Blow Jay Ryan resurfaces...

After an awful start to the season, followed by three successful outings (including two saves), it appeared that B.J. Ryan had righted the ship and could be counted upon in the 9th inning of a tight ball game. Until he coughed up a 3 run lead in the 9th inning to the Rangers Wednesday.

Leading 7-4 heading into the final frame of the contest, Manager Cito Gaston entrusted Blow Jay Ryan to shut down the Rangers to even the series. Ryan promptly put the first two on, hitting a batter then issuing a free pass. A run scored following an error charged to Aaron Hill, trimming the Jays lead to 2. A couple batters later, after a Michael Young solo bomb, the game was tied. Blow Jay Ryan had fizzled away his second save opportunity of the campaign.

Fortunately, the Jays were able to win in the 11th inning on a walk off single by Kevin Millar, so Ryan will be spared by even further criticism.

Despite my affectionate nickname for him, I've always stated the Jays need to keep rolling him out in the 9th inning of close games, and I'll stand by that, despite the anguish and pain he causes even when he's able to get the job done.

What should the Jays do? Continue to play him in tense situations? Give the closing role to someone else? Perhaps he'll land on the disabled list? Either way, it's a hot topic of discussion in Toronto.