Game Recap #8 Philadelphia Phillies @ Toronto Blue Jays

As a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, Roy Halladay proved to be a shining star among many dim years in the history of the organization. On December 15th, 2010, Halladay was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, and while he is not available to pitch today, currently on the disabled list with a shoulder strain, his current team takes on his old team. Even without him able to pitch, Toronto doesn't look to get a break here, as Cliff Lee, despite being winless on the season, is just as good. A fellow star, Ricky Romero, takes the hill for the Blue Jays this afternoon at Rogers Centre. Philadelphia got a lucky break early, as Hunter Pence bounced a baseball off the springy turf inside the Rogers Centre, which went over the wall for a ground rule double to score Placido Polanco. Toronto tied the game again in the second inning when Yunel Escobar skipped the bounce and put a baseball over the wall on the fly for a solo home run. Both Romero and Lee ran into issues in the third inning. Romero allowed singles to both Shane Victorino and Ty Wigginton, and was unable to escape the jam when the next batter, John Mayberry, Jr. put the ball over the wall in left field. Lee got off a little better, allowing Rajai Davis to get aboard on a single, and after a Brett Lawrie single, Davis stole third before speeding home on a single by Colby Rasmus. This was the only stolen base in the game. Lee was fortunate that his defense was focused, as the young third baseman Lawrie made an unsuccessful attempt to steal home, closing out a dangerous situation to end the inning. Both pitchers were able to calm down from there on out, although a high pitch count ended Romero's day after six innings, seven hits, four earned runs, a walk, and three strikeouts. Robert Coello relieved him and got through the seventh inning cleanly, but was victim to another ground rule double in the eighth inning, as Jimmy Rollins used the turf to his advantage and scored backup catcher Brian Schneider, who filled in for an injured Carlos Ruiz. However, as Rollins giveth, he taketh away, surrendering two runs on an error during a routine Edwin Encarnacion single, and both Jose Bautista and Encarnacion were able to score, making the game 5-4 (rule that as a single and three-base error for Encarnacion). Toronto was relentless in their half of the eighth, chasing Lee after J.P. Arencibia ripped a double to left to bring in the tying run, Kelly Johnson. Relievers Michael Schwimer and Casey Janssen were able to keep the ninth inning scoreless, and this sent the game to extra innings. Again, the turf had its way in this game, as Davis was able to trampoline the ball over the wall in the bottom of the tenth for a walkoff 6-5 victory as Escobar crossed home. Francisco Cordero was in line for the win, while Joe Savery was quite literally the victim of an unlucky bounce in taking the loss. As an interesting note, Lee remains winless for the 2012 season, with a record of 0-3.