Angels 5 Blue Jays 7
We got a really nice start out of Carlos Villanueva, for 4 innings. He really coulda/shoulda come out after that, but he fought his way through the inning only allowing 1 run. Farrell really wanted him to have a shot at the win, I guess. I don't understand that way of thinking. I'm more interested in the team getting a win than any one pitcher.
Scott Richmond came in for the 6th and had a nice quick inning. The 7th didn't go as well for Scott. A single and a home run and there went Carlos' shot at a win. Scott really shouldn't be pitching in a close game and he very much shouldn't pitch a second inning in a close game. A strikeout and a single later, Francisco Cordero was in.
Francisco gave up a single to Albert Pujols. The Jays were playing the big shift against Albert but then Codero pitched him away and he went with the pitch. Really if you play him to pull, don't throw him something he can't pull. It didn't matter, Cordero got Kendys Morales to hit into a double play to end the inning. Darren Oliver pitched a nice quick 8th. Casey Janssen got his usual nice easy save.
On offense, we got 5 runs in the 4th. Hits from everyone (except Kelly Johnson who was asked to bunt), then a 3 run homer for Adam Lind. After we let the Angels tie it again, Yunel Escobar doubled home Edwin Encarnacion to give us the lead again. And a second homer for Lind gave us an insurance run.
Lots of good plays on defense today. Colby made an terrific catch at the wall. Yunel made a great play, going to his right then making a leaping throw. Adam made a really nice play. And we turned 2 double plays.
On the bases, Edwin and Rajai each had 2 stolen bases. Rajai stole second then, a couple of pitches later, took 3rd on the catcher's throw back to the pitcher.
Jays of the Day are Lind (2 homers), Yunel (3 for 4, 2 RBI), Edwin (2 for 3, and a hit by pitch), Oliver and Cordero. Suckage goes to Richmond (-.239 WPA) and Lawrie (-.134, 0 for 5) and Rasmus (-.096, 0 for 5).
Tomorrow we have Henderson Alvarez starting, and hopefully doing a little better than he has of late. Garrett Richards starts for the Angels. 1:00 Eastern start.