Jays Jots: Blue Jays Week 2 In Review

April 10, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) salutes catcher J.P. Arencibia (not pictured) after he hits a three RBI double in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsThe 2013 Major League Baseball season has started very sketchy for the Toronto Blue Jays. However, it’s not all bad news for our heroes, as the ship seems to be righting a bit after a rough start.

Week one saw everything go wrong for the Blue Jays on the field, with the team being rewarded for their efforts with a 2-4 record. So Toronto took things on the road, hoping that a change of venue would also result in a change of results.

Let’s take a quick look at the week that was in Toronto Blue Jays baseball:

The Games (3-3 Record)

Game One – Toronto Blue Jays at Detroit Tigers

Coming out of the dome and into a cold, outdoor environment didn’t do much for the Blue Jays as Detroit dropped Toronto 7-3 in the series opener. Brandon Morrow would last just 3.2 innings against the vaunted Tiger line-up, surrendering 5 earned runs in the process while not striking out a single Detroit hitter. Jose Reyes and Melky Cabrera went a combined 5 for 8 with 2 RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base, and Colby Rasmus added his third home run of the season, but the rest of the offense struggled to do much of anything against Anibal Sanchez.

Game Two – Toronto Blue Jays at Detroit Tigers

Game two gave the Blue Jays a win in the series, but Toronto had to fight for it, coming back from a 6-1 deficit to win 8-6. Once again, a Toronto starter got roughed up, this time it was Mark Buehrle who got shelled to the tune of 6 runs (5 earned) over 4.1 innings. Regardless, the Blue Jays used a barrage of doubles and got a pair of 3-RBI games from Mark DeRosa and J.P. Arencibia on the afternoon. Brett Cecil, Steve Delabar, and Casey Janssen continued their solid early season work to help aid in the effort.

Game Three – Toronto Blue Jays at Detroit Tigers

Any worries that Toronto would carry the momentum from Wednesday’s comeback fizzled quickly on Thursday, with the Tigers knocking Josh Johnson out of the game in the second inning and stomping the Blue Jays 11-1 in the rubber game. Edgar Gonzalez, Esmil Rogers, and Delabar all attempted to stop the onslaught, but all surrendered runs in what was a lopsided game from the get-go. The Blue Jays would have nine hits in the game, including two each from Rasmus and Cabrera, but went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position to drop the finale with Detroit.

Game Four – Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals

Friday night started rough for the Blue Jays. After scoring a pair in the first inning, starter J.A. Happ surrendered three runs to the Royals in the bottom half of the inning. However, Happ settled down from there, only surrendering another run while going five innings for the win. Toronto once again used a barrage of doubles (5 total) to win the game 8-4. Adam Lind, Emilio Bonifacio, and Reyes all drove in a pair. However, the victory turned bittersweet, as the Blue Jays lost Reyes to an ankle injury in the sixth inning, but more on that later.

Game Five – Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals

Day one without Reyes turned into a struggle for the offense, especially with Kansas City starter James Shields having it dialed in. However, the Blue Jays made the most of the two hits they were able to muster, one of which being a two-run home run by Jose Bautista (his third of the season), riding to a 3-2 win on the day. Toronto did have a silver lining on the day as well, with R.A. Dickey finally turning in a good effort on the mound, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out four and walking a pair for his first win in a Blue Jays uniform. Casey Janssen would surrender a run in the ninth, but was able to gather himself and nail down his third save of the season.

Game Six – Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals

With their first series win of the season already in pocket, Toronto went for the sweep on Sunday. However, the RISP bug struck the Blue Jays again, with an 0 for 8 day resulting in the Blue Jays losing on a Alex Gordon walk-off single in the ninth off of Darren Oliver. Brandon Morrow rebounded nicely, throwing 6 innings and allowing 2 runs. He still only struck out three hitters on the day, but it was an improvement. Edwin Encarnacion added his second home run of the season, a solo shot in the sixth inning, in the losing effort.

Injury News:

– As mentioned, the Blue Jays lost Jose Reyes on Friday night to a severe ankle sprain and the early prognosis is that he is lost for at least the next 3 months of the season. Alex Anthopoulos has acknowledged that Toronto will look elsewhere for a fill-in, but for now, they have promoted Munenori Kawasaki to fill his spot in the line-up.

– Brett Lawrie appears to be on the mend. The third baseman, who was placed on the DL during Spring Training with a rib cage injury, appeared in his first rehab game with the Dunedin Blue Jays on Sunday and went 2 for 4 on the day. Incidentally, he started the game at second base, as the Blue Jays want to get a look at him there and are playing with the idea of an infield that also has Jose Bautista back at third base, according to Robert Falkoff.

Transactions:

– Claimed Edgar Gonzalez on 4/7/13 and outrighted him to Buffalo on 4/12/13.
– Transferred Dustin McGowan to the 60-day DL on 4/7/13.
– Claimed Mauro Gomez off of waivers from the Boston Red Sox and assigned him to Buffalo on 4/9/13.
– Outrighted Dave Bush to Triple-A Buffalo on 4/9/13.
– Signed Miguel Bautista to a minor-league deal and sent him to Buffalo on 4/9/13.
– Claimed Casper Wells off of waivers on 4/10/13 and activated him on 4/12/13.
– Designated Alex Burnett for assignment on 4/10/13.
– Placed Jose Reyes on the 15-day DL on 4/13/13.
– Purchased the contract of Munenori Kawasaki on 4/13/13.
– Sent Brett Lawrie on rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin on 4/14/13.