Look at what a few runs and solid starting pitching will do.
Jose Bautista went deep again and Corey Patterson swatted a three-run shot during a six-run fifth inning that put an end to the Jays’ two-game skid. Kyle Drabek (2-0) went six innings, allowing three runs and lowering his ERA to 3.30 in a 6-4 win over the tough Rangers (14-8). Refreshingly, Toronto fans didn’t have to sweat out a win for a change.
A few more like this and someone in marketing will have to think about this: Hustle. Heart. Homers. Hallelujah!The Jays arrived in Texas having failed to win any of their past five series. Even worse, they went 2-3 on a brief homestand against New York and Tampa Bay, and finished a nine-game stretch against AL East rivals at just 3-6, including a woeful 1-3 record at Boston. They’re 10-12 and in fourth place in the division, but luckily the Yankees (12-7) aren’t (yet) running away with anything. So hope reigns.
Especially when Bautista is swinging the bat like this. His eighth dinger followed Patterson’s blast and preceded a two-run shot by Juan Rivera. All the runs came off Colby Lewis (1-3) as the Jays rebounded nicely from an annoying 2-0 shutout against James Shields and the Rays on Sunday. They also lost 6-4 on Saturday at the ’Dome in Brandon Morrow’s season debut.
J.P. Arencibia, who went hitless in his last two games, sat this one out.
Off to Paris to find some of the world’s best restaurants; pick things up on May 9.
MORE DJPATCW*
Day 22: John McDonald for prime minister
Day 21: No post (off day)
Day 20: A homer and a d’oh!
Day 19: Smackin’ that Mo
Day 18: No post, they lost again
Days 15-17: Running on empty
Days 13-14: AL Beast Mode
Days 11-12: Swinging and missing
Days 7-10: Not going to Disney World
Day 6: Running and gunning
Day 5: OK, Blue Jays
Day 4: No post (off-day)
Day 3: Rope burn
Day 2: Call him Johnny Bench
Day 1: Opening Day hero
J.P. Arencibia 2011 Season Stats:
Avg.: .245
H: 13
R: 4
AB: 53
HR: 3
RBI: 7
Adrian Brijbassi 
Leave a Reply