Halos and Jays split

9/8 – Edison Int. Field, Time 3:15,  88ø

GAME 1 – Angels 5, Blue Jays 0

Scott Schoenewis was so good, he pitched for both teams in this contest.  The version that plays for Anaheim was much better going 7 inning, not allowing a run and only allowing 3 hits.  Even more incredible is the fact that Anaheim’s Schoeneweis (2-2, 1.97) seems to normally not get any run support from a team with a ton of long ball hitters.  This game looked to be the same as he only had 2 over the first 7, until the Halos exploded for 3 in the bottom of the 7th.  Even more frustrated must be Pete Walker (2-2, 1.98), who needs to be Koufax or Seaver every time out to win.   Mo Vaughn hit his 6th homer of the season for Anaheim in the bottom of the 6th to make it 2-0 at the time.  Brandon League of Toronto was tossed in the 7th for arguing balls and strikes and saying the magic 4 letter word.

9/9 - Edison Int. Field, Time 3:29,  83ø

GAME 2 – Angels 8, Blue Jays 0

Kent Bottenfield (2-2, 3.08) didn’t have to do much other than switch on cruise control in this laugher.  Anaheim had a 4-o lead over an ineffective Dave Bush (7 runs in 6.2 IP).  Tim Salmon finally hit his first homer of this frustrating season where Anaheim’s power has been almost non-existent.  Salmon’s homer was his only hit in 4 plate appearances as he was walked in the other 3.  Scott Spiezio, who replaced Vaughn late in the game for defense, had 2 RBI in his one trip to the batter’s box.  Brandon League returned to action after being tossed the night before and did not have any incidents.

9/10 - Rogers Ctr, Time 3:35,  Double Header
GAME 3 – Blue Jays 5, Angels 4 (11 inn)

Ramon Ortiz had a 3-0 lead after 3 innings, but could not protect it as the desperate Blue Jays wanted to show their home town fans that they had not abandoned the season.  Gregg Zaun hit a solo shot in the 5th to get the Jays on the board.  In the 6th Toronto took the lead by posting 3 big runs.  Alex Rios doubled home Orlando Hudson for the first run.  Eric Hinske doubled home Rios for the next run and advanced to third when Tim Salmon’s throw overshot the cutoff man.  That allowed Hinske to score on a sac fly by Catalanotto to make it 4-3 Jays.  Salmon atoned for his sins by slamming a solo shot to lead off the 8th.  That round tripper tied the game, which eventually went into extra innings.  Eric Hinske’s walkoff homer to lead off the 11th ended it and set the tone for the Jays to possibly sweep the doubleheader and even the 4 game set.

GAME 4 – Blue Jays 3, Angels 1

Jays manager Justin Ryan was quoted as saying, “Roy  Halladay (3-2, 1.18) has pitched good enough to be 5-0.  This team just doesn’t hit for him”.  While that may true on most days the Jays actually hit just enough to allow “Doc” to win his 3rd of the season and sweep the doubleheader.  Toronto drew first blood when Vernon Wells led off the bottom of the 2nd with a solo shot off of Angel starter Jarred Washburn.  That would be the only run that Washburn would yield on the day.  In fact there would be no further scoring until Anaheim tied it in the top of the 8th with a 2 out RBI single by Orlando Palmeiro that scored Kevin Stocker who was on 2nd by way of a 2 out double.  At this point Halladay figured he was going to get at best another no decision or possibly an undeserved loss.  His teammates rewarded him with 2 run in the bottom of the frame thanks to a 2 run homer by Frank Catalanotto.  That was all that the great “Doc” Holladay would need as the Halos went down in order in the 9th.