Tampa Bay Rays @ Toronto Blue Jays GameThread, May 7, 2008 7:07 PM EDT

No One in This World Ever Gets What They Want and That is Beautiful: Game 34, Rays at Jays

by hugo on May 7, 2008 5:00 PM EDT in Game Threads Comment 149 comments

Tampa Bay Rays @ Toronto Blue Jays

I'm hoping this is the last They Might Be Giants title for the season and that the Jays can get back to .500 soon. Yesterday, they came up just short, with A.J. Burnett having ths stuff for a dominant start but just not being able to get it done, and the Jays offense coming up just short. It was a frustrating game, and the worst part wasn't the Scutaro dp, or Wells getting picked off, or the numerous first-pitch outs, but the fact that both David Eckstein and John MacDonald hurt themselves and had to leave the game. Eckstein appeared to strain his groin, while Mac's injury looked like it could be more serious. On the plus side, Tallet was good, Camp was great, and Lyle looked locked in at the plate, walking, sharply singling, hitting a long sacrifice fly, and just missing a HR when his RBI double bounced off the top of the dead centerfield wall and back into play.

The Jays look to strike back tonight as two fine young pitchers face off. Matt Garza goes for Tampa while Shaun Marcum looks to keep his excellent season going for the Jays. Marcum's Whip is under 1 and he's struck out an impressive 35 in 40 innings, while only walking 15.

I won't be around for lineups today, as I'm playing softball after work. But I'll be back for most of the game. Let's go Jays!

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With Stew the starting LF and Lind struggling

Lind was sent back to AAA and Jorge Velandia brought up as Shortstop insurance. Velandia sucked for years, disappeared for a while, then came back with good numbers in limited appearances last year with Tampa last year. He’s been hitting pretty well (.900 OPS) against RHP in AAA despite being a righty.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 5:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Scutaro gets the start tonight, though

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Marcum fields his position

on an Iwamura tapper on the 3B side.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Crawford hits it hard to Overbay

who relays it to Marcum just in time

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bossman Junior strikes out looking

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

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

Rios grounds out to short on the 1-0 pitch

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Stew gets as far as 2-2 before grounding to short

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rolen doubles into the left field corner

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Stairs draws the 2 out walk

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wells grounds out to second on the 3-1 count

0 for 1

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Marcum strikes out Peña

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Longoria strikes out too

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The crowd goes wild

over the Hinske strikeout, Marcum’s 4th straight.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Overbay strikes out

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hill flies to left

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Missed a whole half inning talking to a co-worker

Marcum apparently gave up a single to Navarro, who was thrown out at second; he also got his fifth strikeout.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Scutaro singles

Why couldn’t he do that yesterday with two men on?

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rios singles to right

RISP time, with nobody out.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Stew grounds slowly to third

0 for 2, but the runners advance.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rolen flies out shallow to right

Runner can’t score. 0 for 3.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Stairs pops up to second

0 for 4

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Iwamura grounds to second on a full count

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 7:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Marcum fields a Crawford chopper on the first base side

also on a 3-2 count

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bossman Junior grounds to third on the first pitch

which I didn’t see because of my terrible work windows laptop not having the CPU power to display mlb.tv without going into stuttering fits every few minutes.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wells grounds softly to third

Longoria playing too deep to even bother making a play.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Overbay flies out to the left field track

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hill pops up to third

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Barajas flies out to left

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Peña strikes out for a 6th straight time

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Marcum fields another tapper

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hinske flies to left

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Scutaro flies out short of the track in center

Why couldn’t he do that with runners at first and third with one out yesterday?

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rios draws a walk

Hopefully he can steal second.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

been an exciting game so far.....

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope we don't lose 1-0

on a Hinske solo shot.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You think Hinske has a bit of a chip on his shoulders for the Jays?

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"How dare you resent my past suckage?"

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Something like htat...he still sucks against other teams.....

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He doesn't

and Stew grounds into a double play

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Stew gets three hits that one game and we are stuck watching him ground out to short, they is making it hard to like the jays

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Marcum looks great though

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks to Navarro trying to stretch that single

he’s faced the minimum.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Navarro trickles one to first

Overbay handles it easily

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gross grounds to first

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bartlett flies to right

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My son bought a retro jays cap today......

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have one that's 1/8 size too big

after the regular cap I got was 1/8 size too small.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I find they shrink a bit

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Barojas is hitting much like I thought he would this year....

Unfortunately

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rolen doesn't take advantage of a 3-2 count

popping up foul

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Stairs at least so a lot of pitches.....

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Of course getting to the bullpen is unlikely to help us

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah....they can't seen to hit anyone....

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Especially the Rays bullpen

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stairs strikes out on the 10th pitch

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wells grounds to third on the first pitch

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow wasn't that a great catch by Wells....

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I didn't think there was any chance of him getting to it

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't either...thought Wells lost a step or two in the field this year...but that was great

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good thing it's too late to jinx it

Jamie noting that Marcum has no-hit stuff.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

whoops and now he can't face the minimum

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn you Bossman!

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crawford strikes out

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

First one in scoring position...thought the throw had a chance

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And now falling behind Peña

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice pitch to end the inning....

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Peña breaks his strikeout streak

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where is Marcum for pitch count?

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gameday says 85

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so an inning or so more....

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We'd better get the lead

Hinske’s due up next inning.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not the best part of the order coming up....

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Overbay takes a walk....what now?

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I sure hope Hill can make Garza regret it.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmmmmm Didnt' think it was that bad a bunt....overbay didn't get a good jump?

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think he's regretting that walk right now

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hate the bunt there....got nothing behind hill to drive a guy in...

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hey a single from Barajas.....

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

RISP time!

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and Scoot up.....oh boy....

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Geeze that first pitch makes you think scoot couldn't catch up to one

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he was sitting on an offspeed pitch?

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Scoot drives one in!!!!!

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And we have our daily runner put out on the base path....

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

1 for 5, at least

and it’s still RISP time

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 9:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

oh rios....swing at those....

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

1 for 6

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Marcum's 8th strikeout

You think Pizza Pizza wants to up the pizza threshold?

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

what is the threshold?

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it's 7

but that might have been when the pitching wasn’t expected to be good.

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hinske strikes out!!!

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 9:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That makes 9

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you have him come out in the 9th?

by Tom Dakers on May 7, 2008 9:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well the alternative is BJ

who didn’t look that sharp in his last outing, and even if he can go on alternating days, I don’t think I would have him go every other day ad infinitum. (Not sure he can really go on consecutive days yet, despite what they said.)

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

by Torgen on May 7, 2008 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs