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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
TORONTO (AP) – Joey Hamilton and the Toronto Blue Jays made a
good first impression with their fans.
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| Hamilton |
Hamilton pitched six strong innings and the Blue Jays won their
home opener, sending the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to their sixth
straight loss, 8-1 Monday night.
"It was special," Hamilton said. "It was a real good start,
especially with it being opening day in our own park, with that
many people out."
Raul Mondesi homered for Toronto before 48,115 fans. The crowd
was the Blue Jays' largest since July 18, 1998, and their biggest
for a home opener since 1995.
"If we keep playing this way, then I expect a lot more crowds
like that," Hamilton said.
The Blue Jays are hoping to turnaround dwindling attendance
figures. Toronto drew 1.8 million fans last year, the first time
the club has been under 2 million since moving into SkyDome in
1989.
"The more we win, the more fans will come out, and hopefully
we'll make the playoffs, which can carry an organization for
awhile," Toronto catcher Darrin Fletcher said.
Hamilton (1-0), who allowed one run in five innings last week at
Tampa Bay, gave up one run and five hits. He walked three and
struck out one.
"If I can go six innings, and give up only one run, I'll be
happy every time," Hamilton said.
The Devil Rays continued their worst start in franchise history,
falling to 1-6. Tampa Bay, which leads the majors with 12 errors,
made two mistakes that led to five unearned runs.
Paul Wilson (0-1) gave up seven runs – two earned – on five hits
in 5 2/3 innings.
"Errors happen. It's part of the game," Wilson said. "It's my
job to pick those guys up, and I didn't."
Rays center fielder Gerald Williams dropped a fly ball for a
two-base error in the first inning, setting up Carlos Delgado's
sacrifice fly.
Shannon Stewart's RBI single gave Toronto a 2-0 lead in the
second. Four of the Blue Jays' five runs were unearned in the
sixth.
Mondesi led off with a homer, and third baseman Vinny Castilla's
error allowed Brad Fullmer to reach with one out. Darrin Fletcher
hit an RBI double with two outs, Jose Cruz walked and Ryan Freel
had a two-run double.
Stewart's run-scoring double gave Toronto a 7-1 lead.
"That inning was a backbreaker," Wilson said.
Cruz added an RBI single in the eighth.
Tampa Bay scored in the sixth on a double by Williams and a
single by Steve Cox.
Game notes
Ted Rogers, who bought the Blue Jays late last year,
introduced himself to reporters in the press box during the game.
"Look at this crowd," Rogers said. "We haven't seen this in a
while." ... Toronto RHP Esteban Loaiza returned to Texas to be
with his fiancee, who underwent surgery Monday. Loaiza is scheduled
to pitch Wednesday. ... The Blue Jays activated INF Jeff Frye from
the 15-day disabled list. To make room, Toronto optioned INF Cesar
Izturis to Triple-A Syracuse. ... Before the game, the Blue Jays
requested a moment of silence for Hall of Famer Willie Stargell,
who died of a stroke Monday. ... The Devils Rays have managed just
five runs in their last seven games.
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RECAPS
Toronto 8
Tampa Bay 1
Chi. White Sox 9
Cleveland 2
NY Yankees 13
Kansas City 4
Minnesota 11
Detroit 5
NY Mets 9
Atlanta 4
Cincinnati 8
Pittsburgh 2
St. Louis 3
Colorado 2
Montreal 7
Chicago Cubs 5
Philadelphia 5
Florida 4
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