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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Herk Robinson must be absolutely awash
in remorse.
|  | | Mike Sweeney is making believers in K.C. with performances like Wednesday's, when he went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs against Toronto. |
"I hope you make me regret this," Robinson said when he
refused to give Mike Sweeney a multiyear contract.
As a rookie first baseman, Sweeney often appeared clumsy and
heavy-footed after switching from catcher on an emergency basis
last year. That's why Robinson, then the general manager, declined
to sign him to a multiyear contract.
Now Sweeney is making tough plays look routine as well as
ranking among the AL leaders in hits and RBIs. While going 3-for-4
and driving in three runs Wednesday night in a 5-3 victory over
Toronto, Sweeney was most proud of two outstanding defensive plays.
"What was exciting was not only did I do well with the bat, I
did well with the glove," Sweeney said.
"Now I'm starting to feel more confident and I'm starting to
get recognized for my defense as well as my offense."
Sweeney was a backup catcher last year when he was pressed into
service at first.
"Herk's explanation was, `We don't believe in you over at first
base,' " Sweeney said. "I told him, `It's not if, it's when I show
you guys I'm a first baseman. You're going to regret this.'
"Herk told me, `Mike ... I hope we do regret it. I hope you do
prove you can play first base at the big league level.' "
Sweeney, who has 39 singles and three homers in his last 42
hits, connected off Steve Trachsel in the third for a 4-2 lead as
the Blue Jays lost their eighth road game in nine starts.
A batter earlier, Toronto shortstop Alex Gonzalez failed to
touch second and threw wildly to first on a potential double-play
grounder.
Trachsel (6-11) went five innings, giving up five runs on eight
hits, and remained winless in eight starts. His last victory was
with Tampa Bay on June 27 when he beat Toronto. He is 0-1 in two
starts with the Blue Jays.
Jeff Suppan (6-6), who is 4-0 in his last six starts, got the
victory. He went eight-plus innings, allowing 11 hits, three runs
and no walks, striking out eight.
Dave Martinez had an RBI single in the first for Toronto, which
got another run in the third on Shannon Stewart's 15th home run.
Johnny Damon singled leading off Kansas City's fourth and Rey
Sanchez grounded to second baseman Mickey Morandini. But Damon was
safe at second when umpires said shortstop Gonzalez did not touch
the bag after taking Morandini's throw.
"The umpire said he was off the bag when he got the ball,"
said Toronto manager Jim Fregosi, who ran out to argue with second
base ump Kerwin Danley.
"He told Gonzalez that the guy beat the play. Then he told me
he was off the bag. Honestly, he just messed it up."
Damon then got up and sped to third as Gonzalez's throw to first
sailed over Carlos Delgado's head.
Sweeney, who hadn't homered since July 18, then hit a 1-1 pitch
over the fence in left. With two outs, Todd Dunwoody's RBI single
made it 5-2.
Tony Batista added an RBI double in the ninth for Toronto.
Tim Byrdak got two outs in the ninth before Andy Larkin got the
final out for his first career save.
Game notes
The Blue Jays plan to bring RHP Joey Hamilton back on
Sunday from a Triple-A rehab assignment in Syracuse. They are not
certain when he will rejoin the roster. ... Kansas City's Carlos
Febles made a fine play in the first when he dived to his left and
did a belly flop to stop Delgado's grounder. ... Three of Stewart's
15 homers have been off Suppan, who leads the majors with 30
allowed. ... Toronto CF Jose Cruz robbed Gregg Zaun of extra bases
when he ran down his liner in the gap. ... The Blue Jays have
homered in 96 of 116 games.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Toronto Clubhouse
Kansas City Clubhouse
RECAPS
Cleveland 6
Texas 4
Baltimore 5
Detroit 2
NY Yankees 12
Oakland 1
Tampa Bay 5
Minnesota 4
Chi. White Sox 19
Seattle 3
Kansas City 5
Toronto 3
Boston 4
Anaheim 2
Florida 5
St. Louis 3
Colorado 4
Pittsburgh 3
San Francisco 9
Milwaukee 3
Cincinnati 10
Atlanta 6
Philadelphia 3
San Diego 2
NY Mets 12
Houston 5
Montreal 4
Arizona 3
Chicago Cubs 5
Los Angeles 4
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