Reyes snaps winless streak in style
It was an unfair record to start with, so it is over and good riddance.
Left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes had not won in 28 major league starts dating back to June 13, 2008, when he beat the Los Angeles Angels while he was still with the Atlanta Braves.
He ended that string with his first career major league complete game as the Blue Jays beat the Cleveland Indians 11-1 on Monday, with the Rogers Centre crowd chanting "Jo-Jo, Jo-Jo."
"It's fitting that was a complete game win to end a much-publicized streak," manager John Farrell said.
The win prevented Reyes from standing alone in major league history with 29 starts without a win. He remains tied at 28 with Matt Keough (1978-79) of the Oakland Athletics and Cliff Curtis (1910-11) of the Boston Doves/Boston Rustlers (who later became the Braves).
It's un unfair record because wins and losses are frequently out of a pitcher's control. In between his past two major league victories, Reyes spent considerable time in the minors, and he did win eight games there, so he knew where to find the winner's circle.
Could Reyes have ended his major league drought sooner? Sure. He had made only 93 pitches through seven innings and was removed from the May 20 game against the Houston Astros with a 2-0 lead, but the Blue Jays bullpen blew his lead and then the game.
This time, he was allowed to stay in the game until the end, allowed to make 121 pitches.
Some of the winless spell was of his own doing. During those 28 starts, he was 0-13 with a 6.59 ERA. But he also earned his way out of the funk, finishing what he started.
"We had protection behind him if needed, but I think it was fitting that he finished what he started," Farrell said. "As the game unfolded, he seemed to get more in rhythm with the game. He got more sharp with his stuff as the game went along and just (did) a very good job."
Left-hander Ricky Romero, the first Blue Jay out of the dugout to reach Reyes on the mound after the game ended, said, "Everyone was pulling for him. Everyone knows what's going on. But he's been busting his tail off as hard as anyone on this team, and we all wanted him to win."
Reyes said, "I'm just glad it's over."
Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
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