News
Jays' scuffling offense needs a spark
Toronto (58-70) at Texas (72-57), 8:05 p.m. ET
By John Barone / MLB.com
08/30/09 8:23 PM ET
BOSTON -- Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston sat back in his chair on Sunday afternoon, gazing at inquiring reporters with a look of calm frustration. Not quite the kind of agitation that could leave helpless pieces of furniture in its wake, but instead a tranquil disappointment in a Toronto offense that continues to hit the skids.A Jays lineup that was one of baseball's best earlier this year has struggled to regain its early-season form for quite some time, and now, with a month left in the 2009 campaign, Gaston's patience seems to have finally run its course.
"We haven't been a real good offensive team in a while," said Gaston, whose club opens a four-game series in Arlington against the Rangers on Monday.
"We have three guys in the lineup -- [Aaron Hill, Adam Lind and Marco Scutaro] -- that have been hitting all year, and the other guys at the bottom of the lineup have not been hitting all year. It's just been a struggle when you have those guys out there."
"Those guys," as Gaston referenced, contributed to a 2.3 runs-per-game average in this weekend's three-game sweep at the hands of the Red Sox, which included a five-hit showing in Sunday's 7-0 shellacking that came with ace Roy Halladay on the hill.
The Jays have scored three runs or fewer in seven of their past 11 games, posting a 3-8 record over that span.
The most maddening aspect of Toronto's downward spiral?
"Probably the lack of winning," Gaston said. "As far as scoring some runs, we've just come up short to a point where if we get one more hit, we've got a chance to win. Coming up just short has been frustrating."
Pitching matchupTOR: LHP Brett Cecil (5-3, 4.96 ERA)
Cecil dropped consecutive decisions for the first time this season last Tuesday as the Rays topped the Blue Jays, 7-3, at Rogers Centre. The rookie southpaw lasted only 3 1/3 innings -- the shortest start of his Major League career -- and surrendered six runs (five earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out three. Cecil allowed two home runs -- both off the bat of Carlos Pena -- to mark the fourth time this year he's yielded multiple long balls. He has never faced the Rangers. TEX: LHP Derek Holland (7-8, 4.95 ERA)
Holland was tagged for six runs on seven hits over six innings in a 9-2 loss to the Yankees on Wednesday, but the 22-year-old lefty is 4-3 with a 3.70 ERA in eight starts since the All-Star break. Monday marks Holland's first appearance against the Blue Jays since April 22, when he tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen in his Major League debut. Tidbits
Toronto is 3-11 in its past 14 games and has dropped nine of 13 road contests. ... Lind has hit safely in each of his past 11 contests, batting .348 (16-for-46) over that stretch. The left fielder is the fifth player in club history to record at least 40 doubles and 25 home runs in the same season, joining Joe Carter, Carlos Delgado, Shawn Green and Vernon Wells. Tickets
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• Tuesday: Blue Jays (Marc Rzepczynski, 2-3, 3.58) at Rangers (Dustin Nippert, 4-2, 4.02), 5:05 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Blue Jays (Brian Tallet, 5-8, 5.09) at Rangers (Brandon McCarthy, 5-2, 4.92), 8:35 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Blue Jays (Scott Richmond, 6-7, 4.32) at Rangers (Tommy Hunter, 6-3, 2.95), 8:05 p.m. ET
John Barone is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
