 2-1 despite pounding out 11 hits. Team is 25-14.

May 17 - The Dr. keeps on pitching well and the Jays keep on scoring runs for him. Halladay improves to 8-1 despite giving up 2 quick runs in the first inning. He shut the Sox down after that and Lind, Hill and Rios put up the hits for an impressive 8-2 victory. Jays are 26-14 on the year.

Ivan "Pudge" Rodriquez reaches a milestone - his 300th homer of his career. Playing without a team before the season began, Pudge showed that his knees are fit beyond his 37 years and shined in the WBC, representing Puerto Rico. The Astros agreed and gave him a home.  Pudge has played in 14 All-Star Games with the American League, won seven Silver Slugger Awards and 13 Gold Gloves. He's the only ballplayer in history to have at least 13 Gold Gloves and a career batting average of .300 or better.

 May 18 - Scott Richmond bounces back from his two recent setbacks and looks great, going seven innings without giving up a run, on 5 hits. He takes the no decision as Carlson alows the Sox to tie the game at 2 before Alex Rios wins it with a triple. In the pic above, the background of empty seats (24, 206 attended this game, despite it being played on a holiday) is at least a blurred image, as not to highlight the lack of fan support. Was the Jays photog listening to me?

Jays lose a quick 2 to the Yanks - including a tough 3-2 loss - drop to 23-14

May 13 - Scott Richmond has another tough second inning...giving up 5 runs, as the Jays lose to the dreaded Bronx Bombers 8-2. Check out the empty seats behind Scott in the above pic from the game!! First place in May...with NY in town and only 20,164 fans make it out?! Come on T.O....you want to keep this team, or what?

May 14 - Tallet's mustache and Tom Landry fedora (not shown, but ohhh so enjoyed during his on camera, post-game interview)  combine to pitch effectively, giving up 4 hits and only 2 runs over 6...but the bullpen can't hang on.....allowing the Yanks to take this one, 3-2. I am not only one commenting on Tallets mustache...check this out.  The loss drops the Jays to 23-14 and they lose their first home series of the year. The Jays take on the slumping Windy City Sox for 4 next.

The Doc Domintates A.J ...Complete Game 5 Hitter (Jays are 23-12)

WOW! Nice game. Over 43,000 fans witnessed it in person and I, on my couch. Doc Halladay was excellent (as we have grown the be accustomed to) and A.J, Arod and the Yanks were not up to the task. Doc threw a 9 inning, 5 hitter for a 5-1 win (his 7th) and Aaron Hill had two hits (including his 9th homerun of the season) taking the Jays to a lofty 23-12 record.

San Fran Trip update..................... Giants, Pebble Beach, A T & T Park, The Juice, Lefty and more

Wally and I had a great time in rainy and chilly San Fran (kind of reminded me of Vancouver in that respect actually).

We landed on Thursday morning (April 30th) at approximately the same time and hooked up in the airport to take the BART train down to Union Square to our Hotel. We forgot to check out the PCL exhibit that I heard was being added to the terminal someplace....but as it turned out the installation was delayed and it wasn't viewable during our brief trip.

We walked around and then jumped on a hop-on-hop-on sightseeing bus as neither of us had been to the city before. Here are some of the pics.

This interesting building is owned by Francis Ford Coppola and he filmed scenes from the Godfather Trilogy here.

We had beer in Lefty O'Douls place, which was recommended by a number of Net54'ers as a great palce to go. It was filled with baseball pics and some interesting memorabillia (see below). Lefty has a strong tie-in to Vancouver baseball as he managed the 1956 Mounties to an 8th place (67-98) finish.

Here's OJ Simpson's high school football field (I only mention the Juice as he was quite the football player before he threw his life away)

Lombard Street...a crazy winding road that has homes along each side...do they ever get tired of the tourists?

It was an off day for the Giants, but Grant and I headed down to the ballpark to see if we could take a behind the scenes tour - no dice, as we missed the noon tour by 5 hours (nice planning!). We walked around the park anyway and took in the baseball  and nautical sights.

 

 

 

The next day we got up EARLY and rented the last car in SF....paying more than we wanted to, but we had a road trip in mind and wanted to be back to watch 'The Unit" pitch that night.

Here's the Mercedes 350 and pics from our trip down Highway 1 to Pebble Beach, Monterray and Carmel:

Wally and I tossed the ball around on the beach until the rain came back.

  Here's Grant (Wally) at the entrance to Pebble Beach. The 2010 US Open will be played there. I didn't realize that it was a 10 year rotation.

And my perfect-looking swing :) 

We walked into the 'Lodge" and had drinks in the lobby bar and on the terrace looking over the famous 18th-hole and then walked right out to the edge of the green and fairway, to watch a foursome come home. A round at this 'public" course is $495 bucks, so save up your nickles in you want to play.

 

 

 

Lots more, including the game pics...to follow.

Jay stumble a bit but continue to split or win their series (22-11 vs the Yanks on Tuesday)

The Jays look to be the real deal. Albeit, they haven't played the BoSox nor the Yankees yet (that will be sorted out this week, as they take on the Bronx Bombers Tuesday through Thursday).

May 6 - The Jays lead by 3 hits by Aaron Hill and 8 innings of 1 hit ball by The Dr. crush the Angels 13-1 to move to 20-11 on the campaign (the best start since the 1992 WS year).

May 7 - Rookie Rob Ray (Alliteration Man's twin!) couldn't hold of the Angels on this night, giving up 6 runs on 10 hits amd the offense was quiet. Jays lose 6-1 and move to 20-11 on the campaign.

May 8 - Rare back to back losses, this time against a underacheiving A's team. Scott Richmond proves he is human, by losing for the first time this season - giving up 5 runs on 7 hits. Jays lose a close one 5-3 and drop to 20-12 overall.

May 9 -Jays win this one and split the mini-series with Oakland, by holding on to a 6-4 victory; despite giving up three 9th inning runs to the A's. Brian Tallet's mustache (and beard) pitches VERY well, giving up 2 hits and only one earned run over 7 innings. Downs, the closer looks shaky in the 9th. Jays improve to 21-12.

May 10 - Rookie Brett Cecil, who I forgot to mention in his big league debut on Tuesday (sorry Brett) picked up his first win with an impressive 5 hit, 8 inning shutout. Scutaro, Hill, Bautista (nice pick up!) and Rios get 2 hits each. I watched this game and noted that once again, every Toronto starter picked up a hit. The Jays have an impressive 366 team hits thus far (54 ahead of runnerups BoSox and Tampa) and have pounded the ball at a .294 clip.

With an off day on Monday, the Jays head back home to take on the Yanks and former Jays A.J. Burnett...should be good.

San Fran trip puts me way behind in posts / jays recap - sitting at 19-10 going up against the Angels tonight

I have lots of baseball updates , San Fran-style to share, but need to update the Jays games that I missed covering while away, first.

April 30 - Despite Marco's lead off homer, the Jays hit into a team record 6 double plays and lose 8-6, and thus 2 in a row to the surging Royals. This is the first time all year the boys have lost back to back games, but the team has a great April, going 15-9 overall.

May 1st - a new month and back to the winning ways. Flash Back Friday in the retro baby blues, and its the good ole' Dr. again, as Roy wins his 5th game. The 8-4 victory, in the first game played against an AL East rival, (the Orioles) moves the Jays to 16-9 for the young season.

May 2nd - AAA call-up, Robert Ray makes his major league debut, going 5 and 2/3, giving up 4 hits and 3 runs, but settles for a no-decision as the team wins  5-4 in in extras. (17-9 overall)

May 3rd - SWEEP! Vernon and Alex combine for most of the offence and Scott Richmond (of N. Van baby!) goes a strong 7 innings as the blue birds trim the orange roughies 4-3, to land at 18-9.

May 4th -  I need to ad a pic of Cito...as he is quietly leading a rather rag-tag pitching corp and a potent mix of yound and veteran hitters to a sucessful start to the season. Keep smiling Cito!

The game was a rather weird one this night...as Brian Tallet slings a no-hitter through 7 and 1/3 (his longest outing ever) then loses the handle and the Tribe and the Jays see saw back and forth for 12 innings with Cleveland emerging as 9-7 victors...pushing the Jays down a notch to 18-10 overall. I watched this one from the airport in SF, and thought to myself "is Brian going to choke?". He didn't really...he was just over extended and the offense tried to pick him up.

Last night (May 5th) it was the Hill and Lind show again. These guys are hitting the cover of the ball right now! Adam got a hit (again) and 2 ribbies (again) and Lind knocked in a tidy five-spot, to pace the Jays to a 10-6 come-from-behind win agains't the Tribe. Splitting the two game mini-series with the Indians pushed the team to a 19-10 record.

Sidenotes: Scott Richmond is awarded the Rookie of the Month for April for his solid 3-0, 2.70 ERA output