News
Offense has given Jays room for error
Toronto (14-7) at Kansas City (10-9), 8:10 p.m. ET
By Rustin Dodd / MLB.com
04/27/09 11:59 PM ET
KANSAS CITY -- After Toronto's 4-3 victory over Chicago on Sunday, Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay wanted to convey a simple message: His team can come through under pressure.Halladay was most likely referencing a clutch eighth-inning RBI by Scott Rolen that gave Halladay his fourth victory of the year.
But on Monday, Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston echoed Halladay's message.
The Blue Jays' offense is clicking and it's giving confidence to a team that, at times, has had to patch together its rotation.
"They're swinging the bats real well. Things like that have been happening for us," Gaston said of Toronto's clutch hitting.
Of course, the Blue Jays offense hasn't just been clutch, it's also been prolific. You can start with the numbers. The Blue Jays entered their four-game series with the Royals leading the Major Leagues in runs (124), hits (218) and total bases (361). But Gaston pointed to more than just the numbers.
"Even in some of the games," Gaston said, "We've hit the ball hard, it's just been right at guys."
The Blue Jays high-scoring attack has taken some pressure off pitchers like rookie Scott Richmond, who'll take the mound against the Royals on Tuesday. Richmond is 2-0 with a 3.31 ERA in three starts and he's been the beneficiary of some solid run support. The Blue Jays have averaged 10 runs per game in Richmond's starts.
"Guys have been swinging the bat good," Gaston said. "As I told them early in Spring Training, 'You know the last couple years, these pitchers have picked you guys up, so this year, you might have to pick them up.' So far, they're doing that."
Pitching matchupTOR: RHP Scott Richmond (2-0, 3.31 ERA)
Richmond worked six solid innings against the Texas Rangers on Thursday, allowing only two runs and two walks on six hits. He struck out a career-high eight batters. Richmond also won his previous start -- a 12-2 victory in Minnesota -- giving him wins in back-to-back starts for the first time in his career. He has never faced Kansas City. KC: RHP Gil Meche (1-1, 2.63 ERA)
Meche pitched seven terrific innings last Thursday at Cleveland, retiring 16 straight batters at one point, before running into some trouble in the eighth inning. He left with the game tied, 2-2, and reliever Ron Mahay gave up a three-run homer that dealt Meche the loss. Meche struck out seven and walked none, running up 113 pitches after getting an extra day of rest between starts. Although he'd experienced some stiffness in his previous start at Texas because of what he termed a flat mound, he had no physical problems at Cleveland. Meche was 0-2 versus Toronto last year despite giving up just five runs in two starts. Tidbits
Alex Rios will most likely be looking forward to seeing Gil Meche, Kansas City's starting pitcher on Tuesday. Rios is 10-for-15 (.667) with two doubles and two triples in his career against Meche. ... Entering Monday's game, the Blue Jays were 77-87 all time against the Royals in Kansas City. ... Former Blue Jays World Series hero Joe Carter makes his home just outside of Kansas City.
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• Wednesday: Blue Jays (Brian Tallet, 1-0, 2.95) at Royals (Zack Greinke, 4-0, 0.00), 8:10 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Blue Jays (Brian Burres, 0-1, 12.46) at Royals (Kyle Davies, 1-1, 4.88), 2:10 p.m. ET
• Friday: Blue Jays (Roy Halladay, 4-1, 3.75) vs. Orioles (Mark Hendrickson, 1-3, 5.40), 7:07 p.m. ET
Rustin Dodd is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
