Dodgers 7 Phillies 2

Well that was over early, the world's oldest man, Jamie Moyer (at least in baseball years) gave up 6 runs in an inning and a third and that was pretty much the game. 6 hits, a homer to Rafael Furcal and zero command of any pitch and the game was over before more Dodger fans made it to the park.

After that all that really happened was Russell Martin got angry at a pitch up and in, which you could sort of understand since he got hit in the knee by a curve his first time up. Then Victorino was even less happy about a pitch above his head. The benches cleared but, other than a little excessive yelling by Manny and Larry Bowa, among others, nothing came out of that. Martin got hit by a pitch a second time in the 7th but even thought the benches had been warned the pitcher, Chad Durbin, wasn't thrown out.

What did the former Jays and Canadians do today? Jayson Werth went 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and Matt Stairs didn't get into the game despite the Phillies using 3 pinch hitters. And former Jay lefty reliever Scott Eyre pitched a scoreless 6th for the Phillies. Russell Martin went 0 for 1 with a walk, a run and was hit twice. Jeff Kent struck out in his pinch hit appearance.

There were no Phillies of the Day and Moyer (-.375WPA) gets the Suckage Award. Dodgers of the Day were Blake Dewitt (.144) and Manny (.120).

Tomorrow both series continue Rays have Jay killer Matt Garza going against Jon Lester, as the series moves to Fenway tied at a game each. The game starts at 4:30 Eastern. And in LA Joe Blanton goes against Derek Lowe, who is pitching on short rest with the Phillies up 2-1 in games. It is at 8:20 Eastern.

Rays 9 Red Sox 8

Hey there is a former Jay in this series that I totally forgot about, Mike Timlin. Of course, Francona had forgotten about him too, at least until the 11th inning of last night's game. I'm not sure why he didn't go to Paul Byrd before Timlin, but having a couple of weeks didn't improve Timlin's control, he walked the first 2 batters then got an out on a hit and run moving the runners to second and third. An intentional walk then BJ pop fly that was just deep enough to score a speedy Fernando Perez and Timlin got a loss.

Timlin has a fond place in my heart for getting the last out in the Jay's first World Series win against the Braves but he really should have retired before this season. But then when you score 8 runs in a game you really ought to win before the 11th inning. Beckett had his second straight awful playoff start in row. He really doesn't look good, there must be some sort of injury that he's trying to pitch thru. He only pitched 4.1 and gave up 9 hits, 8 earned and 3 home runs. In between Beckett and Timlin there was 5.2 innings of shutout relief.

Scott Kazmir, for the Rays wasn't much better, lasting 4.1 as well, giving up 6 hits 5 earned and 3 homers of his own. The Rays bullpen weren't as good as the Sox' pen, they gave up 3 runs over the next 2.2 innings to allow the Sox to tied the game. Then Dan Wheeler came in and pitched 3.1 scoreless innings to get the games to extras.

So what did other former Jays and Canadians do in last night's game? Gabe Gross went 0 for 3. Kevin Cash got into the game to catch for an inning and Jason Bay was one of the offensive heroes of the game going 3 for 5 driving in 4.

Rays of the Day: Dan Wheeler (.346 WPA), Evan Longoria (.327), B.J.Upton (.234), Dave Price (.137) and J.P. Howell (.126). Suckage Rays were Kazir (-.332), Grant Balfour (-.210), Trever Miller (-.128). and Willy Aybar (-.099).

Red Sox of the Day: Dustin Pedroia (.473, with 2 homers), Jason Bay (.398), Papelbon (.201) and Okajima (.149). Suckage Sox Beckett (-.711!!), Timlin (-.363), Mark Kotsay (-.261), Ellsbury (-.254) and Youk (-.118).

Tonight's game has the old man Jamie Moyer (3.71, 16-7) starting for the Phillies against Hiroki Kuroda (3.73, 9-10).

Phillies 8 Dodgers 5

So much for good starting pitching, the Phillies scored 8 runs (7 earned) in 2.1 innings off Chad Billingsley. Brett Myers, Starter for the Phillies, didn't do all that much better, 5 earned in 5 innings of work but it was enough to get the win. Philly relievers Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge pitched 4 innings of no hit ball to preserve the win.

Philly offensive heroes were Victorino (yet again) going 2 for 5 and driving in 4 and pitcher Brett Myers who went 3 for 3 and drove in 3 and scored 2. For the Dodgers, Manny hit another home run and drove in 3 to get the Dodgers close. Victorino made a nice catch at the CF wall on a fly hit by Casey Blake that could have turned the game around.

Canadians and former Jays in the game? Russell Martin went 1 for 4 with a walk and scored 2. Barry Bond's favorite former Jay Jeff Kent came in to play second in a double switch and went 0 for 3. For the Phillies Jayson Werth went 1 for 5 and scored a run. Matt Stairs didn't get into the game.

Phillies of the Day: Myers (for his offense, .196 WPA) and Victorino (.177). No Suckage Phillies though Brett Myers came close as pitcher. Dodger of the game: James Loney (.191). Suckage Dodger Billingsley (-.455). The teams play again Sunday in LA with the old guy Jamie Moyer facing Hiroki Kuroda of the Dodgers.

Red Sox 2 Rays 0

DiceK finally lives up to his billing, he had a no hitter going till the 7th inning, finished with 7 innings, 4 hits, 4 walks and 9 strikeouts. Okajima, Masterson and Papelbon finished out the shutout.

For the Rays James Shields pitch 7.1 strong innings, giving up 6 hits, 2 walks, 6 k's and 2 earned, but if your team doesn't score for you, you can't win. Ask Doc. Howell, Balfour and Price finished out the game.

Offensively Youk was the only player for either team to have more than 1 hit going 3 for 4 and driving in 1. Canadian Jason Bay went 1 for 3 with a walk and a run. Former Jay Gabe Gross went 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts. Eric Hinske still hasn't seen playoff action.

Red Sox of the Day: DiceK (.283 WPA), Masterson (.177), Okajima (.112), and Youk (.184). Suckage Sox: Varitek (-.144) and Ellsbury (-.108). Rays of the Day: Shields (.233) and Iwamura (.101). Suckage Rays: Longoria (-.265), Gross (-.194), Navarro (-.172) and Bartlett (-.144).

Tonight Josh Beckett faces Scott Kazmir.

Well, might as well make it an even hundred. 

Los Angeles Dodgers 3, Chicago Cubs 1: The Cubs once again failed to advance as Hiroki Kuroda, James Loney (fast becoming my favourite non-Jay player not named Ichiro) and the Dodgers swept the Cubs out of the ALDS.  Russell Martin, Manny Ramirez, and Rafael Furcal also had excellent series for the Blues, who enjoyed great starting pitching from Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley, and Kuroda as well as excellent work out of the bullpen (with the exception of Takashi Saito). Great starting pitching, shutdown bullpen work, and fantastic hitting out of the whole top half of the lineup - Now that's how you win a DS.  Reed Johnson, who by the way, ended the season with an OPS 1 point lower than Joe Inglett (.779) never got into the series, unfortunately.

Milwaukee 4, Philadelphia 1:  The Brewers did their best to make this a series by staving off elimination behind a good performance from ex-Jay David Bush (good thing he didn't have to face an AL East team since we all know he's not an AL East pitcher (not that I'm complaining about the Overbay trade, since it was an excellent trade for the Jays - I just found that to be a pointless post-hoc potshot by J.P.))  The ageless one, Jamie Moyer, didn't have a great start, and the bullpen did not perfom well either for the Phils.  Matt Stairs pinch-hit but unsuccessfully, while former Jay Jayson Werth continued to have a great series with two more hits.  Mike Cameron and Bill Hall, the Brew Crew's 1-2 hitters, each got on base 3 times, which is a good way to win a game.  J.J. Hardy was the big stick man with 3 hits, scoring and driving in a run.  Bluebird Banter's other Brewer dream target, Prince Fielder, had a sacrifice fly and walked.  Pat Burrell is still hitless in the series (though with 2 bases on balls), not helping his value on the market.  Game 4 between the two teams doesn't feature an exciting playoff pitching matchup with Cupcakes Blanton facing off against Clone Warrior Jeff Suppan.

Yesterday was a good day for teams that won their first ALDS game, as the Rays and Red Sox went 2-0 up on their ALDS foes.  Chicago at least is going home, but the Angels seem pretty much done. 

Tampa Bay 6, Chicago 2:  Tampa beat Chicago behind a good start from Scott Kazmir and solid work from it's bullpen.  Former Bluebird Banter target Akinori Iwamura hit a 2-run home run, Dioner Navarro and Carl Crawford had good days at the plate, B.J. Upton tripled and scored, and Rocco Baldelli chipped in with an RBI single. Toronto media favourite Orlando Cabrera did do a nice job leading off for the Chi Sox, with 2 hits in 4 appearances.  Matt Garza will face John Danks in game 3 on Sunday with the Sox facing elimination. 

Boston 7, Los Angeles of Anaheim 5:  It has been years and I still cannot get over how stupid that name is.  Ervin Santana gave up 4 runs in the first inning to put Boston out on top, but the Angels fought back to tie this game at 5 going into the 9th inning.  Enter K-Rod, perhaps having one of the most overrated seasons for a closer of all time.  J.D. Drew hit a 2-run bomb, Papelbon shut down the Angels, and the Sox won again. Boston and the Angels will also play their game 3 on Sunday with the Halos facing elimination and turning to Joe Saunders.  Josh Beckett pitches for the Sox.

Jays win. Not that it matters but is nice they finish 10 games above .500 when they spent so much of the season within a couple of games of .500. Litsch had a good start, 7 inning, 3 hits, 5 k's and only 1 earned run. Cy and League each pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Is it possible that our pitching could be this good again next year?

Our offensive hero was Vernon with two home runs to get up to 20 on the season.  I know it means nothing but I'm glad he got to 20, sort of like ending 10 games above .500, it just feels a little better that someone got there. Other offensive stars were Inglett, who I hope gets a role on team next season, was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and 3 runs. Scoot went 3 for 5. Rolen 2 for 4, the way he has ended the season gives hope for next year. Zaun was 2 for 5 in what is likely his last game as a Jay. He's been far better as a Jay than anyone could have hoped he'd be joined the team. He's been good offensively and defensively, till this year. I'll miss him. And Lyle got a home run. Here's hoping for better next year, a year further removed from the broken hand.

Jays of the Day? Wells (.309 WPA), Litsch (.248) and Lyle (.104). No suckage Jays today. Lyle surprisingly had the most Jay of the Day Awards from us this season. I'm sure none of us would have guessed that watching him this season, but good for you Lyle.

In other news, you have to feel for Met fans, sorry Hugo, watching their team not quite make it to the post season again. I won't say the 'C' word. Wonder what they might offer us for BJ this winter? Congrats to the Brewers for making it to the playoffs for the first time since the Harvy Walbanger days. In the AL Central the White Sox have to play a make up game against the Tigers in Detriot tomorrow and if they win they have a one game playoff againt the Twins in Chicago to see who gets to go to the ALDS.

For our part we'll be following the playoffs here at Blue Bird Banter and we'll put up a playoff pool for those of us that can't pick football winners, we can show we are equally lousy at picking baseball winners.

Personally it was a strange day for me.....drove 3 hours up to Edmonton to see an Evening With Kevin Smith. Got a hotel room, took my son out for supper, watched him play hockey for a couple of periods. Off to see Kevin Smith, search out where the theater is, find a place to park. It's canceled. Kevin apparently missed the plane. Or something. Rescheduled for a week from Wednesday. So I have to figure if I can move things around enough to come up here again. Oh well, supper with my boy was good. 

Thanks Jays, it was an interesting season.

The rain gives and the rain takes away. After winning a rain-shortened game yesterday the Jays lost one today. Today they got to the first batter in the top of the 7th, Overbay who ended a long hitless stretch with a double, then they called the game because of the rain and the Jays losing 2-1.

Offensively we didn't do much against O's starter Brian Bass. We managed 4 hits in the 6 innings and one run on Wilk's 4th home run. John Parrish gave up 9 hits in 5 innings and 2 runs in his 5 innings of work. He pitched his way into and out of trouble in just about everyone of those innings. Tallet pitched a scoreless inning while the rain was pouring down on him.

No real Jay of the Day today though Wilk deserves honorable mention for the home run. And no Suckage Jay, Inglett  came close with a -.082. Sad to lose a game when a game is called with the tying run on second and none out. Seems to me the Jays had a suspended game before that Lyle was on third at the time it was suspended.

In other Jays news, the big news is the rumor that Jays have made an offer to AJ in the hopes to keep him with the team over the next four years. I am hopeful that they'll work something out, it does seem that he enjoys the team and his teammates.

The Jays last game of the season is tomorrow at 1:00 Eastern and they need the win to finish 10 games above .500. Litsch (12-9, 3.67) goes against Jeremy Guthrie (10-11, 3.57). That is, if the rain lets up. I'm driving out of town tomorrow at that time so won't get to see how the season ends.

We might have a keeper, Scoot Richmond gets his first win, his first complete game and his first shutout. Yeah it was only 6 innings to get the complete game and the shutout but it still counts. Richmond only gave up 4 hits, no walks and struck out 4. He has pitched well for us with an ERA of 4.00 and a 10:1 strikeout to walk ratio. He deserves to be looked at for the 5th starter role next season. Our problem is we have a handful of 5th starts possibilities and no real 2 and 3 guy if AJ leaves, Marcum gone till 2010 and McGowan out for at least the first month of next year.

As well as Richmond getting his first win, Curtis Thigpen got his first career home run. I hope Cito plays him the last two games of the season. I really don't feel too bad about the idea of Thigpen as our backup catcher. I think he could handle the role. Speaking of guys I'm feeling better about Rolen had another good game going 2 for 3 with an RBI. Rolen has been great in September, batting .298/.348/.524 with 3 homers. If he can hit like this next season and play 140 games we'll be ok at third.

Others that had a good night include Lind who came within a few feet of his first home run in a month but it was a double and he took a walk. Lind has got to find the home run stroke to be of value for us next year, but I think he will. He is keeping his average up at .289. Scoot went 2 for 4. Even Mac got a hit so it has to be a good day. It is nice to see us finally get some hits and runs off Chris Waters, guys like that we should beat.

Anyway, Jays of the Day: Richmond (.376 WPA) and Rolen (.150). Honorable mention to Thigpen. Batista Awards to Wells (-.197) and Moonraker (.136).

Two games left, tomorrow Parrish (1-0, 4.10) goes against Brian Bass (3-4, 5.08). Parrish has been doing very well for the Jays pitching out of the pen so it will be good to have a longer look at him tomorrow. And our pen is well rested. Gotta play the last two games so might as well win them.

When they start telling you what a wonderful manager Cito is, remember this game. I know, I know, this 'battle for 3rd place' means nothing at all, but, frig Carlson's arm means something. Carlson, pitching his second inning of work, clearly is tiring. Can't find the strike zone. Hits Cano to load the bases. Does Cito pull him? No. Is Cito awake? Have pigeons landed on him yet? So Cy gives up the grand slam to Abreu. Cito still doesn't stir. Someone check....is the man breathing?

Nagy grounds out. Damon singles. Still Cito can't fight the inertia enough to remove the poor guy. Cy does get Betemit to get out of the inning, but can someone explain this to me? Does Cito get a kick back from every surgery performed on one of his pitchers? Can he please catch on to the idea that throwing when tired puts strain on a pitcher arm? Please?

Now last year I wasn't a fan of how Gibby used his pen but this season he seemed to have learned. Could Cito please take the same class? My worry is with his status as Savior with the team, no one will be able to talk to him and say 'there is a limit to the number of young arms you can wreck'.

Yeah, other things happened. AJ had what might have been his last start with the team, went 8 strong, struck out 11. He was great. Cito had him go to the mound at the start of the ninth (scaring me into thinking he was going to have AJ pitch another inning after already throwing 118 pitches) and then took him out so the fans could cheer him. And they did. It was very nice. Same people that called him a loser before cheered him now. And next year if he comes back they'll be back on him, but tonight was nice.

And Rolen hit a home run. Rolen seems to be the only one on the team that can drive in a run. Well yes Rios drove in a run on a sac fly in the 1st. Other than that our offense was awful again. Phil Hughes goes into the game with a 7.96 ERA and left with a 6.62 ERA. We can't beat the crappy pitchers again, just like the first half of the season.

Jays of the Day? AJ (.264 WPA) and Rolen (.182). Hinske Awards go to Lind (-.153, hasn't had a homer since Aug. 19), Overbay (-.112), Wells (-.112) and Scoot (-.095). Cy has the numbers for the Batista Award (-.337), but I'm blaming Cito for that.

Tomorrow Doc goes for his 20th win, maybe he could bat as well, then he might have a chance. Yankees have Carl Pavano (4-1, 4.99). Please, please we can't lose to him again.

Seven strong innings for Jesse goes for naught today, 7 innings, 5 hits, 2 earned and 8 strikeouts. And it should have been better, Robinson was clearly out at the plate on Jesse's wild pitch in the 7th. But the plate umpire had a rough night. The strike zone was all over the place, I was sure that a Jay was going to be thrown out before it ended. The pitch to Giambi before his homer was a better pitch than many that were called strikes tonight. Tallet pitched the last two scoreless innings.

Offensively we got 9 hits but struck out 14 times. Many of them looking and many of those had a Jay grumbling afterwards. On one check swing the third base umpire ruled not a swing while the plate umpire called it a swing. And course, that was an out. Rios, Lind and Snider each had 2 hits. Inglett, Overbay and Zaun were 0 fers, Zaun with 4 strikeouts.

No Jay of the Day today. Hinskes go to Inglett (-.185 WPA), Overbay (-.168), Zaun (-.157) and Scoot (-.121).

In other Jay's news, they have decided to shut down Purcey for the rest of the season just to stop running up the inning count on him. Last season he only threw 62 innings because of an arm injury, this year he is up to 182 inning in the Majors and Triple A comblined. A little late to worry but a good move.

Tomorrow AJ (18-10, 4.18) goes against Phil Hughes (0-4, 7.96). What are the odds we lower his ERA by a couple of runs?