500 at .500

I don't know why, but I had a feeling the Jays were going to split the series with the Twins. Was it because I knew Justin Morneau was going to come back or AJ would only go 4 innings? I dunno.

What I did know was the Twins were going to be hard pressed not to give up #500 to Frank Thomas. They had the right idea...pitching him away, but he's Frank Thomas, and he's not the "Big Hurt" for nothing.

Congratulations Frank Thomas. You've hit your way into history, the Hall of Fame (in my opinion), and showed the poetic, full-circle beauty that is baseball.

Don't believe it's poetically full-curcle and beautiful? Well...after over 17 big league season, 7578 career at-bats, 3 different teams, an ankle injury he though might end his career, and 499 homeruns later...Frank Thomas reaches 500 homeruns where he hit his very first one in 1990. The only way this could have been better would have been if the schedule had taken the Jays to Chicago to play the WSox, and Frank hit #500 there.

Check out clips of Frank's post-game press conference.

Moving on...

Yesterday's lost sucked, but I think AJ pitched pretty well until the 4th. According to Justin Morneau, he was throwing 110mph, or at least it seemed that way to him. It was a good sign that AJ struck out 6 and threw 75 pitches, I think, after being taken out after only throwing 82 in San Fran. I would have liked to see him get the win along with the Jays, but again I commend him for taking ownership and stating that "the loss is my fault."

I must say, I'm incredibly impressed with the way all the Jays have been open to talking about their mistakes/lack of performance. I've heard it said before that you would be hard pressed not to like Josh Towers if you met him. After watching JaysConnected last weekend where they talked to Josh, I have a very high respect for him about coming clean/owning up to his failures. He shoots straight with honesty, and I like that. It's refreshing.

No "Rock On"s to distribute today, as I think Frank Thomas takes the cake.

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Dustin McGowan (4-3) takes the mound against the Mariners for his first start since his 1 hit gem last Sunday. Watch for Jarrod Washburn (6-6) to take the mound for Seattle. The Jays are again at .500, but at least they're still ahead of the Yankees for 2nd place in the East and the Wildcard. It's too bad Lyle Overbay is still on the DL for this season's only trip to his home state. It was great both times last year seeing all the "O"s in the crowd.

Enjoy the weekend.
If I don't post before then, have a great Jour du Canada! The festivities for Canada's 140th should be pretty cool in Seattle.
JaysGirl5