News
Blue Jays riding out hot streak
Toronto (5-1) at Cleveland (0-5), Sunday, 1:05 p.m. ET
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com
04/11/09 5:59 PM ET
CLEVELAND -- The Blue Jays are going to enjoy this run while it lasts. Toronto entered this season without the high expectations that were placed on the club in recent seasons, but the group is off to one of its best starts this decade.With a win over the Indians on Saturday, the Blue Jays improved to 5-1, representing the best opening run since the franchise began the 2001 campaign with an identical record. If Toronto wins on Sunday to complete a three-game series sweep over Cleveland, the Jays would move to a 6-1 mark for the first time since 1994.
Cito Gaston, who took over as Toronto's manager last June, found it surprising that it's been so long since the Jays had a similar hot start.
"It is [a shock]," Gaston said. "The last couple of years, I think this team missed a great opportunity. With the starters that they had, all they had to do was hit just a little bit. They would've probably been in the playoffs or whatever. If you go back and look at it last year, if they just played to what we played at the end, they would've been there.
"We won, what, 86 games last year? If they just put seven more with that -- that's not tough is it? -- and they're in the playoffs. The year before, they had the same kind of offensive team, they just didn't produce, either. I think it's just been the offense hasn't been good."
Entering this season, the Blue Jays knew that they would need more production from the lineup in order to overcome the growing pains anticipated for the team's relatively young and inexperienced rotation. Through six games, the offense hasn't disappointed, pounding out 42 runs on 67 hits, including nine home runs.
On the mound, Toronto has received good outings from youngsters David Purcey and Ricky Romero. That has helped take some pressure off the club's bullpen in the first week, and it's something that the Jays need to happen often this season in order to have a better chance at success.
Gaston won't admit to being surprised by his team's early showing, but he is quick to remind that it's still very early.
"You're excited, but you've got to keep it [in perspective]," Gaston said. "We'll see what happens. Next week this time, next month this time, if they're still pitching like that, then you can say, 'Well, OK.' But, right now, I'm happy with what I see.
"If we can keep swinging that way, it's going to be a lot of fun."
Pitching matchup
TOR: LHP David Purcey (0-0, 2.57 ERA)
In his season debut Tuesday, Purcey gave the Blue Jays exactly what they need from him this season. The left-hander lasted seven innings, yielding three runs -- two earned -- on five hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Purcey, who finished with 101 pitches -- 61 strikes -- didn't use his changeup once, opting to stick with an array of fastballs, sliders and curves. When he did slip out of the strike zone, Purcey was able to correct himself quickly and limit the damage. Purcey faced the Indians once last season, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings in a losing effort.
Acquired in a midseason trade with the Cardinals last year, Reyes wowed the Indians with his performance in August, when his 2.01 ERA was the third-best in the AL. But Reyes comes with a catch, in the form of a chronic elbow condition that will have to be monitored all season. The Indians are aiming to protect him by placing him in their fifth rotation spot. Reyes tweaked his mechanics over the offseason, and he had a healthy and effective spring camp. He is best remembered for pitching the Cardinals to a victory in Game 1 of the 2006 World Series, but he hopes to keep his elbow in check and make a new name for himself with the Tribe. Bird feed
Through Toronto's first five games, designated hitter Adam Lind compiled three home runs and 11 RBIs. Dating back to 1920, when RBIs were first recorded, only four players (Bobby Doerr, 1941; Lou Brock, 1967; Kal Daniels, 1988 and Larry Walker, 1997) have achieved at least three homers and 10 RBIs in their team's first five games. Lind and Detroit's Miguel Cabrera (three homers and 10 RBIs through five games) become the fifth and sixth members of that unique group. ... Before Lind this year, the last Blue Jays player to have at least three home runs through the club's first five games was Carlos Delgado, who had five in as many games to open the 2001 season. ... Left-hander Brian Tallet yielded two home runs to the Indians on Friday night. It marked the first time in his career that Tallet surrendered two homers in the same game. He allowed only four all of last season and just one in 2007. ... Prior to this series at Progressive Field, the Blue Jays had won only two of their last 16 contests in Cleveland, dating back to 2004. Last season, Toronto posted a 1-6 record against the Tribe. Tickets
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• FAN 590 Up next
• Monday: Blue Jays (Jesse Litsch, 0-1, 7.50) at Twins (Kevin Slowey, 1-0, 7.50), 8:10 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Blue Jays (Ricky Romero, 1-0, 3.00) at Twins (Glen Perkins, 0-1, 1.13), 8:10 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Blue Jays (Scott Richmond, 0-0, 6.75) at Twins (R.A. Dickey, 1-0, 5.40), 8:10 p.m. ET
Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
