- On the official team homepage, Jordan Bastian writes that Josh Towers' poor performance yesterday was a result of one bad inning. As Marc Normandin alluded to in yesterday's game thread, Towers looked much more effective in the second half of the game.
Look at his stats after that dreadful second inning, for instance:
Innings 1-2:
IP H R ER BB K HR
2 5 4 4 2 2 0Innings 3-6:
IP H R ER BB K HR
4 3 0 0 1 2 0 - The same fate could have befallen Josh Beckett, who also struggled early on, but double-play machine Shea Hillenbrand prevented that from happening. Larry Millson from The Globe and Mail explains the situation:
A first inning that seemed full of big possibilities ended with a ground ball to shortstop.
Shea Hillenbrand, the Toronto Blue Jays' designated hitter, came to the plate with the bases loaded and hit a full-count grounder into a double play, cutting off a potentially big inning at one run.
That was all Boston Red Sox starter Josh Beckett would give up in seven innings, as the Blue Jays lost 5-3 before a record opening-day crowd for Fenway Park of 35,491.
Shea Hillenbrand, likely pondering how Josh Beckett: "I love you, Shea."
Associated Press
he's managed to hit into so many double
plays this season.
Associated PressThe double play was Hillenbrand's league-leading fifth of the season.
- A.J. Burnett looked healthy in his rehab appearance with the Dunedin Blue Jays (A) yesterday. He didn't pitch particularly well, however. He gave up two runs and six hits in four innings. But, the results don't matter in this instance. He was likely testing all his pitches and may have been tentative to throw at his full potential. He's going to start this Saturday against the White Sox.
- With yesterday's game against the Red Sox, the Blue Jays kicked off an incredibly difficult stretch of games in which 20 of their next 25 games are against teams that made the playoffs last season.
Date Team 2005 Record Blue Jays' 2005 Record vs. Opponent
April 11-13 Red Sox 95-67 11-7
April 14-16 White Sox 99-63 2-4
April 18-19 Yankees 95-67 6-12
April 21-23 Red Sox 95-67 11-7
April 25-27 Orioles 74-88 10-9
April 28-30 Yankees 95-67 6-12
May 1-2 Orioles 74-88 10-9
May 3-4 Red Sox 95-67 11-7
May 5-8 Angels 95-67 5-12005 Record of Opponents: 458-352 (.565)
Blue Jays' 2005 Record vs. Opponents: 34-33 (.507)Pfft, should be a piece of cake.
- Frank Catalanotto took advantage of the fact that Wily Mo Pena is now manning the outfield for the Red Sox. Yesterday, he hit a two-run home run in the eight inning off Keith Foulke that deflected off the glove of Pena and over the fence.
Oh, Wily Mo, when will you learn?
Associated Press - Humourous quote taken from today's Toronto Sun:
Eric Hinske, in regards to the recent injuries suffered by top starters Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett, said, "You want your 1-2 guys healthy. We've got to get them out there as soon as possible."
If you want them to regain their health, why would you send them out there as soon as possible?
Red Sox pictures courtesy of Chowdaheads.
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