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I Heard Somebdy Call My Name; I Almost Climbed the Stairs - Game 35, Rays at Jays

Tampa Bay @ Toronto





 

Hey all. Today's title comes courtesy of one of the first bands I ever dug, Chicago's Smoking Popes, and their song "Megan." Those guys were awesome. Today's post is in honour of my sister (of the same name as the song) who is graduating from college in two days. Congrats, Megatron!

Anyway, the Jays won a great game yesterday behind some masterful pitching by Shaun Marcum. Marcum was just unbelievable, taking a 1-hit shutout into the 9th and striking out 9 to move himself up to 4th in the league in K/9. He's not been walking them either, and that's a recipe for success, especially given that he's been keeping the ball down much more (8 groundouts yesterday) and not yielding the long ball.

Scott Rolen added a HR and Lyle Overbay hit another double to hopefully continue his march toward a .400 SLG and walked as well. He also hit another long opposite way flyball that almost made it out. Marco Scutaro wasn't much with the glove in his first game as the regular SS, but he had 3 hits, which was great. The Jays called up journeyman Jorge Velandia for added infield depth (Torgen was right, I was wrong (I said Inglett, who continues to tear up AAA)) and sent down Adam Lind, a move that has been inevitable since Gibbons started playing Stewart against righties. I, for one, hope Lind is back soon, but he needs to have better at-bats when he returns.

In injury news, there is reason to be optimistic regarding both David Eckstein and John MacDonald. Eckstein's MRI came back negative and Mac reportedly felt "great" yesterday, which is surprising. It's not clear whether either will be placed on the disabled list, but the Jays should decide by tomorrow at the latest.

Tonight, Jesse Litsch faces the team for which he once served as batboy. Edwin Jackson opposes him for the Rays.

I have rehearsal but hope to make it back in time for the second half of the game. Of course, I also thought I'd do so yesterday, but it didn't work out. Although it was great to find out that I've still got the baseball skills as I had a great game! Let's go Jays!

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4th in k/9; tied for second in Ks

with Felix Hernandez.

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 6:24 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Oh, and x and Johnny Mac both got put on the DL

Only one was in time for a callup from AAA (Joe Inglett); a second callup will happen tomorrow.

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 6:26 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Oh, and Robinzon Diaz sprained his ankle

in a collision at home plate. Diaz was likely to get called up for interleague.

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 6:29 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Stew and Rolen don't make very good use of 3-0 counts

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 7:19 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

This time, anyways

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 7:19 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Overbay with the Jays' signature hit

a 2 out double

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 7:32 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Jamie can't tell Nathan Haynes from Carl Crawford.

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 7:40 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Zaun pops up foul on the 11th pitch.

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

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

Scutaro singles up the middle

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 7:49 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

And Rios grounds into a double play

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 7:49 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Litsch works another clean inning

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 7:55 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Stairs can't get Rolen home

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 8:02 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

0 for 2

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Oh wait, 0 for 3

Overbay’s 2 out double.

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 8:04 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Here come the boo birds for Hinske

after the Peña lineout

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

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

And Litsch gets the comebacker

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 8:06 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Though we got a bunch of run yesterday.....

and rolen should get 2 more at bats….can hope for 2 solo homers

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

Well it's good that we're hitting it hard

Now to turn that into results

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

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

Probably not

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 8:18 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Aren't we facing a ton of lefties in the Cleveland series?

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 8:20 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Jamie just suggested that Jason Michaels might be the player signed tomorrow...

Just what we need…another player that can ground out to short….

by rincewind on May 8, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

RISP time for Rios

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

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

0 for 4

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

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

"Blue Jays are looking for a run"

well they’re down by 2, Jamie, so I don’t think they’re looking for a run.

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

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

Jeeze....Stewart looked bad swinging at those fastballs.....

Thought he was having a good at bat till the two fastballs were past before he started his swing…

by rincewind on May 8, 2008 8:34 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Not the Sky Chiefs anymore, Jamie.

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

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

Stairs Nooooooo!

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

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

Everyone does it

They usually have the good sense to miss them entirely.

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

by Torgen on May 8, 2008 8:50 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs