Thursday, March 6, 2008

Blue Jays vs. Pirates, top of second

Is it just me, or when Tiger Woods putts the lights out, does a PGA Tour event seem like championship billiards?
Toronto center fielder Vernon Wells just got around on a Gorzelanny pitch like nobody's business. It caromed off the center-field wall, just below the 400-foot sign, for a leadoff double.
Watching Scott Rolen bat makes me feel old. I first interviewed him about 12 years ago, shortly after he graduated from Jasper (Ind.) High and was heralded as the Phillies' savior. He hasn't done bad for himself, with 261 homers and 1,012 RBIs at the tender age of 32.
Obviously, the Jays hope that world-championship magic will rub off on their bunch of perennial underachievers.
Rolen walked, and the Jays pulled off a double steal. And Gorzelanny walked Aaron Hill to load the bases, drawing a visit to the mound from pitching coach Jeff Andrews.
Ever notice on sports tickers how long it takes to update the game situation when the bases are loaded with no outs?
Marco Scutaro lined to right for a sacrifice fly and Rolen made the right play by moving to third. Anyone in the visitors' dugout paying attention?
The rally continues on an infield smash by Rod Barajas. Shortstop Josh (not Jack) Wilson got to it, but his attempt to shovel a flip to Jorge Velandia didn't work and it's 3-2.
Gorzelanny is getting behind in the count to almost every hitter--I'm glad I didn't skip lunch, because dinner is so far away!
The sign on the outfield wall says the Bradenton Herald has been "Manatee County's newspaper since 1922." If memory serves, that's the last time the Giants beat the Yankees in the World Series.
Gorzelanny hit Fasano, and Pirates skipper John Russell decided he's seen enough. Non-roster guy Jesse Chavez inherits the sacks-full, one-out mess against David Eckstein.
One pitch -- four runs. Chavez tried starting Eckstein out with a strike, but the pitch was so flat, I could have dropped it into left for a bloop single myself. It's 6-3 Jays and the urgency is growing.
Did you know that in 50 percent of major league games, the winning team scores more runs in one inning than the losing team scores in the game?
The way things are going, I wouldn't wager on the Pirates getting to six runs.

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