THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO — J.P. Arencibia’s two-out single in the bottom of the ninth drove in the winning run as the Toronto Blue Jays rallied to edge the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 on Saturday.

Toronto tied the game earlier in the inning on a wild pitch.

Baltimore took a 4-3 lead on Vladimir Guerrero’s double in the eighth but closer Kevin Gregg, a former Blue Jay, couldn’t hold the lead in the ninth.

Gregg (0-3) gave up a two-out walk to Kelly Johnson and single to Jose Molina. Chris Woodward ran for Molina and former Orioles pitcher Adam Loewen of Surrey, B.C. batted for Dewayne Wise and was hit by a pitch.

Arencibia pinch-hit for Mike McCoy and a wild pitch brought Johnson in with the tying run before Arencibia won it for the Jays (73-73).

Toronto starter Henderson Alvarez didn’t figure in the decision after allowing nine hits and three runs over seven innings. The 21-year-old right-hander allowed one walk and fanned four before Jesse Litsch (6-3) took over in the eighth in a 3-3 tie.

Robert Andino led off the eighth against Litsch with a double and scored on a one-out double by Guerrero to give the Orioles (58-86) a 4-3 lead.

Orioles starter Rick VandenHurk allowed three runs and three hits in 2 1-3 innings, surrendering homers to Jose Bautista — his major league-leading 41st of the season — and Brett Lawrie of Langley, B.C. He was replaced by Zach Phillips.

Toronto shortstop Yunel Escobar left in the second after being hit on the left elbow with a pitch from VandenHurk. X-rays were negative and he’s listed as day to day.

McCoy ran for Escobar and took over at shortstop.

Consecutive first-inning singles by Nick Markakis, Guerrero and Chris Davis put Baltimore ahead 1-0.

A leadoff walk to Escobar and Bautista’s homer in the bottom of the inning gave Toronto a 2-1 lead.

Kyle Hudson bunted for a single and took on second on Alvarez’s throwing error to lead off the second. Shortstop Pedro Florimon, playing his first major-league game, also bunted but was called out on a close play that brought manager Buck Showalter out to argue.

Hudson took third on the sacrifice and scored on Matt Angle’s single.

Lawrie countered in the bottom of the second with his ninth homer since making his major-league debut in Baltimore on Aug. 5.

The Orioles tied it again in the third on Guerrero’s single and Davis’s double. Davis was thrown out at home by centre-fielder Wise on a single by Josh Bell.

NOTES: Attendance at Rogers Centre was 17,742.. ….Toronto DH Edwin Encarnacion didn’t play due to a left shoulder strain picked up when he struck out in the seventh inning of Friday’s 2-0 loss to Baltimore … Orioles centre-fielder Adam Jones did not start Saturday because his left ankle was swollen after taking a foul a ball Friday night … Dustin McGowan (0-0, 6.75 earned-run average) will make his first start for the Blue Jays since July 8, 2008 when he faces Tommy Hunter (3-3, 5.28 ERA) on Sunday.

 

 

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays couldn’t get anything going against Baltimore’s relievers for six full innings. But when Kevin Gregg came on to wrap up the save, the Orioles’ bullpen didn’t just bend, it broke.

Pinch-hitter J.P. Arencibia hit a game-winning single with two out in the ninth as the Blue Jays rallied to beat the Orioles 5-4 on Saturday, snapping Baltimore’s winning streak at three games.

“We had a chance to win the game, we were one out, one pitch away,” manager Buck Showalter said. “It’s a frustrated clubhouse right now.”

The blown save was Gregg’s seventh in 27 chances, and he’s failed in three of his past six opportunities.

“Every one of them is tough, no matter how it happens,” he Gregg said. “You don’t like walking off the field like that.”

Jose Bautista hit his major league-leading 41st home run, a two-run blast in the first, and Lawrie also went deep for the Blue Jays.

Jesse Litsch (6-3) pitched two innings for the win.

Trailing 4-3 to begin the inning, Toronto’s David Cooper struck out against Clay Rapada before Showalter called Gregg (0-3) in to finish. Gregg struck out Brett Lawrie but couldn’t wrap it up, walking Kelly Johnson, giving up a single to Jose Molina and hitting pinch-hitter Adam Loewen to load the bases. The closer then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Johnson to score the tying run. Arencibia followed with a game-winning single to left.

“We got into a situation there where we didn’t have much margin for error,” Showalter said.

The collapse came after five Orioles relievers had combined to pitch six no-hit innings, allowing just one walk.

“The guys did an outstanding job,” Gregg said. “The whole team put together a great effort and unfortunately I spoiled it at the end.”

After Rick VandenHurk left in the third, rookie Zach Phillips pitched 1 2-3 innings, Chris Jakubauskas worked one inning, Troy Patton went 2 1-3, Willie Eyre got one out and Clay Rapada got two outs.

“We were definitely aware of what was going on,” Jakubauskas said. “We knew that the innings were stacking up, scoreless-wise. Each guy who goes in, you feed off the last guy.”

The Orioles opened the scoring with three straight two-out singles in the first, matching the number of hits they collected in eight innings against Toronto right-hander Henderson Alvarez when he beat them at Baltimore on Aug. 31 for his first major league win. Nick Markakis and Vladimir Guerrero grounded singles to center before Chris Davis lined an RBI base hit to right.

The run snapped Alvarez’s scoreless innings streak at 14.

Toronto answered in the bottom half when Bautista hammered a 3-2 pitch into the second deck in left, scoring shortstop Yunel Escobar ahead of him.

An error by Alvarez helped Baltimore tie it in the second. Kyle Hudson reached on a bunt single and moved to second when Alvarez’s throw sailed into foul territory down the right field line. Pedro Florimon sacrificed Hudson to third and he scored on a two-out single by Matt Angle.

Toronto promptly reclaimed the lead when Lawrie homered to left on VandenHurk’s first pitch of the bottom half, his ninth.

Baltimore tied it again with another two-out rally in the third. Guerrero singled to right and scored when Davis doubled up the alley in right-center. Josh Bell followed with a single to center but Davis ran through third base coach John Russell’s stop sign and was thrown out at the plate for the third out.

Robert Andino doubled to begin the eighth against Litsch, took third on a grounder and scored when Guerrero doubled to center.

Guerrero went 3 for 4 and has eight hits in has past 13 at bats.

“Very quietly, he’s finishing with a little flurry,” Showalter said.

Making his first start of the season after two relief appearances, VandenHurk allowed three runs and three hits in 2 1-3 innings. He walked two and struck out one.

“I just didn’t throw enough strikes,” he said. “That’s what it comes down to.”

Alvarez allowed three runs and a season-high nine hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out four.

Escobar left in the second after being hit on the left elbow by a pitch from VandenHurk. He was replaced by Mike McCoy. X-rays were negative and Escobar is day-to-day.

NOTES: Orioles OF Adam Jones was scratched from the lineup with a sore left ankle. Jones fouled a ball of his ankle Friday night and it swelled up overnight, but Showalter said Jones might play Sunday. … Florimon made his major league debut. … Blue Jays OF prospect Melvin Garcia has been suspended 50 games for using a performance-enhancing substance. Garcia is the third Blue Jays minor leaguer to be suspended this season. RHP Aderly De La Cruz and LHP Luillyn Guillen received 50 games bans July 14.

AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese

Toronto Blue Jays’ Brett Lawrie balances on one leg after throwing out Kansas City Royals’ batter Melky Cabrera in the third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011.

Brett Lawrie hit a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning, Jose Bautista added his major league-leading 37th homer and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Wednesday night.
Jesse Litsch (5-3) pitched one scoreless inning of relief for the win. Frank Francisco worked ninth for his 11th save.
Melky Cabrera walked to begin the ninth and, after Billy Butler lined out, stole second. Francisco struck out Eric Hosmer and ended it by getting Jeff Francoeur to line out to right.
Louis Coleman (1-3) took the loss for the Royals, who have not won consecutive games since Aug. 3-4. Kansas City has won four of its past 16.
Lawrie broke a 3-3 tie with a leadoff blast to left in the seventh, his fourth. The rookie third baseman also hit an RBI triple in the fourth.
Toronto’s Ricky Romero came in with a 5-0 record and 0.89 ERA since July 27, tied for the most wins in the majors while compiling the best ERA in that span. But the left-hander wasn’t as sharp against Kansas City, giving up three runs and eight hits in six innings. That was as many earned runs as he had allowed in his previous three starts combined. Romero walked four and struck out three.
Romero hit Alex Gordon to begin the first and the Royals outfielder stole second before scoring on Butler’s double.
Gordon walked to open the third, moved to second on a grounder and came home on Butler’s RBI single.
Toronto scored three runs in the fourth. Yunel Escobar was hit by a pitch from right-hander Luke Hochevar and Bautista responded to a brushback by hitting a towering home run off the facing of the third deck in left.
One out later, Edwin Encarnacion singled and then scored on Lawrie’s triple to left-center.
Kansas City tied it when Gordon led off the fifth with a homer to right, his career-high 17th.
Like Romero, Hochevar didn’t figure in the decision, allowing three runs and four hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out five.
NOTES: With OF Colby Rasmus sidelined by a sore right wrist, Toronto recalled OF Darin Mastroianni from Triple-A Las Vegas and then he made his major league debut in CF. He went 0 for 2 with a sacrifice. … 2B Kelly Johnson, acquired in Tuesday’s trade with Arizona, did not join the Blue Jays on Wednesday. He is expected to arrive in time to start Thursday. … Kansas City LHP Jeff Francis (4-14) faces Toronto LHP Brett Cecil (4-6) in Thursday’s series finale.

Encarnacion has reached base safely in 16 of his past 28 plate appearances and is riding a season-high 13-game hitting streak. He’s hitting .409 (18 for 44) over that span.

“He feels very good at the plate and is obviously seeing the ball well,” Blue Jays manager John Farrell said. “He’s not expanding the strike zone, he’s getting good pitches to hit, and he has done an excellent job for us.”

Encarnacion, who did not speak to reporters, was batting .240 on July 6. He had a three-hit game the next night, a four-hit game the following night and hasn’t looked back since. He went 2 for 5 Sunday, boosting his average to .287.

“When you look at the total number of walks he has drawn since the All-Star break, it’s a drastic difference from the first half,” Farrell said.

Eighteen of Encarnacion’s 27 walks this season have come since the break.

Yunel Escobar walked to begin the 10th against Fernando Rodney (2-5). Mark Teahen struck out and Jose Bautista walked before Hisanori Takahashi came on to retire Adam Lind on a popup. Encarnacion followed with a base hit up the alley in left-center, scoring Escobar with the winning run as Encarnacion’s teammates ran out and mobbed him at second base.

“Not a good road trip,” Angels outfielder Torii Hunter said of a 2-4 swing through New York and Toronto. “We’ll just have to try and bounce back, starting tomorrow.”

Second in the AL West, the Angels return home Monday to open a four-game series against Texas. The Angels play the Rangers seven times in their next 12 games.

“It’s make or break here coming up,” starter Dan Haren said. “This is probably one of the toughest stretches of our schedule.”

Sunday’s defeat was the fifth time this season the Angels have lost when leading after eight innings.

“We feel that if we get leads on a consistent basis, we’re going to hold them,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “Our issue has been the margins by which we’ve been getting leads late has been very, very tight. With deep offenses, that one-run lead in the eighth or ninth puts a lot of pressure on guys.”

Jon Rauch (5-3) pitched one inning for Toronto.

Trailing 4-3 to begin the ninth against Angels closer Jordan Walden, Colby Rasmus hit a one-out double off the wall in right and scored when rookie Brett Lawrie followed with a double to center.

“I missed with a couple of fastballs,” Walden said. “I should have kept them down. One of those days, I guess.”

For Walden, the blown save was his major league-leading eighth of the season. He’s blown six on the road, also most in the big leagues.

Bautista hit his major-league leading 34th home run and Eric Thames also connected for the Blue Jays, who had lost six of 10 coming in.

“Jordan is still going through his growing pains as a closer,” Scioscia said. “He just couldn’t close out that ninth.”

TORONTO (AP) — Edwin Encarnacion has been doing it all for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Their hottest hitter came up with a game-winner Sunday, hitting an RBI single in the 10th inning and Toronto beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-4 in 10 innings.

Encarnacion has reached base safely in 16 of his past 28 plate appearances and is riding a season-high 13-game hitting streak. He’s hitting .409 (18 for 44) over that span.

“He feels very good at the plate and is obviously seeing the ball well,” Blue Jays manager John Farrell said. “He’s not expanding the strike zone, he’s getting good pitches to hit, and he has done an excellent job for us.”

Encarnacion, who did not speak to reporters, was batting .240 on July 6. He had a three-hit game the next night, a four-hit game the following night and hasn’t looked back since. He went 2 for 5 Sunday, boosting his average to .287.

“When you look at the total number of walks he has drawn since the All-Star break, it’s a drastic difference from the first half,” Farrell said.

Eighteen of Encarnacion’s 27 walks this season have come since the break.

Yunel Escobar walked to begin the 10th against Fernando Rodney (2-5). Mark Teahen struck out and Jose Bautista walked before Hisanori Takahashi came on to retire Adam Lind on a popup. Encarnacion followed with a base hit up the alley in left-center, scoring Escobar with the winning run as Encarnacion’s teammates ran out and mobbed him at second base.

“Not a good road trip,” Angels outfielder Torii Hunter said of a 2-4 swing through New York and Toronto. “We’ll just have to try and bounce back, starting tomorrow.”

Second in the AL West, the Angels return home Monday to open a four-game series against Texas. The Angels play the Rangers seven times in their next 12 games.

“It’s make or break here coming up,” starter Dan Haren said. “This is probably one of the toughest stretches of our schedule.”

Sunday’s defeat was the fifth time this season the Angels have lost when leading after eight innings.

“We feel that if we get leads on a consistent basis, we’re going to hold them,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “Our issue has been the margins by which we’ve been getting leads late has been very, very tight. With deep offenses, that one-run lead in the eighth or ninth puts a lot of pressure on guys.”

Jon Rauch (5-3) pitched one inning for Toronto.

Trailing 4-3 to begin the ninth against Angels closer Jordan Walden, Colby Rasmus hit a one-out double off the wall in right and scored when rookie Brett Lawrie followed with a double to center.

“I missed with a couple of fastballs,” Walden said. “I should have kept them down. One of those days, I guess.”

For Walden, the blown save was his major league-leading eighth of the season. He’s blown six on the road, also most in the big leagues.

Bautista hit his major-league leading 34th home run and Eric Thames also connected for the Blue Jays, who had lost six of 10 coming in.

“Jordan is still going through his growing pains as a closer,” Scioscia said. “He just couldn’t close out that ninth.”

Walden’s blown save spoiled a solid effort by Haren, who allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings. He walked none and struck out five.

The Angels opened the scoring with a two-out rally in the first. Bobby Abreu singled and came home when Hunter followed with a drive to left, his 15th.

Peter Bourjos tripled in the third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Alberto Callaspo but the Blue Jays closed the gap with two runs in the fourth.

Haren had set down the first 10 batters in order before Thames homered to right. Bautista followed with a drive to center, breaking a tie with New York Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson. It was the seventh time this season the Blue Jays have gone back-to-back.

Bautista had gone 3 for 28 with 11 strikeouts since his most recent homer, Aug. 4 at Tampa Bay.

The Angels made it 4-2 in the fifth on back-to-back doubles by Bobby Wilson and Bourjos but Toronto answered in the sixth when John McDonald doubled, took third on a fly ball and scored on an RBI groundout by Thames.

McDonald reached on an infield single to begin the eighth against Downs and moved to second on Yunel Escobar’s sacrifice. Rajai Davis pinch hit for Thames and hit a grounder to short, with McDonald getting thrown out at third. Davis tore his left hamstring while running to first, and was replaced by Mark Teahen.

Blue Jays left-hander Brett Cecil allowed four runs and five hits in seven innings, the fifth time in six starts he has worked at least seven. He walked none and struck out three.

NOTES: Davis was placed on the 15-day DL and the Blue Jays recalled Mike McCoy from Triple-A Las Vegas. … Angels C Jeff Mathis, who was hit on the left hand by a pitch Saturday, did not start. X-rays were negative. … Lawrie swiped third base in the ninth, his first career stolen base. … Toronto 2B Aaron Hill sat out his second straight game but GM Alex Anthopoulos insisted Hill has not lost his starting job. Hill is stuck in a 6 for 36 slump. McDonald made his second consecutive start in place of Hill. … The Blue Jays signed three picks from the June draft, including third-round pick RHP John Stilson.

The Toronto Blue Jays traded
outfielder Juan Rivera to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange
for a player to be named later or cash considerations, the
Major League Baseball team said on Tuesday.

Rivera, 33, appeared in 70 games for the Blue Jays this
season and had a .243 batting average with six home runs and 27
runs batted in.

He was acquired by the Blue Jays in January along with
catcher Mike Napoli from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in
exchange for outfielder Vernon Wells.

 

Yankees centre fielder Curtis Granderson only sits two home runs behind Toronto slugger Jose Bautista for the major-league lead. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

While Jose Bautista’s power this season isn’t a surprise, Curtis Granderson’s may be.

Baseball’s top home run hitters meet Monday night when Bautista and the Toronto Blue Jays open a three-game road series against Granderson’s New York Yankees.

Bautista has followed his major league-leading 54-homer campaign from 2010 with 18 this year to lead all players. The Yankees (25-20) know all about how he can impact a game since he has eight homers against them since the start of last season.

Granderson is two homers behind Bautista – no other AL player besides those two has more than 12. The Yankees centre fielder is on pace to shatter his career-high total of 30 set two seasons ago with Detroit.

New York is 3-2 against Toronto (23-23) this season, with Granderson going 8 for 21 with three homers and seven RBIs while Bautista has hit .313 with two home runs.

Both players went deep twice over the weekend. The Blue Jays lost two of three to Houston after a 3-2 loss Sunday while the Yankees posted a 9-3 win over the Mets to take two of three.

New York used an eight-run rally in the seventh inning to win the first edition of the Subway Series this year. Derek Jeter delivered a two-run game-tying single in the inning for his second hit of the game, leaving him 25 shy of 3,000.

“Sometimes things are contagious,” Jeter said, “and it seems like it was that inning.”

The Yankees captain is 2 for 21 against Toronto this year.

Alex Rodriguez had four hits and is 13 for 27 over his last six games. The third baseman’s .149 average against the Blue Jays since the start of 2010 is his lowest against any opponent.

Toronto is seeking to win five straight on the road for the first time since May 3-7, 2010.

The Blue Jays will have reliever Jon Rauch available again after he allowed three runs over 1 1-3 innings in appearances Friday and Saturday, and was rested Sunday. Infielder John McDonald is scheduled to rejoin the team after missing the last two games for personal reasons.

The Yankees will start Bartolo Colon (2-2, 3.16 ERA), who joined the rotation April 20 by allowing two runs over 6 2-3 innings to earn a 6-2 victory at Toronto. That was his first start since July 24, 2009.

The veteran right-hander is coming off his best outing of the year, throwing eight scoreless innings of three-hit ball Wednesday before Mariano Rivera blew a save in a 4-1, 15-inning victory at Baltimore.

Bautista has a single in five career at-bats against Colon.

Toronto’s Carlos Villanueva (1-0, 1.48) will make his first start since Aug. 17, 2009. He’s replacing Jesse Litsch, placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday due to a right shoulder impingement.

Villanueva went 6-12 with a 4.81 ERA in 27 career starts with Milwaukee, the team with which he spent his first five seasons before joining Toronto this year. Manager John Farrell indicated the right-hander will be on a pitch count.

“I think every pitcher that has done both [relief and starting roles] would rather start,” Farrell told the Blue Jays’ official website. “He’s looking forward to the opportunity.”

Villanueva has thrown two scoreless innings of relief against New York this year. Granderson has a double in five at-bats against him.

TORONTO — While the Toronto Blue Jays appear to have a promising future, it’s hard to predict when this team will be ready to contend in the American League East.

The Jays won 85 games last season, a 10-game improvement on 2009. They led the major leagues with 257 home runs and relied on a young rotation that was able to overcome the departure of longtime ace Roy Halladay.

It was still only good enough for fourth place in the division behind the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The Baltimore Orioles were last, but are hoping to build on their late-season resurgence after Buck Showalter was hired as manager.

This year, the Blue Jays have their own new manager in John Farrell, who spent the four previous seasons as Boston’s pitching coach. He takes over from Cito Gaston, who retired at the end of last season.

Toronto has been mired in a long post-season drought since winning a second straight World Series title back in 1993. There are several big questions marks with the 2011 season about to begin.

Among them: Will the young rotation continue to develop? Is Jose Bautista more than a one-year wonder? Can Aaron Hill and Adam Lind become useful hitters again? Is Lind a first baseman? Is J.P. Arencibia a full-time catcher? Will the team defence be good enough? Will Travis Snider have a breakthrough season? Who replaces Kevin Gregg’s 37 saves? Who replaces Scott Downs in the bullpen?

The Blue Jays’ home run total is a good bet to come down this season. Bautista led the major leagues with 54 homers last year but Vernon Wells (31 homers), Lyle Overbay (20) and John Buck (20) are gone.

While players such as speedy centre-fielder Rajai Davis were acquired in the off-season to create a more balanced offence, there should still be some pop in the lineup.

Bautista is back with a big new contract and even though they struggled last year, Lind and Hill still hit 23 and 26 homers respectively. A slimmed-down Edwin Encarnacion also returns — he hit 21 homers in limited playing time in 2010. Snider, who will be the regular left-fielder, can also go deep if he avoids injury. And while Davis stole 50 bases last year with Oakland, he showed this spring he can hit for extra bases under the guidance of hitting coach Dwayne Murphy.

The win total could also drop in 2011, something that might not be considered a setback for a rebuilding team that continues to acquire and break in young players.

Arencibia will be given his first chance as the regular catcher this season after an MVP campaign in the triple-A Pacific Coast League last season. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said the youngster will be given a full opportunity.

“With young players you know it’s going to take a little bit of time and you have to stick with them for a while,” Anthopoulos said. “You need to stick with them for a certain period of time but if you feel like they get to a point that they’re drowning you just get them out of here to clear their heads.”

Another rookie, right-hander Kyle Drabek, will open the season in the starting rotation after earning pitcher of the year honours in the double-A Eastern League in 2010. The rotation also got younger when Shaun Marcum was traded to Milwaukee for infielder Brett Lawrie of Langley, B.C., who will start the season at triple-A Las Vegas despite an impressive spring.

Right-handed starter Brandon Morrow, who was having a superb spring after a promising 2010, opens the season on the disabled list due to mild inflammation in the flexor muscle of his right elbow. It`s not considered serious and might cost him only one or two starts.

In the meantime, Drabek moves into Morrow’s No. 2 spot in the rotation behind left-hander Ricky Romero, who will start Friday`s season opener (Rogers Sportsnet, 7 p.m.) against the visiting Minnesota Twins.

Left-hander Brett Cecil goes third in the rotation, ahead of left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes and right-hander Jesse Litsch. Reyes, who was acquired with shortstop Yunel Escobar in a trade last July with Atlanta, is another newcomer to the rotation. He has 41 career major-league appearances.

The revamped bullpen could see some changes early in the season once projected closer Frank Francisco (chest, biceps) and Octavio Dotel (hamstring) return. Right-hander Jon Rauch will serve as the closer while Francisco is out. Joining him in the bullpen are right-handers Jason Frasor, Shawn Camp, Casey Janssen, Carlos Villanueva and left-handers David Purcey and Marc Rzepczynski.

Corey Patterson will be the fourth outfielder and Mike McCoy will serve as a utility player. John McDonald will be the backup infielder while the experienced Jose Molina is expected to handle pitchers like Morrow, Drabek and Reyes.

Outfielder Scott Podsednik, who is signed to a minor-league contract, arrived at camp with plantar fasciitis in his left foot and is still out.

Escobar had an impressive spring training at the plate and plays reasonably well at shortstop. He also knows how to move runners from the No. 2 spot in the lineup.

The right side could be interesting as Hill comes back from a quadriceps injury that cost him a chunk of playing time during spring training. It could limit his range in the early part of the season, even though he was showing rapid improvement as the exhibition season came to a close.

Lind, who has been an outfielder and designated hitter, will get a shot at first base this season. He still needs to learn some of the nuances of the position but could be a good fit if he posts the numbers he put up in 2009. Encarnacion will play third base despite his inconsistent play at the position. He could also back up Lind at first.

Third base could become a focal point if Lawrie gets off to a strong start at Las Vegas. Only 21, Lawrie made a strong impression at spring training before being sent to the minor-league camp. He made a smooth transition to third base after playing second base last season at double-A for the Brewers.

“He’s going to be an outstanding player,” Murphy said. “I like his swing. I think he’s going to be an explosive, powerful hitter.”

One of the ongoing stories of the Blue Jays’ spring training was the quality of the organization’s prospects. Not all will be successful, but several players look like good bets to make an impact down the road.

Prospects like outfielder Eric Thames, first baseman David Cooper, catcher Brian Jeroloman and right-hander Zach Stewart might not be far from the majors. Speedy outfielder Anthony Gose, catcher Travis d’Arnaud, infielder Adeiny Hechavarria and right-handers Henderson Alvarez, Chad Jenkins and Deck McGuire are farther away but give hope for the future.

“When you look at the guys who are the core young players on their way up, this organization is in a very good position,” Farrell said. “It’s a healthy one for sure.”

DUNEDIN, Fla. — John Farrell was impressed by the young talent on the Toronto Blue Jays when he took the job as manager.

With his first spring training winding down, he likes that young talent even more.

“I think there’s been the realization that there’s a greater quantity of quality prospects than first thought,” Farrell said Sunday.

Two of the prospects that fall in that group are outfielder Eric Thames and first baseman David Cooper, who were sent to the minor-league camp Sunday after taking advantage of extended playing time at the major-league camp.

“Both made very positive impressions,” said Farrell. “They were here in camp this long because they earned the right to stay here. And they earned the ability to get regular at-bats. I think Eric Thames led the club in spring training at-bats and deservedly so.”

In 57 at-bats this spring, Thames was batting .228 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. He appreciated the experience.

“It means a lot,” said Thames. “The coaches want to see what I can do out here so I got a lot of starts. Hopefully, it’s a sign for the future in the next few months, fingers crossed.”

Thames introduced yoga into his workout program before last season and the improved flexibility helped him avoid the injuries that knocked him down to the seventh round of the 2008 draft and hampered him in his first professional season in 2009.

In 2010, he batted .288 with 27 homers and 104 RBIs at double-A New Hampshire. He’ll start this season at triple-A Las Vegas.

“He’ll go to Vegas, knowing that he’s walked out of here with a very good impression left behind,” said Farrell.

Cooper, a first-round draft pick in 2008, batted .333 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 42 spring training at-bats. He also turned heads.

“A very classic left-handed swing,” said Farrell. “He’s put up some very good at-bats against left-handers. I think he’s felt more comfortable as camp went on. I think his confidence is growing.”

Hitting coach Dwayne Murphy’s approach of looking for a certain pitch in a certain zone and then driving that pitch suits Cooper.

“I like it a lot,” he said. “I like the aggressiveness. I’m a hundred per cent on board for that.”

At the minor-league camp, Thames and Cooper will join a group of prospects sent down earlier that includes third baseman Brett Lawrie of Langley, B.C., who was one of the most impressive players at spring training and could soon be in the majors.

In 39 at-bats in major-league spring training games, Lawrie hit .282 with two homers and six RBIs. He was a second baseman in the Milwaukee Brewers’ organization last year.

After the Blue Jays obtained him for pitcher Shaun Marcum last December, they converted Lawrie to third base and he made the move seamlessly.

Among the other prospects who have made a good impression this spring are outfielder Anthony Gose, who stole nine bases in 10 attempts, catcher Travis d’Arnaud, infielder Adeiny Hechavarria and pitchers Zach Stewart, Henderson Alvarez, Chad Jenkins and Deck McGuire.

“There’s a lot of athleticism and there’s a lot of arm strength with pitchers that have been in here,” said Farrell. “When you look at the guys who are the core young players on their way up, this organization is in a very good position.”

In another development, outfielder Corey Patterson seemed to be ready to return to competition soon after he was hit on the back of his helmet in the eighth inning of Friday’s game by Boston Red Sox reliever Daniel Bard.

He was taken to hospital and a CT scan was negative. Further tests on Saturday revealed no apparent concussion. He did some exertion tests on Sunday to make sure there were no symptoms and could return to playing on Monday or Tuesday.

Right-hander Jesse Litsch, who was taken to hospital after becoming dehydrated during his outing against the Red Sox, was back with the team on Saturday and feeling no ill effects.

The Blue Jays also sent pitchers Winston Abreu, Chad Cordero, Sean Henn, Mike Hinckley, Wilfredo Ledezma and Rommie Lewis to minor-league camp on Sunday.

That left 32 players in the major-league camp, including right-hander Brandon Morrow (elbow) who is on the disabled list and right-handed relievers Frank Francisco (chest and bicep) and Octavio Dotel (hamstring) who are also expected to open the season on the DL.

The season opens April 1 at Rogers Centre against the Minnesota Twins.

DUNEDIN, Fla. – John Farrell was impressed by the young talent on the Toronto Blue Jays when he took the job as manager.

With his first spring training winding down, he likes that young talent even more.

“I think there’s been the realization that there’s a greater quantity of quality prospects than first thought,” Farrell said Sunday.

Two of the prospects that fall in that group are outfielder Eric Thames and first baseman David Cooper, who were sent to the minor-league camp Sunday after taking advantage of extended playing time at the major-league camp.

“Both made very positive impressions,” said Farrell. “They were here in camp this long because they earned the right to stay here. And they earned the ability to get regular at-bats. I think Eric Thames led the club in spring training at-bats and deservedly so.”

In 57 at-bats this spring, Thames was batting .228 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. He appreciated the experience.

“It means a lot,” said Thames. “The coaches want to see what I can do out here so I got a lot of starts. Hopefully, it’s a sign for the future in the next few months, fingers crossed.”

Thames introduced yoga into his workout program before last season and the improved flexibility helped him avoid the injuries that knocked him down to the seventh round of the 2008 draft and hampered him in his first professional season in 2009.

In 2010, he batted .288 with 27 homers and 104 RBIs at double-A New Hampshire. He’ll start this season at triple-A Las Vegas.

“He’ll go to Vegas, knowing that he’s walked out of here with a very good impression left behind,” said Farrell.

Cooper, a first-round draft pick in 2008, batted .333 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 42 spring training at-bats. He also turned heads.

“A very classic left-handed swing,” said Farrell. “He’s put up some very good at-bats against left-handers. I think he’s felt more comfortable as camp went on. I think his confidence is growing.”

Hitting coach Dwayne Murphy’s approach of looking for a certain pitch in a certain zone and then driving that pitch suits Cooper.

“I like it a lot,” he said. “I like the aggressiveness. I’m a hundred per cent on board for that.”

At the minor-league camp, Thames and Cooper will join a group of prospects sent down earlier that includes third baseman Brett Lawrie of Langley, B.C., who was one of the most impressive players at spring training and could soon be in the majors.

In 39 at-bats in major-league spring training games, Lawrie hit .282 with two homers and six RBIs. He was a second baseman in the Milwaukee Brewers’ organization last year.

After the Blue Jays obtained him for pitcher Shaun Marcum last December, they converted Lawrie to third base and he made the move seamlessly.

Among the other prospects who have made a good impression this spring are outfielder Anthony Gose, who stole nine bases in 10 attempts, catcher Travis d’Arnaud, infielder Adeiny Hechavarria and pitchers Zach Stewart, Henderson Alvarez, Chad Jenkins and Deck McGuire.

“There’s a lot of athleticism and there’s a lot of arm strength with pitchers that have been in here,” said Farrell. “When you look at the guys who are the core young players on their way up, this organization is in a very good position.”

In another development, outfielder Corey Patterson seemed to be ready to return to competition soon after he was hit on the back of his helmet in the eighth inning of Friday’s game by Boston Red Sox reliever Daniel Bard.

He was taken to hospital and a CT scan was negative. Further tests on Saturday revealed no apparent concussion. He did some exertion tests on Sunday to make sure there were no symptoms and could return to playing on Monday or Tuesday.

Right-hander Jesse Litsch, who was taken to hospital after becoming dehydrated during his outing against the Red Sox, was back with the team on Saturday and feeling no ill effects.

The Blue Jays also sent pitchers Winston Abreu, Chad Cordero, Sean Henn, Mike Hinckley, Wilfredo Ledezma and Rommie Lewis to minor-league camp on Sunday.

That left 32 players in the major-league camp, including right-hander Brandon Morrow (elbow) who is on the disabled list and right-handed relievers Frank Francisco (chest and bicep) and Octavio Dotel (hamstring) who are also expected to open the season on the DL.

The season opens April 1 at Rogers Centre against the Minnesota Twins.

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) Jose Bautista is ready to prove he’s much more than a one-year wonder.

The Toronto Blue Jays are counting on it.

After leading the major leagues with a team-record 54 home runs last season, Bautista finalized a $65 million, five-year contract with Toronto on Thursday. By making that kind of commitment, the Blue Jays are banking long-term on Bautista, who had never hit more than 16 homers before last year.

“If we can’t bet on him, we can’t bet on anybody. That’s what it really came down to,” general manager Alex Anthopoulos said at a news conference to announce the deal.

Scott Podsednik swiped a combined 35 bases last season for the Dodgers and Royals. He also hit .297 with six home runs and 51 runs batted in over 134 games. (Harry How/Getty Images)

The Toronto Blue Jays provided some competition for projected leadoff hitter Rajai Davis and potentially filled their third-base vacancy with Wednesday’s signing of free-agent outfielder Scott Podsednik to a minor league deal.

He’s coming off a second consecutive solid season at the plate, combining for a .297 batting average, six home runs, 51 runs batted in and 35 stolen bases with the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers.

“He hasn’t been promised anything or assured of anything,” general manager Alex Anthopoulos said on a conference call. “He’s someone who is going to come in and compete to make the team and for right now, it’s to compete to win a spot on the bench.

“Again, we have the opportunity with playing time and his performance that things can certainly change.”

The 34-year-old Podsednik, who joins his fifth team in four seasons, seems to be getting better with age. He fared better with Kansas City in 2010, hitting .310 in 95 contests with a .353 on-base percentage and 30 steals.

The six-foot, Podsednik also doesn’t strike out much, having whiffed 83 times and drawing 40 walks.

In 2009, the speedster was a .304 hitter with a .353 OBP and 30 steals in 132 games with the Chicago White Sox. Podsednik struck out only 74 times that season to go with 39 walks.

Podsednik has also played for the Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners since entering the major leagues in 2001.

“Everything we’ve been told is he’s a great teammate, great worker, a player of high character and high integrity,” said Anthopoulos. “He even talked to me on the phone, he prides himself, his exact words, ‘On being a pro,’ quote unquote.

“So Scott Podsednik’s mindset, from my interactions with him, is outstanding and he’s excited to be here.”

Davis, whom the Blue Jays acquired in November for a pair of prospects, posted a .284 average and .320 OBP with 50 thefts with Oakland a year ago. He will be the team’s starting centre-fielder, replacing the recently traded Vernon Wells, but could be dropped in rookie manager John Farrell’s batting order.

With a potential outfield of Podsednik, Davis and Travis Snider left to right, that leaves Juan Rivera in a reserve role or trade bait while last year’s starting right-fielder Jose Bautista could return to third. Edwin Encarnacion, who spend most of his time at the designated hitter position, would back up Bautista at the hot corner.

Anthopoulos was able to complete the Podsednik signing while also discussing a multi-year contract extension with Bautista’s representatives.

Bautista, who led the major leagues with 54 home runs last season, will either sign a multi-year deal or get a one-year contract through a hearing reportedly scheduled for Friday, the final day of arbitration.

Bautista is seeking $10.5 million US while the club responded at $7.6 million and the arbitrator must choose one or the other.

With files from Canadian Press

TORONTO Major league home-run leader Jose Bautista’s arbitration hearing slated for Monday has been shelved to enable more contract talks with the Toronto Blue Jays.

“Our arbitration hearing with Jose Bautista has been postponed to allow further negotiation between the player and the club,” Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said in a brief statement.

“As it is the Blue Jays policy not to discuss contract negotiations, I will not be making any further comments regarding Jose Bautista until an agreement is reached or the conclusion of the arbitration process.”

The Blue Jays slugger had reportedly asked for a one-year deal worth $10.5 million US in arbitration. The team responded with a figure of $7.6 million.

Bautista, 30, is eligible to become a free agent after next season.

He led the major leagues with 54 home runs last season and hit .260 with 124 RBIs.

The Canadian Press

January 26, 2011 – Pacific Coast League (PCL) Las Vegas 51s

TORONTO — The accolades continue to roll in for the Blue Jays’ revamped Minor League system.

Three members of Toronto’s young core — Kyle Drabek, Brett Lawrie and J.P. Arencibia — were among the players who made the cut Tuesday night for MLB.com’s Top 50 Prospect rankings.

Drabek was the highest-ranked Blue Jay on the list at No. 12 overall. The native of Texas moved up four spots on the list from last year after going 14-9 with a 2.94 ERA for Double-A New Hampshire in 2010. Drabek struck out 132 batters while walking 68 and allowing just 12 home runs over 162 innings.

The 23-year-old also got his first taste of the Major Leagues last season. He received a September callup from the club and proceeded to make three starts for the Blue Jays. The former first-round Draft pick didn’t allow more than three runs in any of his appearances, but he failed to earn his first victory.

Drabek, who will likely begin the season as the Blue Jays’ No. 4 starter, was also named the third-best right-handed pitching prospect in the game. The Eastern League’s Pitcher of the Year possesses a devastating curveball and is expected to work with pitching coach Bruce Walton to improve his changeup, which already is an above-average pitch.

Lawrie, who was acquired from the Brewers on Dec. 6 in exchange for Shaun Marcum, ranks 28th on MLB.com’s list of top prospects. Last year, Lawrie attended his second consecutive XM All-Star Futures Game and finished the season batting .285, with eight home runs and 63 RBIs while playing for Double-A Huntsville.

The 21-year-old infielder’s success came as one of the youngest regulars in the Southern League. Although the power numbers weren’t where he had hoped, Lawrie recorded 36 doubles and 16 triples in a league that is notoriously tough on hitters.

The always confident Lawrie has talked openly about his desire to be fast-tracked to the Major Leagues, but he is expected to start the season with Triple-A Las Vegas. He likely will begin transitioning to third base with the 51s and should be ready to contribute at the Major League level by 2012.

Arencibia cracks the Top 50 list for the first time in his career following an impressive season with Triple-A Las Vegas. He recorded a .301 average, with 32 home runs and 85 RBIs en route to winning the Pacific Coast League’s Most Valuable Player Award.

The 24-year-old also made headlines with a historic Major League debut on Aug. 7. Arencibia homered on the first pitch he saw from Rays starter James Shields, and before the day was over, Arencibia would add another home run and finish the game 4-for-5 with a double and three RBIs. He became just the fifth player in Major League history to hit two home runs in his first game, and the 107th to record a home run in his first at-bat.

The next challenge for Arencibia will be securing a regular role with the Blue Jays. He is expected to take over the starting reins from the departed John Buck, but Arencibia will also face stiff competition from backup Mike Napoli. Despite being a rookie, Arencibia does have the advantage of having caught a lot of Toronto’s young staff as he advanced through the club’s Minor League system.

Two other Blue Jays prospects — Adeiny Hechavarria and Travis d’Arnaud — finished among the top-ranked players at their respective positions but did not crack MLB.com’s Top 50 list.

The 21-year-old d’Arnaud is ranked as the ninth-best catcher in the Minor Leagues. The native of California posted a .259 average with six home runs and 38 RBIs in 71 games for Class A Dunedin. His season was cut short because of a back injury, but it was not considered serious and d’Arnaud is expected to begin the season pain free.

The club plans to give him the opportunity to advance to Double-A New Hampshire, where he will work closely with manager — and former Major League catcher — Sal Fasano. d’Arnaud was acquired as part of the deal that sent ace Roy Halladay to Philadelphia in December 2009.

Hechavarria makes the list of top shortstop prospects at No. 7. The 21-year-old native of Cuba signed a four-year, $10 million contract with the Blue Jays in April. He got off to a slow start with Class A Dunedin, but Hechavarria started to excel later in the year while playing for New Hampshire.

In 61 games at Double-A, he hit .273 with three home runs, 34 RBIs and six stolen bases. His bat was a little inconsistent, but on the field, he showed the type of skill-set that is expected to eventually make him a top defender.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

By Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com | 12/21/10 12:49 PM EST

TORONTO — The Blue Jays completed some last minute holiday shopping Tuesday morning by signing outfielder Corey Patterson and five other players to Minor League contracts with invites to Spring Training.

The 31-year-old Patterson spent last season with the Orioles, hitting .269 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs in 90 games. During an 11-year career, Patterson has hit .253 with 112 home runs and 395 RBIs.

If the Blue Jays opt to use Jose Bautista at third base and start Rajai Davis in the outfield, that would open up a bench role for Patterson. The native of Atlanta has the ability to play all three outfield positions and his career 205 stolen bases would provide the Blue Jays with another element of speed.

Toronto also announced the signings of five other players to Minor League contracts — catcher Ryan Budde, left-handers Sean Henn and Mike Hinckley and right-handers Winston Abreu and Brian Stokes.

Budde spent last year playing for Triple-A Salt Lake in the Angels’ organization. He hit .244 with one home run and 13 RBIs for the club while also appearing in six games with the Angels. In 29 career Major League games, Budde has posted a .212 average with one home run and four RBIs.

The 31-year-old Budde will provide the Blue Jays with more depth behind the plate. J.P. Arencibia and Jose Molina are expected to start the year in the Major Leagues, while Budde will join Brian Jeroloman as candidates to replace the two catchers if any injuries occur during the season.

In the bullpen, Toronto currently has right-handers Jason Frasor, Shawn Camp and Casey Janssen and left-hander David Purcey penciled in as its top relievers. The club continues to explore the possibility of adding a closer, but for now, the favorites for the remaining three spots include Carlos Villanueva, Jesse Carlsson and Josh Roenicke. The four new recruits will be added to that mix in Spring Training.

Abreu joins the Blue Jays from the Tampa Bay organization. He went 0-4 with a 2.28 ERA in 51 appearances for Triple-A Durham. The Dominican native has appeared in 38 Major League games, going 0-1 with a 7.31 ERA.

The 31-year-old Stokes made 16 appearances for the Angels last season and finished with a 8.10 ERA in 16 2/3 innings. In five seasons, the California native has a career record of 6-11 with a 5.27 ERA.

Hinckley, 28, split last season with Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. The left-hander has appeared in 28 Major League games, posting a 1.93 ERA in 28 appearances with the Nationals during 2008-09.

Henn rejoins the Blue Jays’ organization after spending last season pitching for their Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas. The 29-year-old went 3-4 with two saves and a 4.73 ERA. He has appeared in 60 Major League games, posting a 2-9 record with a 7.56 ERA.