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McGowan charged with loss
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By Mike Riddle
Coastal Courier (Hinesville, GA) Correspondent
riddle4news@yahoo.com

Dustin McGowan didn’t know what hit him Tuesday.  The local right-hander had been sure money in his recent starts, but on this night he wouldn’t have any answers for the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up eight hits and six earned runs in less than two innings.
After the game, McGowan was obviously disappointed and said he felt that everything he had thrown earlier was flat, and it was just one of those nights when he just didn’t have it.
The pitcher allowed three runs in the first, but appeared to be getting on the right track in the second, retiring the first two batters. But after walking the third batter, he gave up three straight singles, and before he new it, the score was 6-0 and he was watching the game from the dugout.
For the night, McGowan faced 15 batters, throwing 65 pitches, with 38 being strikes. He struck out two batters and walked two in 1-2/3 innings. He is now 3-3 with a 5.68 ERA.
Despite McGowan getting the loss, he is clearly having his best year as a professional.  For the first time in his career, the Blue Jays have stayed committed to keeping him in the starting rotation, and he appears to be gaining more confidence each week.  
He had been rock solid in his last five starts, going at least six innings in each of those games and posting a 3-1 record with an ERA of 3.21.
When he and his wife Jilly recently were asked, did they have anything to say to the local fans who have followed him throughout his career, McGowan said: “I feel very blessed to have such an awesome fan base and supportive family.”
His wife Jilly added: “It brings us closer to home, knowing that people are huddling around their computers and televisions to watch one of their own.”
McGowan will try to get back on the winning track Saturday when he makes his 10th start of the year against the Colorado Rockies, playing in front of the home fans at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
Wednesday, Toronto evened the series at one, hammering the Dodgers 12-1.
Frank Thomas hit a grand slam in the second to cap an eight-run inning for the home team, and the Jays never looked back. The homer was number 497 for Thomas, putting the future Hall of Famer closer to the illustrious 500 Club.  With the win, Toronto is now 34-36, and in third place in the American League East behind the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.
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