On Wednesday, a ninth-inning collapse of the Toronto Blue Jay bullpen, resulted in Long County’s Dustin McGowan, picking up his second no decision in less than a week. The hurler from southeast Georgia didn’t have one of his best nights, giving up seven hits over five innings. But despite not having his best stuff, he still left his team with a 3-2 lead, before being replaced in the sixth inning.
McGowan came out a little tight, as he gave up a double and a single to Travis Buck and Mark Ellis, but when Buck tried to make it to third he was tagged out. McGowan then settled down, striking out Daric Barton and Jack Cust, to bring out the Toronto bats.
The Athletics had Greg Smith on the mound, and the left-handed pitcher came out struggling as he gave up a hit, two walks, and hit a batter before the sixth batter ever came to the plate. With this loose start the Jays managed to put up three runs in the inning.
In the second and third, McGowan dominated the A batters, not allowing a hit and striking out three of the six batters. However, Athletic pitcher Smith also settled down and shot down the Blue Jay bats.
In the fourth, McGowan gave up a single to Mark Ellis, then a walk to Cust, and two batters later, the Long County native faced a bases loaded, with only one out. After a Bobby Crosby single and a Jack Hannahan walk, the score was Toronto 3 and Oakland 2, with the bases still loaded.
Fortunately, the right-hander was till throwing 98 mph fastballs, which enabled him to strike out Kurt Suzuki and Ryan Sweeney, to end the inning.
Unfortunately for Toronto, Smith was now in control of his game, as the Jays had a quick fourth inning, with three up and three down, putting McGowan back on the mound to try to hold the lead.
In the top of the fifth, McGowan struggled early again and gave up a double, a single, and a walk. Bases were loaded with no outs. But the former Blue Tide All-Star followed this up by striking out Cust, flying out Emil Brown, and then grounding out Crosby to escape. Toronto was unable to score in the bottom of fifth.
McGowan was replaced in the sixth, and after that, just about every pitcher Toronto had in the bullpen saw action. Unfortunately, a ninth inning collapse by Jeremy Arcarrdo, and Brian Wolfe resulted in the Blue Jays losing 6-3.
For the night, McGowan completed 5 innings, facing 24 batters. He threw 101 pitches, with 65 strikes. He gave up 7 hits, 2 earned runs, and had 7 strike outs. He now has a 3.27 ERA, with back-to-back no decisions.
McGowan has yet to pick up a win or a loss in the young season, and the Blue Jays record is now 5-4.
McGowan came out a little tight, as he gave up a double and a single to Travis Buck and Mark Ellis, but when Buck tried to make it to third he was tagged out. McGowan then settled down, striking out Daric Barton and Jack Cust, to bring out the Toronto bats.
The Athletics had Greg Smith on the mound, and the left-handed pitcher came out struggling as he gave up a hit, two walks, and hit a batter before the sixth batter ever came to the plate. With this loose start the Jays managed to put up three runs in the inning.
In the second and third, McGowan dominated the A batters, not allowing a hit and striking out three of the six batters. However, Athletic pitcher Smith also settled down and shot down the Blue Jay bats.
In the fourth, McGowan gave up a single to Mark Ellis, then a walk to Cust, and two batters later, the Long County native faced a bases loaded, with only one out. After a Bobby Crosby single and a Jack Hannahan walk, the score was Toronto 3 and Oakland 2, with the bases still loaded.
Fortunately, the right-hander was till throwing 98 mph fastballs, which enabled him to strike out Kurt Suzuki and Ryan Sweeney, to end the inning.
Unfortunately for Toronto, Smith was now in control of his game, as the Jays had a quick fourth inning, with three up and three down, putting McGowan back on the mound to try to hold the lead.
In the top of the fifth, McGowan struggled early again and gave up a double, a single, and a walk. Bases were loaded with no outs. But the former Blue Tide All-Star followed this up by striking out Cust, flying out Emil Brown, and then grounding out Crosby to escape. Toronto was unable to score in the bottom of fifth.
McGowan was replaced in the sixth, and after that, just about every pitcher Toronto had in the bullpen saw action. Unfortunately, a ninth inning collapse by Jeremy Arcarrdo, and Brian Wolfe resulted in the Blue Jays losing 6-3.
For the night, McGowan completed 5 innings, facing 24 batters. He threw 101 pitches, with 65 strikes. He gave up 7 hits, 2 earned runs, and had 7 strike outs. He now has a 3.27 ERA, with back-to-back no decisions.
McGowan has yet to pick up a win or a loss in the young season, and the Blue Jays record is now 5-4.