Normally when you see a 2 hour 18 minute game in which Roy Halladay is pitching, you expect him to come out victorious. But that wasn’t the case tonight in the Rogers Centre. The Sox got to Halladay for 8 runs in the first 4 innings as they went on to defeat the Blue Jays 8-0 and sweep the 3 game series from them.
Wakefield was outstanding tonight after getting in a bit of a jam in the first inning. He had loaded the bases and up came big Frank Thomas. Thomas fouled off a 2-2 pitch and then struck out on the next one. In that same play, Doug Mirabelli threw done to Kevin Youkilis at first and picked off Troy Glaus to end the threat. After that, he settled down and retired the next 16 batters he faced.
The Sox scored their first run in the first inning when David Ortiz grounded out and Youk scored from third base.
They got to Halladay for six more runs in the 3rd inning. Guess who started the rally? Alex Cora. Cora hit a single and then was outstanding in getting to second base on a Julio Lugo grounder that easily could have been an inning ending double play. Then the roof caved in. Youk drove him in with a single. Then Big Papi came to the plate and hit a double to the gap that scored Youk. Big Papi went to third base when Adam Lind’s throw to the plate went over everyone and was actually caught by Halladay, who was backing up the plate. Manny came up and drove his buddy home making it 4-0. J.D. Drew finally broke out of his slump and hit a single setting the stage for Mike Lowell. Lowell had homered in the two previous games. Well now it’s 3 games in a row. His 3 run homer made the score 7-0.
A Youkilis double made the score 8-0. He drove in Lugo, who had gotten on base when Blue Jays 3B Glaus lost the a high chopper in the lights. It was a strange play to see. It was almost like a outfielder losing a fly ball in the lights.
Halladay’s numbers weren’t pretty at all. 5 innings pitched, 11 hits, 8 runs (7 earned), 0 walks and 2 strikeouts. On the other hand, Wakefield went 7 innings. He gave up 3 hits, walked 1 and struck out 3.
Your offensive stars were Youkilis (3-for-5, 2 RBI), Ortiz (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Manny (2-for-4, 1 RBI) Mr. Lowell (1-for-4, 3RB) and Alex Cora (2-for-4). Even Drew chipped in with a 2 for 4 night. Of the 9 starters tonight, only Doug Mirabelli didn’t have a hit.
With the win, Wakefield moves to 4-3 and his ERA now stands at an anemic 1.79, which is best in the AL. Oh and if you really want to see a low ERA, just check out Darkman Okajima’s. It is 0.53. Sick Sick Sick.
Julian Tavarez takes the hill tomorrow and looks to build on his last start as the Sox host the O’s for a three game series.
Notes and Musings from Steve:
The Rogers Centre roof was open at the start of all three games of the series. It was only open once previously this season. It was open even under slightly overcast skies because Jays GM J.P. Riccardi and Manager John Gibbons think they have a better chance to beat Tim Wakefield with the roof open.
No Geddy Lee again tonight. Is Rush on tour or is he just embarrassed over the (now 9 game) losing streak?
With his pants fully ablaze and his fingers crossed behind his back admitted liar Riccardi said that even though closer B.J. Ryan had Tommy John surgery today he fully expects him back sometime after this years all-star break. (/sarcasm)
Roy Halladay had a first inning throwing error trying to pick off that speed demon Kevin Youkilis off of second. Youkilis went to third and scored on a David Ortiz ground out. I don’t believe it but according to Riccardi, Youkilis is the major league’s most dangerous base stealer.
I can’t believe the pounding the Sox gave Halladay, he usually owns them. They beat him like a bad dog. Mike Lowell hit another HR it was his 7th, 5 against Toronto.
The Jays hung Ryan’s jersey in the dugout. That’s kind of bush isn’t it? The dude didn’t die he had Tommy John surgery!!!
Don and Jerry started the 6th in another laughing fit. This one over a fan interview done at an early season game when the fans comb over became shall we say uncombed in the wind. Good stuff. I’m disappointed we haven’t been documenting and charting their fits of hysterical laughter through the season. We could have had a vote for best one at the end of the season.
Tim Wakefield rocks, if this guy doesn’t make the all-star team it will be a true injustice. He set down 16 in a row until Vernon Wells lead off the 7th inning with a single. Right now the Sox could have four pitchers on the all-star team, Wakefield, Josh Beckett, Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon.
