Jays hurler shows he's very "Tallet"ed

Though he didn't factor in the decision of the wild 9-7 Jays loss Monday against Cleveland, Brian Tallet deserves a lot of credit coming just 8 outs shy of the 2nd no-hitter in franchise history.

Tallet worked through the Indians lineup beautifully, carrying a no-hitter into the 7th inning. The lanky lefty lost the bid with one out in the frame, and as is often the case immediately afterwards, there is a letdown suffered, and the floodgates opened with three Indians crossing the plate in the inning.

The "Tallet"ed pitcher had the longest outing of his career and has shown his capability of being a solid part of the rotation (except for one brutal outing.) In three of his starts, the former 2nd round pick has given up just 4 earned runs. Sandwiched in between was a nightmare game in Kansas City, where he was tagged for 10 runs.

Tallet is providing the club some much needed stability at a position they have been ravaged by injuries this season, and he must be commended for an outstanding effort at making history Monday.

Brandon League: frustratingly inconsistent

The Blue Jays were within one strike of winning Monday against the Cleveland Indians, but Brandon League, looking for his first save in two years, and just his third of his career, couldn't get the job done. Not only did he surrender the game tying run, but subsequently gave up another pair of runs that gave the Tribe a two run lead.

This season, League has been the total picture of inconsistency. He has looked brilliant some games, and awful in others. In 13 outings on the campaign, his ERA is 5.17 All nine earned runs came in three contests. He's allowed three runs in each of those games, but in the other 14 games, League has looked dynamite, locking down the opposition flawlessly.

With this being the case, it's very tough to rely on League in tight games. The Jays should still give him difficult responsibilities, however, because he's one of the best relievers in that bullpen even if he can be completely frustrating.

Hot Rod Barajas!

This season, Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas is off to a scorching start beside the plate, and he's been his usual dependable self behind the plate. The 33 year old veteran of 11 big league seasons, Barajas is benefiting from a torrid Toronto offensive attack.

After a slow start to the year, in which he struggled to a .210 clip (8 for 38) hot Rod Barajas has raked with a scintillating .473 average (18 for 38) to raise his overall total to .342. He has 2 home runs, 13 RBI, and 9 doubles already. Not bad for the career .244 hitter.

Barajas' took a strange tour to become a Blue Jay (verbally agreeing to sign in '07, only to change his mind, subsequently inking a deal the following year.) He has fit in beautifully, now in his 2nd season with the club. If he continues his strong play beside the plate, and behind it, he'll make it tough to renege this time on a sizable contract he's bound to receive.

Wells and Rios power Jays to series sweep

Alex Rios and Vernon Wells, the supposed "power hitters" of the Blue Jays lineup have been mostly powerless a month into the 2009 season. Sunday, both went deep, and hopefully their performance is a sign of greater things to come.

After the first 26 games of the campaign, the 3-4 hitters at the heart of the order combined for a paltry 4 home runs. In the series finale against Baltimore, Wells smashed a Jeremy Guthrie offering in the 1st inning over the left field wall for a 2 run bomb. Then in the 5th, Rios followed suit, cranking a solo shot, providing the winning run to secure the Jays (18-9) their first series sweep of the season.

The fact the Blue Birds are leading most offensive categories in the American League without their big boppers playing to their potential is astounding. Imagine how scary the already potent lineup could be if Rios and Wells can build off their strong outing Sunday against the O's.

Snider not just a one trick pony

21 year old rookie Travis Snider is a stud prospect getting his feet wet at the major league level. He is hailed for having prodigious power that will make him a big threat in the middle of the Blue Jays order for years to come. However, Toronto is not just getting a one dimensional player, because his defense is very good also.

No better example of his range and deceptive speed came Saturday against the Orioles. Snider made a fabulous throw to gun down a runner at 3rd base, slid to make an exceptional grab on a blooper that seemed destined to fall for a base hit, and topped it all off with a terrific leaping catch to rob extra bases. The former first round pick is an upgrade in left over the previous incumbent Adam Lind, so the Jays will be able to save more runs this year having the stocky Snider patrolling left field.

Though he is scuffling right now at the plate, Travis will come around in time to be a phenomenal hitter. The added bonus is his speed and his glove, which is oftentimes overlooked. That might not be the case for much longer.

Hill atones for error; wins it with walk off

No one could have felt worse than Aaron Hill after his costly error in the top half of the 10th inning led to the go ahead Orioles run. So what did he do to make up for it? What he's been doing all year, coming up clutch!

With the Jays down 4-3, Hill led off the bottom half of the 10th frame. Surely using the fielding gaffe as motivation, Toronto's 2nd baseman drilled a no doubter solo home run to even the score. What a humongous bomb!

But the 2003 first round pick wasn't done there. In the 11th, with Rod Barajas in scoring position, Hill drove him in with a walk off base rap, marking the 4th walk off victory of the season for Toronto. Most impressive was the timing of the two hits. Hill had gone 0 for 4 at the dish until extra innings, but when the chips were down, he was there to lift the Jays to the win.

After his 2008 campaign was halted short in May due to effects of a concussion, how fitting that Aaron Hill has to be considered comeback player of the year for his brilliant perseverance and performance. With more heroics like Saturday's victory against Baltimore, Hill might creep his name in discussion for a far bigger award: MVP

Gaston's faith in Halladay pays off

Roy Halladay pitched himself into an 8th inning jam Friday against the Orioles, coming close to blowing a late four run lead. Manager Cito Gaston decided to keep his workhorse in the game to shut the door on Baltimore, and the trust displayed in the Blue Jays ace paid dividends.

After tossing well over 100 pitches, and having already coughed up a pair of runs to cut the lead in half, the 2003 CY Young award winner faced a difficult situation. With runners on the corners and two out, Gaston came out to have a talk with the former 22 game winner to see if he wanted to continue. Cito elected to stick with his starter, and it paid off as Halladay induced an inning ending fielder's choice off the bat of Ty Wigginton.

Gaston, the Manager of Toronto's 1992 and 1993 World Champion ball clubs, has a knack for showing confidence with his players in critical situations. With the game hanging in the balance Friday against the Orioles, the decision to stick with Halladay produced the desirable outcome.

With the victory, Halladay is off to the fastest start in his 12 year major league career, posting five wins in his first six trips to the hill.