Toronto opened up the first game of a 2 game series against the current AL East leading Baltimore Orioles with a 4-3 loss. The loss brings the Jays record to 7-6 and puts them in 3rd place in the AL East. Dustin McGowan was given the start for the Jays and he faced off against O’s righty Matt Albers. Throughout the entire game it was close as both teams put up 1 run in the 1st inning. The game went scoreless all the way into the 5th when Baltimore put up 2 runs off McGowan and then tallied another run in the 8th. Toronto tried to make the game exciting as they posted a 2 run top of the 9th to make the score 4-3. Unfortunately the rally fizzled out and the game ended with that same score.
Toronto totaled 9 hits in the game but only 1 of which was for more then 1 base. The extra base hit was a 2 run homer by 9th inning pinch hitter Alex Rios. He was given the day off but when manager John Gibbons needed his services he put him in to hit for 1st basemen Lyle Overbay. The decision obviously was the right one because the jack Rios hit brought the Jays within 1 run. The team couldn’t capitalize though leaving them 1 run behind. Vernon Wells had the only other RBI which came in the top of the 1st. Wells went 2-for-4 with 1 RBI and a run scored. The RBI is his 13th of the season and the 2 hits bring his average to .333.
As said above Dustin McGowan was given the start and had a rough 6 innings. He allowed 10 hits, 3 runs (all earned), walked 1, and gave up a homer to 1st basemen Kevin Millar. McGowan was given the loss in the game brining his record to 0-1 and his ERA to 3.71. Brian Tallet came in for some relief work and pitched the 7th inning. Tallet threw 19 pitches giving up 3 hits, 1 run and he walked 1 as well. The Orioles put Matt Albers on the mound and he pitched an effective 5 innings allowing 5 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, and he struck out 1. He earned the win for the O’s bringing his record to 2-0 and his ERA to an impressive 0.79.
This was another game where the Jays played competitive throughout. They hit well but the pitching staff could have stepped up a little more. They are going to need pitchers to bring their A games if they want to make a real run at the AL East.
Next Up: The Jays will play the 2nd and final game of the series against the Orioles. Shawn Marcum will take the mound against Baltimore righty Steve Trachsel.
