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These Twin City Kisses Sound Like Clicks and Hisses: Game 41, Jays at Twins

Toronto Blue Jays at Minnesota Twins, May 13, 2008 8:10 PM EDT





 

It's possible I'm making too much of yesterday's game, but when Lyle's hit back up the middle deflected off Rafael Betancourt's arm and allowed him to reach base and Stairs to reach 2nd, it seemed like the Jays finally got a break and that perhaps now things would be better. I guess today will give some indication as to whether that's true.

Certainly until that play, it didn't seem like anything had changed. The Jays lost the first game 3-0, wasting a fine effort by A.J. Burnett and a 3-hit night by Matt Stairs. In the second game, things looked to be even worse. Between the unassisted triple play off Lyle's bat earlier in the game and the two fantastic defensive plays in the 9th off the bats of Alexis Rios and Kevin Mench, it looked like the Jays would surely squander another terrific start by Shaun Marcum. Marcum went 8, striking out 5, walking none (though hitting one), and yielding only 2 hits.

Then luck bounced the Jays way, and a Stewart sac fly, Aaron Hill 2-rbi single (1 of which was scored due to a heads up play by Brad Wilkerson to tag to 2nd on the sac fly), and Snakeface save later, the Jays had snapped their losing streak. B.J. Ryan got the win by pitching a fine 9th inning, though Marcum was the hero, lowering his ERA to 2.22.

Today, the Jays head to Minnesota to take on the Twins, who have surprised many by playing quite well so far. The Twins are coming off a series in which they took 3 of 4 from the Red Sox, and are scoring runs despite not hitting for much power. The Jays unique combination of lack of power and absolute putridity with runners in scoring position has really put a lot of pressure on their pitchers, but by and large they seem up to the task. Still, it'd be nice to score a few runs early for once.

Today's pitching matchup features two young arms: Jesse Litsch and Kevin Slowey. Litsch has been just fine so far, particularly of late, and is 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA over his last 3 starts. He has been going deeper into games and hasn't been walking anybody - in fact, he hasn't walked a batter since Gibbons inexplicably exploded on him - which is vital for a pitcher of his ilk. Slowey is a year older than Litsch and has only made two starts this season due to a biceps strain from which he recently returned. In limited action, Slowey's problem has been the long ball this season, and man would it be great for the Jays to hit a few homers.

I'm a big fan of the Twin Cities, the Twins have always been my favourite AL Central team and their music scene has produced some amazing bands, including the Replacements, Husker Du, and the Hold Steady (graciously supplying our title). And I am an even bigger fan of Bob Dylan (actually from Hibbing, Minn. but his musical career began in Minneapolis in large part) and Prince.

I'll be around for the game, but will also be writing a little piece about Stewart, who's apparently not a happy camper, during the game. Let's go Jays!

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Stew is the obvious guy to drop when we add Bonds

because with Stairs and Mench becoming the LF platoon, you need someone who can play RF, and Wilk is a better choice there than Stew.
Because we’re adding Bonds, right? Right? Any day now.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 7:59 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Stewart definitely can't play right, but Stairs and Mench probably could

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

How's Mench's arm?

So it turns into Stew vs. Wilk with the bat?

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think we're getting Bonds

though Wilner thinks J.P. would, if money weren’t an issue and if Godfrey didn’t hate Bonds

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, because now we believe JP.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

he has to say that though

if he were actually trying to get someone else, he gains leverage by making it seem as though he isn’t desperate or anything

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

there are some clueless GMs out there

and others with their own problems

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wilk works the 7 pitch strikeout looking

after the 3-0 start

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 8:13 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Outside corner

Still, awfully close to take

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

negative

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Another outside corner

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 8:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

If Litsch gets those calls

it could be a long night.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

0 for 2

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 8:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

And mlb.tv briefly cuts to the Mets/Nats game

and then pretends it’s a commercial. Great job.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 8:21 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

that's funny

I tried to watch the first hour of that game, and couldn’t get it, and I live in DC

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was thinking there was a problem with the feed

but I guess not

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

he had a hit in his first game

not sure since then

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It did it again

The tail end of a half-inning of the mets game, then a commercial break.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 8:28 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Stairs gets on

via the free pass

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 8:29 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Well if it had been the humpback liner he thought it was going to be

then it would just have been one out. It was not hustling that made it a double play. And what are we going to do, bat Mench vs. a righty?

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well course I'd much rather have Lind....

I guess releasing him would be admitting another mistake…at some point JP would have to be fired

by Tom Dakers on May 13, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

there's Lind

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

When Lind finds his stroke again?

He hasn’t been good in AAA since we sent him back down.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah....you think it's posible he's given up....get 19 at bats and don't hit....

but you are on a whole team that hasn’t hit and you get sent away….you gotta know you aren’t in the plans

by Tom Dakers on May 13, 2008 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Stew forgets to hustle

Certainly not helping his cause.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 8:35 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

So you think Marcum is crap?

Because his fastball is nothing special and he’s successful.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

no I think he's a hell of a pitcher....

but that was a fastball you gotta be able to catch up to…Lind got dropped but wasn’t striking out….Wilk doesn’t give a lot of signs that he can connect….maybe I’m wrong and he’s a .300 hitter….but he’s been released twice in the last 8 months or so….

by Tom Dakers on May 13, 2008 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

hes never been a high average hitter

and has always struck out a ton, the only question is whether he still can hit one out and can get on base via the walk. while it’s not really fair to judge him on two bad at-bats, especially b/c you know he’s going to strike out a lot, I agree with you that he looks cooked to me too.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Solo homer

Game over.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 8:57 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

We need to score 2

or it is game over.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

no worries Litsch

they’re going to get some dingers, just make sure they’re solo shots. I have some faith we can score a few today

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 8:58 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

lets go GJE

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:03 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

not what I had in mind

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Stairs draws his second free pass

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Overbay with the RBI double

Who needs scoring position?

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That said, it's RISP time

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Lyle!

there’s one right there.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

doubles are awesome

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

1 for 3

Over Cuddyer’s head for another double

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

woooo!

that was lucky

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

1 for 4

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Litsch with the shutdown inning

1-2-3 through the heart of the order on 3 fly balls.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:15 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Litsch hasn't been getting as many grounders this season

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cutters instead of sinkers?

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Except weren't all three hitters lefties?

Cutters would break in on them, which you’d think would cause grounders.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

he's had the good cutter for most starts

but his sinker doesn’t seem to be sinking as much. Although his curve looks better, which has meant more Ks

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Three pitch strikeout for Litsch

leading off the bottom of the 5th

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:24 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That's 26 innings without a walk for Litsch

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:26 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

And he strands the 2 out single

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:28 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Rios 0 for 3 after a swinging strikeout

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:33 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Rolen grounds out on the 15th (!) pitch

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Stairs!!!

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Stairs with the solo homer

and I think Rolen set that up by tiring out Slowey.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Gomez gets on

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

No double play

Hill sent ass over teakettle at second, but they got the lead runner

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

almost got the DP

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Overbay knocks down the hard hit ball down the line

No double play again, and only the tail runner eliminated.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:51 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

nice play though

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And that's it for Litsch

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:51 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Litsch out, Carlson in

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:51 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That's not a good start for Carlson

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

is the magic gone?

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

or just one hanging slurve?

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Morneau destroys it

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

and Carlson out after 1 pitch

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That solo homer really looking big right now.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

please let it not be Benitez

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Frasor

against whom Cuddyer is apparently 3 for 4

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Frasor still rates above Armando

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, don't want to balk in the tying run.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

and then hear from him how he is "doing my job"

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Was 'doing my job' after the balks?

I thought it was a game in SF.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yep you're right

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Easy grounder

Time for insurance runs.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 9:58 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Frasor successful

still hanging on

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 9:59 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Stew grits out a single up the middle

specifically, the opposite side of up the mdidle.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:03 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Zaun's grounder not turned into a double play

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:05 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

harris is not much of a fielder, is he?

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It would appear not

He stepped to the third base side to avoid the takeout slide.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

dang, the Yankees tied it in the 9th

on a Matsui dinger

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Seems like we'd rather the Yankees win

given that we expect to have to pass both them and the Rays.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

true

but I’m not really scoreboard-watching in mid-may. I just like it when the Yankees lose

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Of course, that assumes that the Rays will be as good as or better than

the Yankees over the rest of the season.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

maybe if ARod and Posada never return

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

up to wilkerson

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:09 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Single up the middle

RISP time with 2 outs.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

cmon Hill!

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

2 for 5!

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:11 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

w00t

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

bad throw from Young means

2nd and 3rd

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Can Lexi break his funk?

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

won't get the chance

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Seems like an odd choice.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

when did we last top 3 runs

Marcum’s start against the Rays?

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:13 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The 6-2 game.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

right, that's what I thought

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

They're putting Rios on

to pitch to Rolen.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:13 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

interesting strategy by Gardy

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That was a swing?

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

that wasn't good

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

2 for 6

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Frasor still in

feels like one of his bigger spots of the season, but maybe it’s just me

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

He's pitching with the lead

uncharted territory.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah

since the first week or so after BJ went in for surgery last year

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And with Accardo on the DL

he’s the best righty option.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree

certainly the best option to be up at this time. But I think League would be much more help than Camp or Benitez

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rolen converts

nice outing for Frasor

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:25 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I assume

Beej will be good to go tonight after only 7 pitches yesterday, will Downs be the guy in the 8th? or will we try something else, do you think?

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:26 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Not sure what the matchups are like

but I would assume it would be Downs into Beej. Beej can pitch on two straight days.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mench with the line drive single

over the corpulent hurler

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:28 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Mench with the leadoff single

against the lefty reliever brought in to face Stairs.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:28 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Two straight singles?

RISP time

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:29 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Lyle

follows with the single off the lefty

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:29 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

the O's beat Beckett

that makes me happy

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:30 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Stew draws the walk

trying to bunt, even with 2 strikes

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:34 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Stew walks

to load them for Zaun

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:34 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Zaun gets Mench in

insurance!

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:36 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

To the opposite field

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

2 for 7 on the Scutaro grounder

but two in scoring position now.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

would be great

if Wilkerson could get a hit here

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:38 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

2 for 8

plus the sac fly.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Benitez in

immediately gives up a HR to Kubel on the 1st pitch

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

he never should've been called up

and he needs to get out of this game post-haste

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

gets Gomez

on the 3-2 slider. Clearly Gomez was sitting fastball

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

FSN North called it a splitter.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

looked like a slider to me

but I could be wrong

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Benitez I hate you with the fire of 1000 suns

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Should we tell the Giants bloggers

how he did his job?

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Benitez wastes no time

giving up a homer to Kubel

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Strikes out Gomez

keeping his speed off the bases.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:44 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Rays won, Sox lost

Rays are now in first.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:44 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Harris walks

Mauer to hit as the tying run, but not against Benitez

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:46 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

and Downs comes in to try to get Mauer and Morneau

let’s not use Benitez in any more high-leverage situations please

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Do you give the role back to Camp?

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I mean, now that Benitez has pitched

we can let him go, right? Just like we did with Randy Wells.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd recall League

he’d get enough work now to stay sharp, with Accardo and Wolfe out.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lead out, no relay from Scutaro

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

nice job by Downs to get the groundball from Mauer

but no chance for the DP, so now it’s Morneau as the tying run

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Taps to short

6 unassisted

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

great work from Downs

to get the 2 best hitters on the team. JotD material there

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm counting 7 JotDs so far.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hill draws the leadoff walk

That’s some good work getting leadoff men on.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Bass ducked on the 0-2 pitch

like he thought Mauer was going to throw to second.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:57 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Rios gets the hat trick

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 10:58 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hill gets picked off

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 11:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Rios looks awful at the plate right now

Hill picked off, and it’s Beej time

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 11:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Cuddyer reaches way out for a single

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 11:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Beej makes Monroe look terrible

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 11:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Young grounds out, but Cuddyer was on the move

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 11:08 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Lamb crushes one foul

almost a soul crusher

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 11:09 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Grounder to Rolen

looked so easy

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 11:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

So to review

A homer, some hits with RISP plus some opposite field doubles, and a runner at third with less than two out scoring. In other words, the opposite of Jaysball.

"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"

by Torgen on May 13, 2008 11:11 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

two in a row!

Lamb came way too close to tying it. The Jays still squandered lots of chances, but a good team effort nonetheless. Jays of the Day: Litsch, Stairs, Hill, Frasor, Overbay, Downs, and Stewart, with honourable mention to Ryan. I know that’s a lot, but they all earned it with fine performances

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 13, 2008 11:12 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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