Blue Jays 8 Royals 5
A better game for Kyle Drabek, considering he only got 2 outs in his last start, but not a good start. He walked only 3, but gave up 9 hits and 5 earned in 5.1 innings. He helped himself out with a barehanded grab on bouncer over his head, and turned what could have been a single into a double play in the first inning. That was a big play. He got the win.
Luis Perez was terrific in relief, pitching 2.2 innings, giving up 2 hits and a walk, with 4 strikeouts. He did allow the runner he inherited from Drabek to score, but after that he was great. Jon Rauch got a easy save, getting 3 quick outs in the 9th.
On offense, Adam Lind hit a 2 run homer in the 1st and drove in 3 on the day. J.P. Arencibia hit a 2 run home off former Jay prospect Tim Collins. Collins looked good when batters chased, but not so good when they didn't. As well as the homer, he walked 2 while getting 3 outs. Throws hard though. I think the Royals are rushing him a bit, getting him to the majors already.
Yunel Escobar started the game off with a single, stole 2nd, went to third when Royals catcher Matt Treanor threw the ball into center, then scored when Melky Cabrera threw wild to 3rd. A great way to start the game. That wasn't the only fun to be had while watching the Royals defense. Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur watched a Edwin Encarnacion fly ball fall between them, giving EE a double. Well, giving might be part the wrong term, it was good that EE was running it out. And, in the 5th, with Mike McCoy on 2nd, Corey Patterson put down a not great bunt, but the Royal's pitcher tried to get McCoy at 3rd. The throw was late and McCoy was safe. It the other team bunts, they are trying to give you an out, you should take it.
Jayson Nix had 2 hits, all the other batters had 1 expect Patterson (0 for 4, with a strikeout) and Rajai Davis (0 for 3, he didn't look good at the plate)
Jays of the Day are JP (.143 WPA), Perez (.122) and Lind (.113). No one had Suckage numbers.
Yunel Escobar came out of the game with 'quad tightness' (prompting bad jokes and another picture of Carm and a quad in the game thread). Mike McCoy came in to replace him and looked ok in the field and hit a RBI double over Alex Gordon in LF. Gordon didn't exactly take the best route to the ball. Hopefully Yunel's injury isn't serious.
Tomorrow Carlos Villanueva (3-0, 2.72) gets to face the Royals. Danny Duffy (0-1, 4.43) starts for Kansas City. 8:00 Eastern.
Great game thread today, the win helped I'm sure.