Toronto lost a close game this past Thursday 9-8 to New York, despite having a three run lead going into the bottom of the ninth.
With the Blue Jays having to travel to Yankee Stadium, the team was hoping to make up a little ground on Boston in the American League East. But despite leading late in the game the wheels fell of for the Birds when closer B. J. Ryan gave up three runs in the bottom of the final inning.
Long County's Dustin McGowan started the game, and didn't have his best stuff early as he gave up a walk and a double in the top of the first, which led to New York taking a two run lead early.
However, in the bottom of second the local settled down, and after allowing the first two batters in the inning to get on base, he and first baseman Lyle Overbay and shortstop David Eckstein tuned in a double play to clear the bases. He then struck out center fielder Melky Cabrera to end the inning.
In the third, he gave up singles to Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu, but struck out Derek Jeter and Hideki Matsui, and with Alex Rodrigues flying out, he kept the score 2-0 Yankees.
In the top of the fourth, the Blue Jays put up two runs to tie the game. McGowan came out in the bottom of the inning striking out Wilson Betemit, and then shutting down Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano, leaving the score at two apiece going into the fifth.
In the fifth inning Yankee pitcher, Chien-Ming Wang had a horrible outing, which resulted in Toronto putting up five runs and going on top 7-2.
In the bottom of that inning, McGowan gave up a walk and hit a batter, as the Yankees added two more runs.
McGowan came out for the sixth inning striking out Pasada, and then having Cano ground out, but was then replaced by Jesse Carlson, leaving the game with the Jays on top 7-4.
Carlson then gave up two runs, before being pulled, and at then end of the inning the Yankees had narrowed the score to 7-6.
Toronto scored another run in the top of the ninth giving themselves a two run lead, but in the bottom of the inning Jason Giambi nailed a two run homer, to give the home team a dramatic 9-8 win. Ryan got the loss and Kyle Farnsworth picked up the win for New York.
Local hurler, McGowan who got the no-decision went 5 1/3rd innings giving up 7 hits and 5 runs. He had 2 walks and struck out 5 and now has a 4-4 record and an ERA of 4.26.
McGowan was asked how he rated his performance so far this season and he said, "I rate my performance so far, as ok, I would like to be a little more consistent each time I pitch; but I think that will come with time".
Toronto now sits at 32-30 in the American League East, five games behind Boston (37-25) and 4 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay (35-24).
The Hometown Hurler will be back on the mound this Tuesday when he and the Blue Jays take on the Seattle Mariners (21-39). Game time is 7:07 PM and it will be in Toronto.
With the Blue Jays having to travel to Yankee Stadium, the team was hoping to make up a little ground on Boston in the American League East. But despite leading late in the game the wheels fell of for the Birds when closer B. J. Ryan gave up three runs in the bottom of the final inning.
Long County's Dustin McGowan started the game, and didn't have his best stuff early as he gave up a walk and a double in the top of the first, which led to New York taking a two run lead early.
However, in the bottom of second the local settled down, and after allowing the first two batters in the inning to get on base, he and first baseman Lyle Overbay and shortstop David Eckstein tuned in a double play to clear the bases. He then struck out center fielder Melky Cabrera to end the inning.
In the third, he gave up singles to Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu, but struck out Derek Jeter and Hideki Matsui, and with Alex Rodrigues flying out, he kept the score 2-0 Yankees.
In the top of the fourth, the Blue Jays put up two runs to tie the game. McGowan came out in the bottom of the inning striking out Wilson Betemit, and then shutting down Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano, leaving the score at two apiece going into the fifth.
In the fifth inning Yankee pitcher, Chien-Ming Wang had a horrible outing, which resulted in Toronto putting up five runs and going on top 7-2.
In the bottom of that inning, McGowan gave up a walk and hit a batter, as the Yankees added two more runs.
McGowan came out for the sixth inning striking out Pasada, and then having Cano ground out, but was then replaced by Jesse Carlson, leaving the game with the Jays on top 7-4.
Carlson then gave up two runs, before being pulled, and at then end of the inning the Yankees had narrowed the score to 7-6.
Toronto scored another run in the top of the ninth giving themselves a two run lead, but in the bottom of the inning Jason Giambi nailed a two run homer, to give the home team a dramatic 9-8 win. Ryan got the loss and Kyle Farnsworth picked up the win for New York.
Local hurler, McGowan who got the no-decision went 5 1/3rd innings giving up 7 hits and 5 runs. He had 2 walks and struck out 5 and now has a 4-4 record and an ERA of 4.26.
McGowan was asked how he rated his performance so far this season and he said, "I rate my performance so far, as ok, I would like to be a little more consistent each time I pitch; but I think that will come with time".
Toronto now sits at 32-30 in the American League East, five games behind Boston (37-25) and 4 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay (35-24).
The Hometown Hurler will be back on the mound this Tuesday when he and the Blue Jays take on the Seattle Mariners (21-39). Game time is 7:07 PM and it will be in Toronto.