Coming off of what was a pretty bad loss against the Atlanta Braves, the Toronto Blue Jays were hoping things would be different in San Diego. The first game looked promising.
Colby Rasmus hit a two-run homer in the second and Edwin Encarnacion hit a solo shot in the top of the fourth to go up 3-0 for the Jays. The bottom of the fifth inning is where the game unraveled a bit, with two on, the Padres’ Jedd Gyorko hit an RBI double that would bring in two runners to score. The ball had been thrown to home and while Gyorko tried to make it a triple JP Arencibia threw a terrible throw to third base and Gyorko would score and tie the game. Once again bad fielding lead to the Jays blowing it, but at least they had time to make up for this screw up.
The game went to extra innings, and went all the way to the 17th inning of the game. Fun fact; the game started in May and it ended in June. This Jays lost the marathon thanks to Jesus Guzman who hit the RBI single to win the game; Gyorko was the one who scored the winning run.
In total, both teams had 16 pitchers pitch, both starters got a no decision and did not make it past the 6th inning. Chad Jenkins had a solid game with 5.0 innings, 3 hits, 3 runs and 2 earned runs with two strikeouts. Jason Marquis, the starter for the Padres, went 5.1 innings with 7 hits, 3 runs and 6 strikeouts.
The Jays in the second game lost 4-3; yes, I went straight to the point. The Jays scored first in the second thanks to a Colby Rasmus RBI single, but the bottom of the second would go the wrong way once again because of an error. Everth Cabrera hit a single with the bases loaded; Mark Buehrle of all people had a throwing error trying to end the inning and had three runs scored against him.
Adam Lind homered and had the Jays inch closer, 3-2, but another Everth Cabrera single scored a run and the Padres were leading 4-2. The Jays scored one more in the ninth, but of course that would be it, and as I have mentioned before the Jays would lost 4-3. I remember earlier this season every analyst said the moves AA made would define his time in Toronto. I bet he is wishing it would for the time being. You know aside the fact that Buehrle got his fourth loss of the season and had all the runs and ten hits against him, he is still a great pitcher and I am thankful that the Jays have him. The bats going cold when a good starter is on the mound is just bad luck.
The Blue Jays third and final game was their last chance to get a win in San Diego. This game had the good, the bad and the ugly written all over it especially early on in the game. Once again Colby Rasmus started the scoring in the second inning with an RBI double taking the lead, but that would not last. The bottom of the third the Padres scored four runs. First, Jedd Gyorko would hit an RBI double and a few batters later, Edison Volquez of all people hit a three-run homerun off of Ramon Ortiz.
Edwin Encarnacion hit a solo shot, his 16th homer of the season, to make the score to cut the Padres lead in half making it 4-2. The bad and sad news came in the bottom of the inning, after throwing a pitch Ramon Ortiz when held his arm and looked really upset, then by throwing his glove in frustration onto the ground everyone then could tell he hurt his throwing arm the wrong way. I don’t know just yet what the problem was, but this could be the last game we see the 40-year-old play again. Leaving the field in sadness and frustration the San Diego fans kindly gave him a standing ovation, which was very classy on their part. When the inning was over many of his teammates went to the dugout to check up on Ortiz. I hope for Ortiz that he heals quickly from what ever the injury will be and that he comes back at least for one more game.
In the fifth inning, Adam Lind hit an RBI double bringing in two runs to tie the game. This game would once again go to extra innings, but this time it would only go to the thirteenth. Mark DeRosa would hit a solo shot to make the game 5-3 in favor of the Blue Jays. A few batters later, Anthony Gose would then bunt in Emilio Bonifacio and Jose Bautista would drive in Gose with an RBI double. The Blue Jays would go on to win the game 7-4 and Casey Janssen would get the win while, Loup would get his second save of the season. I’m glad the Blue Jays won, cause they won it for Ramond. The bullpen once again was lights out and is proving that if the starters were healthier this team would be deadly.
The Jays get a days rest while they go and play the San Francisco Giants in a two game series. I can’t wait to watch that, because that is one beautiful stadium!
Nicks Notes:
Brendan Morrow was placed on the 15-day DL because of a right forearm strain. This brings Ramon Ortiz back from assignment and back onto the rotation. In order to bring Ortiz back the Jays kicked Ricky Romero off of the 40-man roster, which meant he had to clear waivers – he did. The fact Ricky cleared waivers probably means that not many teams would want him in his current state, which means there goes any value in trading him for the time being. All I have to say is what the heck happened to him last season? Let’s hope that Josh Johnson will help this team in the rotation. Jenkins was optioned out, but obviously with the injury and all that he will be back and it’s a good thing too he’s showing he can run with the big boys!
This team is possibly too far-gone in the standings to make any real dent in attempting to make the playoffs, but they can still try. The pitching injuries and the lack of depth all of a sudden on the mound has killed the team. I personally think that this team could make the playoffs, and funny enough (if you still have a sense of humor at this point) the Jays probably will make it next year with the team having more chemistry and the guys knowing each other instead of being split with the WBC.
I still feel Gibbons is not the manager to run this team and think it is time for some new blood with experience to take the managing role. Depending on how the season goes, maybe they can bring in a new manager early so that the players get used to him for next season. I have a feeling Alex Anthopolous will not fire his buddy, but I really think a different veteran coach would help this team in the long. I know its not just Gibbons who is at fault, but I was never a fan of bringing him back as the head manager.
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