This game was originally scheduled to be a matchup of Rich Harden and A.J. Burnett. There would have been some serious cheese being thrown in that matchup. But alas, Harden has some sort of lat/side/back soreness and won’t pitch until Saturday. Or so they say.
On one hand, I’m glad they’re treating Harden with kid gloves, taking no chances with any sort of discomfort whatsoever. Perhaps they’ve learned a lesson. Twice before we’ve seen Harden feel some discomfort, and then continue to pitch in the game for half an inning or so, and then promptly go on the DL for weeks and/or months.
And yet: in his last start, Justin Duchscherer experienced some discomfort, continued to pitch in the game for half an inning or so, and then promptly went on the DL thereafter. Perhaps the A’s need to learn their lessons more universally. To complete this round of injury-prone pitcher musical chairs, Chad Gaudin trades places with Duchscherer on the roster and gets tonight’s start in place of Harden.
1. One thing I've always been curious about when it comes to games in Toronto... Here in the states, we start games on the fives (1:05, 7:05, 12:35). First pitch there is always scheduled on the sevens (4:07, etc.).
What gives? Is that some conversion thing? Is it because of the metric system? Is it by order of the queen?
2. Perhaps they need the extra two minutes to get the second national anthem in.
3. Hey, I was working and not paying attention, and I look back, and suddenly the A's scored. Go figure.
4. 3 Buck and Ellis made quick outs, Barton singled, and then Sweeney doubled him home. It was bang-bang-bang.
I'm about ready to suggest that Buck gets dropped in the order until he starts sorting things out.
5. Hey, I was working and not paying attention, and I look back, and suddenly the Blue Jays scored, three times. Gah! Figures.
6. Well this is not looking good. Gaudin's control is a little shaky, but that is not very surprising when you are coming off the DL.
7. I'm not home, so I'm not watching, but from gameday it looks like Gaudin is both up in the zone and not hitting the corners.
8. The home run to Wells (I like the instant video clips from Gameday) was straight fastball right smack down the middle.
Mike Sweeney's RBI double was on a hanging curve.
9. Sweeney is looking pretty good.
Buck finally gets a hit.
10. Clearly, a pitchers' duel in store for us tonight.
11. OK, I wasn't paying attention again, and now four runs??!! Clearly, I need to pay attention when the A's pitch, and look away on offense.
12. Gaudin strikes out the side. Looks like he found his control.
13. 12 It's because you stopped working and paid attention.
14. And then I went back to work, and he started sucking again. This is all my fault.
15. Fun fact, courtesy of Vince Cotreneo on the radio: The Jays warmed up three separate pitchers during Burnett's 4 2/3 innings of work (Frasor, Tallet, and League, I believe.)
16. I am home from work now, but I'm escorting a 9-month-old as she tries to walk around the house and get her hands into everything, so I'm not really paying attention now, either.
17. Let's see if Street can nail this thing down.
18. 17 He can nail it down quite well, thanks for asking.
19. 1
Could be worse .... the White Sox start their night games at 11 past 7, because they have a tie-in with yes .... 7-11.
20. Yay, heavyweight champs once again!
21. 19 The Toronto Blue Jays, brought to you by Seagram's Seven.