Saw My Reflection in a Window, Didn't Know My Own Face: Game Recap, Jays 8, Phillies 3 (10 innings)

by hugo on Jun 17, 2009 6:55 AM EDT in Toronto Blue Jays Game Recaps

Was that the Jays at the end of the game there? Here's what happened -- the Jays came into the 9th inning down 3-2. Ricky Romero had thrown a great game for the Jays - he gave up a 2-run HR to Jason Werth in the 6th and a stray run in the 1st, and that was it - 7 strong innings in which he struck out 9 and walked 2. And yet he was on the hook for the loss after the Jays had failed time and time again to get those runs across. The Jays did score 2, one on a pretty home run by Adam Lind and one on an RBI double by Kevin Millar. But things didn't look good in the 9th with the slumping Vernon Wells leading off.

But Wells beat out an infield single and then took third on Scott Rolen's single up the middle on a fantastic bit of baserunning. Of course, this was far from the first time in this particular game that the Jays had a runner in scoring position with less than 2 out. The Phillies intentionally walked Adam Lind to load the bases, bringing up Alex Rios. Rios struck out, leading Wells at third, but Lyle Overbay drew the heroic bases-loaded walk to tie the score! The Jays had a golden opportunity to just win it, of course, but Rod Barajas popped up and John McDonald, pinch-hitting, struck out to send the game to the bottom of the 9th.

The Jays didn't waste time in extra innings. After Scott Downs set the Phillies down in order to send the game to extras, Aaron Hill had an infield single and Vernon Wells singled through the middle. Rolen singled Hill home and Lind walked again to load the bases. Rios then drew a bases-loaded walk of his own. The Jays tacked on a couple more runs, and Jesse Carlson protected the 5-run lead without too much trouble.

Great to see the Jays get a come-from-behind win, a stellar start from Ricky Ro, and a few very very timely hits from Vernon Wells. Tonight, Scott Richmond will pitch against the ageless Jamie Moyer. Good stuff fellas! Jays of the Day: Rolen, Lind, Overbay, Millar, Wells, and Downs, with honourable mention to Romero.

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Random thoughts...

1) A win is a win, so we’ll take it.
2) 16 runners LOB, reminds me of last year’s team.
3) Overbay deserves credit for the BB that tied the game. Most of the team could not manage that feat.
4) Finally, what the hell was Downs doing batting when he clearly would not be pitching the next inning? He might go on the DL? I have not criticized Cito in almost a week. But letting your closer hit, after he pitched an inning, and your team scored 5 runs, is unforgivable.

by Chesapeake Ron on Jun 17, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions

yeah

are we sure that Downs wasn’t going to be pitching, though? I mean, they had the big lead, but he had only used 12 pitches to carve up the Phillies so I figured there was a chance he would stay in. I agree with you, though, I would have sent Hayhurst up there myself. With a 5-run lead, it’s not too likely you will need more the extra pitcher. I hear x-rays were negative, so let’s hope the MRI results aren’t bad and he doesn’t miss too much time. Downs has a bit of a history of nagging little lower-body injuries

"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 17, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions

also

it was an incredible at-bat by Lyle that tied the score, I agree. Vernon also did a very nice job with his legs that inning.

"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 17, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Downs was going to come out and pitch again in the bottom of the 10th.

by Icedragon on Jun 17, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

What's with Rios?

I’ve coached 10 year old kids that know to tag up on that play (in the 8th). Might not have had to go to extras if not for that…

And I’m with hugo…Downs was probably coming back out for the 11th.

by NascarPoolsOnline on Jun 17, 2009 10:09 AM EDT reply actions

the consensus

seemed to be that it was Levya’s (the third base coach) mistake – he waved Rios home thinking it would fall 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 Jun 17, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

And yes we all agree its not an excuse, but Rios was going to tag up and then Levya was shouting him home and his brain got crossed up. It sucks, but Rios did have an awesome game (that gaffe not withstanding) and since we won anyways….

'But I don't want to go among mad people' Alice remarked.
'Oh, you can't help that' said the Cat 'we're all mad here'.

by JohnnyG on Jun 17, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

As Ron said, a win is a win but....

What. The. Hell.

Have you ever seen so many bases loaded with none out situations that lead to no runs? Last I saw they were 0-9 with the bases loaded. Sure Romero had a couple, but still. (While I am sidetracked, suicide squeeze Cito??!?!?)
I’m glad they pulled it out in the 10th, because if they would have blown it again in the 10th with the bases loaded, I would have snapped more than the 12-10 Baltimore gong show.

re: Rios/Leyva. I’m not sure who’s fault it is…its both. Both should have read the ball. Both should have known how many outs…and both should have known that if it did fall, I could have walked home on his hands and knees.

Ok, now I’m done.

Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.

by craig in calgary on Jun 17, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

rec'd

"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 17, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Tonight

I’d also like to see the Jays be ooober patient at the plate against Moyer. The Phillies bullpen is obviously gassed, so lets get Moyers pitch count high and get into the bullpen. I see that being our best chance to win.

Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.

by craig in calgary on Jun 17, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

So send Rolen up there to bat all 9 times through the order?

'But I don't want to go among mad people' Alice remarked.
'Oh, you can't help that' said the Cat 'we're all mad here'.

by JohnnyG on Jun 17, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes.

Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.

by craig in calgary on Jun 17, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Has anyone heard about Brad Mills pitching Thursday?

Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.

by craig in calgary on Jun 17, 2009 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

I will 2nd Norm's opinion

Pro athletes of today train so specifically, that they are truly risking injury doing something else, even if it seems routine to other athletes, even in the same sport.

We’ve all seen defensive linemen pull a muscle running with the ball, or the QB in a fumble scrum. Sprinters would get hurt if they tried to throw the javelin, and vice versa.

I know it sounds silly, but Downs is hardly required to run at all in his job. Exploding out of the batters box is taxing on the body. I didn’t see it, but he probably tried to run too hard. Garciaparra blew out a groin coming out of the batters box, and he’s done it thousands of times. It is not that far fetched to think an AL relief pitcher would get hurt doing it.

by Chesapeake Ron on Jun 17, 2009 6:28 PM EDT reply actions

To me,

It looked like he tripped over his feet turning to turn to run to first base falling out of the batters box.

'But I don't want to go among mad people' Alice remarked.
'Oh, you can't help that' said the Cat 'we're all mad here'.

by JohnnyG on Jun 17, 2009 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions

of course

anyone can get hurt running out of the batters box. a great athlete is no exception, and of course someone that doesn’t do it regularly is more at risk.

"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 18, 2009 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions