Toronto Blue Jays v Los Angeles Angels live streaming mlb feed online radio commentary espn 360 gamecast april 9, 2011 Injuries and family issues have kept the Toronto Blue Jays from fielding a consistent lineup, but they've been able to count on their pitching staff for reliability.
The surprising Blue Jays look to clinch their third straight series victory Saturday night when they continue a three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels.
Toronto (5-2) won its third straight series opener with a 3-2 victory Friday. Kyle Drabek gave up two runs over six innings and Jayson Nix hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth off Ervin Santana.
9:05 PM ET, April 9, 2011
Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
"I'm really happy to be a part of this group," said Nix, acquired in a trade with Cleveland on March 29. "We've got a good thing going on here, and everybody is in it together."
Pitching Matchup
Toronto Los Angeles
Brett Cecil
0-1, 5.40 ERA
Last appearance:
4/03 vs MIN
5.0 IP, 3 ER
Dec = Loss Matt Palmer
0-0, 0.00 ERA
Last appearance:
4/09 vs TOR
0.2 IP, 0 ER
Dec = ND
Gameday Lineups
NO. Toronto Los Angeles
1. R. Davis, CF M. Izturis, SS
2. A. Hill, 2B H. Kendrick, 2B
3. J. Bautista, RF B. Abreu, DH
4. A. Lind, 1B T. Hunter, RF
5. J. Rivera, DH V. Wells, LF
6. J. Arencibia, C A. Callaspo, 3B
7. T. Snider, LF M. Trumbo, 1B
8. E. Encarnacion, 3B J. Mathis, C
9. J. McDonald, SS P. Bourjos, CF
Shortstop Yunel Escobar, who is hitting .474, sat out after incurring a mild concussion when he collided with Oakland's Andy LaRoche while sliding headfirst Wednesday. He could return Sunday.
Jose Bautista, who led the majors with 54 homers last season, returned after missing three games for the birth of his first daughter. He went 1 for 4 with a run scored.
The Blue Jays have also been without speedy outfielder Rajai Davis (ankle) since last Saturday, and have gone with seven different lineups this season.
The pitching, though, has been solid by posting a 2.53 ERA over the first seven games. Last year, Toronto ranked 10th in the AL with a 4.22 ERA.
The Blue Jays will look to Brett Cecil (0-1, 5.40 ERA) for another good effort on the mound.
He gave up three runs and six hits in five innings of a 4-3 loss to Minnesota on Sunday. Despite the defeat, Cecil was pleased to see his velocity return after some concerns during spring training.
"I felt good, everything felt great," he told the Blue Jays' official website.
The left-hander split two starts at Angel Stadium last year. He gave up seven runs and 10 hits, including three homers in 5 2/3 innings of a 7-2 loss Aug. 14.
Meanwhile, the Angels (3-4) will try move back to .500 after losing their home opener.
Torii Hunter went 2 for 4 with a run scored while Vernon Wells' struggles continued. He went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts against his former team to drop his batting average to .097 with 10 strikeouts. He is hitless over the last three games.
"I don't think you can put this week on one guy," manager Mike Scioscia said. "Vernon obviously hasn't hit stride. I think he's pressing a little bit. He's had some good swings in the first week, but he's not hitting the way he can. He's just not in the comfort zone in the box yet, but he will be."
Wells' struggles weren't the only issue the Angels are dealing with. Scott Kazmir, Saturday's scheduled starter, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday with tightness in his lower back.
Matt Palmer, an 11-game winner with the Angels in 2009, was recalled from Triple-A to start Saturday. Palmer made one start and 13 relief appearances last season, going 1-2 with a 4.54 ERA.
The right-hander pitched four innings of relief at Toronto on Aug. 21, 2009, giving up one run and two hits while walking three.
The surprising Blue Jays look to clinch their third straight series victory Saturday night when they continue a three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels.
Toronto (5-2) won its third straight series opener with a 3-2 victory Friday. Kyle Drabek gave up two runs over six innings and Jayson Nix hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth off Ervin Santana.
9:05 PM ET, April 9, 2011
Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
"I'm really happy to be a part of this group," said Nix, acquired in a trade with Cleveland on March 29. "We've got a good thing going on here, and everybody is in it together."
Toronto Los Angeles
Brett Cecil
0-1, 5.40 ERA
Last appearance:
4/03 vs MIN
5.0 IP, 3 ER
Dec = Loss Matt Palmer
0-0, 0.00 ERA
Last appearance:
4/09 vs TOR
0.2 IP, 0 ER
Dec = ND
Gameday Lineups
NO. Toronto Los Angeles
1. R. Davis, CF M. Izturis, SS
2. A. Hill, 2B H. Kendrick, 2B
3. J. Bautista, RF B. Abreu, DH
4. A. Lind, 1B T. Hunter, RF
5. J. Rivera, DH V. Wells, LF
6. J. Arencibia, C A. Callaspo, 3B
7. T. Snider, LF M. Trumbo, 1B
8. E. Encarnacion, 3B J. Mathis, C
9. J. McDonald, SS P. Bourjos, CF
Shortstop Yunel Escobar, who is hitting .474, sat out after incurring a mild concussion when he collided with Oakland's Andy LaRoche while sliding headfirst Wednesday. He could return Sunday.
Jose Bautista, who led the majors with 54 homers last season, returned after missing three games for the birth of his first daughter. He went 1 for 4 with a run scored.
The Blue Jays have also been without speedy outfielder Rajai Davis (ankle) since last Saturday, and have gone with seven different lineups this season.
The pitching, though, has been solid by posting a 2.53 ERA over the first seven games. Last year, Toronto ranked 10th in the AL with a 4.22 ERA.
The Blue Jays will look to Brett Cecil (0-1, 5.40 ERA) for another good effort on the mound.
He gave up three runs and six hits in five innings of a 4-3 loss to Minnesota on Sunday. Despite the defeat, Cecil was pleased to see his velocity return after some concerns during spring training.
"I felt good, everything felt great," he told the Blue Jays' official website.
The left-hander split two starts at Angel Stadium last year. He gave up seven runs and 10 hits, including three homers in 5 2/3 innings of a 7-2 loss Aug. 14.
Meanwhile, the Angels (3-4) will try move back to .500 after losing their home opener.
Torii Hunter went 2 for 4 with a run scored while Vernon Wells' struggles continued. He went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts against his former team to drop his batting average to .097 with 10 strikeouts. He is hitless over the last three games.
"I don't think you can put this week on one guy," manager Mike Scioscia said. "Vernon obviously hasn't hit stride. I think he's pressing a little bit. He's had some good swings in the first week, but he's not hitting the way he can. He's just not in the comfort zone in the box yet, but he will be."
Wells' struggles weren't the only issue the Angels are dealing with. Scott Kazmir, Saturday's scheduled starter, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday with tightness in his lower back.
Matt Palmer, an 11-game winner with the Angels in 2009, was recalled from Triple-A to start Saturday. Palmer made one start and 13 relief appearances last season, going 1-2 with a 4.54 ERA.
The right-hander pitched four innings of relief at Toronto on Aug. 21, 2009, giving up one run and two hits while walking three.
