TORONTO - 2003 GAME RECAPS

March 31st -  New York Yankees 8, Toronto Blue Jays 4 - Attendance 50,119

Opening Day 2003! This game promised lots of firsts and it delivered. Roy Halladay started for the Jays while Roger Clemens took the mound for the Yankees. In the top of the first, Alfonso Soriano grounded to short to open the season. Derek Jeter came up and lunged at a 1-2 pitch, sending a double down the right field line. After Jason Giambi grounded out to get Jeter to third, Bernie Williams drew his first of three walks.  With runners on the corners, Hideki Matsui came up for his first major-league at-bat and promptly spanked the first pitch he saw into left field for an RBI single. 1-0 Yankees before the Jays had even batted. 

In the bottom of the first, the Jays loaded the bases, but 2002 Rookie of the Year Eric Hinske was called out on strikes. The second inning was uneventful, but in the top of the third, Jeter walked with one out. Giambi came up and grounded to the pitcher on a hit-and-run. Jeter saw that third base was not covered and rounded second at full speed and headed for third. Jay catcher Ken Huckaby raced to the bag to get Carlos Delgado's throw and as the ball reached him, he fell, landing on Jeter's shoulder. Jeter was initially called safe, but he immediately rolled over in agony, allowing Huckaby to tag him out. Unfortunately for the Yankees, Jeter separated his shoulder and was removed from the game after 10 minutes on the field. 

In the fourth, Robin Ventura hit a 2-run homer to extend the Yankee lead to 3-0 and Clemens kept his mastery going, giving up 2 hits and striking out 5 after 5 innings.

In the sixth, Bernie Williams led off with a walk and Matsui came to bat. Again swinging on the first pitch, he grounded up the middle where Orlando Hudson picked up the ball and tossed to second. His throw was slightly off and shortstop Chris Woodward took his foot off the bag to catch the ball. It was a very close play, but the umpire called it safe (boo!) and Jorge Posada made it matter with an RBI single. After Ventura walked to load the bases, Halladay got two critical outs, bringing Soriano to the plate. He fouled off 3 pitches, working the count full before launching a pitch deep to left field. GRAND SLAM! 8-0 Yankees. The crowd was deflated and Halladay was removed, just one pitch too late.

Clemens was also removed after 6 strong, scoreless innings and Jose Contreras made his first major league appearance, giving up 2 runs in 2 innings, but striking out 4 in the process. The Jays added two more in the ninth off a shaky Yankees bullpen, but Juan Acevedo was brought in to put out the fire and the Yankees won 8-4.

Matsui warms up

April 1st -  New York Yankees 10, Toronto Blue Jays 1 - Attendance 15,176

Almost the same game as yesterday. The Yankees broke out early, including 2 long bombs by Jason Giambi, and the Jays just couldn't make anything of their few opportunities. Andy Pettite pitched 7 shutout innings for New York and each Yankee batter got a hit and all but Matsui scored at least one run in a 10-1 blowout. One of the least enjoyable games I have ever seen.

Matsui grounds out

Posada takes a strike

April 2nd -  New York Yankees 9, Toronto Blue Jays 7 - Attendance 16,122

Deja vu as Mark Hendrickson was shelled, giving up 7 runs in 1 2/3 innings. It was 9-1 Yanks after 3, but the Jays managed to scrape together 6 runs off Mike Mussina and Jose Contreras to make it 9-7. Sadly, though, Juan Acevedo pitched a 1-2-3 ninth and the Yankees left Toronto with a series sweep.

May 2nd -  Anaheim Angels 1 at Toronto Blue Jays 3 - Attendance 17,799

John Lackey, World Series Game 7 winner, started for the Angels against Cory Lidle of the Jays. The first inning was great as the Jays smacked out 2 hits before Carlos Delgado absolutely crushed a ball to deep left field for a 3-run homer to put the Jays on top.

As it turned out, that is all Lidle would need as he cruised, going perfect through 3 innings. In the 4th, Tim Salmon homered with 2 out, but Lidle continued to work his magic, giving up 2 more hits in the 7th, but nothing else as the Jays won 3-1. The game only took 2:07 as both pitchers were fantastic. A great game to end the trip!

No need for the bullpen tonight