Game#154: Blue Bombers at Bronx Bombers
So, I walk off the elevator and step into the tunnel here at The Stadium this morning and a line of Blue Jays were walking in at the same time. As we all made our way to the clubhouse, Aaron Hill calls out, "Jordan…" and I turn to see an obviously tired second baseman dragging his feet and practically sleepwalking his way to work "…why are you here soo early?" I replied with a simple, "I don’t know." Now, I’m regretting my early arrival to get some extra work done even more, considering there’s a tarp on the diamond and God is sending a heavy misting rain down on the Bronx. Anyway, off to the pregame…
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Toronto (78-75) at New York (88-65)
at 1:05 p.m. ET (weather premitting) at Yankee Stadium
Today’s lineups:
BLUE JAYS
Reed Johnson, RF
Matt Stairs, 1B
Alex Rios, CF
Frank Thomas, DH
Aaron Hill, 2B
Russ Adams, 3B
Adam Lind, LF
Curtis Thigpen, C
Ray Olmedo, SS
PITCHING: RHP Shaun Marcum (12-6, 4.15 ERA)
YANKEES
Melky Cabrera, CF
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Hideki Matsui, LF
Jorge Posada, C
Jason Giambi, DH
Robinson Cano, 2B
Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B
PITCHING: RHP Phil Hughes (4-3, 4.75 ERA)
NOTES: Toronto purchased the contract of OF John-Ford Griffin on Saturday to add some more outfield depth with CF Vernon Wells out. Wells (left shoulder) was placed on the 60-day DL to clear room for JFG on the 40-man roster. … SS John McDonald missed his fourth game with what he is now describing as a lower abdominal strain, but he’s expected to be back in the lineup on Sunday. … 1B Lyle Overbay said that he will have surgery to remove four pins from his hand on Tuesday in Baltimore. Previously, the club only indicated the operation would take place some time during the Jays’ series against the O’s. … C Sal Fasano is away from the team to be with his wife, who is expecting a baby boy any day now. Toronto manager John Gibbons wasn’t sure if Fasano would be returning to the team with only nine games left. … Thomas is going to be a part of TBS’s playoff TV team. He’ll be a part of a panel that also includes Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., and Thomas said he’s slated to provide analysis through the LCS.
BREAKING EVEN…Toronto needs to post a 4-5 record over its final nine games to finish the season above .500.
A DAY AT THE RACES:
AL EAST
entering Saturday
1. Boston 91-63 (–)
2. New York 88-65 (2.5)
AL WILD CARD
entering Saturday
1. New York 88-65 (–)
2. Detroit 84-70 (4.5)
AL BEST RECORD
entering Saturday
1. Cleveland 91-62 (–)
2. Los Angeles 91-63 (0.5)
2. Boston 91-63 (0.5)
4. New York 88-65 (3)
Major League Bastian 
Interesting comments or lack thereof on Johnson. It sounds like he’s already got one foot out the door. Personally, I like the guy-he comes to play every day, plays hard and never gives up. I’m sure he’s still recovering from surgury and expect a better perfomance form his next year.
If the Jays sign Stairs for 2008, they have an over abundance of outfielders, a situation I’ve mentioned a number of times. And like everyone here, I like Johnson, Stairs, Wells, Rios and Lind.
I remember a phone in program after the season ended last year on the fan 590, where Bob McGowan was asked what he’d do with Johnson. His immmediate response was to trade him because he’d just had a career year, would never match it and his value would never be higher. Although, I detest Bob McGowan, maybe this time ( the 1 in 1000) he was right.
The Jays then rewarded Johnson with a hefty raise taking him from 1.45 mill to 3.075 mill, and Johnson is eligible for arbitration this year.I doubt The Jays could get much in return for Johnson if they trade him now and I’m sure he will get a raise with the spectre of arbitration looming..
I also doubt if Stairs will have as good of a year next year as he’s had this one. Hindsight being 100% accurate, we should have traded Stairs before the trade deadline-when we’d have gotten some real value from him.
My opinion, is to resign Johnson for two years, unless we can obtain a better lead-off hitter and keep Lind up here as the priorities. Remember in two years we have the RBI machine, Travis Snider likely ready, and that might be a better time to trade Johnson.
I’d say adios to Stairs instead.
it’s now 2:27, the tarp is off the field and the approx. start time is in three minutes and counting…
gsumner.
Don’t worry Stairs will sign with another team that will pay him the best $$$$.
But you can’t blame him he’s comeing to the end of the line and money talks.
Johnson will be back for less money and he will do the job.
It would be nice to see Adams make the team next year.
Poor Jordan must be at least 27 and missed some sleep poor boy.
Hey, sleep is key after 14 innings and a 10-hour work day.
Pat Tabler gets his nut off every time his dream boat A-Rod the crybaby comes up to the plate.
Jordan
I watched your interview on MLB TV. I must say you clean up quite well. lol
I see it’s off the site now, you should post a link here so others can take a look.
I worked 16 hour days most of my life.
I guess the mental aspect of your job can be tough since you have to deal with Abner and his pappy,lol.
Ya dealing with Abner has got to be tough; listening to that mumble of his and trying to figure out what he said.
Come on Marcum, just keep us close, work up Hughes pitch count and let’s get into their pen
Why pitch Marcum this late in the year you can see how tired he looks,Why not try Wolfe and give him a break.
Yes, Marcum does look done doesn’t he. Wolfe isn’t stretched out. I am surprised they didn’t start Josh Banks though.
I believe this link works for the interview things: http://mfile.akamai.com/10869/wmv/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/2007/open/bbchtv/interviews/archive09/092007_bastian_jordan.wmv
Nice play by the yanks I think they like each other.
Any coment from hemgold.
Man, Stairs has got to be 2 for 40 now, nasty slump. He keeps going like this and he’s going to cost himself a lot of money for next year.
Garry-did you check out Jordan’s TV performance.
Bulldog keeps hanging in there, man this kid has a lot of heart.
Great at bat by Thigpen. Makes Hughes throw it 8 times and on the 9th strokes a single and drives in 2 runs
Thigpen just snapped an 0-for-23 skid with that hit, too. Nice AB — nine pitches, two balls, and six foul balls. He made contact with every swing — solid trip to the plate.
Olmedo had a good at bat as well. Hughes is now up to 80 pitches, one more patient inning and he’s outta there. I can’t imagine the Yanks hve much left in their pen from last night.
That’s a strange move-replacing Marcum after only 51 pitches. I hope he’s not hurt
Marcum left with a sore right knee. It looked like he may have hurt himself on the rundown in the second.
well, let’s hope Tallet can go 3.
Hey Stairs finally gets a hit-time
Garry-Are you having your afternoon nap?
Hey I kept Jordan company last night and I work long hours, especially this time of year . I saw your interview Jordan . it was well done
My company just left it looks like we may be up to our necks in honey on —-????
gsumner did your hear indigo she kept Jordan company last night hmmmmm,lol.
in honey or—-????.
Where are you guys chick-chick-chick-were ahead right now yoo hoo.