*Note: sing the title to the chorus of "(Sitting On) The Dock Of The Bay"*
I realise it's actually McCovey's Cove beside the Giants home park, but still...it was a nice way to start off a Monday morning. Mind you, the Jays taking 2 of 3 from the Dodgers is a nice way to start a week, too.
I'll admit, I was out having a Ladies' Night of my own on Friday, and didn't get to watch all the game. I missed Accardo blowing the save, and the Jays losing in extra innings, but I'm not too sad about it 'cause honestly...who wants to see that? Especially after sitting at work the day before, watching Accardo blow the save on Gameday from the Jays website.
So, that brings us to Saturday. A much better showing I think. Yes, not many people will understand the beauty of a low scoring game like the 1-0 match on Saturday, but I think it was good for the Jays to win one with pitching and defence after losing 2 to pitching miscues in the late innings. Sure the offence is still scuffling, but it's nice to see that for the first time in a few seasons the defence and pitching are making up for the lack of the pop in the bat.
Think about it...in years before if Doc wasn't pitching and the offence was scuffling...you'd kinda cringe a little if the opposing team started scoring runs. This year, I don't really cringe anymore. I have faith in the defence and I have faith in 4 out of 5 spots in the rotation. It's the elusive consistent 5th starter that we need. Here's hoping Towers will pull it out tonight.
Now, Sunday. That was just great. Sure after the bottom of the 1st when the Dodgers got the 2 runs off Doc, you started to wonder how the rest of the start was going to go. I still have pretty close to unwaivering faith in Doc, but the man had his abdomen cut open a month ago today. You have to give him the benefit of the doubt. BUT, and this is what he was unable to do against the Rays and possibly in his other two disastrous starts...he came back out and effectively made adjustments to set down the next 11 Dodgers starting in the 2nd. Before he set to work mowing down the Boys in Blue, Doc helped himself out by getting his first ever R.B.I. with a beautiful single up the middle.
A couple "Rock On"s to distribute:
- Doc for becoming the 1st Jays pitcher with a multi hit game;
- John McDonald for going to 3rd on the throw to 1st to get into scoring position for Doc;
- John McDonald for playing his 500th career game;
- Omar Malave (Syracuse Skychief's manager) for achieving 1000 career wins; and
- Matt Stairs for just being awesome, and taking a look at the guy's pizza this weekend. (Anyone who watched the games knows what I mean.)
I know I said I was going to talk about Casey Janssen soon, and I'm going to. I'm still getting my thoughts together. Until then, just a few thoughts on 2 GREAT utility guys: Johnny Mac and Matt Stairs.
I have never questioned Johnny Mac's ability defensively and he always seem to do something little at the plate or on the base paths that help the team. I was sad to see him go to the Tigers in '05, but have never looked back since we got him back last season. I don't think Johnny or the Jays have either.
I will always love the idea of Canadians playing with the Jays' big club and I'm sure any Canadian player somewhere deep down would think it's cool, too. I'll admit I hadn't watched too much of Matt Stairs' career before he came to Toronto. I knew who he was, knew his reputation, but never really knew specifics. I can say that I was super happy when he signed with the Jays. Again, I'm thinking the Jays and Stairs are in the same boat. Yes, I've loved Stairs' bat and ability to chip in defensively with Johnson and Overbay down. I think what I've loved most though is that of all the Jays he just seems to be the most jovial and publicly goofballish. Don't forget how much I love the lighter side of baseball, and although he has a self-proclaimed "big ass and big legs", he's definitely lightened things in the clubouse, at least atmosphere-wise.
Two quotes I loved this weekend...
- "If you had nine of him, you might have an unbeatable team." -- John Gibbons, on Stairs
- "I went up to [Jays hitting coach Mickey Brantely] after his second hit and I said, 'I want to learn how to hit like Roy,'" Toronto catcher Sal Fasano said. "He made it look easy. He didn't even take BP today or anything. He just came out there raking. It was awesome."
"I'm just lucky," Halladay said with a grin. "It wasn't a product of being prepared."
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The Jays hit the San Fran/Barry Bonds Sideshow for a 3 game set. Towers is on the mound for his first start since April 27. Matt Morris is on the mound for the Giants. Let's hope the Jays can win 3 road games in the a row for the first time all season. Considering the Giants have lost their last 3, the Jays just might have a chance.
Until tomorrow...
JaysGirl5
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