Blue Jays Update: July 29th 2009

July 28th Game Complete

Seattle Mariners 4 (W 52-48)
Toronto Blue Jays 3 (W 49-52)

David Aardsma (W, 3-3)
Scott Downs (L, 1-3)


Game Notes:

The Toronto Blue Jays almost came back from a 3-0 deficit to upset the Seattle Mariners last night @ Safeco Field.

The Jays scored one run in the seventh inning and two runs in the eighth inning to tie the game at three going into the ninth.

In the ninth inning, Toronto closer Scott Downs got himself into trouble with a bases loaded jam with no outs.

Downs almost got out of the jam.

Downs forced a groundball from Jose Lopez, which in turn cut down Jack Hannahan at homeplate, struck out number nine hitter Ronny Cedeno and went 0-2 to Ichiro Suzuki.

Downs threw an 0-2 ball low and outside, close to the dirt. Ichiro, the batting wizard he is, threw his bat out knocking a soft flyball off the end of his bat, over the head of Jays shortstop Marco Scutaro for the game winning hit.

A crushing blow to what looked like a promising comeback for the Jays.

Scott Downs has been pitching ineffectively for the Jays since coming off the disabled list July 8th 2009. Downs has allowed six runs (five earned), in five innings in six outings, since returning from the disabled list.

Canadian born Seattle left fielder Michael Saunders made the defensive play of the night, leaping over the left field fence to take a home run away from Toronto's Vernon Wells, in the top of the first inning.

Scott Rolen, 3-4, 1 run scored
Alex Rios, 2-4, 1 double, 1RBI

Ichiro Suzuki, 3-4, 1RBI, 2 runs scored, 1BB, game winning hit
Jack Hannahan, 3-4, 1RBI


Final starting pitching lines for the game:

Marc Rzepczynski - 5.1IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 8K
Jarrod Washburn - 7IP, 5H, 1R, 1ER, 3BB, 1K

Blue Jays News:

The Blue Jays activated right handed pitcher Scott Richmond from the disabled list and optioned relief pitcher Dirk Hayhurst to Triple A Las Vegas. Richmond is scheduled to make the start for Toronto this Friday in Oakland.

Other Baseball News:

Major League Baseball commissioner and head honcho Bud Selig is contemplating the reinstatement of former player and all time hits leader Pete Rose. Rose would surely be a first ballot Hall of Famer, if not for major gambling charges that have overshadowed his storied career.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Randy "The Big Unit" Johnson has a torn rotator cuff in his left throwing shoulder and won't be able to throw for at least three weeks. Johnson injured himself while batting during a 7-1 loss to Houston on July 5 2009.

Minor trade news, the Boston Red Sox acquired outfielder Brian Anderson from the White Sox in a deal for outfielder/first baseman Mark Kotsay.

Kotsay had been designated for assignment after the Red Sox acquired Adam LaRoche from the Pirates.

Anderson had recently been sent down to the White Sox Triple A affiliate Charlotte.

The White Sox acquire a veteran presence in Kotsay to help with their American League Central pennant race.

The Red Sox add a young, athletic outfielder in Anderson who will be part of the Red Sox future plans.