Blue Jays vs. Red Sox

Wendy's mom Kathy and I snuck off to a Toronto Blue Jays game yesterday afternoon. We went together a couple of years ago too---when the Jays lost to the Yankees after 17 innings. Yesterday's game against the Boston Red Sox didn't go that long, and it was a good one, except for the fact that the Jays lost 6-3. They had several chances to win with players in scoring position, but couldn't seem to get them in.

A couple highlights were seeing Boston's David Ortiz ("Big Papi") slam a three-run home run into left field in the first inning. Later in the game Big Papi laid down a bunt to the third base side against an infield that always shifts ridicously to the first base side when he bats. It was an easy infield single, even with the not-so-blazing speed of the big man. Anyone who follows baseball will know what I'm talking about. Toronto catcher Gregg Zaun also hit a three-run homer and later nearly tied the game with long fly ball to the right-centre gap with two men on. Boston right fielder Trot Nixon made a great running catch right at the wall to get Boston out of the inning.

Pictures: (Top:) Boston's Manny Ramirez at bat---one of my favourite players even though he plays for Boston. He's "different." (Middle:) The Jays' slugger Vernon Wells up to bat in the bottom of the ninth with two men on. He struck out. (Bottom:) Kathy and I at the game. I had a great time and might have looked a little happier for the picture except that 1) the Jays were losing, 2) there was a wild screaming woman in our section that was blowing our eardrums out the whole game, but at least she was a Jays fan, and 3) the stadium was about half filled with Boston Red Sox fans who cheered loudly everytime the Red Sox did something good. That was depressing. But all in all, the Jays look good this year---they did beat Boston 2 out of 3 times this weekend---so watch for them to take the division this year. That's pretty optimistic when they share the same division as the Yankees and Red Sox, but nevertheless, MARK MY WORDS!

P.S. Here is a link to a Toronto Star article about Ortiz's bunt.