Things worth mentioning

• After that series against Oakland where they found four different ways to lose, the Blue Jays really needed a good start from JA Happ and avoid any crazy shit from happening. Happ delivered, scattering three hits – all singles – across seven innings, while walking three and striking out five. The team jumped out to an early lead with a five-run first inning, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, it didn’t feel stressful at all thanks in large part to Happ. Can you say staff ace?
• Speaking of that five-run first inning…how different does this game turn out if Chris Young catches that Russell Martin fly ball to end the first inning? That’s a huge miscue and instead of getting out of the inning down one, the Blue Jays score two on the play and two more after that. It’s nice to finally see something go their way.
• Josh Donaldson is alive, folks. The third baseman put three balls in play today and all of them were rockets. He recorded two doubles that had exit velocities in the triple digits, a lineout, and a strikeout tonight. If the Blue Jays want to go on a run and make up for the past few weeks – and let’s face it, they aren’t as bad as they have been lately – the Bringer of Rain will need to be a big part of it.
• The Blue Jays still aren’t in that much trouble, but had they been swept by the Halos this week, sirens may have started to go off. With this loss, the Angels fall to 3-8 in their last 11. I don’t know, that second wildcard spot still seems pretty open with Los Angeles’ struggles, the Mariners dropping like flies and the Tampa Bay Sergio Romo’s being…well, exactly that.
• Oh, Kendrys Morales homered. How did I not lead off with that? He added a single later. For those following at home, that brings the DH’s OPS to .576. Keep climbing, baby!