Dont Panic Toronto Blue Jays Fans, the Ship Has Sunk, Was it Ever Afloat?

Any reason to believe that the Blue Jays would be in first place by the middle of May?

Not heading into the season. However, just like many of you Jays' fans out there, optimism and hope arose with the hot start of our ballclub.

There haden't been this much excitement for a team in several years and the 27-14 start to the season had fans thinking quietly....(playoffs?!?!)....

In a week's time, off all these giddy and goofy thoughts have faded in a brutal roadtrip sending the Jays packing at 0-9. Three losses in Boston (still in first, okay, we'll move on), three in Atlanta, (unthinkable), three in Baltimore (impossible and infuriating).

Today was the day I snapped. Jays have their ace on the hill, ready to snap a losing streak. During the streak, we saw games in which the offense was poor and the pitching wasn't there.

Then in other games, we would see the pitching not give the team a chance to win. Today the Jays score eight runs in seven innings with Halladay on the mound.

One would believe up 8-3, the Jays would finally break the streak at 9 and head home to take on Boston this weekend feeling okay about themselves. Instead, Cito Gaston decides to give the game to the bullpen, with Roy at 102 pitches.

Many on the Blue Jays message board don't agree with this move, many promoting that Roy finish the game even if he goes 130 pitches.

Now I understand this sentiment, however, I also understand the move by Cito, Halladay didnt have exactly his best stuff and seemed to tire throughout the 7th inning.

Jesse Carlson is called on to replace Halladay in the bottom of the 8th, this after going 1.2 innings last night and warming up twice as well. Carlson who is usually reliable, just hasnt been the same pitcher this past month.

Either the hitters are catching up to him or its the heavy workload Cito has him on, Carlson should not be the choice there in the eighth inning!

Gaston has had this way of leaving players on the field and letting them break out of their own slumps. He also has a mancrush on using Carlson wherever he sees fit and this was one of those.

Up five runs, Gaston watches as Carlson retires just one batter while walking the bases loaded and allowing the O's right back in the game. Giving up three hits while walking one, Carlson leaves with the bases loaded. By then the damage is done, Gaston left Jesse in way too long.

Scott Downs is thrown into an impossible situation and blows the save while barely squeaking by with a perfect relay throw from Aaron Hill to gun the winning run at the plate on a Markakis double down the right field line.

Frasor comes in, and does what he does best, two innings of perfect relief. You have to say he has been the best Jays reliever this season.

Top 11th, Jays havent done anything offensively in several innings, basically sleepwalking when all of a sudden, Aaron Hill connects on a 2run bomb, just when things couldnt look any more bleak.

(okay, time for the bullpen to put this away, and we got ourselves a win) is what I'm thinking.

Cito makes another costly move here, Brining in BJ Ryan. Arghhh the heartache to watch him pitch these days. After allowing a leadoff single, I am reminded why didnt we leave in Jason Frasor here for a third inning???

Just look across the way Cito, the O's left Danys Baez in for 3 innings of relief, and despite the HR to Hill, did an outstanding job. Dave Trembley knew he gave them the best shot to win so he left him in. This should have been the same with Frasor.

Ryan retires the next hitter, and then is quickly pulled for...Brian Wolfe?

Cito...Cito...Cito

What are you doing?

Wolfe ,who is a fringe major league reliever at best promptly gives up a single to Melvin Mora, and a single to Luke Scott driving in a run. First and third, one out, Cito, maybe make a move? Try Brandon League for a double play, he is a sinker baller ya know...

Nope, no move is made, and Wolfe serves up a meatball that is plastered into the bleachers for a walk off three run bomb.

Streak at nine in a row...a sweep at the hands of the Orioles. Not good.

27-23 suddenly looks not as sweet as 27-14 did, ouch.

This loss could spell the rest of the season. It was as demoralizing as it looked. As Shea Hillenbrand would put it, "This ship is sinking."

Check out tomorrow's follow up article, on why the Jays will never be a championship caliber ballclub under its current state..