LARRY NESS
Toronto lost 2-1 (11 inn) and 5-3 (12 inn) to Washington on Friday and Saturday but bounced back Sunday with a 9-4 win. The Jays kept their momentum going on Tuesday by opening a 6-0 lead vs the Reds, on their way to a 7-5 win. That gives Toronto FIVE wins in its last seven games and while the Jays scored just four times in those two loses, the team has tallied 39 times in the five wins (7.8 RPG). Bronson Arroyo starts for the Reds and last June 24th at Rogers Centre vs the Blue Jays, suffered his worst outing as a major leaguer. Arroyo gave up six runs in the first inning and four more without getting an out in the second before exiting in the Reds' 14-1 loss. The 10 ERs (on 11 hits), were the most Arroyo had ever allowed. Arroyo is not having much of a season this year, although he is 8-5 in 14 starts (Cincy is 8-6). His ERA is 5.16 on the year and since winning 4-0 May 1 at Pittsburgh (8 IP / 4 hits), he's made four road starts, going 1-3 with a 7.03 ERA. His mound opponent is Scott Richmond. Richmond got off to a terrific start in '09. going 4-0 with a 2.67 ERA in his first five starts (team was 5-0). However, from May 8-June 12, his ERA ballooned to 5.06 in seven appearances (five starts). He was 0-3 and the team 1-4 in those five starts, as three times he allowed five ERs in a single game. He got back on track in his last start (6/17 at Philly), going eight innings while allowing five hits and one ER along with 11 strikeouts. Unfortunately, Richmond was used this past Saturday in relief, allowing a walkoff two-run HR in the 12th inning of a 5-3 loss at Washington. The Jays continue to be solid at home (22-13) and after a strong start away from home (13-5). the Reds are now 17-18 on the year, having lost 13 of their last 17 road games. Take the Blue Jays.