Tuesday, July 07, 2015
Prior to the game on Canada Day, the roof was closed at the Rogers Toronto Blue
Jays and the Boston
Once the anthems had
been sung, and the flag tucked away, the Blue Jays took the field for another
day of baseball. Keep in mind that these guys do this 162 days a year. I only
mention that to keep the losses and the victories in perspective. It is a very
long season. Mark Buehrle took the mound for the Jays, and shut the Red Sox
down, with the exception of a single to David Ortiz. Any time you can shut the
big fella down, and leave him stranded on base, it is a victory of sorts.
Jose Reyes started
things off for the Jays. To my mind, he is the straw that stirs the drink for
the Jays. He is always in perpetual motion, and it is obvious that he loves to
play the game. He singled to begin the game. Josh Donaldson also singled,
moving Reyes to second. It was a bunt attempt, an indication from the Blue Jays
that they just wanted to start the game with a run on the board. “Small ball”,
they call it. They both advanced to third on a wild pitch. Jose Bautista struck
out, the first out of the inning.
Edwin Encarnacion at
that point was second on the team in home runs, trailing Bautista by two
dingers. The ball he hit travelled to the second deck, giving the Jays a three
run lead. Catcher Russell Martin was hit by a pitch, and took first base. I am
certain that Major League baseball players expect to see close pitches
following home runs. There is an element of frustration for the pitcher at that
time, and that tiny emotional upset often leads to an errant pitch. On occasion,
it is intentional.
Justin Smoak, a
switch-hitter from goose Creek, South Carolina, lined an offering from Rick
Porcello into the stands to bring home Martin. Kevin Pillar doubled to keep the
parade alive, but was picked off at second base. Ezequiel Carrera flied out to
right field to end the inning. Bottom of the first: Blue Jays 5-Red Sox 0.
Always a great way to start the day. So much for small ball.
The Blue Jays
continued to pour it on in the second inning, scoring twice. Smoak hit a
towering home run in the third inning into the third deck, just above the name
of Tony Fernandez. Most of you will remember Fernandez with a smile. Yet
another Jay who played the game hard, day in and day out, somewhat in the style
of Jose Reyes, without the hoopla.
Donaldson homered in
the eighth inning to finish a triple shy of a cycle. He has received a voting
spot to the All Star game next week. Well deserved. Certainly a step up from
last year’s third baseman, Brett Lawrie. Bautista and Martin will accompany
Donaldson to the mid-season classic. It is promoted as “The game that will
decide who will host Game Seven in the 2015 World Series”. Pretty weak, from my
perspective. Then again, the selection method leaves a lot to be desired. Fans
vote to get their favourite players a chance to play. Each fan is limited to 35
votes on the internet. Maybe some astute political party will suggest the same
for an upcoming election. Please, no.
This promises to be a
roller coaster season for the Jays. Let not your emotions swing too high or too
low. But with the guns on the staff, and the lack of sustained pitching, it
will be an exciting second half for the Jays.
James Hurst
Sportslices.blogspot.com
July 7, 2015
# posted by James Hurst @ 6:28 AM 
