Jays Spring Training Thread 08

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Halladay cruises, but Jays fall to Phils
Right-hander tosses three scoreless innings in second start

PHILLIES (ss) 6, BLUE JAYS 1
at Dunedin, Fla.
Wednesday, March 5

Phillies at the plate: After being silenced by Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay for three innings, the Phils tagged right-hander Josh Banks for four runs. In the fifth, catcher Carlos Ruiz and second baseman Chase Utley each contributed two-run doubles off Banks. Valentino Pascucci added a solo home run off Tracy Thorpe in the eighth.

Blue Jays at the plate: In the top of the ninth, top prospect Travis Snider singled home Shannon Stewart. In other offensive highlights, third baseman Scott Rolen tripled in the first and second baseman Aaron Hill chipped in two singles.

Phillies on the mound: Right-hander Brett Myers spun four shutout innings against Toronto, who managed three hits off Philadelphia's Opening Day starter. Myers, who finished with 43 pitches (31 strikes), recorded seven groundball outs, had one strikeout and walked none.

Blue Jays on the mound: Halladay turned in three crisp innings, finishing with 30 pitches (21 strikes). The right-hander faced the miniumum of nine batters, inducing five outs via ground ball, tallying two strikeouts and yielding just one hit. Banks took the loss after surrendering four runs on five hits with two walks and one strikeout in two innings.</div>

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Jays lose 6-1

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Eckstein launches grand slam in loss
Janssen sharp in three innings of work; Scutaro drives in two

PIRATES 8, BLUE JAYS 7
at Bradenton, Fla.
Thursday, March 6

Blue Jays at the plate: The biggest blow of the game from the Jays came early when shortstop David Eckstein greeted reliever Jesse Chavez by sending Chavez's first pitch of the game over the left-field wall for a second-inning grand slam. Catcher Rod Barajas reached base in all three of his plate appearances and scored on Eckstein's grand slam. First baseman Marco Scutaro drove in two other Toronto runs with a sacrifice fly and a sixth-inning RBI single.

Pirates at the plate: Continuing to try to make a statement for a spot on the Major League roster, Steve Pearce knocked out his third homer of the spring -- a two-run first-inning shot -- that gave the Pirates an early lead. Xavier Nady added a solo shot in the fifth, and infielder Jorge Velandia had a 2-for-3 afternoon that included a double and a run scored. Outfielder Andrew McCutchen laced a two-run walk-off single to cap a three-run ninth inning for the Pirates.

Blue Jays on the mound: Though Dustin McGowan finished his two-inning stint with two swinging strikeouts, the right-hander endured a bumpy beginning to his second start of the spring. McGowan gave up three runs on three hits -- the big blow being a two-run homer -- while striking out three. Other than a mistake to Nady, Casey Janssen looked sharp for the second straight game. He struck out four in three innings and allowed just two baserunners, both of whom, however, would later score.

Pirates on the mound: After a shaky first spring start, Zach Duke did his best to put to rest calls for him to be removed from the starting rotation by allowing just one baserunner and striking out two in three innings of relief. Starter Tom Gorzelanny couldn't quite match that success, as he was pulled out of the game after just 1 1/3 innings. Gorzelanny was charged with five runs after Chavez inherited a bases-loaded jam and proceeded to give up a grand slam.

Grapefruit League records: Blue Jays 2-6; Pirates 2-6.</div>

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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Ryan won't pitch on Saturday
After consulting with doctors, closer will ease his way back

BRADENTON, Fla. -- After a bit of good news Wednesday, plans for B.J. Ryan are right back where they were previously. The Jays lefty will not make his scheduled appearance on Saturday after he spoke with doctors Thursday.

Ryan and the organization were delighted to hear he'd be able to throw in a game Saturday in what would be his first appearance since suffering an elbow injury in April 2007. Still, the Jays' star closer will follow Dr. Timothy Kremcheck's advice and take a bit more time before returning to the mound in competition.

"Dr. Kremcheck thought getting another couple of simulated games under [Ryan's] belt would be advantageous," pitching coach Brad Arnsberg said of Kremcheck, the surgeon who performed the Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery on Ryan in mid-May of last season. "We've come this far, and we don't need to push. He's still going to get five to seven outings from that point, and that's going every third day."

Saturday's home game against Detroit would've placed Ryan one week ahead of schedule on rehabilitating his throwing arm, but despite the setback, Ryan's earlier comments proved he's optimistic about being ready for the season.</div>

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