Batter-up with Bruno 's posts tagged Toronto Blue Jays

See all posts tagged with Toronto Blue Jays »

• Sox snap Jays, Byrd gets first win

  August 22, 2008

  Paul Byrd didn't exactly have a grade A performance, but pitched well enough to claim the victory as the Boston Red Sox snapped its losing streak to the Toronto Blue Jays in an 8-4 win. Byrd pitched six innings giving up six 6 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, and 2 homeruns.
  
  Dustin Pedroia (13) and Jason Varitek (11) each homered in the game for Boston as the Red Sox extend its consecutive homerun streak to seven games. The Bosox have also homered in 12 of their last 14 games excluding the rain out last Friday vs Toronto.
  
  With good news, there always seems to be some bad lurking around, which concerns J.D. Drew who was scratched from tonight's lineup due to a herniated disk, which could land the Boston right-fielder on the disabled list.
  
  Boston remains 4.5 games behind first place Tampa Bay in the American League East as the Rays defeated the White Sox 9-4. At press time, Minnesota holds a commanding 8-0 lead over the Angels who is a half game back of the Sox in the AL Wild Card (if they win they'll be tied) and the White Sox are also a half game back in the tight race.Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments
• Red Sox 1.5 games back

  September 07, 2008

  With the Toronto Blue Jays beating the Tampa Bay Ray, 1-0 this afternoon and with the Red Sox winning over the Texas Ranger, 7-2, Boston now trails by only 1.5 games in the American League East.
  
  Tampa Bay is coming to Boston tomorrow for a 3-game series. The two clubs have two 3-game series left, one in Boston and the other the following week in Tampa Bay. Should be an interesting series as the Sox have Jon Lester starting in game 1, Dice-K Matsuzaka in game 2, and Josh Beckett in the rubber game.
  
  Keeping you posted with all Red Sox hunt for October coverage.Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments
• East(Coast) side to the West(Coast) side

  May 11, 2009

  Ah yes, the beloved west coast trips.
  
  Every Boston Red Sox fan's favorite when the game start time is at 10:00 p.m. the earliest and most of the time it's not over until at least 1:00 a.m. during the week.
  It's absolute torture. 
  And geez if the game goes into extra innings!? Forget about it. Unless it's the playoffs, it's not worth staying up and finding yourself drooling on top of your computer at work the next morning.
  The one thing to celebrate is that this is the last west coast trip of the year. 
  YAY!!!
  The Sox will take on the Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim) for a three-game set, followed by the Seattle Mariners for the closing three games before heading back to Fenway with an off day in between to meet the (current first place) Toronto Blue Jays.
  Now that will be an interesting series and I am predicting it now, that's what every single newspaper/sports blog/sports radio show will be talking about come Monday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 19 before the game starts. 
  I bet you $1,000.Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments
• Red Sox weekly recap (Week 7)

  May 23, 2009

  Ouch. 
  The first time that instant replay had to be used at Fenway this season, the Boston Red Sox get screwed big time. After a lead off walk and then striking out the next two batters, Jonathan Papelbon gave up a two-run home run (his second HR on the season), which eventually led to his first blown save and loss of the season.
  That was a real killer especially after a huge sweepage over the first place Toronto Blue Jays. Because of the last two games, the Sox get a C grade for this week. One highlight however, David Ortiz going deep for the first time.
  Sunday May 17 - Saturday May 23
  Week record: 3-3Overall record: 25-18AL East standing: 2nd, 0.5 game behind TorontoRuns scored: 22Opponents' runs scored: 16Home runs: 8; Jason Varitek (3), Jason Bay (2), J.D. Drew (1), Mike Lowell (1), David Ortiz (1)Games left: 119Weeks left: 20Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments
• Sox host Jays for big 3 game bid

  May 19, 2009

  
  After a month and a half of play, the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are finally squaring off against each other in a battle of the first and second place contenders.
  
  The Jays have been cruising and hold a steady 3.5 games lead over the Sox. For the last three and so weeks, Boston was behind by 2.0 games, but after the disappointing series in Seattle, Toronto got some insurance thanks to the Sox struggles and its consistency. 
  The Sox normally have a tough time playing the Jays, but home field advantage for this three-game set is huge. Boston will be happy to return to Fenway after going 2-4 out west. 
  Toronto enters with a four-game win and is 7-3 in its last 10 games. They are 11-8 on the road this season.
  Lets see if Boston can turn it around and at least take two out of three games.Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments
• Can Jays end their losing ways? Lets hope not.

  May 29, 2009

  Toronto who?
  
  It appears that after the Boston Red Sox swept the then AL East first place Toronto Blue Jays a week ago, they have imploded.
  The Blue Jays are 0-9 in their last nine games and were swept by the Sox, Atlanta Braves, and the last place Baltimore Orioles. 
  Is the Canadian reign over? After being hyped up without facing the also dying Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto is not appearing to be a quality AL East contender anymore. However the Red Sox for some reason always seem to not do well up at the Rogers Centre.
  Tonight it's knuckleballer Tim Wakefield facing Casey Janssen on the pitcher's mound.Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments
• Red Sox need to bloom in June

  June 01, 2009

  So today marks June 1, the first "unofficial" day of summer (Father's Day is technically the first day) and the Boston Red Sox are sitting in second place in the AL East with a 29-22 record, which is only a half game behind the New York Yankees who are 29-21.
  After starting off the year 2-6 Boston's bats boomed its way to an 11-game win streak and ended the month of April at 14-8.
  May wasn't the greatest however as the Sox finished a mere game above .500 at 15-14 thanks to a dominant pitching performance by Jon Lester and four home runs to power the offense past the slumping Toronto Blue Jays.
  Now it's June, a month that could show a lot about this current club. Interleague play will be in the mix with the Marlins and Braves coming to Fenway while the Sox will travel to the defending World Series champion Phillies. Boston will also fly down to face the Nationals.
  The trade deadline is July 31, but it doesn't mean anything can happen in June. Theo Epstein is really going to have to look deep into the David Ortiz situation. Do the Sox need a power bat to fill in the vacant hole?
  And also will Josh Beckett, Dice-K, and Lester become the same consistent go-to guys out on the mound?
  It's almost a miracle right now that the Red Sox are only a half game back in the standings, but how long can that continue if the pitching doesn't turn into its true form?
  A million questions marks and hopefully most will be answered.
  Bring on the June swoon.Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments
• Red Sox weekly recap (Week 8)

  May 31, 2009

  The Boston Red Sox avoided a sweep against the New York Mets in interleague play, split a four-game series with the Minnesota Twins, and are now trying to avoid a sweep to the Toronto Blue Jays.
  So far in May the Sox are 14-14. If they win today they'll be a game over .500 for the month, but if they lose they'll finished a game below .500. And thanks to a nine game losing streak from the Jays, the New York Yankees are now first in the East.
  
  Sunday May 24 - Saturday May 30
  
  Week record: 3-3Overall record: 28-22AL East standing: T-2nd with Toronto, 1.5 games behind New YorkRuns scored: 31Opponents' runs scored: 31Home runs: 7; Jason Varitek (2), Mike Lowell (1), Jeff Bailey (1), Jason Bay (1), J.D. Drew (1), Rocco Baldelli (1)Games left: 112Weeks left: 19Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments
• The Red Sox bloomed in June alright; July equals test month

  July 01, 2009

  On June 1, I wrote a post here on Batter-up with Bruno entitle, "Red Sox need to bloom in June," which was the day after Boston salvaged a win in a three game series with the Toronto Blue Jays. They ended the month of May with a 15-14 record.
  Well, guess what Red Sox Nation? I think they read my post or something.
  With the exception of Tuesday night's bullpen meltdown, Boston absolutely bloomed in the month of June. They finished with an 18-8 record and are 48-30 sitting on top of the American League East (currently 3.0 games above the New York Yankees who play later tonight against Seattle). 
  The next step? Boston needs to finish strong before the All-Star Break. They got off on the right foot beating the Baltimore Orioles 6-5 in 11 innings to take the series. Now they head back to Fenway to host the Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics (welcome back Nomah!), and Kansas City Royals (welcome back Coco Crisp!).
  After the break the Sox have a tough road trip right off the bat going up to Toronto then Texas to face the Rangers who are currently a game and a half behind the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
  Boston has to focus and put its stretch faces on because it's not going to get any easier for them. July will be the test month (plus factoring in the trade deadline) and from there we'll know how good they really are as a club.Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments
• Final home stretch crucial for Boston

  July 09, 2009

  This is it. The final home stretch. This will either make or break the Boston Red Sox who are barely hanging on to the lead in the American League East over the New York Yankees.
  
  The Yankees already beat the Minnesota Twins this afternoon at the Metrodome and for the next four days (including tonight) Boston is playing host to the Kansas City Royals.
  This series is crucial and the Red Sox need to win it in order to feel comfortable amidst the four-day break.
  And by crucial, here's a flashback that Sox fans care not to recall: 
  It's 2006 and Boston reached the halfway point in very devastating fashion at Chicago in a 6-5 19 inning loss to the White Sox. 
  Jonathan Papelbon came in the bottom of the ninth to seal the deal, but Jermaine Dye had other plans and blasted a solo shot to left field and thus sent the game into extra innings tied at three.
  The Red Sox struck first in the top of the 11th when Mark Loretta hit a two-run RBI single to score Willie Harris and Kevin Youkilis as they went ahead 5-3. However the White Sox retaliated in the bottom half and tied up the score again. 
  The frustration continued until the bottom of the 19th when Tadahito Iguchi drove in the winning run off of Rudy Seanez as Chicago literally came all of the way back to win it. Boston led 3-0 at one point, but the White Sox chipped away to score single runs in the 4th, 6th, and 9th.
  The game took six hours and 19 minutes, one of the longest ever in '06. 
  And what happened after the break? The Red Sox had a massive meltdown in August going 9-21. Yes 9-21. Meltdown highlights include being swept by the Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics, and last, but not least, the Yankees in a five-game series at Fenway Park. The season ended after that.
  Boston finished third for the first time since 1997 in the division under the Toronto Blue Jays with a 86-76 record (11 games behind New York).
  So again, how crucial is this series for the Red Sox? Things are about to get a little bit more interesting.Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments
• Buchholz vs. Halladay on Friday; what does this really mean?

  July 13, 2009

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The Boston Red Sox made an interesting move on Sunday when they officially promoted Clay Buchholz from Triple A Pawtucket.
  
  His name has been swirling around amongst trade talks recently especially with the Toronto Blue Jays who are saying that there's a possibility they'd trade their ace Roy Halladay.
  Toronto is sitting in fourth place out of five teams in the American League East. They were hanging around for a while in the beginning of the season, but as of late have been dying off. Tampa Bay has taken sole control of third place as they are seven games above .500.
  
  It might be safe to say the Jays are done competing with the initial AL East powers, but if so, why trade away their ace to a division rival? Halladay's contract ends in 2010 so if he were traded, his new club would have him for a guaranteed year and a half and longer if they sign him to a deal.
  So why would Toronto risk having to face Halladay almost 19 times a year? That just sounds crazy.
  Buchholz is scheduled to start on Friday against Halladay and the Jays and it was reported that two Jays scouts were watching Buchholz pitch the other day.
  Is this a test to see if Toronto is interested in striking a deal with the Red Sox? There's a lot of speculation of that's exactly what's going on however Boston would have to give up way more than Buchholz to land Halladay.
  Because of the roster move, Boston will have a six-man rotation after the All-Star Break of Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny, John Smoltz, and Buchholz and there's no way that's going to stay permanent.
  But besides pitching, what about another bat? That's what the Red Sox really need, is another secure power hitter to insert in the lineup if Mike Lowell won't be up to par in the second half. Why is no one talking about this?Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments
• Lowrie returns, Penny can't pitch past 5th, Jays power by Red Sox

  July 18, 2009

  It was a tough afternoon for Brad Penny and the Boston Red Sox as the Toronto Blue Jays took game two of a three game series, 6-2 at the Rogers Centre before 36,926 fans.
  
  Shortstop Jed Lowrie returned after undergoing wrist surgery that kept him sidelined for almost four months. According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, it was Lowrie's first start for the Red Sox in 98 days.
  
  Boston (55-35) had a good chance to open up the game in the top half of the second as Rocco Baldelli knocked a double to right-field to score Jason Bay from first and Mike Lowell took third with no outs.
  However the fire was quickly extinguished as Lowrie struck out, George Kottras popped to third, and J.D. Drew grounded out to second base to end the offensive attack.
  Toronto (45-47) wasted no time in tying up the score in the bottom half of the inning then surged in the fourth and fifth innings knocking in five more runs. Adam Lind crushed his 20th home run of the season, a two-run jack in the fifth off Penny (6-4) who lasted five innings and gave up all six runs and eight hits, one walk, and three strikeouts.
  Lowrie later on redeemed himself as he went deep in the seventh inning off Marc Rzepczynski (1-1) who gave up just the one run, four hits, four walks, and four strikeouts. It was his first major league win. Lowrie's home run was the best offense of the afternoon as the Red Sox were 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
  The Boston bullpen was flawless with Justin Masterson and Ramon Ramirez not allowing a hit in the last three innings.
  Penny has only pitched past the fifth inning four times this season and no deeper than the six.Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments
• Red Sox second half must and must nots

  July 16, 2009

  Red Sox Nation is going through some major withdrawal, but once Friday kicks in, it'll be a 74-game marathon to the American League East finish line.
  Clay Buchholz has something to prove once and for all at the major league level Friday. Who knows, this start may just be his first and last year in a Boston uniform in 2009. However it won't be against Roy Halladay, instead it'll be Ricky Romero.
  
  Boston is holding a three game lead over the New York Yankees who were swept by the Los Angeles Angels just before the All-Star Break. It'll be interesting if that effects the Bronx Bombers at all.
  The rest of the July schedule isn't one of the easiest. The Sox begin with a six-game, two-series road trip visiting Toronto and then Texas who is battle the Angels for first place in the West. Then they return back to Fenway for a seven-game, two-series home stand with the Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics. 
  
  On the trade deadline, July 31, Boston begins a nine-game, three-series road trip into August with the Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, and New York Yankees. This series could easily make or break the outcome of the season.
  There's rumors galore about what Sox general manager Theo Epstein needs to do.
  Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com is reporting that the Red Sox are "desperately" trying to deal Julio Lugo. A lot of people won't buy this unless ESPN or The Boston Globe says otherwise.
  
  Here's the quick breakdown:
  Boston needs...
  another solid batbench guy
  Boston doesn't necessarily need...
  Roy Halladaystarting pitcherreliever
  Honestly, they don't need to do too much, but they need to do something. Thoughts?
  
  Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments
• Boston Red Sox notes and observations vs. Blue Jays

  July 19, 2009

  The Boston Red Sox dropped the final game of a three-game series to the Toronto Blue Jays, 3-1 as Roy Halladay (11-3) retired the last 11 batters for his fourth complete game of the season. It was his 44th of his 12 year career. Halladay's season high is nine, which he's done twice in 2003 and 2008.
  Notes, stats and observations:
  This was the Red Sox first road series loss since May.
  Jason Varitek played in his 1,400th game for the Red Sox, which ranked him ninth in club history.
  Everyone knows of the David Ortiz shift, but the J.D. Drew shift?
  It worked out for the Toronto Blue Jays as the leadoff man went 0-for-4 with three groundouts into the shift and a pop out to the catcher in foul ground.
  Speaking of Ortiz, he drove in the Sox only run of the game, which was his 50th. That ranks him third on the team behind Jason Bay (72) and Kevin Youkilis (55). And to think he was in a horrific slump just a few months ago.
  Jon Lester (8-7) had major control issues issuing four walks, but gave up only two hits until the sixth inning. The southpaw was up to 72 pitches in the fourth inning with two outs and hit 88 pitches at the beginning of the sixth.
  Are you kidding me?
  In the bottom of the sixth inning, Alex Rios stole second base, but was sent back to first because of an interference call. Apparently the home plate umpire got in the way of Varitek's throw making it impossible to throw Rios out. It lasted for a batter and he stole second base anyways.Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments
• Red Sox weekly recap (Week 15)

  July 19, 2009

  The MLB All-Star Game is behind us and the American League triumphed to secure home field advantage in the World Series. Jason Bay went 1-for-2 with a single, Kevin Youkilis was 1-for-1 also with a base hit, and Jonathan Papelbon earned the victory. 
  Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield didn't get a shot to pitch while Dustin Pedroia opted out to be with his pregnant wife who going through early labor complications.
  Jed Lowrie returned after going through a long rehab because of wrist surgery. It was his first major league game in 98 days. Lowrie went 1-for-4 with solo home run.
  Today, Boston looks to take two out of three from the Toronto Blue Jays with Jon Lester on the hill pitching against ace Roy Halladay who's been swirling around in trade rumors.
  
  Sunday July 12 - Saturday July 18
  Week record: 2-1 (All-Star Break)Overall record: 55-35AL East standing: 1st, 2.0 games ahead of New YorkRuns scored: 12Opponents runs scored: 7Home runs: 2; Kevin Youkilis (1), Jed Lowrie (1)Games left: 72Weeks left: 13Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno

  0 Comments