Curt Tucker got the win and Chris Abrams the 7th inning save. The Marlins used 4 pitchers, with Solomon leaving with a 3-2 lead after three. Mr. Ayers provided the winning hit up the middle in the top of the 6th scoring Pat Alston who had reached on a hustle play, IF single. Paul Post , Mike Aiello had two hits each and Chris Abrams came up clutch with a 2 strike RBI single of his own that put the Jays up in the top of the 4th. Marlins pitchers came up with 9K's while stranding ten; 6 of those coming in the first three innings. Those escapes did not happen as the game progressed and coupled with some timely hitting the Jays took back some control. The Marlins out hit the Blue Jays 14-7 but lacked that timely hit more often than not , stranding 13 of their own. Jim Ansel led that attack with a 4 for 4 day ( but did no score). Darrell Duncan had three hits needing only the big one to complete the cycle. He did come up with that chance and the simultaneous chance to take it extra innings but flied out deep to CF to end the game. Scott Ross continued his tear and contributed three hits, one a Double to lead off the game. Curt to his credit, and a sharp defense, recorded 7 ground ball outs and 8 fly outs and got 2 K's. he walked 4 but only one walked batter scored.
This was a fun game. Both teams were missing players so both batted just nine. The game had some meaning as we both went in tied in the standings with 2 to go. Both are eying the bye to the quarterfinals that the Brewers, Bombers, Giants and Cubs have already attained, (though the standings page is in need of some reports so it can get updated) . while the Jays are in the cat bird seat..... the Braves, Marlins, Royals are still very much alive , with the Sox, and Shaskys still having an outside chance. There are a few very meaningful makeups yet to be scheduled coupled with a full slate of games next Sunday which will settle this quagmire in the standings/seedings from 5th-10th. We could actually see a four way tie for 5th.
Thanks Jays for a great game and the gesture to help us out in the top of the 7th. Good luck going forward. Art would be proud.
