That was closer than it needed be. Casey Janssen gets his first save of the season, the 8th in his career. It wasn't the nice easy save that we were hoping for, but it still counts. Casey got an out, then had a ball just bounce over him and into CF. A strikeout later, Alex Gordon, with 2 strikes, hit an opposite field fly that landed between Rajai Davis and Corey Patterson for a run scoring double. With the tying run at score, Melky Cabrera hit a soft fly, that I thought for a moment, might land beyond McCoy at short, but Mike made the catch and we won.
Carlos Villanueva had his longest start of the season, going 7 tonight. He gave up 6 hits, a walk and 4 earned, with 5 strikeouts. It would have been a much better night if he didn't give up the 3 run homer to Cabrera in the 3rd. Marc Rzepczynski came in for the 8th, got two quick outs, then gave up a walk and a single. John Farrell brought Octavio Dotel in. Dotel gave up a 3 run home to Billy Butler, to make the game close.
We had a good game with the bats. As well as Adam Lind's grand slam, Jayson Nix hit a 3 run shot and Juan Rivera had 2 singles and drove in 2. Patterson went 4 for 5. Jose Bautista was 2 for 4, plus the intentional walk to load the bases for Lind's homer. Aaron Hill had 2 hits and McCoy (filling in for Yunel Escobar at short) had a single and a walk, as our leadoff hitter. The only Jays without hits were Davis (with a walk) and Jose Molina (0 for 5 with 3 strikeouts).
Jays of the Day are Lind (.263 WPA), Nix (.204), Rivera (.161) and Janssen (.096). Suckage numbers go to Rivera Molina (-.100) and Villanueva (-.100), but I can't give a Suckage award to Carlos when he gives us 7 innings.
Small ball gives and it takes away. Patterson stole second in the first inning, but was caught stealing in the 4th with Jose Bautista at the plate. Corey has 9 steals but has been caught 6 times, not the sort of percentage that I'd want out of someone batting in front of Bautista and Lind. Jayson Nix was also caught stealing after being picked off.
A couple of small bits of news. Part of the reason for Janssen getting the save opportunity was that Jon Rauch is 'dealing with a minor lat issue'. Also John Farrell said that John McDonald isn't ready to come off the DL, he is still feeling soreness.
It was kind of funny watching Lind stare into the Royals' dugout, for a moment, after hitting his home run, I guess suggesting that they shouldn't be walking anyone to get to him. Lind doesn't strike me as the sort of guy that intimidates opponents. But, he sure looks great at the plate right now.
Tomorrow Ricky Romero (5-5, 3.16) starts for the Jays. Luke Hochevar (3-6, 5.25) gets the call for the Royals. It is an afternoon game, 4:00 Eastern start time.