04/30 Toronto 6, Texas 1

Toronto ended their month and their series on a high note with a win over Texas on Monday.

Roy Halladay continued to prove his worth as one of the game's dominant pitchers by going the distance against the Rangers, only allowing 1 run on 5 hits.

Whereas Halladay extended his winning streak to 4, Texas pitcher Vinny Padilla continued his losing streak, dropping to 0-4 on the year.

Toronto knocked 3 out of the park, with homers by Glaus, Hill, and Lind.

The Jays visit Cleveland this week, starting tomorrow.

WP: Halladay (4-0)
LP: Padilla (0-4)

Toronto (13-12) Texas (10-15)

04/29 Toronto 7, Texas 3

Everything seemed to come together for Toronto on Sunday.

They got a solid outing from inconsistent Tomo Ohka (7 innings and 1 run earned), and strong offence from Aaron Hill and Jason Phillips (3 hits apiece).

Toronto never trailed in this game, as a 3 run 1st inning set the pace for the Jays win.

WP: Ohka (2-2)
LP: McCarthy (1-4)

Toronto (12-12) Texas (10-14)

04/28 Texas 9, Toronto 8 (10)

It was a valiant effort, but the Jays lost their second straight to Texas in extra time.

3 runs in the 9th given up by Jason Frasor cost the Jays the win, even with a run in the bottom of the inning giving Toronto hope for extra innings.

But, in the end, there wasn't enough in the tank for Toronto to pull it out.

WP: Otsuka (1-0)
LP: Tallet (0-1)
SV: Benoit (1)

Toronto (11-12) Texas (10-13)

04/27 Texas 5, Toronto 3

In the end, it turned out to be Josh Towers' last start for the Jays, for now at least.

Victor Zambrano will replace Towers in the rotation, and Towers will in turn replace Zambrano in the bullpen.

Towers gave up 3 home runs in the 3rd that ended up being his undoing for Toronto in the first of a four game series with the Rangers.

WP: Tejada (3-1)
LP: Towers (1-3)

Toronto (11-11) Texas (9-13)

04/26 Toronto 6, New York 0

Sure, it ended up a one game series, but the Jays swept the Yankees in their first matchup of '07.

A.J. Burnett tossed 7 shutout innings, and the Toronto bullpen held up their end of the bargain, keeping the vaunted New York offence off the board throughout the game.

The Jays lit up Yankee rookie Phil Hughes for 4 runs in just over 4 innings, as they spread the wealth throughout their lineup. Vernon Wells continued his hot hand by going 3 for 3 with two walks and 1 RBI.

The Jays return home tonight for a four game series with Texas.

WP: Burnett (2-1)
LP: Hughes (0-1)

Toronto (11-10) New York (8-12)

NHL Programmers Finally Get It Right

After a first round programming schedule that was meant to appease NBC in their weekend games (which, in fact, hurt both NBC and CBC), the NHL fixed their mistakes in their schedule for the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On the first Saturday of the playoffs, the league scheduled Sidney Crosby and the Penguins for the afternoon game on NBC, and rightly so. My issue with it wasn't that CBC lost a Canadian game on Saturday night, but that NBC wanted multiple games in that time slot, meaning the future of the league and hockey in general south of 49 was only seen in some markets in the U.S., not all of them.

If the league wanted to market their young superstar properly, they would have made an agreement with NBC to air the Pens-Sens game across the country at 3 p.m. Instead, some markets miss out on Crosby, and one of the top reasons for non-hockey fans to tune in.

This Saturday, there is but one game in the afternoon (Sharks @ Wings Gm 2), and one in the afternoon on Sunday (Sabres @ Rangers Gm 3). This is the best option for the league and NBC; get one big game with a major market in both games shown coast to coast.

Plus, CBC gets the Senators game on Saturday night, as they would want.

Everybody wins. Especially the fans.

04/25 Toronto at New York, Postponed

The first game of the season for the Jays against the hated Yankees was forced to wait another day, as the game was rained out. No make up date has been announced.

Toronto (10-10) New York (8-11)

04/24 Toronto 10, Boston 3

Everything seemed to come together for the Blue Jays on Tuesday night in Boston.

The Jays completed a mini sweep of their mini series with the Red Sox by knocking in 10 runs on 15 hits, while Jay ace Roy Halladay pitched 8 strong innings, striking out 10 in the process.

Vernon Wells finally earned his off season raise, going 4 for 5 and bringing 3 runners home. Frank Thomas and Lyle Overbay also had 3 RBI's in the game.

WP: Halladay (3-0)
LP: Tavarez (0-2)

Toronto (10-10) Boston (12-7)

NHL Playoff Predictions - Round Two

Before I start, I need to recap the first round, prediction wise.

Of the 8 series, I correctly predicted 7 of the winners. Damn Penguins.

Also, in 3 of those 7 wins, the number of games was also correctly predicted.

So, here we go. Round Two.

Eastern Conference:

Sabres v Rangers: Both of these teams have had a long time off in between series, almost too much; Game 1 will be chippy and sloppy because of it. But once they settle down, I think the Rangers experience and talent will take over, and knock out the President's trophy winners. Rangers in 6.

Devils v Senators: Once again, the legendary Martin Brodeur goes up against a relatively inexperienced goaltender, this time in Ray Emery. Emery was solid in round one, but New Jersey is deeper than Pittsburgh was, and the Devils always find a way to get it done in the playoffs. Ottawa doesn't. Devils in 7.

Western Conference:

Ducks v Canucks: Whereas the Ducks have had a week off, Vancouver is coming off a long, tough series against Dallas, and only has one day off in between series. That being said, Roberto Luongo is the best goalie left in the West, and he'll steal a game or two. The problem is, Anaheim is much better than Vancouver, and one or two won't be enough. Ducks in 7.

Red Wings v Sharks: Do you even have to ask? All right, here goes. The Sharks are the deeper team, and had more rest going into this series. This has all the makings of a classic matchup, what with 2 very good teams who both truly believe that they will win the Cup. Sorry Detroit. Wait, I'm not sorry... Sharks in 6.

There they are, Rangers, Devils, Ducks, and Sharks. The Final Four.

Record: 7-1

04/23 Toronto 7, Boston 3

It took five games, but the Jays finally got back on track in Boston on Monday.

The Jays managed 14 hits in the game, the opposite of their poor offensive showing in Baltimore on the weekend. The Jays were also able to finish off Boston with 3 runs in the last 2 innings.

Tomo Ohka also finally got his first win of the year, although he only pitched 5 innings for Toronto.

The two game series ends Tuesday, with Jay ace Roy Halladay pitching for Toronto.

WP: Ohka (1-2)
LP: Wakefield (2-2)
SV: Frasor (2)

Toronto (9-10) Boston (12-6)

04/22 Baltimore 7, Toronto 3

Toronto continued to struggle on Sunday, losing to the Orioles again, clinching the sweep for Baltimore.

The Jays gave up all their runs in the 4th and 5th innings, with starter Gustavo Chacin being pulled in the 5th.

Vernon Wells and Frank Thomas, the Jays supposed offensive leaders, both went hitless on the afternoon. As of this game, only Royce Clayton and Aaron Hill are hitting over .300 for Toronto.

WP: Trachsel (1-1)
LP: Chacin (2-1)

Toronto (8-10) Baltimore (11-7)

04/21 Baltimore 5, Toronto 2

So much for that hope I was talking about last time.

Josh Towers hit the valley of his up and down season, allowing 9 hits in only 5 innings. He was tagged with the loss.

The Jays' bats continued to struggle, only getting one extra base hit on the night (Alex Rios, 2B).

WP: Loewen (2-0)
LP: Towers (1-2)
SV: Ray (6)

Toronto (8-9) Baltimore (10-7)

04/20 Baltimore 5, Toronto 4

It is sadly becoming an old story.

After a very strong start, the Jays bullpen has blown fantastic outings by their starters to lose 3 straight games, dropping to .500 for the first time since opening week.

A.J. Burnett, inconsistent so far this year, had a peak start, going 7 innings while only giving up 3 hits.

But the bullpen, specifically Marcum and Zambrano, lost the lead and the game to Baltimore.

As I write this, the second game of the series is underway, with Baltimore leading Josh Towers and the Jays 2-0 in the 3rd. I am aware that it is only April, but it is the beginning of the year where confidence and habit are created, and, after a hot opening to the season, have begun to falter. Going into Fenway next week means Toronto needs to turn it around now in Baltimore.

Alex Rios just scored. Maybe this will turn it around.

Report on tonight's game later.

WP: Ray (2-1)
LP: Zambrano (0-1)

Toronto (8-8) Baltimore (9-7)

04/19 Boston 5, Toronto 3

Everything was in place for a Toronto win, which would give the Jays the series win in their first matchup with the Boston Red Sox this season. Roy Halladay was on the mound, the Jays had a 3-1 lead in the 8th, and the Jays ace showed no signs of slowing down.

Then manager John Gibbons hallucinated a sign of slowing down, and replaced Halladay with one out in the inning. Final score Boston 5, Toronto 3.

Scott Downs, who replaced Halladay, did his job and got David Ortiz out, then Shawn Marcum came in, and gave up 2 runs in the eighth. Boston added 2 more in the 9th to get the win.

Much will be made of Gibbons' decision to pull Halladay, and likely more would be made of it if this were September, or hopefully, October. But Gibbons felt it was time, and that's his decision to make. Unfortunately for the Jays, it was the wrong one.

Jays at Orioles this weekend.

WP: Timlin (1-0)
LP: Marcum (1-1)
SV: Papelbon (4)

Toronto (8-7) Boston (9-5)

Urlacher fine out of left field

So the news hit last night that Chicago Bears star linebacker Brian Urlacher was fined $100,000 for wearing a hat at Super Bowl media day by a rival drink company from the official sponsor of NFL, Gatorade.

Rules aside, does anyone else question the timing of this fine? The Super Bowl was 10 weeks ago, and the news of the fine just came out yesterday. If this was such a big deal to the league, why didn't the fine come out the day after?

According to David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune, Urlacher was notified of the fine a month ago. So now, why the delay of 6 weeks, and why the delay of the news of the fine 4 weeks after the player?

Many things appear fishy from this transaction. The rule is in place to protect the sponsors of the league, in this case Gatorade, not for the league itself. So was Gatorade the one that actually prompted the league to issue the fine?

The whole ordeal seems to be a desperate attempt by the NFL and its sponsors to keep their iron grip over their players and any other companies that dare get in their collective way. But it is Urlacher and the drink company, Vitamin Water, that will get the last laugh. $100,000 is a small price to pay for the publicity they will receive from the incident.

I don't know about you, but I'm really thirsty all of a sudden.

04/18 Boston 4, Toronto 1

The knuckleball pitcher may be a dying art in the big leagues, but don't tell the Blue Jays that.

Tim Wakefield allowed 4 hits on 7 innings against the Jays, and only allowed 1 run off of John MacDonald in the 7th.

Tomo Ohka continued to struggle, losing his 2nd game of the season. He had much better stuff against the Red Sox, only allowing 4 hits. The problem was 3 of those hits were solo home runs.

Toronto's bats struggled for the second straight night, as no Jay had multiple hits in the game.

The rubber match of the first series between these teams goes on Thursday, with Jay ace Roy Halladay going for Toronto.

WP: Wakefield (2-1)
LP: Ohka (0-2)
SV: Papelbon (3)

Toronto (8-6) Boston (8-5)

04/17 Toronto 2, Boston 1

The Jays spoiled Dice-K's first trip north of 49 by squeaking out a 2-1 win in another fierce battle between 2 strong pitchers.

Matsuzaka pitched a gem, and would have gotten the win if Boston's bats were able to solve Gustavo Chacin. Chacin allowed 6 hits in over 6 innings, but only gave up a solo home run to Pena in the 3rd.

Dice-K pitched a 3-hitter in his 6 innings of work, but allowed 2 runs in the 4th when he lost control of his pitches and walked in what would be the winning run.

Aaron Hill was hitless, but he still leads the team in BAA with a .354 average. Alex Rios' season long hitting streak came to an end against the Red Sox as well.

WP: Chacin (2-0)
LP: Matsuzaka (1-2)
SV: Frasor (1)

Toronto (8-5) Boston (7-5)

04/15 Toronto 2, Detroit 1

The Jays split their series with Detroit on Sunday, winning 2-1 largely due to the outstanding pitching of Josh Towers.

Yes, that Josh Towers. 1 win in '06 Josh Towers.

Towers gave up the only run of the day, but it was unearned. He only allowed 3 hits through 7 plus innings, picking up his first win of the year.

The Jays' bats did just enough to win, scattering 7 hits throughout the game. John MacDonald was responsible for knocking in the winning run in the 7th.

Toronto closer B.J. Ryan, who blew his second save of the year on Saturday, was placed on the D.L. after the game.

The Jays get Monday off, then host Boston for the first time this year on Tuesday. Dice-K starts against Chacin. Should be good.

WP: Towers (1-1)
LP: Robertson (2-1)
SV: Marcum (1)

Toronto (7-5) Detroit (7-5)

04/14 Detroit 10, Toronto 7

Toronto's worst inning on Saturday afternoon came at the worst time: the 9th.

B.J. Ryan, who only blew 4 saves in 2006, lost his second opportunity to close out a game this year, losing the lead and the game to the Tigers.

The Jays did have their best day with the longball, knocking out 3 (Wells, Rios, Overbay).

A.J. Burnett was average, giving up 4 in 5 plus innings.

The series ends on Sunday, with Josh Towers going for Toronto.

WP: Ledezma (2-0)
LP: Ryan (0-2)
SV: Jones (6)

Toronto (6-5) Detroit (7-4)

04/13 Toronto 2, Detroit 1 (10)

The game of the young season so far.

Roy Halladay and Jeremy Bonderman each pitched a gem, but Doc got the last laugh in a 2-1 extra inning nailbiter.

Halladay went all 10 innings for Toronto, allowing 6 hits and only the one run, a homer to Ordonez in the 2nd.

Offensively, the star for the Jays was Alex Rios, who continued his season long hitting streak with a homer in the 1st, and knocking in the winning run by way of a sacrifice fly.

WP: Halladay (2-0)
LP: Rodney (1-2)

Toronto (6-4) Detroit (6-4)

04/12 Detroit 5, Toronto 4

Toronto scored 2 late, but couldn't fully overcome the deficit, as they lost to the Tigers.

Aaron Hill continued his impressive April, hitting the only homer for the Jays, increasing his average to .400.

Tomo Ohka allowed 5 runs in 6 innings, 4 of them earned.

WP: Maroth (2-0)
LP: Ohka (0-1)
SV: Zumaya (1)

Toronto (5-4) Detroit (6-3)

3:30 a.m.? What a way to start!

After one night of NHL playoff action, we had the debut of the next superstar, a defensive struggle out west, and 2 multiple overtime games.

The only down side? There's only 2 months of this to go.

Vancouver and Dallas played a 5 hour marathon, going to the end of the 4th overtime before Henrik Sedin won the game for the Canucks. In the east, the game ended at an ungodly 3:32 a.m., a time usually reserved for anything except live North American sporting events. But this is how the game goes sometimes in the second season, and it shouldn't be any other way.

For those who love the shootout (for the record, I'm one of them), there may be thoughts that the rule should extend to the playoffs. It would be exciting, and the games would end sooner, but ask the fans in Nashville (who stood up throughout the extra time last night), and I think they'd say the rules as they are should stay that way.

4 more games tonight, but they're all in the Eastern Time Zone; maybe the games will end by midnight.

And if not, all the better.

04/11 Toronto 7, Kansas City 4

Toronto recovered nicely from Tuesday's loss to the Royals to take the rubber match of their 3 game series on Wednesday.

Gustavo Chacin was his usual average self, allowing 3 runs in 5 innings of work. The bullpen, criticized last year for costing the club wins, came through again last night, preserving the win for Toronto.

Jason Frasor continued to impress, not allowing a hit in 1 1/3 innings of work, striking out 3 of the 4 hitters he faced.

Aaron Hill added to his team leading .387 average, getting 3 hits and knocking in 3 runs.

The Jays host Detroit this weekend for 4 games, the only time the A.L. champs visit Canada in 2007. Tomo Ohka goes for Toronto.

WP: Chacin (1-0)
LP: De La Rosa (1-1)
SV: Ryan (3)

Toronto (5-3) Kansas City (3-6)

04/10 Kansas City 6, Toronto 3

It was a little something old, and a little something new for Josh Towers in his first start of the '07 campaign.

Towers was much better in terms of his control against the Royals, but the runs didn't stop, and Towers lost the game.

But it definately wasn't all his fault; the Jays committed an atrocious 4 errors on the night, leading to 3 unearned runs.

The offence was stagnant, with Gregg Zaun's pinch hit home run providing the main scoring for Toronto.

The rubber match goes Wednesday, with Gustavo Chacin going for the Jays.

WP: Greinke (1-1)
LP: Towers (0-1)
SV: Soria (1)

Toronto (4-3) Kansas City (3-5)

NHL Playoff Predictions

Well, it's that time of year again: the time when I fail miserably at predicting the outcome of sporting events. Today, the NHL playoffs.

Eastern Conference:

N.Y. Islanders v Buffalo: The Islanders snuck into the postseason this year (what else do you call a shootout win combined with double digit overtime/shootout losses?) and they lost their top 2 goaltenders in the process. But this is the playoffs, and everyone's 0-0 now. Unfortunately, they're playing the Sabres, so they won't be playing for long. Sabres in 5.

Tampa Bay v New Jersey: In the postseason, it is nearly impossible to win without good to superb goaltending. Tampa Bay has Johan Holmqvist, New Jersey has Martin Brodeur. Nuff said. Devils in 5.

N.Y. Rangers v Atlanta: This is the first Thrashers' appearance in the playoffs, and they tried to boost their chances at the trade deadline by acquiring Keith Tkachuk and Alexei Zhitnik. But the Rangers have better goaltending and Stanley Cup winners in Brendan Shananan and Jaromir Jagr. Rangers in 6.

Pittsburgh v Ottawa: The best matchup in the East features two teams with little to no playoff experience (or, I should say in Ottawa's case, success) and two teams without proven goaltending or decent size in a tournament that traditionally requires both. However, this series will go down in history as Sidney Crosby's first playoff series. I think he'll win it. Pens in 7.

Western Conference:

Calgary v Detroit: Normally, I'd take the Flames here, what with the playoff success of Calgary and the recent struggles of Detroit, but with the Flames horrid road record this year, I think the Red Wings will succeed this year. At least in the first round. Red Wings in 6.

Minnesota v Anaheim: I confess, I know little about the Minnesota Wild. They traditionally have strong defence and goaltending, and it seems they continued that this year. But Anaheim is built for the playoffs, and they'll likely prove that in the first round. Ducks in 6.

Dallas v Vancouver: The "First Goal Wins" series. It'll be Vancouver. I don't have a solid reason for this expect to say that Roberto Luongo is one of the best goalies in the league, and it's time for him to be in, and succeed, in the playoffs. Canucks in 7.

San Jose v Nashville: If you know me at all, you'll know this pick already. But the Sharks do have the stronger offence, defence, goaltending, speed, size, blah blah blah (or if you prefer Bob Loblaw) Sharks in 6.

There you have it. Games start Wednesday. Go Sharks.

04/09 Toronto 9, Kansas City 1

It was certainly a fantastic home opener for the Blue Jays and A.J. Burnett.

Burnett shrugged off his weak first start to pitch 6 2/3 solid innings, only allowing a solo home run in his last inning of work.

The Jays' offence showed up as advertised and, under a sellout crowd, knocked in 9, coincidentally the same number they scored in Burnett's loss in Detroit. Vernon Wells knocked out his 2nd homer of the year, and Aaron Hill led the team with 3 hits on Monday.

Every Jay hitter in the starting lineup got a hit in the home opener.

The series continues on Tuesday, with Josh Towers getting his first start of the year.

WP: Burnett (1-1)
LP: Perez (0-2)

Toronto (4-2) Kansas City (2-5)

Missing The Extra Point

So, the NHL season is over, and as promised, here are the standings if there was no single point awarded for losing in overtime or a shootout.

EAST:

1) Buffalo (53-29)
2) New Jersey (49-33)
3) Tampa Bay (44-38)
4) Ottawa (48-34)
5) Pittsburgh (47-35)
6) Atlanta (43-39)
7) N.Y. Rangers (42-40)
8) Montreal (42-40)

Tied for 9th - N.Y. Islanders, Toronto, Carolina (40-42)

WEST:

1) Nashville (51-31)
2) San Jose (51-31)
3) Vancouver (49-33)
4) Detroit (50-32)
5) Dallas (50-32)
6) Anaheim (48-34)
7) Minnesota (48-34)
8) Colorado (44-38)

9) Calgary (43-39)

So, there you have it. Without the extra point, Montreal makes the playoffs, while Calgary does not. Nashville and Tampa Bay win their respective divisions. Anaheim, currently #2 in the West, starts the playoffs on the road as the #6 seed.

Is it time for a change? I think so, but it likely won't happen. But after this season, Montreal and Colorado may want one.

04/08 Toronto 6, Tampa Bay 3

I'm a little behind on this, so here's a quick summary.

Roy Halladay got his first win of the year, and it was well deserved. Halladay pitched 7 strong innings, giving up 3 while striking out 7.

Vernon Wells cashed in his first cheque with his first homerun of the season.

WP: Halladay (1-0)
LP: Kazmir (0-1)

Toronto (3-2) Tampa Bay (2-3)

04/07 Toronto 8, Tampa Bay 5

Toronto avenged their opening game loss to the Rays on Friday by beating Tampa 8-5 on Saturday night.

On a night when not even the announcers expected an audience ("We have some hard-core baseball fans watching us tonight with a rather important hockey game going on in Toronto right now", Sportsnet announcer Jamie Campbell said), Toronto jumped out to a 6-1 lead by the 2nd inning, thanks in large part to Frank Thomas' first homerun as a Jay, a grand slam to boot.

Tampa clawed their way back to 7-5 by the 4th, but Toronto held on, and added one more in the 9th to seal the win.

Tomo Ohka was average in 4 1/3 innings pitched, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits. Shaun Marcum was lights out, striking out 5 in 2 1/3 innings, not allowing a hit in that time.

The rubber match goes on Sunday, with Roy Halladay getting his second start of the year.

WP: Shaun Marcum (1-0)
LP: Casey Fossum (0-1)
SV: B.J. Ryan (2)

Toronto (2-2) Tampa Bay (2-2)

04/06 Tampa Bay 6, Toronto 5

It was all for naught.

After being down 3-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays (the devil is silent) through 5, the Jays tied it up with three of their own in the top of the 7th, then got a 2-run homerun from Troy Glaus in the 8th to take the lead 5-3.

Then B.J. Ryan came in to seal the deal, and the deal was blown wide open.

Ryan allowed a 2 run homerun to Delmon Young to tie the game at 5, then B.J. Upton hit a chop single that shortstop Royce Clayton couldn't handle to give Tampa the win.

Gustavo Chacin was decent in his first start of '07, allowing 6 hits over 6 innings, but gave up 3 solo homers to the Rays young offence.

Besides Glaus' homerun, the other offensive star for Toronto was second baseman Aaron Hill, the only Jay with more than one hit in the game.

Tomo Ohka get the start on Saturday in Tampa.

WP: Jae Kuk Ryu (1-0)
LP: B.J. Ryan (0-1)

Toronto (1-2) Tampa Bay (2-1)

04/05 Toronto at Detroit, Postponed

Today's game in Detroit was postponed due to inclement weather, i.e. super cold temperatures. The game was rescheduled for September 10.

Chacin gets his first start in Tampa now, as the Jays play the Rays on Friday.

Toronto (1-1)

04/04 Detroit 10, Toronto 9

The Jays made it interesting on game #2 of the 2007 campaign, but in the end, they were not able to overcome a poor performance by A.J. Burnett.

Burnett was pulled in the 3rd inning, after allowing 4 runs. Shaun Marcum then came in and gave up a grand slam to Curtis Granderson in the 3rd, with 2 of those runs being charged to the Jays' starter.

After giving up another run in the 4th, Toronto was down 9-0 and it seemed that the game was completely out of reach.

But the best part about baseball is simply this: no matter what the score, the winning team has to get 27 outs, and there's no running out the clock.

The Jays cut the lead to 9-2 in the 6th, but gave up one more run in the bottom half of the seventh. That's when Toronto's much hyped offence took over.

Toronto put 7 up on the board in the 8th, cutting the lead to one. But it was that last run that proved elusive, as Detroit held on to even the opening week series.

Each Toronto batter from leadoff through to the seven hole had two hits in the ball game, with Royce Clayton being the only starter not to get a hit off of Tiger pitching on Wednesday.

Jason Smith stole the show for the offence, knocking in 3 on his pinch hit triple in the 8th. Both Vernon Wells and Alex Rios had 2 RBI's for Toronto.

A.J. Burnett had an awful game, giving up 6 earned runs from 5 hits in 2 plus innings. He was pegged with the loss.

The Jays try to win the rubber match on Thursday, with Gustavo Chacin getting his first start of 2007. The game goes at 1:05 from Detroit.

WP: Nate Robertson (1-0)
LP: A.J. Burnett (0-1)
SV: Todd Jones (1)

Toronto (1-1) Detroit (1-1)

04/02 Toronto 5, Detroit 3 (10)

Here I present the first in a 162 part report, the Blue Jays in 2007.

Opening day from Detroit saw the Tigers struggle early, as Toronto scored 3 in the first inning. From there, Detroit clawed their way back, breaking Roy Halladay's shutout in the 3rd, then adding two more in the 5th to tie it at 3.

From there, it went to extras, as Troy Glaus hit a single with the bases loaded to give the Jays the lead and the win, 5-3.

First baseman Lyle Overbay was the only Jay to have more than one hit in the game, but it was Alex Rios, rumoured to be trade bait for a pitching upgrade, who knocked in 2 for Toronto.

The Jays, who were among the league's worst at stolen bases in '06, got two today by Vernon Wells and Reed Johnson.

For Detroit, Placido Polanco had the best game offensively, going 3 for 5 with an RBI. Gary Sheffield brought in 2 on sacrifice flies in his Tiger debut, although he went hitless against the Jays.

Roy Halladay pitched 6 solid innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 runs, 2 of them earned. He struck out four. He did not receive a decision in the game.

Next up for the Jays is game two of the series, going Wednesday in Detroit. It'll be A.J. Burnett on the mound for Toronto.

WP: Jason Frasor (1-0)
LP: Fernando Rodney (0-1)
SV: B.J. Ryan (1)

Toronto (1-0) Detroit (0-1)