The Happy Recap
Behind excellent bullpen pitching and the exciting return of the mighty Troy, the Jays defeated Baltimore, 5-3.
Tomo Ohka pitched decently, allowing 5 hits, 2 walks, and 3 runs over his 5 innings, all on homeruns by Jay Gibbons and Nick Markakis. It would've been nice if Tomo had been able to go another inning, but he was at 91 pitches and he has actually been decent in terms of innings this season (for a back of the rotation starter).
Scott Downs relieved Ohka and continued his fantastic pitching, surrendering only 1 hit and no walks over his 2 1/3 innings, while recording 2 Ks. Tek completed the 8th to sort of vulture the win, and Accardo pitched a good 9th to earn his second save of the season.
At the plate, the Jays managed only 2 runs coming into the 6th, on a Jason Phillips double and Big Hurt bases loaded walk. But in the 6th, the Mighty Troy, who many (including myself) had all but counted out after he limped off the field friday after hearing a pop in his foot, singled in Vernon Wells to tie the score. In the bottom of the 8th, the Mighty Troy struck again. After Thomas walked and was pinch-run for by Jason Smith, Glaus homered to left to give the Jays the lead, and the game!
Waxing/Waning Gibbons
I thought Gibbons used his bullpen very well in this game, the only problem being that Downs, Janssen, and Accardo are really our only reliable relievers at the moment and so if we keep using them all in the same game, we are going to have more situations like yesterday, where the game rests on the backs of Frasor and Tallet. Frasor should be fine, but I'd like to see him get some low leverage innings to get his confidence back. Tallet shouldn't be anywhere near a close game unless he is coming in specifically to get a lefty. But I hated Gibbons move of pinch-running for Thomas with Jason Smith. OK, here's the deal: it is painful to see Thomas run the bases. But pinch-hitting for one of your best hitters with one of your worst in the 8th inning of a tie game is kind of stupid because if you don't score, it is likely that the pinch runner will have to bat later. If Troy doesn't homer and the score stays tied and Thomas' spot comes up in the 10th with 2 out and the bases loaded, Gibbons looks like a complete fool for having taken out Thomas. It's just my opinion (and as a former pinch-runner myself I should probably just keep my mouth shut), but there you have it.
Jays of the Day
Troy of course. Welcome back, big guy, and stay well! And Downs for sure.