Blue Jays Can't Recover From Morrow's Poor Start. Mariners Beat Jays.

Mariners 4 Blue Jays 3

There goes the thoughts of a 5 game win streak.

It was a lousy start for Brandon Morrow. He gave up 11 hits and a walk, while getting 4 strikeouts in 4.2 innings. It should have added up to more than 4 runs against. He was helped out by 2 good throws by Rajai Davis, getting John Jaso at the plate in the first inning (with Jaso running through a stop sign, though I thought he'd be easy safe) and then throwing Jaso out at 3rd in the 3rd inning. I think it is likely that Brandon has got a bit of a tired arm. It is his 4th start back after being on the DL for 2 and a half months. I'm sure he'll be back strong next time out.

Our bullpen kept the Mariners off the board for the last 4.1 innings. Brett Cecil pitched 2 scoreless innings. He gave up a couple of hits, but did a pretty decent job. Brad Lincoln got 4 outs without allowing a base runner. Jason Frasor allowed a hit in the 9th.

On offense we got 3 runs and really should have had more. Yunel Escobar doubled to lead off the 4th, but wasn't even moved up to 3rd base. Kelly Johnson reached 2nd on a Franklin Gutierrez error to lead of the 7th, but a J.P. Arencibia ground out, a Davis strikeout, Gose walk and Brett Lawrie fly out failed to move him up either. In the 9th, with 2 outs, Rajai was called safe at first on an infield single (replays made it look like he should have been out). That's the sort of break you'd hope they'd use. Rajai stole 2nd, but Gose ground out to end the game.

Colby Rasmus and Escobar had 2 hits each. Everyone else in the starting lineup had a hit except Edwin Encarnacion (0 for 4, k), Johnson (0 for 4, k) and Arencibia (0 for 4, k). It looks like it will take a bit for J.P. to get his timing back.

Jays of the Day are Cecil (.101 WPA) and Rasmus (.101). I'll give an honorable mention to Rajai for those great throws. Suckage Awards go to JP (-.208), Morrow (-.190), Edwin (-.164) and Gose (-.116).

Tomorrow's game we have Ricky Romero (8-13, 5.85) trying to solve this problems. Kevin Millwood (5-12, 4.27) gets the start for the M's.