Blog moving / Change of URL

As the MLB site has a way of blogging which may draw in more people to read, this blog shall now be found at the following URL:

http://jose-watch.mlblogs.com/

Blog Linkage

Heres a really funny blog post by 'The Blue Jay Hunter' about Bautista's sporting of a wonderful moustache during the game yesterday:

http://www.bluejayhunter.com/2010/08/beard-today-moustache-tomorrow-for-jose.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

17th August @ A's

In the Jays shaky 6-2 loss to the A's, Bautista could only manage 0-4 with a big fat sombrero :(.

It started off well however, with Jose getting an RBI ground out to the shortstop to comfortably bring in Escobomb in from 3rd.

The main talking point was in the 7th inning, score was 2-2. Men on corners with 1 out and Camp induces a softly hit ground ball and Hill who applies a tag to the runner from 1st, is spun around and throws it just inches away from Overbays' glove. Meaning the runner from 3rd scores and the inning is still alive. An inning they went on to get 2 more runs.

This whole game was one to simply throw to one side and one where I'm sure the players will say "We just didn't turn up tonight", which I hope is true.

This loss moves the Jays to still a very respectable 63-56. Which I'm sure many fans would've taken before the start of the season.

16th August @ A's

After coming off 2 weak starts, allowed 13 runs between them, Marcum (10-6) was looking to pick up his 1th win of the season. And comeback he certainly did. After taking a no hitter into the 7th inning, Marcum eventually allowed 1 run on just 1 hit to record his first complete game of his career, winning 3-1.

The Jays offense helped him by manufacturing 3 runs (off homers) and every starter except Overbay managed at least 1 hit.

In the 4th on a 3-0 count Bautista was given the green light and whacked a line drive to left field, very close to the foul line, and deep. The left fielder jump to attempt a catch at the ball which appeared to bounce at the top of the wall. The LF didn't worry about collecting the ball as he believed that the ball was a homer. Bautista, not taking any chances, stepped on the gas and managed to make it all the way round for an inside the park homer. Number 37 of the year. On closer inspection of the replay shows the ball hit the foul pole but he got the homer anyhow.

Note/ Jose Molina went 4-4 in the game, however not making a run. The jays also managed a total of 13 hits, however only making 3 runs.

15th August @ Angels

What 7-2 loss the other day. I didn't see annnnything.

Moving on to the 2nd game of the series (ahem, trust me *shifty eyes*), the Jays rely on the newly extended contract man Riccccckkky Romeroooo (10-7) and he provided big time. He went 7 innings of solid 1 run pitching. Bautista 'pitched' in perfectly with 2-4 with 1 walk and a run coming off Hill's RBI single off the back wall.... soo close to grand slam.

With some tidy defense, offense and very solid pitching all-round, the Jays secures the 2 game series with 2 wins ;)

Kevin Gregg managed 1 inning and striking out the 3 he faced to get the save (number 28). pfft meh. Any who, the Jays defeat the Angels 4-1 and move slightly inland to face the A's for the next series with Shaun Marcum (10-6) starting Monday

13th August @ Angels

After what can only be assumed as the most happy and cheerful plane journey ever for the bluejays, they set up camp on the west coast for a 3 game series at the L.A Angels followed by another 3 games at Oakland.

The game was not huge offensively - as we hit no homers (boooooooring). But fortunately my main man Rzepczynski (or Scrabble which is easier to say and......you know the story i'm sure. If you don't then comment on this post). Yeh, that guy was called up to take Morrows starting spot for this week to give him a rest.

Scrabble managed 7 innings of 2 hit ball with 6 strikeouts to help eventually shut out the angels 3-0.

Bautista managed 0-4 with 1 walk and a K. Can't expect awesome sauce every day but Jose is searching to homer in his 12th consecutive series so fingers crossed for the next two days.

Gregg also picked up the save....still in the good books :D

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Bautista Season Stats: AB: 404 Runs: 77 Hits: 103 RBI's: 88 Walks: 69 K's: 85 Average: .255
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Back!! and with lots and lots of catching up to do!

After me being on holiday for a while (to watch the Jays pwn the orioles of course), Bautista has given me too much to talk about so I'm going to try and recap in the best way possible.

(In no order)

--During the current Boston series he managed to smack homers in 11 consecutive series (A bluejays record)

--He has now reached 36 homers (bomb count update pending)

--A Grand Slam against the Indians.

--Avoided being traded (Phew!!)

--Since July 20th (my last blog) has got and extra: 78 at bats, 20 runs, 27 hits, 10 bombs.

--His average has also risen from .239 to .259 in the same time period

(O and also I don't hate Kevin Gregg anymore as he has not blown a save for a while.......i think *shifty eyes*)


p.s. Please enjoy this video I took at the Jays vs Orioles game and join the everlasting overbay intro!! Magnifique I say:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERumK_hJyRQ

And to my only fan....see you next time :P

20th July @ Royals

JOSE'S BACK BABY!!!

In a large 13-1 win over the Royals, the bautista show continued as he crushed his 26th homer of the year. A 426 foot bomb which was hit over the left field bullpen. Later on in the game he also drove in 3 more runs, picking up a 2nd run himself. He finished 3-6, 2 runs and 5 RBI's.

Bautista, on his home run: "He missed with a slider right down the middle. I'm sure he didn't want to throw it right there."

Cito, on Bautista: "He just keeps going. I hope he hits 40. He's one of the good people on this team."

Let's not take anything away from the rest of the team however. With Buck going 3-5 with 3 runs, Encarnacion 3-5, 1 run and 3 RBI's..the whole team (including the pitching staff) pitched in with bat and glove to secure the tying game in the series.


Quotes provided by MLBastian (Jordan Bastian).

19th July @ Royals

There we were, 4-3 up going into the bottom of the 10th, after Bautista managed to get an RBI single to creep the Jays ahead.

Kevin Gregg was then sent in to close the game off. (His last game he gave 3 consecutive walks to load the bases and Cito had to call in Shawn Camp. Gregg not happy with decision, fair play).

So first at bat of the 10th for the royals and they get a lead-off triple. Errrrrrrm.
Then after a sac fly, the Jays find themselves back in a tie (and Gregg blows the save here). Then after some other random crap that happened an RBI single gave the royals the 5-4 win.

I'm not 100% what Cito's face would've have been at this point but I'm guessing something along the lines of the above picture. That, or as Gregg walks back to the dugout Cito sports a very smug grin as if to say: "Annnnnd that's why I pulled you out of the game on Saturday"

Welcome to the closers role Shawn Camp........Please!?

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Bautista Season Stats: AB: 322 Runs: 57 Hits: 76 RBI's: 59 Walks: 55 K's: 72 Average: .236
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18th July @ Baltimore

Esco-BOMB!!!!!!!!!! Wow. Welcome to Toronto Yunel. He went 3-4 with 5 RBI's and a Grand Slam and set the Jays up perfectly for a very comfortable 10-1 win. Awesome!

A new article on bluejays.ca confirms how this happened:

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100718&content_id=12364410&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor

That's correct. Bautista is key. I'm sure that grand slam to left field was straight from the teachings of Jose. He's been making Yunel feel at home in Toronto and i'm pretty sure he feels welcome now with this spell of batting.

Bautista on the other hand went 0-4 with 1 run coming from an earlier walk. He certainly worked for the run though from a Wells double to left field hitting the wall, Jose managed to go from 1st to home.

God speed Jose, god speed.

This completes the triple series sweep of the orioles. Playing 9 games, winning 9. Yes!

The Jays have also outscored them 48-16 and out homered them 18-1 through those 9 games. Schweet!

17th July @ Baltimore

Going into the 8th inning Saturday, 1 on, no outs and a 2-1 orioles ball game. Jose steps up. After taking a ball, the Jays commentary discuss that the pitcher should try a fastball for a change and more on the outside corner. And he did. Not so much outside corner though and pretty much down the middle. Yes. Jose gobbles it up and sends the bullpen catcher running as bautista bombs his 25th homer of the year. Into center left went the dinger and the Blue Jays are now suddenly up 3-2.

In the 9th however, Kevin Gregg, the closer, manages to load the bases with walks. Uh o. Fortunately for the good of Toronto Cito decided to give Camp a go at this closing role. And he finishes the innings unharmed.

So a bit to close for comfort win over the Orioles but a win nonetheless. With an early game today (18th), and Marcum pitching, Jays fans can hopefully get there brooms to the ready.

Bautista Not In Derby!

As most of the invitations to the home run derby were given, it was left to see when Bautista would get his phone call. He was ready to take part and would've accepted if the call came. However it did not. hmmm.

Since September 2009, Jose has hit 34 Homers. The nearest to him is Prince Fielder with 29!!

Bautista was questioned if he was surprised about not receiving the call:

"A little bit," Bautista said with a shrug. "But it's nothing I can control."

It has been joked that when Wells is called up to hit in the derby, he should walk over to Bautista and hand him the bat. that would be awesome!!!!!!!!!!

David Ortiz (taking part) had this to say on the matter:

"The guy that I'm really worried about is not even in the Derby -- Bautista, man. Come on, man. How is he not in the Derby? You need to start a campaign about him being in the Derby. He's the home run leader. It's a joke. He has to be there -- he's the leader. I don't care, have two Blue Jays in there. If he wants to be in, he has to be in -- I don't care what anybody says."

AMEN Big Papi!!!!

10th July vs Bo'Sox

At least Boston are good for something eh?
________________________________


BOOM!

Homer no. 24 came for Bautista in this 9-5 win over the Red Sox. It wasn't really a game changing homer but an insurance run in the 8th to give Kevin Gregg an easy save. Overall, Jose went 1-4, 2 runs and 1 walk.

Bautista also got an outfield assist, by getting the ever rapid David Ortiz tagged out at 2nd base.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _
Scrabble Note

My main pitching fave, Marc Rzepczynski (Scrabble as he's known) came out of the bullpen today after starting several days ago, pitching just 0.2 innings and getting 2 strikeouts......genius.

I may add these scrabble updates now and again and just talking about Bautista may sometimes be a bit short...and maybe also about Casey Janssen (again another pitching fave) ;)

9th July vs Bo'Sox

Ouch.

That was a game worth forgetting about quickly therefore this shall be short. A painful 14-3 loss at the rogers centre. Bautista went 1-2 with 1 walk, his average now a respectable .240.

That's all i have to say for this forgettable game

8th July vs Twins

5 Homers by the Jays confirmed a dominated 8-1 win over the Twins on Thursday, and yes, Bautista joined in with the long ball. A very flat line drive, just made it over the left field wall, possibly wind assisted, but hey, it still tallies Jose up to 23 homers on the year.

He went 1-4 yesterday but the home run in the 8th was all that was needed to prove that he's still in the hitting groove. His average is now .238.

7th July vs Twins

A solid game for Jose secured a close 6-5 win for the Jays over the Twins, tying the series 1-1. Bau went all twos, going 2-2 getting 2 runs, 2 hits, 2 RBI's and 2 walks.

In the bottom of the 5th, with Jonny Mac on first, Jose hit a reasonably well hit ball to center field. It seemed like the center fielder was gonna make it. However, a communication error left both Young and Span tumbling over each other and the ball rolled quite nicely to the back wall, Mac scoring with ease and Bau getting his moneys worth and stretch his legs and making it all the way round for a standup insider the park homer with the throw not in time from Young. His 22nd homer of the year.

Jose after the game said:

(as he was rounding 2nd) "By that time my legs were getting a little heavy. I just tried 2 dig deep & try to make it."

_________________
| Said inside the parker |

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=9748977

6th July vs Twins

Yesterdays game at the twins brought the end of a horrible road trip. Unfortunately with hill and Wells still out to sickness and the 0-3 Litsch at the mound, things did not look good. Jose had a very quiet game and even though there were 6 homers overall in the game, he ended 0-4 with 1 K.

Encarnacion, Wise and Overbay belted homers for the Jays to all parts of the Rogers Centre but this was not enough to send to Jays, and Jesse Litsch to victory. A single in the 8th for the twins got them in front 7-6 and the gap could not be closed again by the Jays offense.

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All-Star Update
.............................

No more news on the home run derby for Jose, however his teammate Wells has confirmed that he will be taking part. Let's see if Bautista follows.

All Star Home-Run Derby?

--> After being named on the AL team roster, the question is now the following... Will J-Bau compete in the home-run derby?? With 21 homers this season and leading MLB for that, it looks like a no brainer, however he is not sure about it: "I've got mixed feelings about it so far." He also jokingly added "If it was in Philadelphia, I'd definitely do it," (A hitter friendly ballpark).

--> His concern stems from the fact that during his batting practice, he likes he try out hitting line drives, not homers. Therefore to compete in the derby, he would need to alter his BP swing which may affect him later on. Players such as Alex Rios and Josh Hamilton have had this problem in the past whereby after the home run derby, went into large home run slumps spanning into the next season.

-->The fact that he may need to alter his batting practice swing is a concern if he is to partake. if may be best if he left out, although it would be nice to see him burst onto the all star scene with a bang!

........................................

Update on bluejays.ca:
........................................


http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100705&content_id=11954022&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor

Well, i say update, more of a confirmation of what i just said.

5th July -- Day Off

This monday brings about a day off for the Jays. Thankfully we are now out of this horrible road trip, finishing at 1-6. Hopefully the next home stand will boost the jays momentum as they take on the Twins and Bo'Sox both for 3 games.

On this casual day off, enjoy this Jose Smash-fest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_83vyipIKg&feature=player_embedded

4th July @ Yankees

The unfortunate nail biting 7-6 loss to the Yankees in extra innings on Sunday brought along a different side of J-Bau that we haven't seen in a while. Singles. He went 3-5 with no walks and no strikeouts, boosting his average to .236 .

In the bottom of the 7th, Jose showed why he was selected for the all star roster. with bases loaded and 1 out, the yankees looked certain to extend their 6-5 lead. A foul ball sliced to J-Bau's right had him on the chase by the 1st base seats. With swisher, looking to tag up, many players may have let it go foul, to give camp another chance at the batter, but not the Bau-man. He makes a good catch fighting the sun and absolutely guns it into Molina, who has already had 2 nails at home before this play. With swisher pelting it down the line it was always gonna be close but Molina stays with it to record the 9-2 double play. Awesome throw by Jose, Great tag by Molina.