G84: Blue Jays 9, Red Sox 7

Blue Jays - 124 000 110 - 9 13  0
Red Sox   - 000 040 030 - 7 11  2

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Red Sox pitchers are not created equal, that they are not necessarily endowed by the Front Office with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are a Spot in the Rotation, a Steady Paycheck and the Support of the Fans.

That to secure these rights, a Level of Good Play is instituted among Men of similar stature [and] whenever any Form of Pitching becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Responsibility of the Front Office to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Starter, laying its foundation on such principles as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Success and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Starters long established should not be changed for light and transient causes ... But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them to Second or even Third place, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Starter. Such has been the patient sufferance of Red Sox Nation; and such is now the necessity which constrains the Team to alter their current Rotation of Starting Pitchers. The history of the present Starter [John Derran Lackey] is a history of repeated bad outings and meltdowns, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Championship for this 2011 Team. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He lasted only 16 batters on Monday afternoon (2.1-9-7-0-2, 65) , allowing nine hits and seven runs. Eight of the last 11 Blue Jays batters he faced hit safely, with five singles, two doubles, and a home run. It was the fifth time this season (in only 13 outings) that he has allowed in excess of five runs (6, 7, 8, 9, 9). His ERA now stands at a 7.47.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. ... We previously warned the Front Office about its attempt to offer Lackey an unwarranted Lucrative and Long-Term Contract and have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here in Red Sox Nation. We have appealed to their native justice and our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our Pennant Drive and chance of a third Title in a mere eight years. They have been deaf (so far) to the voice of justice and of consanguinity.

The question before this body is: Is our only recourse declaring War on the Front Office and, having gained control of the Team by coup d'etat, jettison the Accursed Tyrant?

Brandon Morrow / John Lackey

I don't usually say this, but "Welcome Back, DH!"

Lackey had a very strong and economical start against the Phillies last week (7.2-8-2-1-5, 90), only the second start since April in which he has allowed fewer than four runs. He and Morrow matched up on June 11, when the Red Sox rocked Morrow (4.1-10-9-3-4, 103) and routed the Jays 16-4.

Toronto has lost five of their last seven, and is 10.5 GB in the East.

Ye Olde Days:

July 4, 1900 - The Chicago Colts beat the visiting Philadelphia Phillies in a doubleheader 10-4 and 5-4 (12). Several fans fire pistols to celebrate the holiday; no injuries are reported.

July 4-5, 1985 - The Mets beat Atlanta 16-13 in 19 innings in a game that also included two rain delays. It was Fireworks Night in Atlanta, so when the game ends at 3:55 A.M. (the latest finish in major league history), the show begins. Some local residents call the police, believing the city is under attack.

Mets    - 100 401 011 000 200 001 5 - 16 28  2
Atlanta - 102 010 040 000 200 001 2 - 13 18  3

AL East: Rays/Twins at 2 PM and Yankees/Spiders at 6:30 PM.