Jays Battle Hard, But Lose Offensive Affair

I have to admit that by the time the Red Sox had a 5-0 lead in the third, I thought it was all but over for the Jays. Josh Beckett had looked strong as can be, and the Jays still had to deal with the Red Sox’s strong pen after he was done in the game, so I thought that was it! Not so, as the Jays kept battling back with spectacular forte, scoring 6 runs against Beckett in the 3rd inning, 2 in the 4th and 8th innings, and one each in the 5th and 6th for a total of 12 runs. Even that offensive barrage wasn’t enough, as Jays pitching simply fell apart on Monday.

I hope this isn’t a trend of Dana Eveland (4.57) falling back down to earth because he looked utterly ineffective on Monday. He allowed 8 hits and 3 walks in only 3 innings, which accumulated 7 ER against. He left so many pitches up in the zone that I couldn’t imagine anyone missing as they swung. Even a team that lacks the power of the Yankees in the lineup will hurt you big time if you don’t stay low in the zone – although I have to admit that the umpire wasn’t calling many low strikes, which could have hurt his chances anyhow.

The pen, the pen, the pen….only Scott Downs and Kevin Gregg were able to get through their innings without allowing a run. Shawn Camp had his first bad day on the mound in 2010, allowing 3 ER in 1.2 innings of work. Meanwhile, Casey Janssen, who had also been close to lights out this year, allowed 2 of his own and Jeremy Accardo (8.10) allowed 1 while getting himself out of a huge jam in the 4th inning with a couple of Ks. Speaking of Accardo, with an ERA over 8 now, it may not be long before we see him sent down to AAA and Josh Roenicke or David Purcey being brought up in his place. They have to be at least “thinking” about it even if it doesn’t happen.

You know it’s a good day at the plate when your 3-4-5 hitters all have 3 hits a piece and you have a total of 8 extra base hits on the day. Adam Lind (.299) managed 3 hits, Vernon Wells (.325) had 3 including 2 doubles, but the best of all 3 – which is very odd to say – was Lyle Overbay (.183) who added 3 of his own including a HR and a double, driving in 4 RBIs on the night. Jose Bautista (.233) was also a big run driver with 4 RBIs of his own, most of which came off his towering shot to LF – his 4th HR of the season. Finally, Fred Lewis (.233) did a decent job at the top of the lineup and took a ton of pitches each time he was up, managing 2 hits in his 6 AB including a triple.

Every single team in the AL has the book on Travis Snider – throw him low and away at the beginning of the AB, finish him high or in. Nothing changed on Monday, as he went 0 for 4 and even me – the most ardent fan of Snider’s – is having a hard time justifying having him in the lineup if he doesn’t adapt to how he is pitched to. Change something Travis! On the good side for him, and most likely the biggest reasons he’s still around, he had another outfield assist Monday and did draw a well earned walk.

Tonight’s game has Clay Buchholz (2.70) going up against Shaun Marcum (4.00). Let’s hope the Jays can limit this mini-losing streak to 3.