Toronto Blue Jays 2011
- Thread starter plyrs99
- Start date
I didn't see Rasmus first hit, his second the double, was hit with authority to deep center. I don't know who you think gave up on him, two of us thought he would be more comfortable hitting lower in the batting order and I still do. They have him in front of Bautista hoping he will see more fast balls. Lets hope he feels more comfortable and we see more hits. I really like him defensively.
His first hit was a flare, dropped in front of Hamilton, outfielder booted it, Colby ended up on 2nd base.
He was in a slump, then got hot, then the All Star break interrupted. Since then, a sprained ankle and a beaning. I still hit the home run derby is bad karma.
The Blue Jays' much-maligned bullpen suffered another major blow on Thursday afternoon.
Toronto had two late-game opportunities to close things out but was unable to seal the deal against the Rays at Tropicana Field.
The end finally came when Shawn Camp surrendered a walk-off single to Robinson Chirinos in the 12th inning of a dramatic 7-6 loss to Tampa Bay.
"I think any time you lose a game late those are tough to take," Blue Jays manager John Farrell said. "You work all day to put get yourself in a position, you present the position, and then it's not converted."
Toronto had a lead on three different occasions, but each time the club had trouble shutting the door on Tampa Bay's offense.
The Blue Jays led 2-0 after the first inning and maintained that cushion until the fifth. There also was a 4-3 lead in the 10th and a 6-4 advantage in the 11th.
Each time the Rays found a way to claw their way back into the game. Most of the blame will fall on the Blue Jays late-inning relief corps, which recorded two blown saves on the afternoon.
Toronto's bullpen has now failed to convert a league-high 19 save opportunities -- the club is just 23-for-42 in those situations this season.
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/mlb...=2011_08_04_tormlb_tbamlb_1&mode=box&c_id=tor
Toronto had two late-game opportunities to close things out but was unable to seal the deal against the Rays at Tropicana Field.
The end finally came when Shawn Camp surrendered a walk-off single to Robinson Chirinos in the 12th inning of a dramatic 7-6 loss to Tampa Bay.
"I think any time you lose a game late those are tough to take," Blue Jays manager John Farrell said. "You work all day to put get yourself in a position, you present the position, and then it's not converted."
Toronto had a lead on three different occasions, but each time the club had trouble shutting the door on Tampa Bay's offense.
The Blue Jays led 2-0 after the first inning and maintained that cushion until the fifth. There also was a 4-3 lead in the 10th and a 6-4 advantage in the 11th.
Each time the Rays found a way to claw their way back into the game. Most of the blame will fall on the Blue Jays late-inning relief corps, which recorded two blown saves on the afternoon.
Toronto's bullpen has now failed to convert a league-high 19 save opportunities -- the club is just 23-for-42 in those situations this season.
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/mlb...=2011_08_04_tormlb_tbamlb_1&mode=box&c_id=tor
On a side note, they finally decided to call up Lawrie. Snider got demoted. Just a bad situation that he got stuck with as I don't think the minors will do anything else for him. However with the newly acquired Rasmus, Thames's Bat, Davis's speed, Snider is the odd man out with Lawrie's call up since they'll have to move Jose back to the outfield. Now we'll see what the kid is made out of...hopefully he won't choke with all the hype.
Fuck, Rauch makes Gregg look like Eckersley. The only reliable guy in the pen was Frasor but he was a necessary piece to get Rasmus.
And I think we can safely say the ship has sailed on Snider. If it's straight he'll make contact, it if slides or curves forget about it.
And I think we can safely say the ship has sailed on Snider. If it's straight he'll make contact, it if slides or curves forget about it.
Time to let Janssen take a shot at it I say.
I feel for Jose I mean from right to third and then back to right. He's a team player and all but that is asking a lot from your star hitter.
And Thames was doing great in the 2 spot so why the need to put Rasmus in there? Now Thames has gone ice cold.
I feel for Jose I mean from right to third and then back to right. He's a team player and all but that is asking a lot from your star hitter.
And Thames was doing great in the 2 spot so why the need to put Rasmus in there? Now Thames has gone ice cold.
This is so funny. I'm watching Stephen Colbert and he was talking about former baseball player Bill Bergen. He said that Bergen's 0-45 hitless streak is in danger of being broken. Bergen also holds the lowest batting average ever at .139 (no, he was not a pitcher).
Truth be told, I don't think Jose cares...he is a leader whether in the infield or in the outfield; and he has shown that he can handle both positions.
I think they put Rasmus on the 2 spot to ease him in. With Jose batting 3rd, whomever is batting 2nd is bound to get decent pitches to hit. Considering Rasmus was suppose to be this big deal that Alex brought in, I'm sure he wants Rasmus to do well so that he looks like a genius in return.
I was watching the game yesterday. I thought as soon as those two Rays reached base in the 11th that oh-oh here we go. Jays pen blows another one, but there is light at the end of the tunnel ... at least I believe there is.
The Jays are staying in these games showing that they are one major piece(and maybe a couple of minor pieces) away from true AL East contention. They just need a legit closer.
The team does not seem to interested in pursuing one via trade, so I think they have someone in their system they think can do the job or a plan to get a closer when the time is right.
I still think McGowan would make a great closer.
I do not get that feeling from AA. I think he is trying to make the team better and saw that they could finally get Rasmus, a player they had been pursuing for some time. I see AA as a GM trying to get the team set for the closer to be the final piece to the puzzle.
You took the words right off of my keyboard. Apparently he could be up in New Hampshire soon.
Well, I think Snider needs a change of scenery. He has had many chances to prove himself and, bottom line, he has not made the grade... maybe a new team can invigorate him.
He is a great prospect with a persistent history of under achieving. And, if we go back just a little in time, it seems that he simply does not accept coaching and/or instruction. Perhaps he can be a piece for a trade that will land a closer?
As for Janssen, he has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the bullpen but I don't think he has the kind of "electric" stuff that makes a closer.
And, for me, Francisco is a real puzzle: he lost his closer's job to Feliz who came up very big, but he (at least) had the kind of stuff that makes for a great closer.
And Rauch also has a closer's stuff... but also a history of blowing a high percentage of opportunities.
Tom Henke, please come back!!! :frusty:
Perry
He is a great prospect with a persistent history of under achieving. And, if we go back just a little in time, it seems that he simply does not accept coaching and/or instruction. Perhaps he can be a piece for a trade that will land a closer?
As for Janssen, he has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the bullpen but I don't think he has the kind of "electric" stuff that makes a closer.
And, for me, Francisco is a real puzzle: he lost his closer's job to Feliz who came up very big, but he (at least) had the kind of stuff that makes for a great closer.
And Rauch also has a closer's stuff... but also a history of blowing a high percentage of opportunities.
Tom Henke, please come back!!! :frusty:
Perry
True, except Jose is closer to the main activities when he plays 3B and can always call a conference at the mound where the pitcher, catcher and other infielders can gather.
