The Toronto Blue Jays (41-45) are digging a deeper hole for themselves in the American League East, as they now are 12 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays (52-32). The Rays, who have been on a tear lately going 8-2 during their past ten games, overtook the Boston Red Sox (50-37) last week, and now have the best record in Major League Baseball.
In Wednesday's game, Long County native Dustin McGowan had a solid game, giving up four runs, but the bats of the Jays have fallen back into a slump and the team netted a loss. Opposing pitcher Jarrod Washburn wasn't dominating in his outing but he too was solid, holding Toronto to two runs and seven hits.
Mariner Miguel Cairo did do well in the game - against McGowan. The relief first and second baseman nailed two doubles off the right-hander, which netted three of the four runs Seattle scored in the contest.
McGowan, who now has a 6-7 record, went 6 innings, giving up 6 hits, 4 earned runs, and now has a 4.36 ERA. He faced 25 batters during the night, throwing 75 pitches, with 53 being for strikes, striking out 5, and walking 1. He had 4 ground outs and 9 fly outs in the game.
The Long County pitcher has struggled on the road this year, like his team. In this game, he was more consistent than he has been on the road, but the run support from his team wasn't there.
The Blue Jays also have struggled on the road, as their road record is now 19-26 - the second most losses for all of the American League teams on the road. The defeat to the Mariners also represented the fifth consecutive series loss on the road for the Blue Jays. The team has been two different teams from when they are traveling, and when they are at Rogers Centre Stadium in Toronto.
As the upcoming All-Star Break approaches, McGowan commented on his physical condition.
"Right now, I am feeling good and hopefully I will continue to feel good and get stronger."
The righty should be back on the mound this Tuesday when the club takes on the Baltimore Orioles (43-40), in Toronto. In that game, McGowan will be facing Daniel Cabrera, who brings in a 6 and 4 record with a 4.34 ERA. The game starts at 7:07 p.m.
In Wednesday's game, Long County native Dustin McGowan had a solid game, giving up four runs, but the bats of the Jays have fallen back into a slump and the team netted a loss. Opposing pitcher Jarrod Washburn wasn't dominating in his outing but he too was solid, holding Toronto to two runs and seven hits.
Mariner Miguel Cairo did do well in the game - against McGowan. The relief first and second baseman nailed two doubles off the right-hander, which netted three of the four runs Seattle scored in the contest.
McGowan, who now has a 6-7 record, went 6 innings, giving up 6 hits, 4 earned runs, and now has a 4.36 ERA. He faced 25 batters during the night, throwing 75 pitches, with 53 being for strikes, striking out 5, and walking 1. He had 4 ground outs and 9 fly outs in the game.
The Long County pitcher has struggled on the road this year, like his team. In this game, he was more consistent than he has been on the road, but the run support from his team wasn't there.
The Blue Jays also have struggled on the road, as their road record is now 19-26 - the second most losses for all of the American League teams on the road. The defeat to the Mariners also represented the fifth consecutive series loss on the road for the Blue Jays. The team has been two different teams from when they are traveling, and when they are at Rogers Centre Stadium in Toronto.
As the upcoming All-Star Break approaches, McGowan commented on his physical condition.
"Right now, I am feeling good and hopefully I will continue to feel good and get stronger."
The righty should be back on the mound this Tuesday when the club takes on the Baltimore Orioles (43-40), in Toronto. In that game, McGowan will be facing Daniel Cabrera, who brings in a 6 and 4 record with a 4.34 ERA. The game starts at 7:07 p.m.