Meine Meinung » Anytime youve got another friend in the

NEW YORK – The Blue Jays entered Thursdays series finale at Yankee Stadium losers of eight of their last 11 games. Theyd dropped 15 in a row in the Bronx dating back to 2012 and had seen their lead over their pinstriped rivals in the American League East dwindle to two and a half games. This is a slump. Its lasted for about two weeks. The downturn comes on the heels of a terrific May, when Toronto won 21 of 30 games and Edwin Encarnacion captured the imagination of fans with his 16-home run month. This is not is the end of the world, nor does this slump suggest a long-term trend. This is on the offence and thats a good thing because theres too much talent in the Blue Jays lineup for the widespread malaise to continue. To wit: The starting pitching has been fine. You could say its been good and you wouldnt be wrong. In the last 11 games, Jays starters have allowed four or more earned runs only twice and have pitched to a staff ERA of 3.71. The starting pitching was supposed to be the weakness. So far it has held up. The Jays have hit only four home runs in their last 11 games. Not surprisingly, three of the home runs came in two of the three victories. Toronto continues to lead baseball with 93 team home runs, which is crucial to the clubs attack. Of the 338 runs the Jays have scored this season, 147 (43.4 per cent) have come via the long ball. Jose Bautista hasnt hit a home run in 11 games, his longest power drought of the season. Hes still hitting for a respectable average, .275 with five of his 11 hits going for doubles, but the Jays miss his power bat as the club struggles, having scored three or fewer runs eight times in the span. This is a phase, both for the individual and for the ballclub, Bautista said, that was bound to happen. "If you can execute every single day for 162, youd probably win 140 games," said Bautista. "We dont expect to execute every single day. But we do have to pick it up. Its one thing, were running into some St. Louis good pitching, some other pitching staffs. I dont want to speak badly or worse about the Yankees or the Orioles but its not the same. We faced much better pitching at home during the last homestand than we have on this road trip, except for Tanaka, who did a tremendous job. So we shouldve won some of these games that we lost." It hasnt helped, either, that Edwin Encarnacion has hit only one home run in the last 11 games. "Weve lacked some timely hitting," said Bautista. "Our pitching has been there enough, I think, that we shouldve won some of these games that weve lost. We just need to keep going on offence. We got really hot at one point and kind of hitting a little cold spurt now. Weve just got to overcome it and not get 10 hits a day but get them when you get the baserunners on." Bautista has repeatedly acknowledged hes bought in to hitting coach Kevin Seitzers philosophy of using all fields. The slugger has become a better all round hitter. His 1,000th career big league hit, achieved in the eighth inning of Wednesday nights loss, was a double to right field. That alone would have been a story last season. This year its commonplace. "I think Im more aware of some situations where people are going to keep challenging me inside, especially when Im behind in the count or theres the right situation when theres a defensive shift," said Bautista. "Why not try to go over there and it ended up working out again? But the previous at bat I tried going that way and I hit into a force out, when Melky got forced out at second. So it works sometimes, sometimes it doesnt." Its difficult to watch a team go into a funk, especially when it had become customary for fans to watch Toronto out-slug and, often, out-pitch opponents. Despite the recent struggles, the Jays offence remains top 10 in important statistical categories: Home runs – 93 (1st)On-base percentage - .329 (5th)On-base plus slugging percentage - .760 (2nd)Walks – 243 (9th) Vapormax Clearance Sale .A. Happ is coming off his first start of the year, a win at Philadelphia Monday. The former Phillie allowed three hits in five scoreless frames of a 3-0 triumph. Kyrie Irving Shoes From China . -- The Sacramento Kings have signed first-round pick Nik Stauskas to his rookie contract. http://www.wholesalenikeshoesclearance.c...lack.html."; One game is checked off, 15 remain and the next one to get crossed out could come Tuesday night when the defending champion Heat host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. Air Max 97 Factory Outlet ." One game is checked off, 15 remain and the next one to get crossed out could come Tuesday night when the defending champion Heat host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. Fake Air Max 270 For Sale . The same cant be said of last Saturdays 2-2 draw at Olympic Stadium against a very weakened New York Red Bulls side and one which had three stalwarts in Henry, Cahill and Olave back home in Harrison, NJ.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Rex Ryan and Michael Vick might need to huddle up. While Ryan insisted Wednesday theres "no doubt" the New York Jets have an open competition at quarterback, Vick continued to differ. So, heres where we are: Its a controversy over a competition that could become a controversy at some point in training camp. "I think there is competition, theres no doubt," Ryan said after the Jets completed the second day of organized team activities. "As a coach, you love it." But, shortly after Ryans news conference, Vick reiterated his comments from last week, and has said since he signed with New York in March, that Geno Smith is the teams starting quarterback. "Nah," Vick said. "Its not an open competition." Ryan and general manager John Idzik have preached competition at all positions. While Ryan acknowledged that some competition has to be "manufactured" -- for instance, centre Nick Mangold, left tackle DBrickashaw Ferguson and defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson are in no danger of losing their jobs -- players pushing each other on the field improves everyone. That was the thought when the Jets signed Vick in March; he would give Smith a serious run for the job. But last week, Vick made it clear he thinks this is Smiths job to lose and its not an open competition, at least not like last year when he and Nick Foles went against each other in Philadelphia. "Weve got two guys who are really pushing to be the starting quarterback," Ryan said, when asked about Vicks comments from last week. Vick and Smith split snaps with the starting offence Wednesday. "Ive said from Day 1 that I think Geno will be hard to beat out," Ryan said. "But Ive also said Mike will have an opportunity to compete, and he definitely will." The coach added he didnt know why Vick thinks its not a true competition, but was noncommittal when asked if Vick could be the starter if he outperforms Smith in camp. "I think well let it play out a little bit," Ryan said. "Its the second day of OTAs, so its not a closed competition." Thats news to Vick, though. He at first danced around questions regarding the quarterback situation and Ryans comments. "Im here to compete every day to help this team win football games," Vick said, later repeating that line a few times before appearing to grow fruustrated.dddddddddddd "I dont know how to answer this question," Vick said. "This is the third time around." Smith, who has repeatedly said hes taking nothing for granted, was not made available to the media. Vick doesnt appear disgruntled about his situation, and hasnt indicated he was misled when he signed a one-year, $4 million deal and was reunited with offensive co-ordinator Marty Mornhinweg. "I knew what I was getting into when I got here," he said. "Its everything I expected. Im having fun with the guys. Everything is team oriented. Were just having a good time. We just have to keep everything rolling. Thats the most important thing." One things for sure: Whoever wins the job will have a proven receiver in Eric Decker to throw to. But the former Broncos star is going from Peyton Manning to an unsettled quarterback situation. Arguably the top wide receiver available when free agency opened, Decker visited the Jets first and never left. Now, hes expected to give New York a No. 1-type target. "Ive been telling people I feel like a rookie all over again, which is nice," Decker said. "Ive got to prove myself, in a way." Decker broke out in a big way the last two seasons, catching a combined 172 passes for 2,352 yards and 24 touchdowns. "The two years I got to spend with (Manning), he made me a better professional," Decker said. "But, again, I see a lot of talent in this quarterback room, and Im excited about growing with them." NOTES: S Calvin Pryor, the teams first-round pick, sat out because he needs three wisdom teeth pulled and his mouth is swollen. "I cant put my helmet on," he said. "So (the trainers) dont want me out there with contact right now." He expects to practice next week. ... RB Chris Johnson caused a stir Tuesday night when he tweeted that the Jets should pursue disgruntled Texans WR Andre Johnson. "Anytime youve got another friend in the league, you always want to play with him," Chris Johnson said. ... WRs David Nelson (illness) and Shaq Evans (finishing school) and RB Mike Goodson (knee) were among those not at the voluntary sessions Wednesday. ... The Jets signed CB Brandon Dixon, a sixth-round pick, to a four-year deal. That leaves Pryor and CB Dexter McDougle, a third-rounder, as the only unsigned players of the Jets 12 selections. ' ' '

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