SB Nation - Brian Tallet

Won't You Please Let Me Go: Arbitration for Eligible Jays?

hugo — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:38:02 -0000

More photos » by Darren Calabrese - AP

I'm not ready to let Jeremy Accardo walk away just yet (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)

Following up on Tom's post, I figured I'd take a break from my too-long hiatus to put up my views on the arbitration-eligible Jays.

I don't see the point in offering Shawn Camp arbitration. He pitched well for the team last year but there are cheaper alternatives that have more upside. And he's not even a FA after 2010, as far as I know, so there's not really a reason to keep him around for the draft pick (assuming you think he could get there) either.

Jeremy Accardo, I would offer a contract. Obviously Cito doesn't like him, but he has talent and would be a mainstay in a number of MLB bullpens. I would try to trade him. If they can't get anything useful back, I'd see if he can make the big-league bullpen out of spring, which I think he can. If he doesn't make the team, I'd release him then out of fairness to Jeremy or trade him for whatever is out there. Cito might be what we call testa dura, but he does change his mind about players sometimes and an improved attitude (and, more importantly, improved control) on Jeremy's part could give him a new lease on his Jays career.

Jose Bautista has to be non-tendered, in my view. Even if the Jays want to keep him, I think they can non-tender him and retain him for less money. $4 million is way too much for a utility player (which is what he better be) on a non-contending team. I don't see a lot of teams knocking down the door to snatch him up and if someone wants to give him a starting job, more power to him.

Raul Chavez, I'm not sure it matters one way or the other but he did a nice job last season. I'm not a fan of what I consider to be over-catching, but the pitchers didn't seem to mind.

Casey Janssen and Dustin McGowan, I think you absolutely have to offer deals. Neither is going to cost much more than the minimum and while there are huge long-term concerns for both (McGowan if he'll ever pitch again, Janssen if he'll ever be as good as he was), they do both have proven major league success and when you have the chance to get that for close to the minimum, you take it.

Shaun Marcum, Jason Frasor, and Brandon League to me are no-brainers, as is Brian Tallet. Tallet is right on the bubble of being a Type B free agent in 2010, is a useful lefty out of the pen, and shouldn't be too expensive.

Today's title from the incredible song "Age of Consent" by New Order, one of my favorite winter bands.
Stay warm.

This come from behind stuff is great, why couldn't we do this earlier in the season?

Tom Dakers — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:57:19 -0000

More photos » by Darren Calabrese - AP

2 months ago: From left to right, Toronto Blue Jays' John McDonald, Travis Snider, Jose Bautista, Aaron Hill and Vernon Wells celebrate their 5-4 win over the Seattle Mariners during AL baseball game action in Toronto on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Darren Calabrese)

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Mariners 4 Blue Jays 5

I don't understand why we would pinch hit for Randy Ruiz today when we wouldn't pinch hit for Chavez, McDonald or Bautista the other day, but it worked out. Adam Lind comes in the 8th to hit for Ruiz and singles in the tying run. Rod Barajas follows that with a doulbe to bring in the winning run.

Brian Tallet pitched us 7 strong innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 walks and striking out 6. Actually 6 strong innings and one poor one, he gave up 3 solo homers in the 5th. Brian Wolfe came in in the 8th and gave up another solo homer but got the win, since we came back o his watch. Shawn Camp pitched the 9th to get his first save of the season.

We got 9 hits on the day, 2 for Bautista, one each for everyone else that swung a bat except for Aaron Hill and Edwin Encarnacion. Even Kevin Millar had a hit, though if you watch the replay it went through SS Josh Wilson. I'd have called it an error.

Jays of the Day are Lind (.298 WPA, nice when you can be JoD with one swing of the bat), Barajas (.205), Camp (.168) and Bautista (.116). Suckage Jays are Encarnacion (-.210) and Vernon Wells (-.140).

We start a 3 game series in Boston tomorrow with Scott Richmond (7-10, 5.32) going against Josh Beckett (16-6, 3.78).

The Jays finish the season 44-37 at home, unfortunately they made us play on the road too.

Walk Off Wins Are Fun. Aaron Hill Comes Up Big in Extras

Tom Dakers — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:43:33 -0000

More photos » by Darren Calabrese - AP

2 months ago: Toronto Blue Jays shortstop John McDonald fields a chopper to throw out Baltimore Orioles' Lou Montanez during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)

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Orioles 5 Blue Jays 6 (11 innings)

Winning is nice, come back wins are even better. The fangraph is cool so let's put it up.

Brian Tallet, I thought, didn't pitch as bad as his line reads. 6.1 inning, 11 hits, no walks, 3 strikeouts. Not many of the hits were hit all that hard, but he was helped out by some good defense. Carlson, League, Accardo and Camp pitched us 4.2 innings of shutout ball.

Offensively, we got back to back homers in the 3rd from Aaron Hill and Edwin Encarnacion. Encarnacion hit another homer, a two run shot in the 8th. In the 9th we loaded the bases and Jose Bautista took one for the team to bring in the tying run. But Hill and Encarnacion struck out to end the inning. We had a good chance to win the the 10th, loading the bases again but since we don't have a backup shortstop, we can't pinch hit for John McDonald. In the 11th Bautista walked and Hill doubled him home for the win and his 100th RBI. .

We had 11 hits on the day, everyone in the starting lineup had at least one hit but everyone's hero Kevin Millar and Rod Barajas. Rod is back into a slump, 0 for his last 17. It is pretty bad when those two are our 5 and 6 hitters, batting .232 (Rod) and .209 (Kevin). Millar did take a walk but was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first on a double. Man is he slow.

Jays of the Day are Bautista (.347 WPA), Hill (.193), Camp (.143), Travis Snider (.158) and Lind (.109). Encarnacion didn't get the WPA number but I'm giving him a JoD anyway. Suckage Jays are Tallet (-.261), Overbay (-.164) and Barajas (-.099).

One thing I really don't understand, in September with expanded rosters, why can't we bring in another guy that can play SS so we could maybe pinch hit for John McDonald? I know it might cost the team a buck fifty, but wouldn't it be worth it?

It is very nice to see Encarnacion show off some power. He has 5 homer in the last two weeks. And his defense looks better, to me, than advertised.

Tomorrow we go for the sweep with Scott Richmond (5-10, 5.31). Orioles are starting Jeremy Guthrie (19-15, 5.05) so there should be some offense.

Happy Birthday Danny Cox

Tom Dakers — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:05:20 -0000

It is Danny Cox 50th birthday today. Danny came into the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals, playing for them for the first 6 years of his career. He had a couple of terrific seasons as a starting pitcher for them, going 18-9 with a 2.88 ERA in 1985 and then 12-13 with a 2.90 ERA in 1986, but he threw 461 innings between the two seasons. Unsurprisingly, that number of innings led to elbow troubles later. He ended up missing the entire 1989 and 1990 seasons. He made it back the to majors in 1991 with the Phillies but wasn't the same pitcher he had been before the arm troubles.

The Jays signed him as a free agent and made him a reliever in 1993. Danny was an important part of our bullpen in our second World Series season, going 7-6 with a 3.12 ERA in 44 games. He pitched 5 shutout innings in our ALCS win over the White Sox. He did have a rough outing in game 6 of the World Series against the Phillies, being part of a 5 run Phillies 7th innings that put the Phillies up 6-5. But that just set things up for Joe Carter to hit the biggest home run in Jays history, so he can be forgiven.

Danny's arm troubles reappeared the next two seasons and he wasn't as good. 1995 was his last season in the majors. He has worked as a minor league manager and pitching coach since then.

So Happy Birthday Danny. Hope it is a good one.

Also Happy Birthday to Cecil Fielder, who is 46 today, we talked about him last year on his birthday. And Happy Birthday to Brian Tallet who turns 32 today, hope your foot is feeling better.

Ain't Gonna Work on Maggie's Farm No More: Jays' 2009 Minor League Affiliates' Season in Review, Part I

hugo — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:00:32 -0000

Hi everyone. Before we update our top prospects list, let's take a broader view at what has been going on among the Jays' minor-league affiliates this season. Part I will focus on the lower-level affiliates, Part II on the teams closer to the majors.

Gulf Coast League Blue Jays: The GCL Jays played slightly above .500 ball this season and did so with a number of 2009 draftees and other very young players. 18-year old Carlos Perez (the GCL Jays' MVP) did a great job behind the plate, batting .291/.364/.433. 17-year old shorstop Gustavo Pierre held his own at the plate with 18 extra-base hits in 48 games. Although he did make 14 errors, that's nothing unusual for a shortstop that young in his first taste of pro ball, since his defense is said to be solid overall.

On the mound, Matt Fields dominated, but he was quite old for the level so he was expected to. Ryan Shopshire, a 2009 draftee, was also old for the GCL, but pitched great in his 8 starts and was promoted straight to Lansing by season's end. Aaron Loup, the southpaw 2009 Tulane draftee (go Green Wave!), pitched only in relief for the GCL, probably to keep his innings down as he was more of a starter in college. Loup did a nice job in relief, with a 19/3 K/BB ratio in his 16 1/3 innings and a 3.86 ERA, especially finishing the season strong (he only gave up 2 runs in his last 14 innings).

Auburn Doubledays: Sean Ochinko, the 2009 draftee out of LSU (Aaron Hill and Brian Tallet's alma mater) did a tremendous job from behind the plate, batting .324/.382/.527, with 6 home runs and 20 doubles in 52 games and earning team MVP honors. Very nice. Shortstop Ryan Goins, another 2009 collegiate draftee, didn't show a lot of power but held his own at the plate, earning a promotion to Lansing by the season's end. Yan Gomes, Auburn's other primary catcher, and another 2009 draftee, also did a very fine job at the plate, batting .296/.363/.444, and left-handed hitting Ryan Schimpf, another 2009 LSU graduate (the Jays have really mined the Pelican State in their drafting made a nice debut at second base. On the less encouraging side, 2009 draftee Lance Durham struggled in his professional debut, and toolsy centrefield types Marcus Brisker and Eric Eiland showed very little and Eiland especially looks to be in big trouble as a prospect.

On the pitching side, lefties Egan Smith (a 2.56 ERA in 9 starts, 36/11 K/BB ratio over 38 innings) and Matthew Wright (73 Ks in 59 2/3 innings, with 23 walks and a 3.77 ERA in 16 appearances (12 starts)) and righty Dave Sever (3.34 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) with 57 Ks and just 15 walks over 67 innings) all had very nice seasons from Auburn's rotation. Wright pitched for Auburn (reasonably well) last season, while Smith and Sever were 2009 draftees. Smith was named a 2009 NY-Penn League all-star.

Lansing Lugnuts: Unlike some ohters, we didn't count Johermyn Chavez out after an awful 2008 campaign and he rewarded us (not to mention himself) with a fantastic season for Lansing. The 20-year old batted .283/.346/.474 with 22 doubles, 6 triples, and 21 home runs (2nd in the league) as an underaged hitter in a tough hitters' league. After a scorching start, he tapered off a bit in the late spring, but came roaring back to end the season, which was great to see. Fellow outfielder Welinton Ramirez split his season between Auburn and Lansing and played well for both. Brian Van Kirk (.278/.389/.451 for Lansing) put up solid numbers, earning promotions to Dunedin and, shortly thereafter, New Hampshire. Ty Pastornicky did a very nice job as Lansing's SS, not showing any power, but holding his own at the plate, playing excellent defense, and stealing 51 bases. He was promoted to Dunedin when Justin Jackson went down with a frayed labrum. Balbino Fuenmayor, still just 19 though in his 3rd season with the Jays' organization, had an up-and-down season for Lansing (.663 OPS), but certainly too promising to give up on considering his age. Kenneth Wilson, yet another toolsy CF type, struggled mightily, and none of Jon Talley, A.J. Jimenez, or Chris House had great seasons behind the plate for Lansing (though House was starting to look better as the season neared its end).

On the mound, Henderson Alvarez (92/19 K/BB ratio in 23 starts (124 IP), with a 9-6 record and 3.47 ERA) was very good, but many of Lansing's other starters struggled, though not Charles Huggins, who was so good in his 7 starts (1.57 ERA, 40/11 K/BB ratio in 34 1/3 innings) that he quickly pitched himself out of the league and into Dunedin (where he also excelled). Joel Carreno made good 14 starts for Lansing. Frank Gailey did a fine job out of the bullpen.

Dunedin Jays: Moses Sierra was another guy who struggled in 2008 but had a very nice season in 2009, earning MVP honors for Dunedin and hitting .286/.360/.393 before his promotion to New Hampshire (where he continued to excel, albeit in just 34 at-bats before the season ended) and showcasing fine defense and an exceptional arm in the outfield. The Jays like Sierra, as they showed when they gave him an extended look in 2009 spring training despite him being a 20-year old outfielder who had a mediocre-at-best 2008 season for Lansing. Sierra wasn't the only quality outfielder for Lansing - in fact, his fly-shagging bretheren Darrin Mastroianni and Eric Thames (.874 OPS in 216 plate appearances) also had big seasons - in Thames' case unfortunately curtailed by injury, something that's proving to be a continued thorn in the side of his development (he could've easily been in AA this season but for his injury). Centrefielder Mastroianni (.325/.426/.390) showed a real knack for getting on base at the top of the order and also earned a promotion to New Hampshire before the season let out. Catcher Jonathan Jaspe hit well but really needs to learn to take a walk (just 17 in 279 plate appearance) while fellow catcher (and yet another LSU product) Matthew Liuzza knows how to walk but was old for the level at 25. Adam Loewen was an interesting story - not unexpectedly, he started slow - no surprise for a hitter's first taste of professional ball being at high-A. But he picked up steam each month was better than the last - until August, that is, when he, somewhat unexpectedly fell off. Overall, Loewen's season (.236/.340/.355) was still pretty encouraging for his first taste of professional ball, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him take a step forward next season.

The trio of 2008 high-school draftees and infield prospects, Kevin Ahrens, Justin Jackson, and John Tolisano, continued to move up together through the system this year, but it wasn't a great season for the three overall. Tolisano (.232/.305/.379, with 12 home runs) had his moments and was looking at an encouraging season before a putrid August dragged down his numbers. Jackson got off to an awful start that injuries robbed him of the chance to overcome and eventually needed labrum surgery, while Ahrens just didn't do anything at the plate until August, when he started to snap out of it a bit. I can't imagine any of them will be moving up to start next season, which puts the Jays in a tough spot with respect to the shortstop position, where Pastornicky outplayed Jackson this season.

On the mound, Andrew Liebel's horrible 5-13 record masks the fact that he was actually pretty good (3.63 ERA, 118/42 K/BB ratio in 156 innings) He threw a lot of quality innings this season (he also made two starts for New Hampshire, in which he pitched splendidly) so he shouldn't feel bad about the record. Kenny Rodriguez also pitched quite well in his 12 starts (2.43 ERA, 63/23 K/BB ratio), and Vincent Bongiovanni wasn't bad either (4.44 ERA with solid K/BB numbers). In relief, we know all about Tim Collins (99 Ks in 64 2/3 innings, with 28 walks and a 2.37 ERA), who hit a bump when he was promoted to New Hampshire, but Robert Bell (112 Ks and just 22 walks) in 96 innings consisting of 10 starts, 32 relief appearances) also put together a very nice season (2.43 ERA). Trystan Magnuson had a decent season out of the pen as well, while Zach Dials and Danny Farquar started at Dunedin but soon moved up due to dominating performance.

Join us next time for AA and AAA, and let us know in the comments which minor league players at these levels caught your eye, good or bad, this season.

Let them eat pie: Yanks come back, walk off in 5-4 victory

CrazyYankeeChick — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:39:47 -0000

More photos » by Kathy Willens - AP

Cervelli looking totally nonchalant in his first Major League walkoff hit.

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After an hour of the game, I started wondering if it was possible I had accidentally cued up last night's GameDay. Yanks stake pitcher to 2-0 lead. Lose it when Blue Jays tie it up shortly thereafter. Really lose it when Jays take lead. I don't think I could have stomached a second loss, and I would have probably gone into a catatonic state if Yankee Stadium was hosting Batting Practice for our Canadian Neighbors, Part II.

But they came through. They showed grit. (Real grit, not the "grit" that Yahoo purported Brady showed in Monday Night Football.) They worked around their pitching flaws and muted bats, and although at least one of their fans was admittedly starting to panic they kept their stranglehold on our faith. It would appear my susceptibility to hyperventilating is inversely proportional to the number of days left in the season.

~~Anatomy of an averted nervous breakdown~~ Game notes:

Derek Jeter, the subject of legions of idiots' contention he has no range, has spent the season disappointing critics, by demonstrating perhaps the biggest wingspan I've seen from him in years. Tonight, he let a ball go through his legs.
The Yankees are now 4-0 in games where Chad Gaudin starts. I don't understand this at all. From where I'm sitting, it looks like he's just trying to make things as difficult as possible in the "Who's our real #5 starter?" million dollar question game. Trying to pick between him and Sergio Mitre is like trying to pick between Tim McCarver and Joe Morgan. The Jays scored 3 runs on 7 hits, before he was pulled in the 7th in favor of Brian Bruney. Talk about outta the frying pan and into the fire.
How many more outings before Bruney is determined to be a liability? How do you justify someone being an asset when he comes in and promptly sticks runners on 1st and 2nd in record time? Phil Coke got stuck with his mess, and Adam Lind's sac fly scored Marco Scutaro, which would be the last time the Jays crossed home for the night.
Brian Tallet left in the 2nd after Robinson Cano lined one into his foot. I'm sure the Yanks were thrilled with him afterwards when they could barely scrape up a couple of hits off the Jays' relievers. "Dammit, Cano. You know how we feel about being caught off gaurd with new hurlers. What were you thinking?"
I can't decide whether I find the Yanks' penchant for late-inning heroics exhilirating or disconcerting. After being held to only 4 hits in the first 7 innings, their bats came alive in the 8th. The last part of that sentence has probably been uttered about 78 times this year so far. Alex Rodriguez hit a 1-out single to center which was immensely clutch. Because it meant Matsui's homer in the next at-bat tied the game instead of just chip at the lead.

As soon as the Yanks come back at home, I never expect them to lose. They feasted on the adrenaline produced from Matsui's ding, and carried it straight into the 9th inning, when visions of pie danced in my head. Brett Gardner has wasted approximately zero time reminding Yankee fans exactly how important he is to this club. He led off the 9th with a single, immediately darted to second, and then waited for rookie #2 to settle into his own Dare to Be Great moment.

A well-managed game on Girardi's end.

Francisco Cervelli. So many things about this situation brought to mind "Hoosiers." First, his spot in the game was a function of Jorge Posada's ~~idiotic~~ annoying suspension. Maybe Posada pulled a Norman Dale and asked to be tossed so Shooter/Cerveilli could have a chance to show the world what he could do? Then when he steps to the plate with 1 out and the tying run on, how do you not think about Ollie hitting those Rick Barry shots to win the game?

It's easy after a game like this to forget about the problems that manifested themselves in the innings prior to the dramatics. Maybe I'm a bit high strung on account of only have a 6.5 game lead instead of 100 like I want it. The quilt of pitchers they patched together ultimately got the job done, sort of. Mariano Rivera and Phil Hughes looked great, not surprisingly, but is there any way we can be a little more economical with the number of pitchers used? I worry about their arms like management worries about Joba's.

But they got the job done. And managed to do so without tempers flaring. It doesn't get any easier from here on. Heading to the west coast on Friday, the Yankees are on the brink of their biggest challenge of the year, which is to maintain their momentum and confidence while also remaining rested and focused.

As Churchill advises, "Never, ever, ever give up."

And as Adam Sandler tells us, "Stay strong, stay focused, stay clean."

Speaking of rest, get it in tomorrow, since the demons of schedule-making are terrorizing us with another week of 10pm start times. Here's to the Yanks making a killing out there.

-CYC

(PS Sorry about the delay on this! Another CBS880/GameDay night at the office. Still no success in convincing my job that baseball fans should get Fall Leave just like mothers get time off for babies.)

Downs Blows Lead in 8th, Jays Lose

jessef — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:32:03 -0000

More photos » by Kathy Willens - AP

I know Hideki Matsui's just doing his job, but why does he have to do it so well against the Jays? This was his sixth homerun and he hit .373 / .439 / .745 against us this season. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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Yankees 5 Blue Jays 4

Well, the Yankees took an early lead off Brian Tallet when they scored two runs in the first inning, off an RBI double by Mark Teixeira and an RBI single by Hideki Matsui. Vernon Wells doubled to lead off the second, but the Jays were unable to cash him. In the bottom of the second, Tallet took a grounder off his foot. He stayed with the ball, got the out at first and got a strikeout to end the inning. In the top of the third, the Jays came back to tie it up, thanks to a solo homerun from Jose Bautista and successive singles from Travis Snider and Marco Scutaro (an infield single off Yankees starter Chad Gaudin) and an Adam Lind RBI groundout. Shawn Camp came on to relieve Tallet due to injury concerns related to the grounder he took off the foot in the third and pitched three scoreless (indeed excellent) innings.

The Jays plated a run in the sixth off a Vernon Wells single, Lyle Overbay double and Rod Barajas RBI groundout, but were unable to add to the lead thanks to an intentional walk to Jose Bautista (I'm not making that up), which led to a Moonraker strikeout against Damaso Marte. Casey Janssen pitched an excellent sixth inning and the Jays added another run in the top of the seventh when Scoot doubled and Lind got him in with a sacrifice fly. Tek came back out for the seventh and ran into a bit of trouble when he gave up a single and Edwin Encarnacion made an error (albeit on a pretty tough play). However, Jeremy Accardo came in and got a quick strikeout, walked Derek Jeter and then induced a fly ball to left to escape the inning with the two-run lead still in tact. Tom requested that I do the recap and that's when things -- naturally -- fell apart. Cito went to Scott Downs for the eighth and before being removed with -- I think -- elbow tightness, he yielded a single to Alex Rodriguez and a game-tying dinger to Hideki Matsui. Jason Frasor closed out the eighth, but the Jays were unable to capitalize on a Moonraker bunt single in the top of the ninth and the score was tied at four going into the bottom of the ninth. Leading off the inning, Brett Gardner singled off Frasor on a full count and predictably stole second base. Derek Jeter grounded out to put Gardner on third and he scored when Francisco Cervelli (playing only because of Jorge Posada's suspension) drove him home with the game-winning single.

Jays of the Day: Camp (.185), Accardo (.159) and Overbay (.159). Honorable mentions to Scoot and Vernon, who had a single and double each, as well as Tek, who would have fared better, were it not for E5's error.

Towers goes to Tallet (-.110), though he may have fared better if he'd been able to stay in.

Batistas go to Snakeface (-.380) and Frasor (-.306).

Hinskes go to Lind (-.161, in spite of the two RBI) and E5 (-.138, plus the error) and Rod Barajas comes close (-.095).

Well, at least we don't have to watch anymore Yankees walk-off wins this year.

Nice Start for Brian Tallet, Jays Beat Tigers

Tom Dakers — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 03:50:38 -0000

More photos » by Duane Burleson - AP

Detroit Tigers left fielder Ryan Raburn missed it, Rod got the homer. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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Blue Jays 6 Tigers 4

Great to see Brian Tallet have a good start, it has been awhile. But 6.1 innings with only 7 hits, most of the bloop single variety, 2 walks and 7 strikeouts make you feel much better about using him as a starter. He would have been better off if Cito pulled him after the 6th inning. He gave up a couple of hits and Jeremy Accardo came in. Accardo was lucky to get out of the inning. Accardo gave up 3 singles and a deep fly out that we were lucky Jose Bautista caught and then a hard fought strikeout to end the inning. Scott Downs got through a scoreless inning and Jason Frasor pitched a perfect 9th for the save.

We should have scored more off Nate Robertson, who gave up 6 hits and 5 walks before leaving the game with Crappy Pitching Disease. In a heck of a smart move by Tigers manager Jim Leyland, Robertson was getting shelled in the 4th inning. Leyland didn't have time to get someone up throwing in the pen, so he sends the trainer out to tell Robinson he is injured and needs to come out of the game. Then the reliever can warm as long as he needs. It didn't do that much good, we got 3 runs off Armando Galarraga.

We got 12 hits, including 2 homers and 8 walks, so we should have scored more, but then it is hard to score when you have a few automatic outs in the lineup. Bluebird Banter mascot, Kevin Millar, had a terrible 0 for 4, though he did take a walk. I said this during the thread but will say it again. If I could ask Cito one thing, I'd ask "what could Kevin Millar do to get you to keep him out of the lineup?" It is way beyond ridiculous now.

Rod Barajas had a solo homer and Randy Ruiz had a 2 run shot and a infield single. Aaron Hill had the softest 4 hits you will ever see, three bloop singles, falling between the infielder and the outfielder and a ground single that just missed the pitcher's glove. Marco Scutaro took 3 walks. Vernon Wells was 2 for 3, with a walk and 2 RBI. Even Edwin Encarnacion had 2 hits.

Jays of the Day are Tallet (.220 WPA), Vernon Wells (.189), Adam Lind (.136) and Jason Frasor (.097). Honorable mention to Ruiz. Jamie Campbell made a big deal about how all is homers were solo shots. Jamie, when you bat behind guys that can't get on base it is hard to do anything else. Suckage Jay? Oh take a guess. Yep, Millar gets yet another Millar award. I'd like to say 'collect 10 and win your release from the team but he is well over 10.

The bad news tonight was that Adam Lind was hit in the leg by a pitch and left the game after the defensive half of the inning. I hope he is ok. We had fun in the game thread today. Winning is better than losing. And we have won 5 of our last 8 games. Yeah I know it isn't much but we'll take small victories where we can get them.

Tomorrow night Scott Richmond goes against Edwin Jackson.

Oh and congratulations to Derek Jeter for passing Lou Gehrig for most hits by a Yankee. Any time you pass Lou Gehrig in anything, you know you have an accomplishment.

Game 2 Recap: That wasn't good either.

Tom Dakers — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:51:39 -0000

by Tony Gutierrez - AP

3 months ago: Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Brian Tallet delivers to the Texas Rangers in the second inning of the second baseball game of a baseball doubleheader, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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Blue Jays 2 Rangers 5

Yesterday we scored 18 runs in 1 game, today we struggle for 4 in 2 games. Tough to believe that Brandon McCarthy could hold us to 3 hits in 6.1 innings, but then that's the way we've played the season.

Brian Tallet had trouble with Josh Hamilton who hit two homers off him. And he was slow covering first on a ball hit to his left yet again. He did try to tag the runner and the replay showed that he might have but it was a very tough call. The call cost him a run. Shawn Camp gave up a homer to Chris Davis in his inning. Dirk Hayhurst pitched the last 2 innings very well. Nice to have him back.

Offensively we did nothing. The only guy to have a good game was Joe Inglett who had 2 hits and a walk, giving Aaron Hill the game off at 2B. John McDonald had a double as well. In interest of fairness I'll mention Kevin Millar took 2 walks.

The only other good thing about the game was a very good catch in CF by Vernon Wells. If he keeps playing like this he might get himself off the bottom of the CFer list in UZR. He does seem to be showing more range of late.

No Jay of the Day for this game. Joe Inglett came closest at .084. Suckage Jays are Tallet (-.135) and Vernon (-.155). Overbay and Lind had terrible nights too, Lind hit into double plays his first two times up and another time he barely beat out a third one.

Michael Young left the game with a strained hamstring and likely will be missing a few games for the Rangers. I'd rant and rave about Millar playing while Ruiz sits or Millar being on the team while Brian Dopirak is still in Vegas, but I'm too tired to rant. Just mentally add a thousand words whining about it.

Tomorrow night Scott Richmond (6-7, 4.32) goes against Tommy Hunter (6-3, 2.95) and the Rangers. I know, Cito, you could care less about my sanity, but why not care about the team. Do not play Millar tomorrow. And while you are at get JP to call up Dopirak and a real third baseman.

September Call-Ups: Inglett, Wolfe, Hayhurst -- Or, Are the Jays Even Trying?

hugo — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:50:41 -0000

More photos » by Darren Calabrese - AP

Glad to see you back, Dirk, but couldn't you have brought more friends? (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)

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Well, the Jays have apparently underwhelmed everyone by calling up three players: Joe Inglett, Brian Wolfe, and Dirk Hayhurst.

Now, I bow to no one in my Hayhurst man-crush and I am very happy to see him back on the Jays. But a team completely out of the playoff picture like the Jays should be using September callups as an opportunity to give players who progressed this season a taste of the big leagues, not just recalling AAAA types unlikely to be of more than marginal use to the team going forward.

Brian Dopirak was a perfect example of someone who the Jays should be calling up. Dopriak is 25 already, but his career has been held back by injuries as much as (more than, really) development problems. He torched double A this season to the tune of .308/.374/.576 with 19 home runs in and 29 doubles in 87 games. Then, after the all-star break, he similarly smashed up AAA with 21 extra base hits in 45 games and a .344 batting average. He's right at the age where you want to see your minor-league hitter getting a shot at the bigs, and he has certainly earned a promotion with a fantastic season. Perhaps craziest of all, the Jays have Kevin Millar in the lineup on an all-too-regular basis. And yet Dopirak doesn't get promoted.

How about Angel Sanchez? Yeah, it's the PCL but he's hit .305/.363/.428 and his arm has apparently healed enough from ligament replacement surgery for him to reclaim his place as a plus defender at shortstop. With Edwin Encarnacion still hurt, Marco Scutaro could move over to third base on days when Sanchez plays SS, thereby not hurting his stats for his impending free agency. With Scutaro set to leave unless the Jays pony up, shouldn't the Jays at least take a look at what they may have in Sanchez?

Fabio Castro or David Purcey? Neither has been fantastic, but both have had credible seasons considering how tough the PCL can be on pitchers. Purcey threw a complete game, no walk, 3-hit shutout his last time out on Sunday. I'd say the Jays could take another look at him, with two young pitchers set to sit out the rest of the season, instead of giving starts to Brian Tallet. Castro could get a look as well.

And what to say about Jeremy Accardo, who has 26 Ks and 7 walks in 29 innings for Las Vegas, with a 3.10 ERA and lots of groundouts. If they were going to recall someone, why not Accardo, and not Wolfe, considering Accardo has superior both major- and minor-league numbers this season and a much better chance of being a high-leverage reliever for a major-league team.

That doesn't even get into the marginal cases like J.P. Arencibia and Scott Campbell - neither of which has had a great season - but Arencibia has 19 home runs and 31 doubles and has improved his walk rate a little, and Campbell did post a .371 OBP between AA and AAA.

What do you all think? Who would you have called up?