Romero Knocks Them Out

There are games where a pitcher is so focused on the task at hand, they become virtually unhittable. Starts where pitchers just plow through the opposing lineups as if they are facing a little league team. Instances where hitter after hitter just saunters back to the dugout shaking their head thinking “how am I going to figure this guy out?”

Over the years, the Blue Jays have been on the receiving end of numerous starts like that, but tonight it was their teammate who was completely dialed in.

In arguably the best start of his young career, Ricky Romero spun a gem of a performance. Just one hit, and twelve strikeouts against the Chicago White Sox.


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All but two of Romero’s twelve punchouts on the night were swinging strikes, and he finished off seven of those ten swinging strikeouts with his changeup.

Maybe even more impressive, was Ricky’s control of the count throughout the game. On only two occasions did he ever let the count get to three balls. In fact, Romero kept the ball in the infield for the first seven innings.

Like the drama queen he is, A.J. Pierzynski sold a hit by pitch to the foot which eventually lead to the two-run home run from Alex Rios, but in no way whatsoever did that blemish ruin what would be one of Ricky Romero’s finest performances.

Is this a sign of things to come for Ricky Romero? All I can say is … don’t call it a comeback. He’s going to be here for years.

Ian Hunter

Ian has been writing about the Toronto Blue Jays since 2007. He enjoyed the tail-end of the Roy Halladay era and vividly remembers the Alex Rodriguez "mine" incident. He'll also retell the story of Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS to his kids for the next 20 years.

8 thoughts on “Romero Knocks Them Out

  • April 14, 2010 at 3:17 am
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    Probably not a bad idea – at least you can bank on him being around for the next 4-5 seasons (hopefully)!

  • April 14, 2010 at 4:23 am
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    And people were laughing at me when I drafted Romero in my fantasy leagues. "Romero, whos that? The #3 pitcher?!"

    Yea we all know he's the true ace of this staff…

  • April 14, 2010 at 12:39 pm
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    Let's hope so! Because those Brian Tallet starts are just plain awful to watch.

    Romero and Marcum will have to duke it out for the "ace" status on the club.

  • April 14, 2010 at 3:59 pm
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    Romero was incredible last night. Who can't wait to se face the Yankees and RedSox and really see what Marcum and Romero can do against those rosters? I'm more than impressed.

    Moving on to Gregg. I think you have to stick with him for now in the closer position. Frasor needs to work things out and 9th inning with 1 run lead is not the place for that. He'll get it together, but you have to go with Gregg now.

    I just can't put a players name on my jersey. These days… impossible.

  • April 14, 2010 at 4:45 pm
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    Dyl, fortunately we won't have to wait too much longer for those matchups against the Red Sox. They are coming to town April 26-28th. Hopefully Romero will be just as good if he starts that series.

    In the pen, I think you have to ride whoever has the streak going – and right now it's Kevin Gregg. The problem is there have been save situations in all of their games so far. That's 8 save opportunities, and there's no way the bullpen would be able to convert all of them.

  • April 14, 2010 at 5:33 pm
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    That was a great game to watch. I'd rather watch great pitching over homeruns any day…

  • April 14, 2010 at 8:52 pm
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    Same here, Mattt – I tend to stay glued to a pitcher's duel rather than a slugfest.

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