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McGowan bounces back with win
Dustin mcgowan
Dustin McGowan
Dustin McGowan was happy he got a win this past Thursday night, but he was happier his team wasn't swept in their four game series against the Yankees.  After losing the first three games, Toronto defeated New York 3-2.
In the first inning it looked like it was going to be a long night for the Long County native.  Facing the first three New York batters, the right-hander gave up two walks, a double, and threw a wild pitch.  The loose inning resulted in the Jays falling behind 2-0.
But fortunately, McGowan got back on track in the third, as three batters came up to the plate, and three returned to the dugout.  After everything was said and done, he had another solid game, pitching six shutout frames.  The win was his sixth of the year.
For the night he pitched 7 innings, giving up 4 hits, 3 walks, and 2 earned runs.  He faced 27 batters, throwing 111 pitches, with 65 pitches being strikes, as he struck out 3.  McGowan's win-loss record is now 6-5 and he has an ERA of 4.84.
With the win, the Blue Jays avoided being swept by the Yankees. However, in losing three out of four to New York and by splitting last week's series with Boston, they fell even further back in the play-off hunt.
Sadly, Toronto has had their opportunities, but hasn't been able to capitalize on them.  This is evident, when you consider that they have had more one-run contests, than any other team in the American League.  
Including the game on Thursday, the team has had 34 such contests.  Their record in those one run games is 18-16.  Being behind the Red Sox by ten and now three games behind the Yanks, those one run losses are coming back to haunt them.
It wouldn't be so bad for the team, if they had a good chance of earning a wild-card spot, but the reality is, they are in just about the same situation in that race.  The wild-card contest has Cleveland is in the driver's seat with a 56 and 39 mark, but between Toronto and Cleveland sit three other teams.
Despite slipping a little recently, the Boston Red Sox still sit atop of the heap in the American League East with an identical record of 56-39.  But throw in the mix, a Detroit team who is 57-36 and a Seattle team at 53-39, and you see a wild-card race, which is no picnic.  In short, for the Blue Jays to make it to the post season, they need to get on a run, and get on one soon.
McGowan will be back on the mound Tuesday, as he and the Jays face the Minnesota Twins.  That series will also be at Centre Stadium in Toronto.
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