The Jays have bounced back really well after a tough end to the Yankees series. Today, they defeated the White Sox for the third straight game behind stellar pitching by Doc Halladay -- he pitched a magnificent seven innings (hence the title, haha), as he has (at least) in each start this season, striking out 8 and walking one and yielding just 2 runs (one earned, and both in the first inning) on 6 hits.
Doc got more than enough offense from the Jays. Alex Rios hit a solo shot in the first inning, Adam Lind had the big blast in the 4th with two runners on, and Aaron Hill added a solo job off Bobby Jenks when the game was well in hand.
Doc made way for Jason Frasor, Jesse Carlson, and Brandon League -- and although Frasor gave up a double and League walked two in the 9th before closing things out on a nicely turned double play, the game was never really in doubt.
The only really scary moment was when Marco Scutaro was hit in the chest with a throw while stealing third base (quite adeptly) after doubling. However, Scoot stayed in the game and only came out when the Jays were up by 4, so it is likely precautionary more than anything. Looking at the play again, it looked likely to leave a nasty bruise but probably (and hopefully) nothing worse than that. Other than Doc, Scoot might be the Jays most indespensible player at this point. Scoot was smiling after it happened.
Also, it sounds like the Jays had a nice walkup crowd today. Excitement appears to be starting to build.
In the minors, Casey Janssen had yet another effective appearance for New Hampshire - Janssen went 5 2/3 innings and yielded 5 hits (a double and 4 singles) and no runs, striking out 3 and walking 2. He seems more than ready to go whenever anyone should falter. When last I checked, Brad Mills was also pitching very well for Las Vegas today and has really come on, so there's no shortage of options.
Tomorrow, the Jays go for the sweep behind Scott Richmond, who has had a rough two outings. The White Sox don't have the best offense right now so they could be a good team for him to get back on track. On the other hand, if he pitches like he has in the last two starts, it could be his last start for the Jays for a while. Big lefty Clayton Richard pitches for Chicago. A sweep would be ever so sweet.
Jays of the Day: Lind, Doc, Rios, with honourable mention to Hill and no suckage awards today!
[Note by hugo, 05/17/09 6:41 PM EDT ] Update: Marco Scutaro had precautionary x-rays taken of his chest. The X-rays came back negative, so Marco is day-to-day with a bruised chest. Also, and this is fun, the Jays 26-14 start matches an all-time franchise best (1985) for best record through the first 40 games. I was optimistic about this team coming into spring training, but who thought a quarter of the way into the season we'd look this good?!