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Would You Please Crawl Out Your Window? - Game 64, O's at Jays

Baltimore Orioles @ Toronto Blue Jays




Brutal game yesterday. The Jays put some runs on the board early for Shaun Marcum, but wasted yet another gutsy and fine outing from the young righthander. The bullpen, which had been so good for the first two months of the season, was again the culprit. This time the loss hangs on the shoulders of Brian Tallet (brutal), Armando Benitez (get him out of here already, or at least stop thinking he is better than Frasor) and Jesse Carlson (potentially the worst of the bunch yesterday). Those three "pitched" their way to a 6 run 8th inning for the Orioles, who are not exactly a high-powered offense (featuring Melvin Mora, Aubrey Huff, and Kevin Millar as your 3-4-5 guys is fairly brutal).

 

The Jays need to turn this around soon or they will be back under .500 and looking longingly back up at the pennant race soon. Luckily, there is help waiting for the bullpen should the Jays choose to call on it. Brian Wolfe is healthy and pitching in AAA, though he might have to wait a few days as he was just optioned. Brandon League had a bad start yesterday and hasn't been lights out for Syracuse, but has a K per inning and 3 times as many strikeouts as walks, which coupled with the excellent groundball rate he's showing suggests that he's ready to contribute. And Jeremy Accardo isn't too far off either.

Vernon Wells has been rehabbing at Dunedin and his coming back should energize the team as well. Unfortunately, what the Jays could really use is a power infusion, and there's some question as to when Wells, recovering from the power-sapping broken wrist, will be able to provide that. And count me one who believes that having MacDonald back could make a difference as well. When J-Mac had gotten hurt, the Jays were just starting to use him properly, as a crunch-time defensive replacement. His return could potentially help a bullpen that's looked more hittable lately.

So there are reasons to be looking up, but that's only necessary because the past three days have been such a downer. A.J. Burnett faces off against Jeremy Guthrie today in what should be a good game. Burnett has been quite good recently and the Jays have been able to put runs on the board most days, so the bullpen could well get a chance to redeem themselves.

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If we put Hill on the DL (retroactive to the first game he missed)

couldn’t we call up Wolfe? And if we DFA Benitez at the same time, we could Free Adam Lind too.

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 12:58 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Apparently we did just that

DFA’ed Benitez, optioned Inglett, DLed Hill, called up Wolfe, and activated Wells and Johnny Mac

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:06 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wow

Wells came back ridiculously fast

"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 Jun 7, 2008 1:06 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think that would work

I think there is an exception to the 10-day rule if you DL someone, but I’m not sure if the player you DL has to be the same (pitcher or position player) as the player you’re calling up. Probably not, but I’m just not sure. I have a feeling that, unfortunately, Benitez is going to stick around. It would be great to get Lind back 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 Jun 7, 2008 1:06 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

glad to be wrong

I’d much rather have Wolfe around that 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 Jun 7, 2008 1:07 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Interesting that Wells is back but not in the lineup

but maybe they didn’t know if he’d be in town in time. Here’s the Sportsnet story: http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/2008/06/07/jays_roster_moves/

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:09 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that is strange

"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 Jun 7, 2008 1:15 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not a great start

Leadoff double from Roberts on a 2-0 pitch

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:11 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Free out

Jones bunts Roberts to third

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:11 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Another 2-0 count

and another hit

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:12 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

cmon

AJ

"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 Jun 7, 2008 1:13 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And now a walk on a full count

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:16 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What the hell was that pitch?

AJ sidearming it in there

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:17 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gets the strikeout looking of Millar

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:18 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And a K swinging to strand two

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:20 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Stew is hurt, it appears

maybe a high ankle sprain?

"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 Jun 7, 2008 1:24 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Stew tagged out at first after a wide throw

and on the ground in pain.

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:24 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I didn't see Wells in the dugout in that last shot

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:26 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

they said he was on the same flight as Mac

to Toronto

"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 Jun 7, 2008 1:27 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

So maybe he's the replacement if Stew is hurt?

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:27 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

makes sense to 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 Jun 7, 2008 1:28 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Scoot with the double

after Payton can’t corral it

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:27 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

mighty marco

doubles off Payton’s glove

"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 Jun 7, 2008 1:27 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rios ties it up

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:28 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

nice one Lexi!

"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 Jun 7, 2008 1:28 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rios caught stealing

Rolen swung through. Maybe a hit and run?

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:30 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rolen flies out to center

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:30 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wells is in!

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:32 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wells back in center

Rios in right, Wilk in left

"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 Jun 7, 2008 1:33 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not a good throw by Burnett

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:34 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And they're giving us free outs again

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:35 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well, 2 free strikes anyways

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:35 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Ceeb's gun had Burnett at 99 there

Looks like he’s in madball mode.

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:37 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And then one at 82 that missed the zone by 10 feet

so who knows.

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:38 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Overbay saves a run

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:39 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lyle!

great play

"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 Jun 7, 2008 1:39 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Burnett walks Roberts

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:41 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

looked quasi-intentional

"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 Jun 7, 2008 1:42 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

crazy

"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 Jun 7, 2008 1:44 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, I prefer the version of that strikeout

with less drama

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:44 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Stairs singles up the middle

on a pitch in the dirt

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:47 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Overbay lines out to third

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:49 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Stairs steals second

Guthrie not holding him at all

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:53 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Stairs swipes second!

"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 Jun 7, 2008 1:53 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

in scoring position for all of one 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 Jun 7, 2008 1:53 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But Wilk flies out to strand him

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:53 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

sometimes I imagine

I can hear the Drunk Jays Fans in the background of the game

"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 Jun 7, 2008 1:57 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think that's a roving beer vendor.

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 1:58 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maybe it's just because

I’m playing one of them this week in the Jays’ Bloggers Fantasy Baseball League

"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 Jun 7, 2008 2:00 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

not much of a play by Rios

looks like he’s got a little readjusting to right field to do

"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 Jun 7, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rios can't catch up to the ball in the gap

but gets it on a bounce and holds the runner at third

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Payton hits a bloop 2 run single after getting a check swing call

yet again Barajas blocking the plate but can’t hold the ball

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 2:05 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

well, down 3-1 now

"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 Jun 7, 2008 2:05 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And now the grounder to end it

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 2:06 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Eckstein scraps his way 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 Jun 7, 2008 2:09 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Another lineout

We must be leading the league in infield lineouts

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 2:10 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rios out on the humpback liner

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 2:13 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Overbay with the 2 out single

after an easy fly and a 3 pitch strikeout

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 2:25 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Barajas down looking on a 3-2 pitch

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 2:28 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wilkerson runs one down in the corner

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 2:31 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

A walk and two bloops load the bases with 1 out

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 2:35 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wolfe warming

"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 Jun 7, 2008 2:36 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Payton clears them with a double

I think I need to stop watching this game.

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 2:36 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

right there with you

I’ve defended AJ quite a bit, but he has been incredibly frustrating for large parts of 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 Jun 7, 2008 2:37 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

they have to

shop burnett for a bat at the deadline

by ctrain7379 on Jun 7, 2008 3:13 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

if he doesn't start to pitch better though

they might not be able to get enough to make it worthwhile

"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 Jun 7, 2008 3:19 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I like Burnett for Teixeira in principle

since the Braves need starting pitching, nobody’s really adding salary, and both sides keep their draft picks, but we don’t really have anywhere to put Tex.

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

by Torgen on Jun 7, 2008 4:16 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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