Road weary
NEW YORK — A reporter asked Blue Jays manager John Gibbons this morning if he had any theories about why Dustin McGowan has been so much better at home than on the road this year. Gibbons shrugged.
“It’s hard to figure that,” he said. “He’s been so good at home. I don’t know why that is.”
Gibbons then asked if we knew the numbers off-hand for McGowan’s career, noting that it was a similar situation last year. I quickly scooped up the Jays media guide off the desk and read the stat lines aloud. Here’s what they are, including this season:
CAREER AT HOME: 12-6 with a 3.31 ERA (3-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 2008)
CAREER ON ROAD: 6-13 with a 5.98 ERA (1-3 with a 5.68 ERA in 2008)
“So what the hell are we doing pitching him today?” said a chuckling Gibbons, to an eruption of laughter from those in the room.
Today’s lineups:
TORONTO (32-29) at NEW YORK (29-30)
at 1:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium
BLUE JAYS
Shannon Stewart, LF
David Eckstein, SS
Alex Rios, CF
Scott Rolen, 3B
Matt Stairs, DH
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Kevin Mench, RF
Rod Barajas, C
Joe Inglett, 2B
PITCHING: RHP Dustin McGowan (4-4, 3.95)
YANKEES
Johnny Damon, DH
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Hideki Matsui, LF
Jorge Posada, C
Robinson Cano, 2B
Wilson Betemit, 1B
Melky Cabrera, CF
PITCHING: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (6-2, 4.14)
NOTES: CF Vernon Wells was due to begin his Minor League rehab assignment with Dunedin on Thursday night, serving as the DH for the Class A Blue Jays. Gibbons said Wells could maybe be back by the middle or end of next week, which would be about a week ahead of the minimum six weeks originally stated. … 2B Aaron Hill ws out of the lineup for the 6th game in a row and Gibbons didn’t rule out a possible DL stint, though he said the club was hoping Hill would be ready to play this weekend. … C Rod Barajas was back in the lineup a day after leaving with tightness in his lower back. … INF Marco Scutaro was given the day off to rest a sore right wrist, though it’s not considered serious.
Major League Bastian 
That was one of the most agravating ends of a game that I have seen this year! 2 blown saves in a row by Rolen! It wasnt only Ryans fault though, when a ball was hit with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth to Rolen and he couldnt get to it in time, Eckstein shouldve had that no problem picking it up. After all it did bounce right into his glove. But he didnt do his job and expected Ryan snag it, and next batter up hits a walkoff!
I am beginning to think that Hill isn’t in the lineup because he is being kept out. With Hill getting hurt, Gibbons is probably taking advantage of the situation and keeping the hot hitting Scutaro in.
Freedom, I thought Eckstein should have made that play too. I think this was definitaly one of the toughest, if not the toughest loss of the season thus far. Wilkerson made a beautiful catch today and it was really nice to see Stairs bust out of that mini-slump. I was really happy to read that Wells could return sooner then expected (I miss watching that guy.) This homestand coming up should conclude with no less then 6 wins in my opinion or i’ll be dissappointed lol
I hope the bullpen can rebound from two notsogreat games…
There seems to be something wrong with Hill’s approach at the plate. He is really getting under balls and pop tarting them in the infield. Early April, he was driving everything to the gaps, looked like he was on pace to hit at least .310. He definately needs to work out the kinks, I hope this injury can clear his head and give him some time in the cage.
It was great to see that Wells is back. I didn’t watch the game and I think i’m glad. To down 9 to nothing against the Oriols heading into the 9th is a little pathetic. I like Burnett, a lot but this guy needs to show that he’s capable of putting a good run of quality starts in a row.
Another loosing streak for the Jays and hopefully its not another April…LUCKILY DOC IS THE GUY THAT CAN PUT A STOP TO THIS (like he has done before numerous occasions), great job by wells 2-3 the wrist doesn’t seem to be bothering him
and another injury, this time to STEWART…anyone keeping count of how many injuries occured this season?
Janessen
Rolen
Ryan (does he count)
Wolfe
Frasor (not too sure, might be some other reliever)
McDonald
Eckstein
Wells
Zaun
Hill
and now Stewart
making 11 injuries this season already…not even halfway through….