R.A. Dickey pitches after losing father, Beeston, Copeland
By Bob Elliott
That R.A. Dickey guy had his best start of the season allowing one run in 7 1/3 innings Thursday night.
A day later his outing -- three hits, five walks -- looked even more impressive and it had nothing to do with the number of base runners allowed.
Dickey decided to made his regular start despite the fact his father Harry Lee Dickey, 63 had died two days earlier in Nashville. Dickey was placed on bereavement list to attend the funeral on Saturday. Infielder Muenori Kawasaki was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo.
“We knew yesterday before the game,” said Jose Bautista before the opener of the Baltimore-Jays series Friday night. “He was determined. It didn’t take too long to tell that he was locked in a zone.
“When he reached the dugout he let it go. He was emotional.”
Manager John Gibbons lifted Dickey after Lucas Duda ended the shut out bid with a solo homer. Dickey received a standing ovation from the crowd of 27,588 and thrust his cap forcefully into the air as he neared the third base dugout.
“If you lose your father you are probably going home,” said Justin Smoak. “It took a lot of heart to do that.”
Lunch is on me: Former manager Cito Gaston and retired vice-president Howard Starkman, who has missed one game since he retired last year, took their long-time pal Paul Beeston for lunch Friday afternoon.
The trio headed down the elevator but got off on the 200 Level “to show him something ... it would only take a few minutes.”
The Blue Jays president rounded the corner and there was his picture on the Jumbotron and 200 or so front-office members there to celebrate Beeston’s 70th birthday, one day early.
Former Jays George Bell, Devon White, Duane Ward, Lloyd Moseby, Kelly Gruber and Buck Martinez were on hand for the lunch as Beeston was presented a Jays jersey with the No. 70 on it.
Guests were given chocolate cigars.
Rested and ready: Right-hander Scott Copeland, who makes his third start for the Jays Sunday afternoon, will be pitching on normal rest -- besides the four days off from the mound. Last Monday he was in Buffalo and was told he would be replacing Aaron Sanchez Tuesday night at Citi Field.
Copeland was booked on a 12:15 PM Delta flight to New York. The flight was delayed until three, he boarded and then everyone was asked to de-plane. Finally the flight was cancelled at six and he was re-booked two hours later.
When it was announced that that flight would be delayed two more hours travelling secretary Mike Shaw booked a Lincoln town car to make the drive to New York. Copeland arrived six hours later.
Copeland allowed three runs on eight hits in a 3-2 loss to the New York Mets. In his first start he worked seven innings allowing six hits and one run in a win over the Miami Marlins.
Faces in the crowd: Lydia Devlin of the commissioner’s office was on the field pre-game making sure order was maintained ... Jo-Jo Polak, former general manager of the Ottawa Rough Riders took in the game as well. Both spruced up the yard.