If so, you know that he is trouble. 4 months ago he didn't even know what a blog was...now he is critiquing mine! I haven't posted in a while, but have been busy. Bad excuse, maybe...but let me distract you...look at the hair on this kid!
July 27 - Jays ventured into Seattle to take on the M's for three before heading to Oakland. Marco Scutaro had 4 hits, Barajas smacked three into play and Alliteration Man got the win 11-4. Jays improve to 49-51.
July 28 - Scott Downs couldn't hold Ichiro and the Mariners in the 9th and the Bluebirds lose 4-3, dropping to 49-52.
July 29 - another squeaker and another one-run loss. The Doc (still a Jay) logged seven innings and took the 'L' after allowing three runs on 11 hits . He struck out six and walked none, his record slipping to 11-4 on the year. Two mistakes cost him: a solo home run to Jose Lopez in the fifth and a two-run double from Ken Griffey Jr. in the seventh. Jays fall to 49-53 and even Doc can't stem the bleeding.
July 31 - Scott Rolen is traded to the Reds....and while I am not surprised by this deal, his bat and defense will be missed.
After an off day, the Jays offense picks up but it is the lack of defense that brings them another loss...this time at the hands of the A's. Good nights by Lind and Hill are wasted by 3 errors and shaky pitching by Scott (North Van) Richmond. A's win 8-5...Jays slip to 49-54.
July ends with a whimper.
Aug 1- the Jays take one back, in one-run style as Cecil settles in after a tough start and the Jays edge the guys in gold and kelly green 6-5. Seasonal record still a tough to look at, 50-54.
Aug 2 - Two in a row! Hill hits (as usual)....Rios hits as well (wow!).Alliteration Man is looking like he has shot at the rookie of the year award as he gives up only 2 runs through 7 innings and the Jays win going away - 7-2. Inching closer to respectibility at 51-54.
Aug 4- After another off day /travel day, the birds fly home to Toronto to face the Yanks for two (why such a short series?). Doc is still with team and gives up 3 home runs for an uncharacteristic loss (5-3). Jays are stepping backwards - 51-55.
Aug 5 - Rzep had a great first 6 innings, but a bad 7th. Jays lose to the Bombers again. This time taking an 8-4 set back on the chin and slip to 51-56.
Aug 7 - A cool Flashback Friday event - The Jays honour the Back-to-Back 1992 and 1993 WS Championship teams with a weekend of celebrations, past player intro's etc. The 2009 team don 1993 uni's with WS patches. This little bit of mojo along with a real off day (no traveling) doesn't help the team as they lose anther one, this time to the Orioles. Despite rare back to back dingers by Rios and Wells (really!) Alliteration Man gives up 4 runs and League allows another 3 to cross. Jays lose 7-5 and move to 51-57 overall.
Aug 8 -Cecil and Tallet grind it out and Lind and a surprising Rios combine for most of the offense. Jays take one back from the orange birds...winning 3-2 in the 10th, and improve to 52-57.
Aug 9 -Doc's back on form...allowing 2 earned runs through 8 innings pitched. Jays take the rubber match from Baltimore decidedly, 7-3 and inch upwards again to 53-57. Houston Astro's outfielder Carlos Lee slugs his 300th career home run...joining fellow 'Stro's Berkman and Pudge, who also reached that lofty plateau this year.
Aug 10 - Alex Rios is gone to the White Sox. Picked up on waivers.
For the second time this season, the Jays give up a player (see BJ Ryan) while getting nothing in return. Unlike BJ, Rios has some upside and while he has been hot and cold (mostly cold) all season...getting a minor leaguer or two would have been good. It appears that his 70 million dollar salary was the obstacle to allow a trade, but did not disaude the Windy City Sox from picking him up.
Kate's, who has him on her fantasy team has this to say "the overall hotness factor of the team has slipped" but she "is relieved to here that Doc is not gone".
Busy night for milestones around the leagues as Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies hit for the cycle tonight....legging out a triple in the 7th...that's the 6th time in 2009.
Vlad Guerrero of the Angles slugs his 400th career homer at home to the Rays.
Back to the Jays game - no rest this time as the team heads out to the Bronx and beat the Yanks 5-4. Third win in row (this is exciting stuff folks!) improves their record to 54-57.
Aug 11 - Lots of bombs in this one. Randy Ruiz, a journeyman 31 year old call up from AAA "Lost Wages" hits one out on Joba...but the Jays lose 7-5 and land at 54-58 over all.
Aug 12- Jays knock out 14 hits, twice the number that the pinstripers got, and even with another dinger by Ruiz, the Jays still lose. Dropping a 4-3 heart breaker in the 11th.
Can the Jays win in extra innings??? Doesn't look like it. They slip again - 54-59.
Aug 14 - The ever traveling Jays move on to the 'Trop" and take the opener from the Rays behind a great outing by Halladay. They win 5-2 and notch upwards to 55-59.
Felix Pye of the Orioles hits for the cycle...and doesn't even realize that he's done it.
Aug 15 - Haven't written about the 'Stache' in a while (may have mentioned Tallet and Tullet, but not Brian's lip appendage nor Ash's power alleys).
The 'Stache' resurfaced for the first start since July 25th and looked like Matthew returning to the soccer pitch - clean and ready to go, but actually, rather limp and unable to do the job! Brian gives up 5 runs in 5.2 innings and the Jays lose 8-3 to a surging Rays squad. Record is not good - 55-60.
Aug 16 - passed over, former Jays' catcher - Greg Zaun made the team 'pay' for not renewing his contract in '09. Just over from the O's where he hit rarely (except against the Jays) he smacks a pinch hit Grand Slam to knock the wind out of League and the blue birds.
I watched this one (haven't been able to catch a game on the tube in a while) and it looked like Brandon severed it up on a platter for Zaunie. Jays lose 5-2 and fall again, to 55-61.
Good news - the team heads home for 9 games in 9 nights. Bad news - they play Boston, the Angels and the Rays again.
I resemble that remark - and HAIR
Posted by: Dallas Stoltz | August 19, 2009 at 01:32 PM