Blue Jay Pitchers in August

August wasn't a good month, we went 9-19, but the pitchers really weren't the big problem. Our pitchers had a 4.41 ERA, their best monthly ERA since our 3.79 mark in April. Our starts were 6-17 with a 4.83 ERA. Relievers 3-2 with a 3.68 ERA and 7 saves, the most saves we've had in any month.

Ricky Romero: 0-4, 4.73 ERA in 32.1 innings in 5 starts (6.5 innings a start), 27 hits, 1 home run, 19 walks, 18 k. He allowed a .229/.343/.288 line, which really is pretty good. The Jays only scored 16 runs in his 5 starts. It actually looked like he was putting it together in August, then his first start in September was awful. I don't know what's going on. I don't think anyone does.

Henderson Alvarez: 0-4, 7.77 ERA in 24.1 innings over 5 starts (4.9 innings per start). 40 hits, 4 home runs, 12 walks, 9 k. A .374/.437/.542 line. One of his starts was pretty good, the other 4 were terrible. He's pitching himself out of next year's rotation.

Aaron Laffey: 1-3, 5.47 in 26.1 innings over 4 starts and 1 relief appearance (5.9 innings per start). 23 hit, 6 home runs, 12 walks, 13 k. .232/.321/.485 line. A lot of home runs against. Farrell is talking about going to a 6 man rotation and letting Laffey start again. I'm not thrilled with the idea of a 6 man rotation.

Carlos Villanueva: 1-4, 3.41 ERA in 37 innings over 6 starts (6.2 innings per start). 32 hits, 5 home runs, 7 walks, 36 k. .235/.271/.390. The most home runs he has given up in a month this season, also the most innings he has pitched in a month, by far. He's been averaging around a strikeout an inning all season. The Jays only scored 15 runs in his 6 starts. I am starting to think he deserves a spot in next year's rotation. He's been pretty consistent, his shortest start of the month was 5.2 innings, longest 7.0.

J.A. Happ: 3-1, 4.45 in 30.1 innings, 5 stats, 1 relief appearance (5.7 innings per start). 26 hits, 2 home runs, 12 walks, 34 strikeouts. .234/.304/.378. The Jays actually scored a bit for him, 24 runs in his 5 starts, helped out by a 10 run and a 8 run game. I have my doubts that he can keep that low a home run rate up, but he has done a pretty good job. Better than a strikeout an inning is a good thing. Might be pitching himself into a spot in next year's rotation. Longest outing was 7.1 innings.

Brandon Morrow: 1-1, 2.38 ERA in 11.1 over 2 starts (5.7/start). 14 hits, 1 homer, 2 walks, 12 k. A .298/.333/.447 line. His first couple of games back from the DL have gone about as well as you could hope.

Casey Janssen: 0-0, 6 saves, 2 blown saves, 2.08 ERA in 13 games, 13 innings. 6 hits, 2 home runs, 2 walks, 14 K. .146/.205/.317. One of the home runs was a Yankee Stadium special, it wouldn't have been a home run anywhere else. He went 1.1 innings in one of his games, and 0.2 in one, the rest were 1 inning outings. The most pitches he threw was 30, the least 3. He's been great.

Darren Oliver: 1-0, 1 save, 1 blown save, 2 holds, 3.12 in 9 games. 8.2 innings, 6 hits, 1 home run, 3 walks, 8 k. .188/.278/.313. He's been very consistent, monthly OPS range from .509 to .605. I wonder if he wants to come back next year?

Aaron Loup: 0-1, 3 holds, 1.59 ERA in 13 games. 11.1 innings, 9 hits, 0 home runs, 1 walk, 8 k. .220/.233/.293. He's been amazing against lefties all season, .143/.143/.143 and good .231/.244/.333 against RHB. He's done a great job for us, as a rookie.

Brad Lincoln: 0-0, 4.70, 2 holds in 13 games. 15.1 innings, 16 hits, 2 home runs, 5 walks, 11 k. .267/.318/.467. I've been less than thrilled with Lincoln. It seems like when he is bad, he's really bad. He gave up 3 runs twice and 2 runs once, in appearances this month. I'm sure he'll grow on me.

Steve Delabar: 1-0, 2.93, 4 holds in 14 games. 15.1 innings, 11 hits, 2 home runs, 8 walks, 28 strikeouts. .190/.284/.345. Let me underline that one thing, 28 strikeouts in 15.1 innings. Wow. He won't keep that up, but he's been very impressive, surprisingly good.

Brandon Lyon: 0-0, 3.27, 5 holds in 12 games. 11 innings, 7 hits, 1 home runs, 2 walks, 15 k. .179/.220/.359. Brandon has been a nice pickup too. Again, more than a strikeout an inning. I'm not against keeping him next year, depending on the money and if he wants back.

Chad Jenkins: 0-1, 4.50 in 8 games. 12 innings, 12 hits, 2 home runs, 4 walks, 5 k. .261/.320/.391. He's been good in the long man role. I wouldn't mind seeing him get a start, but I get the feeling it isn't going to happen.