12:35 AM Eastern
Well, whaddaya know?
The Blue Jays batted around in an inning for the first time in 2 1/2 weeks and gave their starter a big, early lead for just the second time all season. Roy Halladay said “thank you very much, I’ll take it from here.”
Halladay was tremendous, going the route on a four-hitter, walking nobody. He only struck out four as he was back to his old, efficient ways. In six of his nine innings, Halladay needed 11 pitches or less to get the requisite three outs, and therefore had thrown only 89 going into the 9th. A fantastic job.
Afterwards, Halladay said that he didn’t think he was all that great, but that the defense made some great plays on balls that were hit hard. Modesty is a wonderful trait, but there were only two really nice plays that had to be made behind him, although they were REALLY nice. Aaron Hill brought back Alomaric visions with his diving catch of a pop-up in short right field, and Shannon Stewart made a terrific sliding catch of a line drive by David DeJesus.
And hey, how about that Stewart guy? 12-for-his-last-35 to jack the batting average up to .254, and he was back up in the leadoff spot tonight with Brad Wilkerson enjoying a well-earned night off.
Marco Scutaro continued to swing a very hot bat, contributing a pair of two-out, two-run singles to help get the lead to 6-1 in the 3rd. It was the first time the Jays had six on the board through three this season, by the way. Scutaro has done way more than I ever imagined he could in the absence of DaJohn EckDonald (credit bluejays.com). Since being installed as the starter (16 games total), Scoot has hit .327/.413/.364. That’s pretty serious stuff, and it’s an easy argument to make that he should stay in the line-up once EckDonald comes back - the first half of which could arrive anytime now, though probably not until Monday.
The question is, where do you play Scutaro? He’s not going to take at-bats away from Hill or Rolen, and John Gibbons said today that Eckstein is the shortstop once he’s healthy. That leaves first base and the outfield. I don’t mind Scutaro platooning with Lyle Overbay at first, and I don’t mind him getting at-bats in right field over Brad Wilkerson or Joe Inglett, the way he’s been swinging. It’s a nice problem for Gibby to have, and it’ll be interesting to see how he deals with it.
The 3-4-5 hitters in the line-up really got it done tonight, with Alex Rios, Scott Rolen and Overbay combining to go 7-for-9 with a double and three walks, SIX runs scored and two RBIs. It was great to see, especially against a guy like Zack Greinke, who came into the game with a 2.18 ERA (second-best in the league) and a 1.16 WHIP. Grienke hadn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his nine starts this season before tonight, when he gave up six in five innings.
RISP Alert!!!! The Jays were 4-for-13 tonight, led by Scutaro’s two huge hits, and believe it or not, they’re 10-for-their-last-32 against three starters who had a combined record of 15-5 going in. This team just isn’t good enough offensively to compete.
We had a super-extendo-JaysTalk tonight because of how quickly Halladay dispatched with the K.C.ites, and there was a lot of love in the room, I thought. Always nice, but not necessary. As usual, we had a caller who disagreed with everything I said and thought I was a hypocrite, but hung up agreeing with me. Also as usual, we had an idiot - one who thought Roy Halladay was being selfish for going out for the 9th (having thrown 89 pitches!) and was hoping to see a comebacker through the box break Doc’s ankle. Some people just should have their telephone privileges taken away.
You can listen to the show right here:
Thankfully, no one called to suggest that Ernie Whitt should take over as the manager. I made my feelings on that issue known yesterday, and I’m not ever going to address it again, other than with a simple “I disagree” with those who feel he should. One is not to criticize the esteemed Mr. Whitt.
Comments are welcome, but it’s a day game after a night game, so no promises!
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Hey Mike,
What’s the situation with Accardo? He should be eligible to come off the DL shortly if my memory serves me right.
Nice to see some runs on the board tonight. .500 is a good place to start leading themselves into a strong LH May/June run up to the All-Star game.
MW: I believe that Accardo has thrown a simulated game, but he’s still a ways away from returning.
- CameronOn the post game show you said that in 2005 the Jays started off 8-2. Never happened. They were 8-4.
MW: OK, I stand corrected.
- AlexI went and checked about the no image of baseball rule, turns out I did read it on Wikipedia - and the rule is that team uniforms cannot have an image of a baseball on them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Baseball#Major_League_Baseball_uniforms
MW: Wikipedia isn’t an unassailable source, though, is it?
- Sam McLeanHey Mike, great win tonight !
I am just wondering the injury updates on MacDonald and Eckstein and when they’ll be back ? Is Vernons injury looking to be getting any better, whens his expected return ? And Accardo ?
MW: I think Eckstein will be back Sunday or Monday, McDonald is probably closer to at least a week away. Wells is healing, but still out at least another month, and I wouldn’t expect Accardo back before the second week of June.
- AndrewDo you see John Paul going after Orlando Cabrerra next season? Or maybe Tomohiro Nioka from Japan to fill the SS vacancy?
MW: I wouldn’t bet on the Jays signing a Japanese player (unless the guy is a free agent), they have no interest in going through the posting system. I don’t know if he goes after Cabrera or Rafael Furcal or tries to make a trade.
- AndyThis Frank Thomas bit May 15th date seems sketchy. The difference between May 15 and June 6 was -.10/+.13/-.01.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/gl.cgi?share=1&n1=thomafr04&year=2007&t=b#2135:2153:sum
He did not start hitting until he SAT because of interleague play and came off the bench each game as a PH. I see that as fact.
Hindsight is 20-20, and yeah, Thomas is tearing it up in Oakland, but without Wells’ injury, nobody would be questioning the release as much. The financial flexibility will be nice for next year.
MW: The financial flexibility will be tremendous, and I’m not questioning the release (I said at the time that they had no choice, and that Thomas would wind up with about the same season he had last year when it’s all over). But people were questioning the release a lot well before the injury to Wells.
- AriYou see Mike… for no reason the roof was closed! like what the hell? it was a nice day out.
So of the 11 times I’ve been so far this year, the roof has been closed 9 times. I can add last nights game to the “should have been open” column with 6 or so other games.
Are they keeping it closed to keep balls in the park to benefit Jays pitching?
MW: Nope - they keep it closed either because of the threat of rain or because they think it’s too cold for the fans to be comfortable.
- Erikwhats the name the song starting off your sound clip of jays talk??\\
great win tonight!!
MW: No idea. I think it’s just a random radio bumper.
- andrewHi Mike: Long live the Scooter, part deux! I believe I have a valid and hopefully a challenging trivia question for you if you are interested-:) Maybe you’ll get it without looking it up. Which former Blue Jay hit for the highest single season average of any Blue Jay with at least 502 plate appearances of course? I’ll let you decide if he achieved this mark with the Blue Jays or another team.
MW: John Olerud hit .363 in 1993.
- SkipKHey Mike,
Question for the sidelines, from the sidelines.
This is stale news but could you explain/put into context/shed some light on why Thorpe was designated for assignment which ended up him being picked by the Mariners?
I know space had to be made on the 40 but it seemed he could have made a decent middle reliever, I didn’t understand what Benitez did to warrant a call-up/addition to the roster.
The same way Carlson has taken off and (surprisingly) delighted us with what he’s done so far, I felt Thorpe could have offered a big intimidating presence on the mound and done well (granted not as well as Carlson).
I realize he still needs work on off-speed pitches, but he pitched well at Syracuse, co-lead them in saves, is 27 versus 35, etc, etc.
What did you think about adding Benitez and losing Thorpe?
MW: I’m not losing any sleep over it. Thorpe is 27 and didn’t get out of AA until this year. He might wind up being something, but the chances are slim.
- Adam‘Tis a fact that a uniform cannot have a representation of a baseball on it–its in the rule book somewhere, i believe…oh i had to go look it up, its rule 1.11 (e): “No part of the uniform shall include a pattern that imitates or suggests the shape of a
baseball.”
…and to Andy #5, we certainly don’t want Nioka, he can’t hit Japanese pitching, so he really can’t hit mlb pitching, and he’s no Javi Macstein in the field.
TV baseball tomoro, yay!
- Colm E LaterMike,
Outside of the Jays, what are some of you favorite teams to watch this season in MLB?
Myself, I have really enjoyed watching the Rays (they’re more real than you give them credit for - the improved defense goes a long way to helping the pitching), A’s (according to most folks this was the year Beane wasn’t trying) and D-Backs (Webb, Webb, Webb… probably the pitcher most similar to Halladay in all of MLB).
Just curious to know if there are any teams I’ve over-looked who are playing interesting baseball out there.
MW: Lots of teams are playing interesting baseball, including the Marlins, White Sox (go Carlos Quentin!) and the Cardinals (I’m not sure how, but it’s working).
- Christopher TaylorWow. No mention of Hill’s UNBELIEVABLE catch on the blog or JT, so just wanted to give it a shout-out. It reminded me of Alomar’s TREMENDOUS catch in the World Series on a line drive hit over Johnnie O’s helmet. I’m thinking maybe it was Dysktra that hit it, but not sure?
MW: We came back with that catch off one of the breaks on The JaysTalk and I talked about it, but yeah, just incredible.
- AriHey Mike,
I just want to comment about the two idiots who called in last night deriding Halladay for staying in to finish the job. Beyond the fact that his pitch count was only at 89, he had only thrown 23 pitches in the 8 days previous to the start so he obviously had lots in the tank. Secondly, if Roy doesn’t care about the team then why does he sign a few years ago for way below market value? Of all the guys to wish injury upon, its not the guy who donated a million to the Jays foundation and who sponsors a skybox for charity groups. Roy is the heart and soul of this team, never says an ill word of his teammates despite the lack of run support and is a true professional. Good for you for hanging up on the guy but I think you could have ripped into him a bit more.
MW: I think he was the perfect “let-the-guy-bury-himself” candidate.
- Jeff“Brad Wilkerson enjoying a well-earned night off”? Ah, sarcasm…
MW: Who, me?
- ShawnI think I’ve a special talent. I can guess the speed of the pitch accurately. Last night I was spot on most of the time and when I wasn’t I was off by 1 or 2mph only. Whether it was a 80mph curveball or a 92mph fastball, I was able to guess the speed and the speedgun at the Rogers Centre obliged. That amazed my friend, I am sure you are going WOW in your chair as well. When the speedun is malfunctioning, please call me. :)
MW: You should rent yourself out to weddings and bar mitzvahs.
- BeburgHow does a guy like Brad Wilkerson suddenly become bad? Can it be attributed to his injury? As you said, the guy was a great hitter for 3 years straight. Is he done at age 30?
MW: I think the injury had something to do with it, but it’s really hard to explain. It’s hard to believe that he’s done, but his best days do seem to be behind him.
- JohnOk Mike, big fan of ya…sometimes. Just wondering why you don’t think intangibles matter to the jays, ie getting rid of a spark plug like Reed Johnson, but you stated on the broadcast how motivated the d-backs were by Davis’ return and how they “got him” 5 runs in the first, etc. ?!?!?!?!? Why can a guy like that help them get runs, and someone for us doesnt. One more thing.. forgive me if im wrong but I think your opinion is not correct about hitting with “pressure” on the hitter. Some players hit better in those situations, ie clutch. Ortiz, ramirez immediately come to mind, and I know you remember the good and not the bad but when theres 2 on and 2 out in the bottom of 9 and your down by 3, what player in the league would you want up ? Geez, I can feel that pressure even playing in slow pitch league, let alone with thousands watching and millions riding on your performance.
MW: I believe that there is something to be said for a major emotional thing, like a player coming back from cancer or something else that’s hugely significant. That can have an effect on a team, but it’s not possible to sustain that level of emotion over any extended length of time. I want the best hitter I’ve got up in the biggest situation. I hate to tell you, but it’s not even remotely comparable to your slow pitch league.
- Nicky ZMike,
Fantastic somewhat veiled shot, “Brad Wilkerson enjoying a well-earned night off.” Well done.
Tim
- Tim RowlandHey Mike,
I’m a huge fan of your show as well as the radio broadcast with Jerry and Alan calling the games.
Question for you,you keep harping that Adam Dunn would be the monster hitter we need to bolster our lineup,but how about Josh Hamilton from the Rangers?Seems like he’s really tearing it up with the long bombs and the rbi’s he’s driving in,would the Jays have any interest in him and if so,what would it take to pry him from the Rangers?
Thanks and I look forward to your reply………
Aj
PS:Keep up the great job you!
MW: Thanks. I don’t understand why so many people think the Rangers would be even a little bit interested in moving Josh Hamilton, though.
- AjHow many runners has Gregg Zaun thrown out this year? It’s painful to watch when Gathright gets to first!
MW: It sure is, unless someone like Marcum or Litsch is pitching. Then Zaun’s arm gets a lot better.
- ZackI found a astonishing fact Mike that the blu e jays hit better when there’s a righty on the mound. Can you explain that to me? Also, in the offseason do you think they should go after Mark Teixeria and move Overbay to another position?
MW: I can’t explain it, it’s stunning. I think they should do after Teixeira, if they can convince him to DH.
- andrewHey Mike,
Great game last night, Doc was awesome, Scoot should be in the lineup, LF, DH or at SS. Bench Mench and dump Wilkenson. Good to see Overbay on a tear. When do you expect Brian Wolfe back? Not that we need any help with our pitching??
MW: Wolfe is still another week away.
- tom stewartMike : Nice to have a blowout. It must give the guys a shot in the arm to be able to do what they know they CAN do.
Andy cites a SS vacancy. Did I miss something? I thought that Scoot has eliminated any “vacancy”. His play in the last few games has certainly exceeded everyone’s expectations(including yours).
I think that VW will be all year getting back to form. The left wrist takes a lot of strain swinging a rightie bat.
Hope that Mighty Joe gets a spot in the starting line-up. We gotta keep the kettle boilin’! Get out the brooms(at least remember where we packed them).
MW: You expect Scutaro to be the everyday SS next year?
- JackIf Adam Dunn or someone like him isn’t acquired before the trade deadline, who is the DH next year? Still Stairs, or if someone like Dunn was here, would he sign an extension?
MW: If no one is acquired before the deadline, they’d have all winter to add to Stairs to help out as DH next year.
- BrettThe World Wide Leader in Sports had this analysis going in to the game last night:
“… Roy Halladay is not having the best of seasons, but he is 7-3 with a 3.11 ERA against the Royals in his career.”
News to me??? I thought Halladay was one of the most effective pitchers in the league this year. Just goes to show you how poor the exposure is for players on Canadian teams. If Doc pitched in Boston, New York or Chicago he would be a GOD. 5 complete games and the next closet guy has 2. He deserves all the credit in the world for what he’s doing this season!
MW: He was 4-5 going into that start. Some people think win-loss record matters a lot.
- ErikHi Mike
A nice comfortable win, the blood pressure says thank you jays.Doc had the curve working today along with everything else he wanted to throw.Scutaro sure picked up Zaun and Mench .It could have been ugly on the talk show if he hadn’t.I think Scutaro takes some at bats away from wilkerson and Mench when Eck and Macdonald come back.What do you see happening when Wolfe and Accardo come back .Camp has done a decent job and Tallet is a solid lefty.It would be a shame to send one of them down.Do you think we can get a scutaro type player for one or both or do you suggest we just hang on to them at least until the trade deadline?
mario
Go Jays!!!
MW: The Blue Jays don’t need another Scutaro-type player, they have plenty of those. I do think Scoot will take at-bats away from Wilkerson, Overbay and Inglett once EckDonald gets back. When Wolfe and Accardo return, Camp and Tallet seem likeliest to go, but neither has really earned a demotion. It’s a good problem to have.
- marioFine Eckstein’s your shortstop, but let the guy be your shortstop riding the pine until Scutaro starts to slow down. You can’t take a guy out of the line-up when he is blazing hot.
MW: You also shouldn’t lose your job because of an injury, though.
- PeeWee“MW: Nope - they keep it closed either because of the threat of rain or because they think it’s too cold for the fans to be comfortable.”
No no no no no, there were like two clouds in the sky and while it wasn’t hot, it definitely wasn’t cold. It was nice out.
MW: Not nice enough, I guess.
- ErikMike, I’m just wondering why you don’t believe in the word clutch?
MW: I believe in the word clutch, it’s right there in the dictionary.
- andrewOH MY GOD! Brad “The Human Rally Killer” Wilkerson hits a slam. How many is that now for the club this year? I can think of four (Thomas, Stairs, Barajas and now Wilkerson). It must be a full moon or something.
MW: Full moon? It’s a day game! Looks like the day off did Brad some good.
- Jim BranscomeWhat are the chances either Eckstein or McDonald are Jays and/or starting shortstops next year?
Thanks!
MW: Not good.
- Daniel D.Nice to see the contributions from the backups. First Inglett , then Scutaro and now Wilkerson. I was particularly impressed with Scutaro last night. 1st and 3rd nobody out. First a strike out and then Zaun moves the runner from 1st to 2nd and it was here we go again. Only Scutaro got the big hit and then did it again in the next inning.
Maybe Mench will come around against the Oakland lefties. Any news on Stairs yet?
MW: John Gibbons said on the pre-game today that Stairs might be able to go tomorrow.
- JayWhat I meant was, if i can feel pressure in a clutch situation in something as trivial as a slow pitch game, Im sure there is such thing as players who deal with that on a massively larger scale better than others..ie clutch hitters.
MW: I know, but what I’m saying is that most of these guys seem to be able to do a much better job than the rest of us normal humans at shutting out those pressures, or at least using them to their advantage. But I believe the math has proven that there have only been two hitters in the history of the game whose performances were statistically significantly better in “clutch” situations, and both were Blue Jays. Tony Fernandez and Paul Molitor!
- Nicky ZMike, I loved the super-extendo-Jays talk last night. Keep up the great work!
Quick comment: Although Wilkerson hit the grand slam, he looked awful in the next 3 at-bats.
Do you think that Litsch’s performance to date makes him more marketable around the league? I’ve got lots of love for Adam Dunn.
MW: If you hit a Grand Slam and then carry a bamboo stick to the plate for the rest of the day, you’re OK with me. I do think that this might be the ultimate sell-high moment on Litsch, but you still can’t get Adam Dunn for him.
- SherryAfter this game, the Jays starters have a 3.54era in games if you take out David Purcey’s two starts. That’s unreal.
As is Litsch’s 8 BB in 9 starts, a 4.25 K:BB. Maybe some in CWS, BOS, LAD (+Kershaw) would argue, but I think he’s the best #5 in MLB right now.
MW: Litsch is far and away the second-best 5th starter in the game, behind Cleveland’s Cliff Lee.
- AriI know if we want to get Mark Teixeria, we have to convince me to DH. But, we would have to pay a Scott Boars client like $160 million because he turned down $140 from the rangers. Do you think the jays have the ablity to land this guy seeing he’s a scott boars client?
MW: If I was a betting man, I wouldn’t put a nickel on it happening, but they do have the financial werewithal.
- andrewI think Josh Hamilton may be avalible from the Rangers is because Texas is in rebuilding mode and want to get young players in? Why don’t you think Josh Hamilton won’t be avalible?
MW: Because Josh Hamilton IS a young player. He’s 27, won’t hit arbitration until after next season and won’t be eligible for free agency until after 2012.
- andrewWilkerson slam! Extraordinary! I didn’t see that coming.
Also nice to see that they are continuing to score runs with 2 outs.
Do you think they will at least retain McDonald as a good defensive shortstop next year? I would hate to see him go.
MW: He’s still under contract for next year, so he’ll probably still be around.
- reyesMike,
I was just wandering what you think of instant replay? After all the mistakes the umpires have made in the last few days do you think they should get it? I know they are going to test it in the Arizona league this spring training. Do you think it is a great idea or will it take too much time?
MW: I think it’s a great idea, so long as there are a limited number of replay challenges per game.
- StevenDo you think PEDs have something to do with the decline in Wilkerson’s performace since 04?
MW: I have no knowledge that they might or might not have, but I do know he was hurt. Sad, though, that that question is asked of anyone whose performance has declined the last few years
- aviHi Mike
Another nice win .I can get used to this.About getting Hamilton who did this guy want to give up Litsh.Man these Maple Leaf fans are everywhere,how do you handle this and keep your sanity.
mario
Go Jays!!!
MW: I love my job! But don’t get too used to this - they’re not going to win 9 of every 12.
- mario