Jays Snap Royals Streak

Game Date: July 8, 2006
Game Score: Blue Jays 7, Royals 5 / Box Score
WP: Tallet (2), LP: Peralta (1), SV: Ryan (24)
Royal Home Runs: Berroa (5)
Royals Record: 31-55

Scott Elarton just didn’t have his best stuff tonight. He gave up five runs in 3.1 IP and he walked two guys. We were down 4-1 in the third inning as a result, but the Royals stormed back with four runs in the bottom half of the inning. David DeJesus walked. Mark Grudzielanek doubled. Reggie Sanders singled in a run. Emil Brown singled in a run. And Tony Graffanino doubled in two runs. We held the lead briefly, but Elarton gave up another run in the fourth and the score was tied.

It stayed that way until the seventh inning when Toronto struck for two runs against Joel Peralta. The Blue Jays’ bullpen held the lead. In the ninth inning, Esteban German reached on an error, and then stole second, setting the stage for a possible tie if Reggie Sanders could launch one. Sanders was facing closer B.J. Ryan for the first time. And with the fans chanting “Reggie, Reggie, Reggie” Ryan struck him out. But with the way the Royals have been playing lately you couldn’t help but think that he might just turn on one and put it half way up the seats in left field.

Tomorrow afternoon the Royals send Jimmy Gobble (3-1, 3.66) against Cy Young candidate Roy Halladay (11-2, 3.02). Gobble is 0-0 with a 2.79 ERA in his career against the Blue Jays in 9.2 IP. Halladay is 6-2 with a 3.44 ERA against the Royals.

Berroa Walk Watch (the quest for double digits): 8 walks in 79 games.