Bald Man's Jays - April 23, 2012 - EyeAmBaldman's Dynasty

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Bald Man's Jays - April 23, 2012

Posted on April 21, 2012 at 10:44 PM.

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The Blue Jays snap a 6-game losing streak behind some strong pitching to avoid their second series sweep in a row. Brandon Morrow and two relievers held the Royals to just 3 hits as they shutout Kansas City 1-0. Morrow was masterful. He had his split finger working to perfection. The Royals did a good job of getting him into deep counts, fouling off pitch after pitch. Morrow went 6 innings and allowed only two hits while walking two.

Edwin Encarnacion provided the only run support needed with a solo shot to left center field in the fifth. The Jays pitchers did the rest. Darren Oliver pitched two perfect innings, striking out the side in the 8th inning and Sergio Santos pitched the 9th for this 3rd save of the season.

Kansas City had what they wanted in the 9th. Escobar led off with a bunt single. Getz sacrificed him to 2nd. Santos struck out Cain for the 2nd out and then Eric Hosmer stepped up to the plate. Hosmer crushed a Santos fastball to right center field, but Colby Rasmus ran it down to the end game in dramatic fashion.

The Jays are still struggling at the plate. Their team batting average is .234 and going 4-for-29 against a marginal KC starter didn't help. The strong pitching performance lowered Toronto's team ERA to a putrid 6.80. The Jays stand 5 games out in the AL East behind the Rays and the Yankees. Kansas City dropped a game behind the White Sox for the AL Central lead.

The Jays are back in action Tuesday as they travel to Baltimore to open a 3-game series against the Orioles when Henderson Alvarez (0-2, 8.56) will match up against Jake Arrieta (2-1, 3.15). Wednesday's match up will pair Kyle Drabek (0-0, 7.36) against Jason Hammel (1-1, 3.60) while Thursday the Jays will send Drew Hutchison (0-1, 16.62) against Dylan Bundy (0-2, 6.60).

Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals
Apr 23, 2012	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Toronto (5-11)	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	4	0
Kansas City (9-7)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
W: Morrow (3-0) L: Sanchez (0-4) S: Santos (3)

Toronto Blue Jays
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
Escobar, SS	4	0	0	0	0	0	.177
Johnson, 2B	3	0	1	0	1	1	.211
Bautista, RF	4	0	0	0	0	2	.224
Lind, 1B	3	0	0	0	0	1	.322
Encarnacion, DH	3	1	1	1	0	1	.328
Rasmus, CF	3	0	0	0	0	0	.205
Francisco, LF	2	0	0	0	0	0	.250
Thames, PH-LF	1	0	0	0	0	0	.262
Vizquel, 3B	3	0	2	0	0	0	.353
Arencibia, C	3	0	0	0	0	1	.175
TOTALS	29	1	4	1	1	6
BATTING 2B: Vizquel (1) HR: Encarnacion (4) RBI: Encarnacion (15) GIDP: Bautista 2

Toronto Blue Jays
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Morrow (W, 3-0)	6.0	2	0	0	2	6	1.80
Oliver (H, 1)	2.0	0	0	0	0	3	2.79
Santos, (S, 3)	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	2.08
TOTALS	9.0	3	0	0	2	10

Kansas City Royals
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
Getz, 2B	2	0	0	0	1	0	.259
Cain, CF	4	0	0	0	0	3	.200
Hosmer, 1B	4	0	0	0	0	0	.246
Gordon, LF	2	0	0	0	1	1	.291
Butler, DH	3	0	0	0	0	1	.351
Moustakas, 3B	3	0	2	0	0	1	.400
Francoeur, RF	3	0	0	0	0	3	.196
Pena, C	2	0	0	0	0	0	.300
Perez, PH-C	1	0	0	0	0	0	.375
Escobar, SS	3	0	1	0	0	0	.250
TOTALS	27	0	3	0	2	10
BATTING SAC: Getz GIDP: Cain, Pena