The Happy Recap
The Jays Defeated the AL Champion Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in the Motor City, getting off to an exciting start. Troy Glaus broke the extra inning deadlock with a bases-loaded single in the 10th, and BJ Ryan nailed down the save (though not without a little agita).
Jason Frasor was the winning pitcher, but special accolades must be given to Casey Janssen, who pitched fantastically out of the bullpen, retiring all 7 batters he faced and throwing 18 of 25 pitches for strikes. Doc pitched reasonably well, giving up 6 hits (only one, a double to Curtis Granderson, for extra bases) and walking one en route to 3 runs in 6 IP (1 of the 3 was unearned based on a ground-ball error by Aaron Hill). Doc wasn't perfect, but 4 K's and only 1 BB in 6 IP with only 1 extra base hit bodes just fine going forward. One run scored on a difficult Sheffield popup in foul territory nabbed by Aaron Hill.
At the plate, Lyle Overbay hit his first of hopefully many doubles, driving in Reed Johnson as part of a three run 1st Inning, which Wells followed with a single, scoring Overbay. Wells then stole second, eventually scoring on a Rios double.
The Jays did not score again until the 10th, when Glaus stepped up with the bases juiced with Jason Smith (running for Overbay), Wells, and Thomas, and delivered a single to left, scoring Smith. Wells scored on a Rios groundout, and Ryan, after giving up a hit and a walk, managed to earn the save with two strikeouts in the 9th.
On the whole, it was an exciting win, peppered with some timely hitting, (the Jays only managed 5 singles and 2 doubles), good discipline (6 BBs is nice), and excellent pitching. Zaun was the only Jay who performed poorly, going 0-5 and stranding 4.
Clayton Watch : Royce Clayton managed a hit and a walk in three plate appearances before being lifted for PH Matt Stairs. I don't mean to disparage Royce, he looked decent in the field.
Jays of the Day :
Overbay (2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB) for his sweet piece of hitting in the 1st and his starting the 10th inning rally, Janssen for a great job relieving Doc , who as usual gave the Jays his all, keeping them in the game despite some unfortunate luck.
Honorable Mention : Rios , Wells and Glaus with some timely hitting!
Great game, fellas!