Final
Jays' Dickey aims to solve Braves
May 30, 2013 - 2:37 PM (Sports Network) - Toronto ace R.A. Dickey tries to bounce back from another rough showing on Thursday when the Blue Jays wrap up their four-game home-and- home series with the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.The National League's Cy Young Award winner last season with the New York Mets, Dickey has had a rough time adjusting to life back in the AL. Dickey, though, seemed to be turning a corner with wins in two straight decisions. However, the Baltimore Orioles roughed him up on Saturday to the tune of six runs and nine hits with three walks in 6 2/3 innings, dropping the knuckleballer to 4-6 on the season to go along with a 4.85 ERA.
"The loss can be hung around my neck today, that's for sure," said Dickey, who is 4-6 on the year with a 4.85 ERA. "When you score five runs when I'm pitching, that should win the game."
Dickey's struggles could continue on Thursday, as he is just 2-5 lifetime versus the Braves with a 5.15 ERA in 13 games (10 starts). He's been even worse at Turner Field, where he pitched to an 8.80 ERA in three starts last season.
Toronto moved to the brink of a series win on Wednesday, as Melky Cabrera went 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored, while a combination of four pitchers blanked the Braves in a 3-0 win.
Esmil Rogers made his first start since 2011 and gave the Blue Jays another option in their injury-filled rotation by throwing 3 1/3 scoreless innings. The right-hander had made 22 appearances out of Toronto's bullpen this season and tossed 62 pitches Wednesday while allowing three hits and two walks.
"I just tried to make my pitches and give the opportunity to my teammates to win the game," Rogers said. "It feels pretty good."
Juan Perez (1-0) retired all eight batters he faced in his Blue Jays debut and recorded four of Toronto's 11 punchouts. Casey Janssen anchored the relief effort with a perfect ninth to post his 11th save of the year.
Atlanta used four relievers as a result of starter Kris Medlen exiting with a contusion to his left upper calf after being struck by a comebacker.
"I've been hit by a lot of balls in my life...(and) that's probably one of the harder ones I've felt," Medlen said of Emilio Bonifacio's line drive. "I think I knew right away, but I just wanted to at least get through the inning."
Medlen (1-6) was charged with three runs on four hits in two frames and saw his winless streak reach nine consecutive outings.
Getting the call for the Braves on Thursday will be lefty Mike Minor, who is 6-2 with a 2.47 ERA. Minor won his third consecutive decision on Saturday in New York, as he held the Mets to just three hits and struck out 10 over 7 1/3 scoreless innings.
He is 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA in five May starts.
Minor beat the Blue Jays the only other time he faced them.
Despite Wednesday's win, the Blue Jays have lost eight of 10 in Atlanta.
- TORONTO: 3
ATLANTA: 11
Final
May 30 9:43 PM - Pinch-Hitter Reed Johnson two-out, two-run Home Run (1) to left scored Justin Upton. Brian McCann is due up.
Blue Jays 3, Braves 11 Bot 8, 2 OutsMay 30 9:35 PM - Ramiro Pena singled to second scoring Evan Gattis and Brian McCann. Runner on first with two outs and Mike Minor due up.
Blue Jays 3, Braves 9 Bot 7, 2 OutsMay 30 9:18 PM - J.P. Arencibia's passed ball scored Freddie Freeman. On the play, Evan Gattis advances to third and Brian McCann advances to second. Runners on second and third and with two outs and Ramiro Pena at the plate.
Blue Jays 3, Braves 7 Bot 7, 2 OutsMay 30 9:13 PM - Jordan Schafer singled to left scoring Chris Johnson and Ramiro Pena. Runner on first with two outs and Andrelton Simmons due up.
Blue Jays 3, Braves 6 Bot 6, 2 OutsMay 30 8:50 PM - Ramiro Pena infield single to second scored Evan Gattis. On the play, Chris Johnson advances to second. Runners on first and second with one out and Mike Minor due up.
Blue Jays 3, Braves 4 Bot 6, 1 OutMay 30 8:47 PM - Mark DeRosa doubled to right scoring Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. Runner on second with one out and Colby Rasmus due up.
Blue Jays 3, Braves 3 Top 6, 1 OutMay 30 8:35 PM - Edwin Encarnacion singled to left-center scoring R.A. Dickey. On the play, Jose Bautista advances to third. Runners on second and third with one out as Encarnacion advanced on the throw to third and Mark DeRosa due up.
Blue Jays 1, Braves 3 Top 6, 1 OutMay 30 8:34 PM - Freddie Freeman two-out, solo Home Run (4) to right. Evan Gattis is due up.
Blue Jays 0, Braves 3 Bot 3, 2 OutsMay 30 7:53 PM - Ramiro Pena singled to left-center scoring Evan Gattis. On the play, Brian McCann advances to second. Runners on first and second with one out and Mike Minor due up.
Blue Jays 0, Braves 2 Bot 2, 1 OutMay 30 7:41 PM - Andrelton Simmons singled to left scoring Jordan Schafer. Runner on first with none out and Justin Upton due up.
Blue Jays 0, Braves 1 Bot 1, 0 OutsMay 30 7:21 PM - TORONTO: 0
ATLANTA: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
May 30 7:12 PM
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