Blue Jays scored nine, but offense still struggling

Yes, the Toronto Blue Jays knocked out Joba Chamberlain during the third inning in the young Yankee's first ever big league start at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday.

The Jays forced Joba to throw nearly 40 pitches in the opening inning, and then scored six runs against the New York bullpen in a 9-3 victory.

But let's not applaud the Jays. They still have problems scoring.

Toronto's first two runs scored on groundouts Also, despite the fact Chamberlain walked three in the first inning, the Jays could take only a 1-0 lead.

Oh yeah, the Jays left the bases loaded in the first.

Of course, the Yankees predictably took advantage of their opportunities early on, as Hideki Matsui and Jason Giambi collected two-out RBI hits off Roy Halladay in the bottom of the inning and led 2-1.

Joba was gone in the third after having walked Alex Rios. Again, the Jays couldn't do anything with Dan Giese, making his Yankees debut after spending last season in San Francisco and this year in Triple-A.

Think about it: You had the 22-year-old Chamberlain, who was no doubt nervous thanks to all the hype surrounding his first career start, and 31-year-old rookie Giese, pitching for the Yankees for the first time, period.

Wouldn't the opposing team have taken advantage of the pair of pitchers trying to make an impression on the Yankees?

The Jays finally got to Giese in the fourth, but it could have been much more. Rod Barajas, who fanned with the bases full to end the first, doubled. Brad Wilkerson singled.

Runners on first and third, none out.

A sac fly gave Toronto the lead, and another single put runners on first and third again.

Giese got out of the jam.

Amazing. Giese was sent back to Triple-A on Wednesday, but pitched well enough: one run in his 3.2 innings.

The Jays then scored six runs off Jose Veras and Edwin Ramirez, who combined to walk three and give up three hits after Giese departed.

Yes, six runs in one inning at the Stadium. But really, have you ever heard of Veras and E. Ramirez? I didn't think so.

All told, the Yankees bullpen had to throw 6.2 innings because of Joba's short outing.

Anytime a team's bullpen has to pitch that many innings, that team's in trouble.

So yes, the Jays got nine runs to support Halladay in the victory. But this lopsided victory doesn't mean the Jays' problems are over.

Look at those missed chances and runs scoring on groundouts and a sac fly. Walks and bases-loaded situations weren't capitalized on. Runners on first and third that failed to produce big innings.

Don't get too excited yet, if you're a Toronto fan. They need more bats in the lineup.