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TheStar.com - Sports - Yankees pound Jays 10-5: "The Toronto Blue Jays found a way to make things interesting Wednesday night after reality kicked rookie Jesse Litsch right in the gut. Litsch, a mere 22 and the toast of the town two weeks ago when he pitched a gem in his big-league debut, was pounded for five runs and failed to escape the first inning. His teammates nearly rallied against the shaky New York Yankees, pulling within one a two-run shot by Matt Stairs in the seventh, but ultimately fell short in a 10-5 loss. Some more dubious on-field antics by Alex Rodriguez in the ninth gave things a nasty turn. The Yankees scored four in the inning, three of them after Rodriguez seemed to yell 'Mine!' while running past third baseman Howie Clark as he settled under Jorge Posada's pop fly."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Flashback: Mondesi steals show: "Tuesday night, Aaron Hill was the second Blue Jay ever to succeed in a direct steal of home when he took off on Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte in the seventh inning. The Jays' only other direct steal of home was April 17, 2001, at the SkyDome, also against the Yanks. Third inning, two out, the Jays down by a run. Raul Mondesi broke off third for home as Yankees rookie starter Randy Keisler delivered a pitch high and wide to Jorge Posada."
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TheStar.com - Sports - A-Rod infuriates Jays as Yanks avoid sweep: "The Yankees left Toronto as victors. But that might be slim comfort as the team's biggest star heads out with his reputation in tatters after an on-field incident last night everyone connected with the Jays say is a first in their experience. With two out in the ninth and the Yankees on their way to a 10-5 win, Jorge Posada launched a sky-high pop-up. As substitute Jays third baseman Howie Clark settled under the ball, Alex Rodriguez ran past him on the basepath. Video replays clearly showed Rodriguez yelling something that was variously described by Jays on the field at the time as 'Mine!' or 'I got it!'"
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TheStar.com - Sports - Young Jays 'pound down': "Two very important words have helped four young pitchers become central to the Jays' survival through a rash of injuries to key players. 'We call it 'pound down,' pound the strike zone and keep it down,' Jays pitching coach Brad Arnsberg said of a catch phrase that embodies the club's pitching philosophies and approaches."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Jays' `Doc' is scrubbed up and ready to operate again: "Roy Halladay gets back down to business tomorrow night, but fans should realize he'll never be all he once was. For the rest of his career, this horse is going to have to get by without an appendix. It was removed May 11 in what was, supposedly, the killer capper to the Blue Jays' almost laughable litany of physical setbacks. The Jays, 13-21 when Halladay left, are 11-6 since, including last night's 3-2 win over the Yankees. The rotation, with A.J. Burnett going 3-1 and 2.67 in the leader's mantel, and Shaun Marcum pitching to a 2.16 ERA, went a collective 6-4 and pitched to a 3.57 ERA. The bullpen, anchored by the back-end trio of Jeremy Accardo, Scott Downs and Casey Janssen, was lights out most nights. And now the good doctor is back in operation."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Mad dash home a thrill for Hill: "With the score tied in the seventh and runs hard to come by, Toronto third base coach Brian Butterfield sidled up behind baserunner Aaron Hill. Two words – 'You're hot' – put Hill on notice that the Jays were about to steal the game from the Yankees. Prior to the game, the Jays talked about New York starter Andy Pettitte; how tough he is, how they might have to get a little creative to beat him. 'We have a list,' Butterfield said of the pitchers vulnerable to baseball's boldest play – stealing home. 'It's a very short list.'"
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Blue Jays return to CBC Sports: "The Toronto Blue Jays are returning to CBC Sports as a result of a two-year deal announced Tuesday. The rights package includes eight regular-season games in the 2007 Major League Baseball season, and up to 30 games next year."
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Opportunistic Blue Jays edge Yankees: "Alex Rios has been tearing the cover off the ball of late, but it was his loud out that proved the difference in the Blue Jays' third straight win of the season over the New York Yankees. The right-fielder drove a Scott Proctor pitch to centre-field with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning for a sacrifice fly that scored Adam Lind for a 3-2 Toronto decision on Tuesday night."
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McGowan keeps Yankees' offence in funk: "Dustin McGowan is making a strong case for remaining in the Blue Jays' starting rotation when ace Roy Halladay returns from the disabled list Thursday. The young right-hander tossed 7 2/3 tidy innings and had plenty of offensive support as Toronto coasted to a 7-2 victory over the visiting New York Yankees on Monday night."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Zaun hopes to return for June 8 trip: "So what's to look forward to in Dunedin this time of year? 'Well, I get to go to breakfast at Lenny's, I know that,' Gregg Zaun was saying before last night's game. 'Back to my breakfast spot. That's the most promising thing about going down there right now.' Well breakfast, plus the fact that, if all goes well, now begins the final stretch toward his return to active duty for the Blue Jays. His target is to be up to speed for the team's next road trip, an interleague six-pack against the Dodgers and Giants, beginning June 8. Make that target and it'll be a shade over six weeks since April 24 in Boston, when his right thumb was broken by an Eric Hinske foul tip."
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TheStar.com - Sports - McGowan mows down Yankees: "Two teams equally anxious for a win clashed at the Rogers Centre last night, deploying markedly different tactics in the effort. The 23-27 Jays entered the game laconically, sticking to their routine despite the season's first visit by their rivals from the Bronx. The New York Yankees arrived with a nearly identical won-loss record, but with far greater pressure to turn around a season on the brink."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Jays sign Canadian first baseman: "The Toronto Blue Jays signed first baseman Kevin Denis-Fortier on Friday. The Quebec City native was a 38th-round pick in the 2006 draft out of Crowder Junior College in Missouri."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Blue Jays outlast Twins in marathon: "The script was perfect: The Blue Jays had their two best relievers lined up in the eighth and ninth innings last night to preserve a stellar seven-inning outing from Tomo Ohka. But instead of a routine shutdown, the script had a nightmare ending hidden in it. Casey Janssen and closer Jeremy Accardo, nearly untouchable most of the season, surrendered five runs between them in the final two innings to blow a 7-2 lead and leave a stunned Jays squad searching for salvation in extra innings. It came in the 13th inning when Lyle Overbay singled to deliver Royce Clayton from third to seal a wacky 9-8 Jays' win over Minnesota before 31,434 at the Metrodome."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Morneau helps Twins down Jays: "Carlos Silva broke a four-game losing streak and Justin Morneau of New Westminster, B.C., homered and drove in three runs to lead the Minnesota Twins past the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Sunday. Silva (3-5) allowed six hits and struck out three in 7 1-3 innings, and the Twins won at home for just the third time in eight games. A.J. Burnett (5-4) allowed three hits in eight innings for Toronto – his fourth three-hit effort of the season – but was hurt by his own defensive blunder."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Jays limp home to face Yankees: "The Jays jetted out of here last night after a 4-2 loss to the Twins and headed home to face the Yankees, hoping they can move into second place in the American League East and put some distance between themselves and the win-starved New Yorkers. Categorizing the Jays and their status at this point in the season proved difficult again yesterday as they wrapped up a nine-game road trip with another inconsistent day at the plate before 25,781 at the Metrodome."
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Toronto Blue Jays (21-25) at Minnesota Twins (22-24), 8:10 p.m. - Sports wire - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington: "Scott Baker attempts to build off an excellent major-league return when the young right-hander toes the rubber tonight for the Minnesota Twins, who begin a homestand with the first of three straight games with the Toronto Blue Jays at the Metrodome. Baker, a well-regarded 25-year-old who disappointed in 16 starts for the Twins in 2006, was called up from Triple-A Rochester shortly after Minnesota released Sidney Ponson earlier this month. He turned in a terrific performance in his first start back in the majors, holding Milwaukee to two runs and six hits without walking anyone over a career-best 8 1/3 innings in Saturday's 5-2 victory at Miller Park."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Jays come back to beat Orioles 5-4: "Alex Rios homered off struggling Danys Baez in the 10th inning, and Frank Thomas hit a milestone shot to help the Toronto Blue Jays rally for a 5-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night. Toronto trailed 4-2 in the seventh before Thomas hit his 493rd career home run, tying Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff for 21st on the career list. The solo shot left him two homers short of matching Edgar Martinez for most by a designated hitter (243)."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Rios blast caps Jays' late rally: "After last night's rousing 5-4 comeback win over the Orioles, assorted Blue Jays were asked how many games they figured they've won when trailing after six innings. Three or four Jays had no idea. Aaron Hill thought maybe two or three. Lyle Overbay, who only had the three doubles, pondered it a couple of seconds, then guessed, 'Six?' Well, not quite."
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THERECORD.COM | INSIDER | Soaring loonie delights Blue Jays: "Toronto Blue Jays president Paul Godfrey and his colleagues have a routine they follow every morning in the office. 'We check the boxscores first, then we check the attendance,'' Godfrey said yesterday between business meetings, 'and then we check the dollar.'' Lately, the third part of that daily ritual has been yielding better and better news for the Blue Jays, who pay out almost all of their expenses in American dollars."
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Jays' offence disappears: "Remember, back in March, when the Blue Jays were worried about their starting pitching? When everybody fi gured the offence would channel the 1927 Yankees and help to compensate for that lacklustre rotation? When general manager J.P. Ricciardi remarked at the end of spring training, 'If we have to worry about our hitting, we're in deep doo-doo?' Except he didn't say doo-doo and he didn't believe the Jays would be wearing hip-waders right now."
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USATODAY.com - Baseball - Toronto vs. Baltimore: "Toronto and Baltimore have both been plagued by injuries to their starting rotation, but they've each found a pair of young pitchers to help out. The Blue Jays' Shaun Marcum and the Orioles' Jeremy Guthrie look to continue their success as starters as the teams wrap up their three-game series Thursday at Camden Yards. After 13 relief appearances, Marcum (2-2, 4.13 ERA) was moved into Toronto's rotation earlier this month when Victor Zambrano went on the disabled list. He threw six hitless innings in his first start on May 13 against Tampa Bay and ran his hitless streak to 10 before the Phillies' Chase Utley homered leading off the bottom of the fifth in his 13-2 win at Philadelphia on Saturday."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Young starter bugged by fifth: "One of these times, Dustin McGowan is going to put it all together for the Blue Jays. Last night against the Baltimore Orioles, he just got a bit closer. Again burned by his personal bugaboo fifth inning – but not so badly this time – McGowan endured a season-high six innings as the Jays bowed 5-2 to the unbeatable, at least to them, Steve Trachsel."
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Jays' Halladay may return soon: report: "Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay may be back sooner than expected. Halladay, who is recovering from an appendectomy, pitched another bullpen session Tuesday and could return by the end of May, the Toronto Sun reported on Wednesday."
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TSN : MLB - Canada's Sports Leader: "The Toronto Blue Jays try and beat the Baltimore Orioles for a fifth straight time this evening, when the teams play the middle portion of a three-game set at Camden Yards. In the opener of this set on Tuesday, Alex Rios had three singles and knocked in a run as Toronto rolled to a 6-4 win. Jason Phillips ended 2-for-3 with a home run and scored twice for the Blue Jays, who have won seven of their last 10 since a season-high nine-game slide."
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Toronto Blue Jays (19-24) At Baltimore Orioles (20-24), 7:05 P.m. - Sports News Story - WBAL Baltimore: "The Toronto Blue Jays try and beat the Baltimore Orioles for a fifth straight time this evening, when the teams play the middle portion of a three-game set at Camden Yards. In the opener of this set on Tuesday, Alex Rios had three singles and knocked in a run as Toronto rolled to a 6-4 win. Jason Phillips ended 2-for-3 with a home run and scored twice for the Blue Jays, who have won seven of their last 10 since a season-high nine-game slide."
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FOX Sports on MSN - MLB - Five-run fifth paces Blue Jays over O's: "It didn't matter, because Toronto gave the right-hander ample offensive support and he was pitching against the Baltimore Orioles. Alex Rios had three hits and drove in the go-ahead run in a four-run fifth inning, leading the Blue Jays to a 6-4 victory Tuesday night. Burnett (5-3) allowed four runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings to win his third straight start. He struck out eight and walked two."
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The Sports Network - Major League Baseball: "Alex Rios had three singles and knocked in a run, as the Toronto Blue Jays downed the Baltimore Orioles, 6-4, in the first contest of a three-game set at Camden Yards. Jason Phillips ended 2-for-3 with a home run and scored twice for the Blue Jays, who have two wins in their last three games. A.J. Burnett (5-3) started for Toronto and allowed four runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings. He also struck out eight and walked just two in the victory."
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Alex Rios belts three hits to lead Blue Jays to 6-4 win over Orioles: "Alex Rios had three hits and drove in the go-ahead run in a four-run fifth inning, leading the Toronto Blue Jays past the Baltimore Orioles 6-4 on Tuesday night. A.J. Burnett (5-3) allowed four runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings to win his third straight start. He struck out eight and walked two. It was the first time in four career starts against Baltimore that Burnett allowed more than five hits. The right-hander pitched a three-hitter against the Orioles six days earlier and is 3-0 lifetime against Baltimore."
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Toronto backs Burnett, beats Orioles 6-4 - SportsFlash - mlive.com: "A.J. Burnett admittedly wasn't at his best. He tried to get comfortable on the mound, and never came close. It didn't matter, because Toronto gave the right-hander ample offensive support and he was pitching against the Baltimore Orioles. Alex Rios had three hits and drove in the go-ahead run in a four-run fifth inning, leading the Blue Jays to a 6-4 victory Tuesday night. Burnett (5-3) allowed four runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings to win his third straight start. He struck out eight and walked two."
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Burnett not at his best, but good enough to help Blue Jays defeat Orioles 6-4: "A.J. Burnett admittedly wasn't at his best. He tried to get comfortable on the mound, and never came close. It didn't matter, because Toronto gave the right-hander ample offensive support and he was pitching against the Baltimore Orioles. Alex Rios had three hits and drove in the go-ahead run in a four-run fifth inning, leading the Blue Jays to a 6-4 victory Tuesday night. Burnett (5-3) allowed four runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings to win his third straight start. He struck out eight and walked two."
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globeandmail.com: Burnett continues with hot hand: "There's not much left to play for in the American League East, unless you're Baltimore Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo, in which case your team is playing to protect your job. To which Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons would likely respond: 'Been there. Almost done that.' Gibbons's Blue Jays beat Perlozzo's Orioles 6-4 last night at Camden Yards in a game that is sure to increase the pressure on the Orioles to make a change in the manager's office."
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Blue Jays burn Cabrera: "A.J. Burnett was not the least bit coy about that payback pitch he fired at Jay Gibbons. It was retaliation, pure and simple, not only for Daniel Cabrera's indulgence earlier in the game, but for two other occasions when the Orioles fireballer has hit Toronto batters. Cabrera self-destructed in the fifth inning of the Blue Jays 6-4 victory, abetting his downfall with a couple of ill-timed walks in a four-run frame. He also hit Troy Glaus in the back with a fastball with two down."
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The Sports Network - Major League Baseball: "The Toronto Blue Jays try and beat the Baltimore Orioles for a fifth straight time this evening, when the teams play the middle portion of a three-game set at Camden Yards. In the opener of this set on Tuesday, Alex Rios had three singles and knocked in a run as Toronto rolled to a 6-4 win. Jason Phillips ended 2-for-3 with a home run and scored twice for the Blue Jays, who have won seven of their last 10 since a season-high nine-game slide."
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USATODAY.com - Baseball - Toronto vs. Baltimore: "The Toronto Blue Jays have been a much improved team lately. Most of that success has come at the expense of the struggling Baltimore Orioles. The Blue Jays seek their fifth straight win over the Orioles when the AL East rivals continue their three-game series on Wednesday night. Alex Rios had three hits and drove in the go-ahead run in a four-run fifth inning, leading Toronto to a 6-4 victory in Tuesday's series opener at Camden Yards."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Jay 'ace' Burnett makes it 3 in row: "It mostly came down to which starter might unravel first last night. Faced with identical predicaments – bases loaded, nobody out – both A.J. Burnett of the Jays and the Jays' continuing problem-child, Daniel Cabrera of the Orioles, were given perfect opportunities to do so. But, while Burnett escaped his pickle with two runs damage, Cabrera got burned for four. And most every good pocket calculator will suggest that might've been the difference in a 6-4 win for Toronto."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Marine samples action with Jays: "U.S. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Angel Barcenas mentioned to John McDonald last month that it sure would be something to shag some flies with the Blue Jays. 'I went to Gibby (manager John Gibbons) about it,' the Toronto infielder said. 'He said, `Make it happen.'' And so, late yesterday afternoon, McDonald made good."
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ABC 7 News - Toronto Overpowers Orioles: "A.J. Burnett admittedly wasn't at his best. He tried to get comfortable on the mound, and never came close. It didn't matter, because Toronto gave the right-hander ample offensive support and he was pitching against the Baltimore Orioles. Alex Rios had three hits and drove in the go-ahead run in a four-run fifth inning, leading the Blue Jays to a 6-4 victory Tuesday night. "
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CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Baseball - MLB Toronto: Jays' bats finally bust out: "Now there's something you don't see every day: A Blue Jays laugher. Low-stress victories are not exactly the Blue Jays way. Indeed, these Jays just don't seem to do anything the easy way, so last night's 13-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies is one for the record book. More importantly, maybe even something to build upon."
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Orioles beat Blue Jays in Hall of Fame game: "Brian Bock homered twice and drove in five runs as the Baltimore Orioles trounced the Toronto Blue Jays 13-7 in Monday's Hall of Fame game at Cooperstown, N.Y. Bock, one of several minor-league prospects promoted exclusively for the annual exhibition, finished 3-for-4 and scored three runs at historic Doubleday Field."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Interleague play puts Jays to the test: "The double-switch is to AL managers as Groundhog Day is to spring. It's the surest indicator that interleague play has arrived and it didn't take long for Jays manager John Gibbons, used to playing his games with the designated-hitter, to get in the swing of things last night in a 5-3 loss to the Phillies. In the eighth inning, trailing by three, Gibbons pinch-hit Matt Stairs for pitcher Brian Tallet. The Canadian homered, then the fun started. The skipper left Stairs in the game in right field, inserting pitcher Scott Downs into the three-hole replacing Vernon Wells. Voila! The classic double switch. And, with eight more games in NL yards, including today and tomorrow at Citizens Bank Park, Gibbons is just warming up."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Jays lay the lumber on Phillies: "Funny, maybe, but the only Blue Jay starter who didn't pile a hit into the team's biggest offensive output of the season last night was, ah, the starter. Then again, Shaun Marcum was coming at it from the other direction – namely, stiffing the Philadelphia Phillies with four innings of no-hitter while the offence was locating the bats containing the timely hits."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Phillies down Jays 5-3: "Adam Eaton pitched four-hit ball over six-plus shutout innings, and Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand both homered to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. Eaton (4-3) had his second straight solid outing at home, finally showing signs of living up to the $24.5 million, three-year contract the Phillies gave him in the offseason."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Jays take detour to Hall: "After dropping two of three to the Phillies here, the Jays chartered a jet to Rome this morning. This, of course, would be Rome, N.Y., about a 45-minute drive from Cooperstown, where the Jays will meet the Orioles in the annual Hall of Fame Game this afternoon. After which, they turn around and fly back south to Baltimore to meet the Orioles – for real – in the first of three tomorrow night."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Wounded vets have a friend on Jays: "Low to the ground and armed to the teeth, a stealthy Vernon Wells launched himself headlong across the floor into the manager's office, rolling over and spraying an unsuspecting John Gibbons with foam darts from a plastic machine gun, interrupting his pre-game briefing. Clearly, this is not a tightly wound group of athletes. As Wells and his co-conspirators, A.J. Burnett and Josh Towers laughed and carefully plucked the spent ammo from Gibbons' neck, lap, chair and desk, sitting quietly at the opposite end of the clubhouse from the mock mayhem was utility infielder John McDonald, who tomorrow will be hosting some real-life wounded warriors at pre-game batting practice in Baltimore."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Like somebody hit a switch, Blue Jay offence shuts down: "Just as young Jesse Litsch couldn't have been expected to come close to duplicating his compelling major-league debut yesterday, no one should have been looking for the Blue Jays to improve on their offensive splurge of the year Saturday night. Unfortunately, Litsch probably came closer, although, lifted for an early pinch-hitter, he was gone after only four innings."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Fun for all except Jays' Ohka: "Tomo Ohka was the only player who wasn't having any fun on a most charming of baseball days. The Jays right-hander, looking for a tidy two-inning outing in preparation for his return to the starting rotation later this week, was instead roughed up by the Baltimore Orioles in the annual Baseball Hall of Fame game yesterday before 9,791 fans at Doubleday Field. Ohka needed something positive on a sunny day where baseball history is preserved, but he gave up a three-run homer in the first inning in an eventual 13-7 loss to the Orioles."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Rocket and Bonds on Jays' horizon: "As the Blue Jays went through the motions at the annual Baseball Hall of Fame exhibition game yesterday, issues surrounding two future Cooperstown, N.Y., inductees were front and centre in chat rooms around the continent: When will Roger Clemens make his Yankees re-debut? What has happened to Barry Bonds in his inexorable chase of Henry Aaron?"
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TheStar.com - Sports - Jays extend contracts of training staff, conditioning coach: "The Toronto Blue Jays extended the contracts of head trainer George Poulis, assistant trainer Dave Abraham and strength and conditioning coach Donovan Santas through the 2010 season on Wednesday. The trio have been questioned by some for their handling of players amid the spate of early-season injuries that have plagued the club."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Jays sweep Orioles with 2-1 win: "The Toronto Blue Jays got some payback against the Baltimore Orioles behind another dominant performance from their acting ace. A.J. Burnett struck out 10 in a brilliant three-hitter for a 2-1 victory Wednesday night that completed a three-game sweep. Aaron Hill tied the game with an RBI single in the fourth and Troy Glaus knocked in the winning run for the third straight contest with a single in fifth as the Blue Jays (18-22) won for the fifth time in six games to move a half-game up on the Orioles (18-23) for third in the AL East."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Gillick's heart is still here: "The Jays are in Philadelphia tonight for interleague play, facing the architect of their glory years, former GM Pat Gillick. Neither the Jays nor the Phillies have been back to the World Series since Joe Carter 'touched 'em all' in 1993. This is, no doubt, a special series for Gillick. A couple of years ago, he attained Canadian citizenship and though he recently moved his home from Toronto to Seattle, he maintains strong ties to this country, including property in Prince Edward Island. His affection for Toronto remains deep. Consider that he spoke to his old barber the other day, calling him just to find out how business was going. Clearly, he cares."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Burnett pitches in: "There's a mysterious voice calling in from the outfield. 'Get off the field!' Newcomer Jesse Litsch is standing by the camera banks along the third-base line looking confused. A few Toronto pitchers are standing in left field, waiting to start the pre-game stretch. But the voice is bouncing off the seats, the roof. It could be coming from anywhere. 'Get off the field!' the voice is screaming now."
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Burnett stellar as Jays handle Orioles: "Acting Blue Jays ace A.J. Burnett wasn't about to let a rookie pitcher steal the spotlight for a second straight night at Rogers Centre in Toronto. The veteran right-hander outduelled Baltimore lefty Brian Burres, tossing a complete-game, three-hitter with 10 strikeouts in a 2-1 win on Wednesday night."
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TheStar.com - columnists - Youngster Litsch 'a baseball guy': "It wasn't a perfect game, but it was almost a perfect night for rookie right-hander Jesse Litsch in what turned into a whirlwind romance with a boisterous Rogers Centre crowd, besting the O's 2-1 in his major-league debut and being 'pied' twice for his efforts, by Vernon Wells and A.J. Burnett. Oh, certainly there were reasons to believe that Litsch's start for the Jays might turn to disaster. On the other hand, there were many more reasons for fans to hope his debut would play out as a feel-good opus with a true Hollywood ending. It did."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Jays keep beer chillin' in the clubhouse: "Despite pressure in Major League Baseball to ban alcohol in the wake of the death of St. Louis Cardinals reliever Josh Hancock, the Blue Jays have decided to leave beer in the clubhouse fridges at the Rogers Centre. 'We want to treat these guys like adults,' Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said yesterday. 'We haven't had a problem since I've been here in Toronto, so we're going to leave it in there.'"
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TheStar.com - News - Fire Godfrey, retroactively: "When he named Paul Godfrey president of the Blue Jays, it wasn't as if Mr. Rogers had a death wish for the team. No wishing was necessary. He killed it dead. Not many outings ago, it was our Japanese vs. Boston's Japanese, only the fourth time Japanese starting pitchers had faced off in the major leagues since Abner Doubleday communed with a cow pasture and divined the mystic dimensions: 27.4 metres between the bases, 18.39 metres from the rubber to home plate."
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TheStar.com - Sports - One-game extension for rookie: "After a headline-making debut with the Blue Jays, Jesse Litsch will stay in the starting rotation for at least one more turn. Tomo Ohka moves to the bullpen. '(Litsch) is going to get another start, probably more than one more start,' GM J.P. Ricciardi said."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Glaus hits, A.J. shines and Jays win: "He's big, he comes through with some big hits and he does it despite obvious pain in his leg. We're not talking about a third- or fourth-line winger here. Jays third baseman Troy Glaus has no hockey experience in his background, but he certainly has the gritty, deny-your-pain attitude that is the pedigree of most hockey players. For the third night in a row, Glaus ignored the multiple aches and pains in his left leg to deliver the Jays' game-winning run. It was his fifth-inning single that drove in Alex Rios for a 2-1 margin over the Baltimore Orioles that, thanks to A.J. Burnett's pitching, stood up for the rest of the night at the Rogers Centre."
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TheStar.com - columnists - Burnett does Litsch one better: "So, who does A.J. Burnett think he is? Jesse Litsch? The Blue Jays' temporary ace – Burnett, that is – had dazzling stuff last night in holding off the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 and if that sounds like an echo, yes, that was the same score, favour Jays, from Tuesday when mayor-elect Litsch made his outstanding major-league debut."
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Burnett completes home sweep for Toronto over Baltimore: "The Toronto Blue Jays wrapped up a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday, as pitcher A.J. Burnett tossed his first complete game of the season to notch the win. 'He is one of the dominating guys in baseball,' Toronto manager John Gibbons told reporters of Burnett, who struck out 10 and walked two in gaining his fourth win against three losses."
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Jays hope Roberts can fill role: "When one door is closed, another opens. That's the case for Ryan Roberts, who has been given the chance to emerge as the Blue Jays' super utility player. Roberts' opportunity was created when Toronto decided things weren't working out with infielder Jason Smith. 'We want to see him play a little bit,' said Toronto manager John Gibbons, referring to Roberts. 'I'm not sure how much playing time he's going to get, but he's a kid we've always liked in the sytem. He's done well and this is his chance.'"
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Litsch Stymies O's in Debut - washingtonpost.com: "Jesse Litsch did a pretty good impression of Roy Halladay while filling in for the injured Toronto Blue Jays ace. Litsch worked into the ninth inning in his major league debut and Troy Glaus singled in the go-ahead run in the sixth to help Toronto beat the Baltimore Orioles, 2-1, on Tuesday night."
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Former Tampa Bay batboy wins major-league debut: "In the hectic moments after Jesse Litsch's outstanding big-league debut, he was handed the game's lineup card, the balls used for his first out, first strikeout and the final out, hit with two shaving-cream pies and shared a tender moment with his beaming father. 'It's the best day of my life. Hopefully I have many more,' the glowing 22-year-old said after coming within one out of a complete game in the Toronto Blue Jays' 2-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles last night. 'It's awesome, it's a great deal and I love this feeling. I'm very, very happy with myself right now.'"
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globeandmail.com: From Double A to big-league ace: "On the day of his first start in major-league baseball, pitcher Jesse Litsch had the rare opportunity of witnessing catcher Gregg Zaun cavorting around the Toronto Blue Jays clubhouse dressed in a long brown robe and a curly white magistrate's wig. Litsch sat at his stall between Frank Thomas and Aaron Hill taking it all in, looking a bit shell-shocked as team star Vernon Wells, armed with an air-powered toy gun, unloaded a volley of rubber darts that stuck to the body of pitcher A.J. Burnett."
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Jays' Jesse Litsch has fairy-tale debut: "Bat boy to big leaguer with a complete game win in his major league debut sounds like the far-fetched plot of a Disney movie. But Pinellas Park, Fla. is no fantasy land and Toronto Blue Jays rookie Jesse Litsch, a native of the aforementioned Gulf Coast community, showed he is no Mickey Mouse when it comes to pitching in The Show."
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Blue Jays rookie dominates O’s in major league debut: "Jesse Litsch certainly knows how to make a good first impression. The rookie right-hander carved up the Baltimore Orioles in an outstanding big-league debut Tuesday night, coming within one out of a complete game in a 2-1 Toronto Blue Jays victory."
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globeandmail.com: Blue Jays find new workhorse in Accardo: "All they saw was a good arm -- a good, cheap arm. Beyond that, the Toronto Blue Jays did not know what they were getting when they dispatched trouble-making wing nut Shea Hillenbrand to the San Francisco Giants in return for Jeremy Accardo. Closer? Nah, they didn't need a closer. They had B.J. Ryan. 'Honestly,' Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said yesterday, 'it was just that we liked the arm. Plus the service time.'"
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TheStar.com - Sports - New Jay is lights out: "In a season plagued by disappointment, the Blue Jays have their first fairytale of 2007. Jesse Litsch, a virtual unknown from the minor leagues, was given a one-off pitching audition with the Jays last night and rode it into the record books. The 22-year-old former Tampa Bay Devil Rays batboy stymied the Baltimore Orioles, allowing only one run in 8 2/3innings of stellar work."
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Doc weeks away from helping beleaguered Jays: "When doctors told Roy Halladay on Friday that he needed an emergency appendectomy, his first thoughts were about his role as a husband and father. Right after that, he thought about his role as the Toronto Blue Jays ace and leader. The right-hander's gut instinct for dealing with his swollen appendix involved playing through the pain, as it were. 'You always think maybe I can take something and continue, maybe get over this some other way,' said Halladay, who on his 30th birthday yesterday made his first public statement since undergoing the operation. 'But after the fact, I felt a lot better about the decision .'"
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TheStar.com - Sports - Halladay hoping for early return: "Roy Halladay was back in the Blue Jays clubhouse yesterday afternoon, four days after being rushed to hospital for an operation prompted by acute appendicitis. The team ace is targeting a return on the short end of the projected 4-6 weeks he is due to be on the sidelines. 'I'm hoping no more than four (weeks) before I'm in a game,' Halladay said."
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CityNews: Roy Halladay Visits Blue Jays Clubhouse: "The doc is officially on the mend. Roy Halladay was back in the Blue Jays clubhouse with his teammates after undergoing emergency appendectomy surgery Friday evening. Toronto's ace pitcher said he's hopeful he'll be back in uniform before the original six weeks he was expected to miss. 'I'm hoping it's no more than four weeks,' he said. 'If I can start doing strenuous stuff in two weeks, I hope it doesn't take that long. A lot of guys had said, who have had it done, that they bounced back relatively quick.'"
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Jays, Orioles hope bullpens aren't for the birds: "Coming off separate games in which their relievers squandered strong efforts by unheralded starters in remarkably similar fashion, the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays look to get back on track Monday night at Rogers Centre (7 p.m. ET). The Blue Jays' bullpen cost the team a chance to sweep the visiting Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Sunday, when Jason Frasor surrendered a solo home run and Brian Tallet allowed an infield hit that scored the eventual winning run in Toronto's 2-1 loss."
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Doc weeks away from helping beleaguered Jays: "When doctors told Roy Halladay on Friday that he needed an emergency appendectomy, his first thoughts were about his role as a husband and father. Right after that, he thought about his role as the Toronto Blue Jays ace and leader. The right-hander's gut instinct for dealing with his swollen appendix involved playing through the pain, as it were. 'You always think maybe I can take something and continue, maybe get over this some other way,' said Halladay, who on his 30th birthday yesterday made his first public statement since undergoing the operation. 'But after the fact, I felt a lot better about the decision .'"
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CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Big Events - Doc hopes to pitch in a month: "Roy Halladay plans to follow his doctor's orders to the letter, although he's hoping to be back pitching in four weeks rather than six. The Toronto Blue Jays ace was back in the clubhouse with his teammates Monday after an appendectomy Friday evening. He looked well as he sat by his locker stall, smiling often as he chatted with teammates."
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USATODAY.com - Baseball - Baltimore vs. Toronto: "The Baltimore Orioles' latest skid seems to be affecting more than just their place in the AL East standings. The Orioles try to overcome another disappointing outing and some team dissension when they continue a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday at Rogers Centre. Baltimore (18-21) has dropped three straight games, including a 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays in Monday's series opener. Prior to the losing streak, the Orioles were second in the division, six games behind first-place Boston. They have fallen to third, nine in back of the Red Sox."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Halladay hoping for early return: "Roy Halladay was back in the Blue Jays clubhouse yesterday afternoon, four days after being rushed to hospital for an operation prompted by acute appendicitis. The team ace is targeting a return on the short end of the projected 4-6 weeks he is due to be on the sidelines. 'I'm hoping no more than four (weeks) before I'm in a game,' Halladay said."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Glaus blast lifts Jays past Orioles: "At times this season, the Jays offence has shown itself capable of piling up big numbers. It has been incapable of scoring them when the team finds itself in a hole. Not once this season had the Jays come back to win after trailing by three runs or more, but last night, that streak was snapped. After giving up three runs in the first three innings, Toronto pecked away at Baltimore Orioles starter Erik Bedard. With the score tied 3-3 in the eighth, a returning Troy Glaus banged a two-run homer off hapless reliever Denys Baez. The 5-3 comeback victory had manager John Gibbons touting the character of his club."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Jays beat Rangers 5-1, end 9-game losing streak: "Few things help end a long, demoralizing losing streak like a visit by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Toronto Blue Jays stopped their nine-game skid Friday night with a 5-1 victory that came on the backs of a fine outing by A.J. Burnett and a huge two-run double by Jason Phillips. It was their first win in May and helped lift them out of the American League East basement, into a tie for fourth with the Devil Rays. Both teams are 14-21."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Jays give Roberts Halladay's roster spot: "Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay was released from hospital today after undergoing a successful appendectomy, while infielder Ryan Roberts was recalled from triple-A Syracuse to take his place on the roster. Halladay underwent the procedure Friday, hours after he showed up at the Rogers Centre looking pale and complaining of a sharp pain in his right side. Halladay will miss 4-to-6 weeks. 'He's doing good,' said manager John Gibbons. 'He may show up here (Sunday).'"
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TheStar.com - Sports - Wells puts Jays over the top: "Vernon Wells can help the Toronto Blue Jays win games in a variety of ways, and today it was his base-running that got the job done. The all-star centre-fielder, without an RBI since April 28, reached on an infield hit in the seventh and then scored the winning run from first base on Lyle Overbay's single to beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 5-4 this afternoon."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Doc out and Jays in pain: "Well, that about does it for the Blue Jays. Incredibly, it turns out, something was ailing the good Doc, Roy Halladay, after all. But not Thursday night, when he took a second straight shellacking, this time at the hands of the Red Sox."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Insurance gamble costly for Jays: "The Blue Jays remain happy with their decision to forgo insurance on player salaries in favour of covering lost wages through 'self insurance.' The decision was a calculated risk, one that was grounded in the odds against a team suffering several serious injuries at the same time. Unfortunately for the Jays, that's just what's happened this season, which has seen 11 players worth tens of millions of dollars on the disabled list. The Jays are still paying the injured players."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Marcum effort wasted in loss to Devil Rays: "Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons had no choice but to end Shaun Marcum's improbable no-hit bid after six innings. Unfortunately for the fatigued right-hander, his teammates didn't step up after Marcum's outstanding first start of 2007 came to a close Sunday at the Rogers Centre. Promoted from the bullpen, a maxed-out Marcum worked six hitless innings for the injury-riddled Jays (15-22) before watching the bullpen crumble and the offence stumble in a 2-1 loss against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (15-22) in front of a crowd of 25,453."
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TheStar.com - Sports - One fast Jay, one sharp coach lead Toronto past Devil Rays: "While runs have been hard to come by for the Blue Jays this month – and, heaven knows winning runs all the harder – yesterday's was a thing of beauty. The winner, we mean. Which also means, yes, all the way up to 2-9 for May, the Jays have a win streak on the go."
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TheStar.com - columnists - It's official: Season is over for Blue Jays: "What has happened to the Jays on the injury front may be ridiculous, it may be unfortunate, but it is not a disaster. No one died, everyone will still be paid their guaranteed salaries and all seven injured Jays are expected to continue their careers. But there is no doubt that the string of injuries to key Jays players in the first two months has been unbelievable – perhaps unprecedented. 'In the words of Abraham Lincoln after he stubbed his toe, I'm too old to cry and it hurts too much to laugh,' GM J.P. Ricciardi explained at a hastily called briefing. Or was it an elbow?"
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TheStar.com - columnists - Jays' lineup moves a mystery: "It seems even when healthy, there is mystery and uncertainty surrounding the use or non-use of Jays players. Yesterday the questions revolved around manager John Gibbons' use of light-hitting John McDonald to pinch-hit for Jason Phillips leading off the bottom of the eighth inning, trailing the D-Rays by a run. Wherefore Alex Rios? The five-tool Rios had, unusually, been given the start off in right field against the ash- and maple-challenged Rays starter Jae (say it ain't) Seo, the 29-year-old Korean, leading the majors in runs allowed and fourth in the AL in hits. Opponents were batting .386 against Seo."
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Cramp dooms Jays: "A day after profiting from a small error by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Blue Jays returned the favour with calamitous results yesterday. With Tampa Bay leading 1-0 in the ninth, Toronto reliever Brian Tallet was caught ball watching as a Carlos Pena grounder skipped by him. The ball forced first baseman Lyle Overbay well to his right. Too late, Tallet realized that he was going to have to cover the first-base bag."
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Toronto loses Ryan for season: "Back on April 16, when B.J. Ryan landed on the disabled list, Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said something that seemed ominous. The question: Does Ryan's sore elbow foreshadow surgery? Ricciardi's answer: 'Not yet. Today, he doesn't need it.' Yesterday, he did. After experiencing pain during a medical checkup on Tuesday, the Jays US$47-million closer underwent ligament replacement surgery and will miss the rest of the season."
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Blue Jays' Ryan has season-ending surgery: "The Toronto Blue Jays will be without closer B.J. Ryan for the rest of the season and part of 2008 after he underwent ligament-replacement (Tommy John) surgery Thursday. Ryan, who blew two of four save chances this season before he was placed on the disabled list last month, is expected to be ready for spring training next February."
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Even Doc can't stop the bleeding: "Almost unfathomably, things got worse for the Blue Jays yesterday. Way worse. For starters, in the morning, closer B.J. Ryan had Tommy John surgery on his ailing left elbow. You'll see him again next season. For closers, last night's starter Roy Halladay had his lunch handed to him for a second straight outing as the very high-flying Red Sox scored early and often in dishing the Jays a numbing ninth straight loss – this one 8-0."
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Ryan's year ends in surgery: "The hopes that closer B.J. Ryan would return next month and boost the Jays' post-season chances were wiped out yesterday by season-ending elbow surgery. Ryan underwent so-called Tommy John surgery in Cincinnati and the Jays, floored by the worst-case scenario, must now try reconstruct their bullpen. Undaunted, Jays' GM J.P. Ricciardi said the club has no intention of waving a white flag."
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Send SOS: Blue Jays are sinking: "You know it's out of control when Roy Halladay, trying to end a Jays' eight-game slide, allows eight runs in five innings as he did last night against the Red Sox. The Cy guy, in search of his 100th career victory, was hammered for the second straight start, providing cover for the day's real crisis – the announcement of season-ending surgery to closer B.J. Ryan."
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Red Sox blank labouring Blue Jays: "Not even ace pitcher Roy Halladay could save the Toronto Blue Jays' sinking ship. Halladay gave up eight runs — seven earned — over five innings as the Jays were clobbered 8-0 by the visiting Boston Red Sox Thursday night. It was the second straight start he has struggled to find his all-star form. "
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Hurlers brush off big night: "Four hours before last night's game, a dozen Japanese cameras were trained on Daisuke Matsuzaka as he long-tossed in a T-shirt and shorts. Media travelling with Matsuzaka are well trained. They don't violate the privacy of Boston's Japanese star. They wait patiently for the routine of his packed press conferences. Meanwhile, Toronto's Tomo Ohka was sitting in front of his locker, engrossed in the sports section of Canada's best-selling newspaper."
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Jays shelled again: "The first time the Dice-Man cometh to these parts, things were looking just so much rosier for the Blue Jays. That was back on April 17 when the Jays, before 42,000 and change, were 2-1 winners over the amply hyped Daisuke Matsuzaka to wrest first place from the Boston Red Sox. Ahh, those were the days."
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Godfrey: Nobody to be pushed over side: "Mayday! Mayday! At least, you'd think that might be the cry with the Blue Jays now 0-7 for this month and nearly double digits behind the Red Sox in the loss column. But no. Despite the floundering, general manager J.P. Ricciardi said the team is not on the verge of panic. And that was before Boston thumped them 9-2 last night. After another miserable setback, it was team president Paul Godfrey assuring no one was on the verge of being tossed overboard."
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Catcher Zaun is in a hurry to heal: "On April 24, catcher Gregg Zaun left with what was described by the team as a non-displaced fracture of the right thumb. It turns out the broken bone was indeed displaced and the break will require him to keep two plates in for as long as he plays. But the Jays knew the truth, so, of course, that's not a lie. The Jays' injured catcher sat alone in the clubhouse yesterday as his mates prepared for the series-opening slaughter against the powerful Red Sox. Doctors have told him that in the best-case scenario he would be out for six weeks after surgery. Worst case, they told the intense 35-year-old, it could take 10 weeks. He's an optimist."
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Jays' leaky boat continues to sink quickly: "With luck running against them, the Jays were leaning hard on clich�s to see them through another miserable outing last night. 'You swim together or you sink together,' manager John Gibbons said before last night's series opener against Boston. In that case, they are handing out buckets on HMCS Blue Jay this morning."
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Blue Jays embarrassed by Red Sox: "Based on Tuesday's pitching performances, it's unlikely Victor Zambrano will ever be mistaken for Josh Beckett. Zambrano was raked for eight runs on four home runs as the hometown Toronto Blue Jays lost 9-2 to the Boston Red Sox before a crowd of 41,203 at the Rogers Centre."
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Blue Jays go cold without security blanket: "It was apparent from the day he signed a five-year, $47-million (U.S.) contract that closer B.J. Ryan would cast a long shadow over the Toronto Blue Jays. But nobody, especially manager John Gibbons, could have known how long. While general manager J.P. Ricciardi's admission last week that he fibbed about the nature of Ryan's injury has raised the hackles of the chattering classes, it is the skipper whose future is most tied up in matters Ryan-related."
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Rangers hope recovery began with sweep of Blue Jays: "Texas Rangers Michael Young and Mark Teixeira emerged from early hitting slumps. Texas posted its first series sweep of the season. It's certainly no coincidence that it happened at the same time. But will the hitting stars and three victories over Toronto prove to be a catalyst for the Rangers after a tough first month under new manager Ron Washington?"
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Boston vs. Toronto: "The Boston Red Sox insist they didn't need Roger Clemens. The way Josh Beckett and the rest of the staff is pitching, they may be right. Beckett seeks his major league-leading seventh win in as many starts Tuesday night as the Red Sox open a three-game series against the struggling Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre."
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Texas plays long ball against Burnett, Jays: "The good news is A.J. Burnett threw only three bad pitches on Sunday. The bad news is all three cleared the fence and proved the difference in another Blue Jays loss. Mark Teixeira, Michael Young and light-hitting Kenny Lofton hit solo homers to propel the hometown Texas Rangers to a 3-2 win over Toronto to complete a three-game sweep."
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Troy Glaus is MLB player of week: "Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Troy Glaus was named American League player of the week on Monday. Glaus hit .400 (10-25) last week with two doubles, four home runs, seven runs batted in and eight runs scored as Toronto went 1-6. "
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Jays in world of hurt as Bosox land in town: "The Jays would like everyone fretting over their 0-6 slide and their general manager's recent comments to chill out, or blow away, or both. But when the last-place club tries to right itself tonight against the Red Sox, there will be nothing chilly about the reception GM J.P. Ricciardi or his team will get, at least from the media. Ricciardi and the Jays are on the hot seat for a host of reasons. They landed there during an 0-6 road trip this past week during which Ricciardi admitted to fabricating details about closer B.J. Ryan's injury."
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TheStar.com - columnists - Rocket blasts Jays out of it: "After plummeting to last place in the current standings and watching as this generation's greatest starting pitcher, Roger Clemens, has just inked a four-month deal to pitch in the Bronx, the Jays no longer deserve to even be mentioned in the same breath as the Red Sox and Yankees. GM J.P. Ricciardi will tell you it's not over ... but what are we to believe? And, after all, do fans really need to know the truth?"
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TheStar.com - Sports - Tribe rains on the Jays' hit parade: "The Toronto Blue Jays began last night with a powerful 10-minute demonstration of the damage they are capable of inflicting. But what followed was a punishing 3 1/2-hour example of how difficult it is to protect early leads in the American League. The Jays jumped on top of the Cleveland Indians with first-inning solo home runs by Alex Rios, Troy Glaus and Aaron Hill. Then they watched that advantage dwindle, disappear and recede into the distance. In the end, they were defeated 12-4 in a rain-delayed game."
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TheStar.com - columnists - Frasor keeps chin up after dreadful week: "The continuing status of Jason Frasor as the Jays' ninth-inning closer does not depend as much on the pitcher's own confidence level, which seems intact, as much as it does on that of manager John Gibbons, which doesn't. 'I'm not locked into certain guys for certain roles,' Gibbons said prior to last night's game at the Jake. 'That ninth inning's tough. Very few guys can do it and dominate like B.J. (Ryan) does. But you can't jump ship.' Frasor's horrible last two outings before last night had been statistical disasters."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Jays cough it up again: "As the ninth inning began last night, a fan's text message flashed across the Jacobs Field scoreboard. 'End it already, Tribe. We're cold.' It was a sensible request that neither misfiring squad seemed interested in granting. Both Toronto and Cleveland flailed their way through a 4 1/2- hour game that was awash in errors, poor pitches and poorer swings."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Indians 7, Jays 6: "Let's just say this one came up way short of Pronkville. Travis Hafner dribbled an RBI double down the third-base line, out of the reach of Toronto's overshifted infield, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Blue Jays 7-6 in 11 innings Wednesday night. With Toronto playing the Indians' powerful pull hitter to the right side, Hafner stuck out his bat and got enough of a low, outside 3-2 pitch from Shaun Marcum (1-2) to send a slow roller toward third."
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TheStar.com - columnists - Despite loss, Thomas focuses on positives: "Sometimes a bench-clearing incident like last night's at Jacobs Field can fire up a dormant team. Such could have been the case for the Jays when a left leg block of the plate by their catcher Jason Phillips and a hard tag on Josh Barfield cleared both dugouts and bullpens. Instead the streaking Indians were the ones to react to the emotion, coming back to eke out a 6-5 win. 'We're in every ballgame,' veteran DH Frank Thomas said. 'That's what sucks when you lose like this. We fall a little short every night and it's frustrating."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Ohka: The not so rising son: "You could feel it coming, that question that Tomo Ohka hates most. Standing in the cramped clubhouse underneath Fenway Park, the Boston reporter was coming in at an angle. He asked the Jays' Japanese starter about his win that night, about the windy conditions in the park. But it was clear that he was waiting to ask his real question."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Blue Jays swept away: "Forget all the talk of 'long seasons' and 'early days.' This Toronto team is clearly sick of losing. Having given up five of their last seven games, the Jays gratefully leave Cleveland behind after the Indians completed a three-game sweep with a 6-5 win last night. It's the third time the Jays have been swept at Jacobs Field in four years."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Halladay, Jays take a beating from Rangers: "Roy Halladay is human after all. The Blue Jays, though, are a loss away from being humiliated. In his bid for his career 100th win, Halladay suffered one of the worst outings as a pro in an 11-4 beating by the Texas Rangers here Saturday night before 27,241 at the Ball Park in Arlington."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Rangers 3, Blue Jays 2: "The numbers are numbing. The task - of getting back into the American League post season picture - daunting. The Jays hit rock bottom here today, extending their losing skid to six games, a sorry streak that not only matches a franchise mark for futility on a road trip, but leaves them in last place in the American League East Division, seven-and-a-half games behind the front running Red Sox. Boston comes to Toronto for a three game set beginning Tuesday night, and right now, the Jays needs are overwhelming."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Jays no match for Texas hitters: "Over to you, Doc. The Blue Jays hand the ball over to ace Roy Halladay today in hopes the franchise's best player and losing-streak stopper can step out and perform his magic once again. The team is mired in a miserable six-game road trip, now sitting at four consecutive losses, after a 7-1 setback against the Texas Rangers last night. The only hope the scuffling Jays appear to have at the moment is Halladay."
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TheStar.com - Sports - J.P. trifling with truth not nice for Jays' fans: "Sometimes, the truth hurts. It can be a pain in the back, or a pain in the elbow or a pain in the butt. When it's J.P. Ricciardi delivering the diagnosis, anything is possible. Listener beware. Would you buy a used car, or a used relief pitcher, from a guy who admits he has lied about what was ailing one of his key and most expensive assets, B.J. Ryan, in spring training?"
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TheStar.com - Sports - Rangers deep six Blue Jays: "The numbers are numbing. The task of getting back into AL post-season contention daunting. The Jays hit rock bottom yesterday, extending their losing skid to six games, a sorry streak that not only matches a franchise mark for futility on a road trip, but leaves them in last place in the AL East, 7 1/2 games behind the front-running Red Sox."
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