Jays Closer Loses 2nd in a Row

"When is B.J. Ryan coming back?", the crowd questions after Jeremy Accardo gives up his second triple in as many nights to allow Oakland to not only tie things up, but go on to win 6 - 3.

Accardo, who only had 5 blown saves in 35 attempts last year has now lost two in a row and the return of ace closer Ryan from Tommy John surgery gives Jays fans a sigh of relief.

Ryan should be back in a week which will move Accardo to set-up.

That being said, the Jays offense had its slowest night of this homestand all while having a debut lefty on the mound in Greg Smith.  They took it to Smith early on, capitalizing on his lack of control in the 1st inning.  Unfortunatley, they wouldn't score a run for the rest of game. 

It was disappointing to have 2 on with nobody out in the bottom of the 9th and then have Huston Street retire Rios, Wells and Thomas in order.

FINAL NOTES

I was not one of the Jays fans who felt that John MacDonald should necessarily be given the starting shortstop position for 2008, but I did see a very weak left side line up for the Jays last night and hope that Gibbons will reward MacDonald with a start at SS or 3rd for the rubber match against the A's tonight.

3rd baseman Marco Scuturo made a horrible decision to try and throw Travis Buck out at home in the bottom of the 9th instead of going for the double play to second with 1 out.

Although Eckstein was solid at the plate yesterday scoring a run after being hit in the 1st and getting on in the bottom of the 9th, I thought that his range at shortstop was horrible and feel that MacDonald may not contribute runs offensively but will certainly erase runs defensively.