Blue Jays Finally Beat Price

The Blue Jays finally defeat Tampa Bay Rays’ ace, David Price, with a pair of home runs and win 3-1.

Ricky Romero was magnificent against the Rays. He got in some trouble in the second inning by loading the bases on a pair of walks and hitting a batter and nobody out, but was able to get out of the jam with a pair of strike outs and a ground out. This was a huge confidence boost and was on cruise control for the rest of the night. He only gave up one hit, which was a home run to rookie Desmond Jennings in the sixth. Romero threw his fastball for strikes, which set-up his curve ball that got the majority of his seven strikeouts.

Jose Bautista came into the game without a home run in 14 games. But that came to a halt in the fourth, when he took a 2-0 Price fastball over the left field fence for his 32^nd home run of the season and put the Blue Jays ahead 1-0.

Yunel Escobar led off the Toronto sixth with a solo home run to right field and a 2-0 lead. It is great seeing him take the ball the other way, especially with power. He has had two or three to right field this year now.

Rajai Davis gave the Blue Jays some insurance in the seventh with a two-out RBI double. Now in the box score it just shows up as a double, but Davis hustled right out of the box and saw B.J. Upton was back on his heels and forced him to make a throw. Davis stole two more bases and now has 33 on the season.

Notables:
R. Davis: 2-for-4; Double, single, RBI, 2 SB
J. Bautista: 1-for-3; HR, RBI, IBB
Y. Escobar: 1-for-3; HR, RBI, BB

Pitching line:
R. Romero (W, 9-9): 8 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO, 1 HR, 109 pitches
D. Price (L, 9-10): 6.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO,  2 HR, 111 pitches
J. Rauch (S, 10)

 J.P. Arencibia had four strikeouts in the opener versus the Rays. Fans need to realize that he plays a demanding position that is defensive first, working with the pitching staff. Yes, he is batting .219, but you will take the low batting average when he has 17 home runs and 49 RBI. And remember, this is his first full major league season. It is definitely not a terrible one so far. Right now, he is averaging a home run every 17 at-bats. But he is now in a better spot in the line-up where he does not have to focus a lot on key RBI situations. I am sure the average will come up as his career progresses.

Game two goes tomorrow night C. Villanueva (6-2, 3.60) vs.  James Shields (9-9, 3.03). The Blue Jays can take over third place with another win over the Rays.

Until next time,

Let’s Go Blue Jays!

Twitter: @ChaseHadden