That's what I'm saying, guy…

The great Ichiro

Scott Downs is a good pitcher — has been for a few years now — but he’s sure in the midst of one hellish stretch. Toronto’s closer continued his tribute to recently-released closer B.J. Ryan last night by coughing up his fourth game in seven days, giving up a two-out walk-off single to Ichiro Suzuki in Seattle. That, after blowing a 1-0 lead against Cleveland last Tuesday, a tie in extras against Tampa Bay on Friday and a two-run ninth inning lead in the ninth in Saturday’s eventual 10-9 loss to the Rays. Still, I’m not too worried. Either that or I’m just too numb to even care at this point.

The Jays fell behind 3-0 last night before stringing together a nice little comeback, scoring a run in the seventh and a pair in the eighth on RBI doubles by Aaron Hill and Alex Rios. Downs couldn’t keep the Mariners off the board in the ninth though, giving up three hits, including the winner to Ichiro on an 0-2 pitch that looked like it was ticketed for the dirt in front of the plate. Oh well, you won’t catch me shedding any tears of this one.

Also, midnight last night marked J.P. Ricciardi’s self-imposed deadline to trade Roy Halladay, which doesn’t really mean anything, actually. Since trade rumors are still floating all over the place today, Ricciardi obviously hasn’t hung up the phone on any potential trade partners, meaning his whole “deadline” was just a load. Surprise, surprise. Halladay, by the way, has the ball this afternoon for the rubbermatch in Seattle against Ryan Rowland-Smith.