A's (4-5) @ Blue Jays (8-3)

A's take to the east coast for the first time this year, facing off against the team with the best record in the AL, whodathunk, the Blue Jays, eh? Usually whenever the A's come in to the SkyDome (I refuse to now call it by it's new name - damn corporate branding, that's a whole other topic), they take it to the BJ's - with the exception of the last trip in last year where they got swept in 4 games, after sweeping a 3 game series in Toronto the first time around. Hopefully if there's any sweeping, it'll be the A's holding the broom this go-round. Outman, acquired from the Phillies in the Blanton deal, takes the mound.

Outman (0-1) vs. Purcey (0-1) - First Pitch: 7:09

7:01 - Rogers SportsNet on the call tonight, HD Game #: 8/9.
7:02 - The color dude's name is, wait for it, wait for it... RANCE. Never have and probably never will see anybody with that name again in my lifetime. Has to be Canadian.
7:05 - Lineup: Nomar DHing, Cros back at 3bag, the Jack Cust Fielding Adventure showcased in RF tonight with Buck hitting the bench.
7:06 - A's @ Blue Jays always brings back memories of trips past. Used to be one of the only people hanging out by the A's dugout, running down to get the best autograph spot next to the dugout as soon as the gates opened. Got many a autograph in my time, the first ever being Tony LaRussa, and probably my favorite all time in person auto from my favorite player back in the day, Mark McGwire. Dude was massive. Not sure who I looked smaller standing next to, him or Frank Thomas.
7:09 - BJ's wearin all powder blue uni's. Not a fan of this getup. Puke. Wouldn't be as bad if they had a different color pant. There's not even any buttons on the jersey, they're pullover. And their BJ logo is directly in the middle on the stomach. Listen to me, I sound like a flamer right now.
7:10 - In other news, I received a nice gift last night: Blackhawks won their first playoff game in OT, for the first time in 7 years. Figured I'd bring up hockey seeing how we're in the home of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Interestingly enough, the only major sport's hall of fame I've ever been to. Cool place for sure. I still can't believe I've never been to Cooperstown... kinda weird.
7:15 - A's with a Sweeney BB, OCab single to start the game. Giambi up with RISP, anddd P5 in foul territory.
7:19 - Holliday 5-3 RBI, 1-0.
7:25 - Marcooooooo...... Scutaroooooooo. Leadoff HR, now with more HR's than the whole A's team (4). 1-1. Great start for Outman, Hill singles on the next pitch.
7:27 - "Alex" Rios grounds into the 6-4-3 DP. Something that really irk's me is how suddenly Rios' first name changed from "Alexis" to now just "Alex". How'd that happen? Guess he was sick of having a girls first name.
7:29 - Outman is however wearing the sick 'stirrup' style socks, instead of the usual one color. Don't see many guys sportin that style anymore. Even better is the fact that the stirrups aren't part of the sock.
7:34 - Rolen almost goes 3 run job but falls short. End of 1: 1-1-0 | 1-4-0
7:45 - 2 out walk from Ellis is all the A's manage in the 2nd.
7:54 - Sweeney HBP, steals a bag, Giambi K, Holliday F9.
8:00 - Hill follows a Scutaro BB with a bomb to LF. 1-3. Ellis follows that with a rare error.
8:09 - Outman not looking good, BB to Wells. Nuke joining me for tonights game - notes Outman's arm hair. I mentioned this to him last year or the year before, something you never really noticed before HD telecasts - most MLB players seem to shave their arm hair. Once you've noticed this, you'll never watch the game in the same way.
8:17 - "Look at those eyes." Yes, the announcer is talking about Kevin Millar. Who doubles home 2 runs after Outman had b2b K's. 1-5. Official scorekeep gives Sweeney a BS error on the play. Barrett F9. End of 3: 1-1-2 | 5-5-0
8:24 - Cust beats the shift, single to RF - extends the OB streak.
8:27 - BJ's sport their own version of the "Diamond Level" seats. Can't be close to the A's DL experience though, can't imagine anything coming close to that. Suzuki single to LF, Cust was on the move or woulda been a inning ender.
8:34 - Crosby finally comes through, bases clearing TRIPLE. Big hit right there, this game was close to being over early. 4-5. And Scutaro robs Sweeney of a hit up the middle, or we'd be tied.
8:36 - And DING, we're tied on a wild pitch, which in turn takes out Barrett who falls in a crumpled heap on top of a bat donut in the on deck circle. HAHA. 5-5. Purcey exits for Carlson and his StarTrekian ears enter.
8:55 - 5-3, K, BB, K. End of 4: 5-4-2 | 5-5-0
9:02 - 3U, F8, Cust HBP, F9.
9:05 - Outman out, Bailey in.
9:07 - Don't think these announcers could get any drier. That's how they dooze it north of the border.
9:09 - P3, K, K. Bailey has been superb to start his ML career. End of 5: 5-4-2 | 5-5-0
9:26 - 1-3, K, K. Bailey mowin 'em down. End of 6: 5-4-2 | 5-5-0
9:32 - OCab BB, Giambi F7, Holliday lines one into the gap. OCab scores, Holliday out at 3rd trying to stretch to a triple but we'llll take it. 6-5
9:36 - Bailey out, Wuertz in trying for the H.
9:43 - Wuertz 1-2-3. End of 7: 6-5-2 | 5-5-0
9:50 - Suzuki doubles over Wells' head in CF, Ellis follows that with a single to CF. Boingo insurance run. 7-5
9:54 - Sweeney FC, RBI. 8-5
10:01 - Wuertz out, Casilla in.
10:08 - Couple walks, couple K's, End of 8: 8-7-2 | 5-6-0
10:12 - Casilla out, Ziegler in for the S attempt.
10:16 - K, Scut single, 6-4-3 to end it!

W: Bailey (2-0) | L: League (1-1) | S: Ziegler (3)

A's: 8 | 7 | 2
Blue Jays: 5 | 6 | 0

Time of Game: 3:08

BIG comeback win to start the road trip. After it was 5-1, I figured it was just about over, but 7 un-answered runs later and the A's are back to .500. Play of the game in my mind was starting Cust on a 3-2 count with 1 out, allowing Suzuki to single and eventually leading to the bases clearing trip from Crosby. 13 total strikeouts from A's pitching in the game and the bullpen was clutch: 1 H, 8 K's, 5 IP. Early games the next 2 (both 1p starts).