That was a wild one. We gave up runs in each of the first 4 innings but were up 15-10 after 4. Then the pitchers started putting up zeros after that. 25 runs scored by the two teams in the first 4 innings, then 1 in the last 5. I guess the batters got tired from running the bases.
Offensively, everyone in our starting lineup had at least 1 hit. Lyle Overbay had 3 hits, homer, double, single, 2 walks, 2 runs and 3 RBI. Fred Lewis had 2 hits, a walk and 3 runs. Adam Lind had a single, homer, walk, 3 runs and 2 RBI. Vernon Wells was only 1 for 5 but it was a homer and he had 4 RBI. Aaron Hill, 1 for 4, homer, 2 walks, 3 runs, 3 RBI. Travis Snider was 2 for 4 with a homer, 2 runs, 3 RBI. His home run came at the end of an 11 pitch at bat, after he fouled off 5 consecutive pitches. He also had a big moment beating out a throw on a potential inning ending double play. 4 runs scored after that. He also stole a base. Jose Bautista was 2 for 4.
Overbay's big day wasn't enough to get his average over .200 (.189). I can't wait for him and Hill to get over the Mendoza line. Snider's average is moving up a little each day, he's hitting .241 now.
We were helped out by 5 walks Rich Harden handed out in the first inning. Seems like we have heard that 5 walk in an inning story before.
Brett Cecil did not have a good day (massive understatement). He did have bad luck in the first inning. Two soft ground balls that found holes and a popup that Vernon was playing too deep on to get to and he had the bases loaded , with none out. Then he had his first hard hit ball, but right at Jose Bautista, who missed it. It was hit very hard but it is one of those plays that ought to be made. 3 runs scored before Cecil was out of the inning.
The second inning was even worse for Brett and as much as the hits in the first weren't hard ones, in the second they were and he gave up 5 runs. Josh Roenicke came in to start the second. He wasn't much better, giving up 4 walks and 2 hits for 2 earned in an inning and a third. And for that he got the win.
After that things got better. Casey Janssen pitched 3 great innings. Jason Frasor pitched a very good 1.2 innings, coming in with bases loaded and 1 out, and not allowing a run to score. Shawn Camp pitched a perfect 9th.
Jays of the Day are Wells (.295 WPA), Hill (.271), Lind (.213), Janssen (.124) and Lyle Overbay (.175). I'm going to give a JoD to Snider (.084). The homer was the first step in a couple back after being down by 6 and his hustle beating out the double play got us 4 runs. Suckage Jays are Cecil (-.603) and Roenicke (-.144).
That was one long game, 3:21. And we got more runs than we normally get in any one series.
In Dunedin, Adeiny Hechavarria went 1 for 5 in his first pro action. I guess we all were expecting 5 for 5, but is an ok start. Edwin Encarnacion hit a home run in the same game, his first rehab start. Dunedin won 8-2.
Tomorrow at 1:00 Eastern Ricky Romero (3-1, 3.42) goes up against Scott Feldman (1-3, 5.84). Both teams are going to be looking for their starter to go deep, after using a good part of their bullpens today.