Information » in the second quarter and closed it to 57-54 at halftime.

The Blue Jays had some pressing needs in the off-season, including two starting pitchers and possibly a second baseman. They decided to put their faith in Ryan Goins at second and either through budgetary constraints or trades that fell through were unable to get the needed arms. Still youve got to give Alex Anthopoulos credit for some of his bargain basement pick-ups that have shored up the Jays in a couple of areas. Lets start with Juan Francisco, who was picked up on waivers from Milwaukee in April. Though not nearly the third baseman Brett Lawrie is, his presence and bat have allowed skipper John Gibbons to shift Lawrie to second, at least for the short term, to give the Jays a stronger all-round lineup. Francisco is hitting .292 and is nearly halfway to his career high of 18 homers of last season. Hes slugged eight so far with 19 runs batted in. Hes also insurance at 1B and DH if Adam Linds back acts up again. Steve Tolleson was signed as a free agent back in December to provide some middle infield depth. On the days, Lawrie is at third (mainly against lefties), Tolleson has done a solid job at second, and even showed a flare for pitching in that 15-4 blow-out loss to Cleveland last week. His presence also allows for more developement time for Goins in Buffalo. Dioner Navarro has been a big upgrade behind the plate over J.P. Arencibia and has developed a great chemistry with lefty Mark Buehrle, whos off to the best start of his career at 7-1 with a 2.11 ERA. Navarro, who was signed as a free agent in December, has also knocked in 17 runs. Erik Kratz, who shares the back-up catching role at least for now with Josh Thole, helped guide Drew Hutchison through the best start of his career Friday night at Arlington in a complete game 2-0 victory over the Rangers. Kratz, who came over from the Phillies along with reliever Rob Rasmussen for reliever Brad Lincoln, keyed a two-run rally against Texas with a bunt single. Hes also shown a little pop in his limited role with two home runs. Another bargain pick-up who might have an impact is 25-year-old Australian-born righthander Liam Hendriks. With Marcus Stroman returning to Buffalo to hone his abilities as a starter, Hendriks is the odds-on favourite to be called up and fill the vacant spot in the rotation on Saturday against Oakland. Hendriks, who went 2-13 with a 6.10 ERA in brief stints with Minnesota, went through a whirlwind two months in the off-season. He was claimed by the Cubs from Minnesota, then by the Orioles and finally in February, the Blue Jays picked him on waivers. He has been off the charts good with the Bisons, going 5-0 with a league-leading 1.48 ERA. Hes also walked just three batters in just over 48 innings. Hes also pitched into the seventh inning three times in his seven starts. So as disappointing as the Blue Jays off-season was in terms of a lack of big-name pick-ups, it clearly wasnt a total loss. Update From The Minors The immortal Cy Young pitched well into his 40s and when he ultimately retired, he said it was nothing to do with his arm. He said he had plenty of pitches left. It was his legs that wouldnt take the rigors of pitching anymore. The same thing may be happening with the beleaguered Ricky Romero, who had stem cells injected into both of his knees back in October. But he told the Buffalo News he still has good days and bad days with his knees and, although he wasnt making excuses, that might explain why his control is getting worse instead of better. On Friday, Romero walked a Bisons franchise record of nine in just two-2/3rds innings in what became a 4-1 loss to Gwinnett at Buffalos Coca Cola Field. In his last four starts, Ricky has walked 24 batters. Hes leaving the team for a few days to go back to California for his younger brothers college graduation at Long Beach State. Hes hoping to rejoin the Bisons this weekend in Louisville, but hoping to is the operative phrase. Anthopoulos told the Buffalo News that numerous options are being concidered, including sending Ricky to Double A New Hampshire, or maybe even extended spring training in Dunedin, or possibly even putting him on the disabled list to deal with his knee issues. Kyle Drabek hasnt exactly turned it around at Buffalo, either. He also pitched in that doubleheader on Friday ande didnt walk anyone, but gave up eight runs, six earned on 11 hits in five innings in a 9-3 loss in the second game of the twinbill. Lefty Sean Nolin, who pitched briefly with the Blue Jays last season, might have been a call-up candidate, but hes on the disabled list with a groin strain retroactive to May 14th. Not Missing a Beat You might have thought the Tigers might stumble a bit this season in the wake of the retirement of skipper Jim Leyland and the Prince Fielder trade to Texas. Not at all. Theyve won six in a row and have the largest division lead in the Majors at 6.5 games over Kansas City. They just finished sweeping a three-game series at Fenway and havent missed a beat under new skipper Brad Ausmus. Ian Kinsler, who came over from Texas in the Fielder trade, is doing a stellar job out of the lead-off spot and is hitting .315. He went 4-for-5 Sunday against Boston. An unsung hero for Detroit is suddenly heathy as DH Victor Martinez is hitting .331 with 10 homers and 25 runs batted in. Hes hitting clean-up right behind Miguel Cabrera and helping Detroit to the best road record in the Majors. All About Timing The Blue Jays might be hitting Boston Tuesday at just the right time. The defending World Series champions have dropped four in a row and have fallen to 20-23, fourth in the AL East, two games back of the Blue Jays. An odd stat, no team in the American League East has a winning record at home, heading into Week 8 of the season. The first-place Yankees have the best mark and they are only 11-11. To take that a little farther, only two teams in the other two divisions have losing records at home: Seattle and Houston. Miami has the strangest home/road splits. They have a Major League best 17-5 record at home, and a Major League worst 6-17 record on the road, for a total record of 23-22, the same as the Blue Jays. Portland Trail Blazers Jerseys .C. -- Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe is resigning after 13 seasons at the school. Damian Lillard Blazers Jersey http://www.blazersteamofficial.com/Cj-Mccollum-Blazers-Jersey/ . Winners of two straight, the Flames will try to become the first team in 25 years to go three consecutive games without taking a penalty Saturday night in San Jose. Clyde Drexler Jersey .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. Brandon Roy Blazers Jersey .com) - The Miami Heat will try to close out the Charlotte Bobcats Monday night in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first round series.BOSTON - The Toronto Raptors were short a couple of key frontcourt players. It didnt matter because Kyle Lowry stepped up big.Lowry scored 35 points and had a key steal in the closing minute to lead the Raptors to a 110-107 win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.With big men Amir Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas sidelined, Lowry took over for the Raptors in the second quarter and carried them from there.He came out aggressive, forward DeMar DeRozan said. We need him to do that.DeRozan had 23 points and Patrick Patterson added 14 for Toronto, but it was Lowry that Boston coach Brad Stevens praised.I said before the game that he probably should have been an All-Star last year, Stevens said. It looks like he took that one seriously because he looked like one tonight.It came after the Raptors fell behind by 16 points in the first quarter.We cant be that way, coach Dwane Casey said. It shouldnt have to come from me to crack the whip at every turn to get us going.Rajon Rondo led Boston with a triple-double of 13 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds. Jeff Green had 20 points for the Celtics, who have lost three straight after a season-opening win over Brooklyn.They were missing some guys and he knew he needed to step up, and did his job, Boston forward Kelly Olynyk said of Lowry.With the score tied at 105, Lowry stripped rookie Marcus Smart and fed DeRozan for a fast-break layup with 33 seconds left. He was fouled on the play and hit the free throw.If he got by me he would have got a layup, Lowry said. I knew DeMars always going to trail me. I was just hoping he was hurrying up.Rondos two free throws sliced it to one, but Lowry nailed a fadeaway jumper from the left wing with 8 seconds to play.Green back-rimmed a long 3 and Bostons Jared Sullinger grabbed the rebound, but time ran out.Boston had overcome a horrible shooting stretch filled with turnovers, rallying to tie it at 105 on Smarts 3-pointer from the top with 1:10 to play.The Celtics trailed 102-97 with 2 1/2 minutes left.Toronto trailed by seven, but closed the third quarter with an 11-2 spree, taking its first lead since the games opening basket on a driving floater at the buzzer by Lou Williams.ddddddddddddeading 88-86 after three, the Raptors pushed it to 92-86 on James Johnsons steal and breakaway jam with just over nine minutes left. The Celtics went 5 1/2 minutes without a basket.After Sullingers three-point play — Bostons only basket in a 10 1/2 minute stretch — cut it to 94-92, the Raptors scored the next six points. The Celtics had already committed 27 turnovers midway into the final quarter and finished with 28.Lowry scored 14 points in the third quarter, taking over by handling the ball for long stretches before either driving to the middle of Bostons defence or hitting long jumpers.The Celtics had opened a 27-11 lead eight minutes into the game, but the Raptors — sparked by Lowrys nine points — got back in it with a 15-0 run over a 3 1/2 minute stretch late in the second quarter and closed it to 57-54 at halftime.___TIP-INSRaptors: C Valanciunas did not play after leaving Tuesdays win over Oklahoma City with a bruise on his right hand at the start of the second quarter. He returned to that game, but left again after getting accidentally hit in the face. Theres nothing broke, everythings negative, Casey said before the game. A little bit of everything. He got beat up pretty good, got hit in the nose, and cracked his knuckle on somebodys knee or something. ... F Johnson (sore left ankle) missed his third straight, but Casey said he expects him to return Friday.Celtics: C Vitor Faverani, who had off-season knee surgery in Europe, was back with the team. Theres a long way to go before he gets back on the court, Stevens said.WHAT A NIGHTLowry was 12 of 17 from the floor, nailing two from beyond the 3-point line. He also was 9 of 10 from the free throw line, had four assists and four rebounds in 35 1/2 minutes. Hes just really good, Stevens said.SIZZLING STARTThe Celtics hit 15 of 19 shots in the opening quarter en route to a 35-23 lead after one.UP NEXTRaptors: Host Washington on Friday.Celtics: Host Indiana Friday. ' ' '