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TOES THE LINE
LHP Scott Downs, who is on the disabled list with a strained big toe on his left foot, threw a bullpen session yesterday, marking the first time he has thrown since he injured himself breaking out of the batters box against the Phillies on June 16. Downs is eligible to come off the DL tomorrow, which is an off day. It would be a big plus for the Jays if he is able to pitch in the four-game series against the Yankees in New York, which starts Friday. However, that still is up in the air. "It could be three days, a week, two weeks," Downs said yesterday. "It depends on when I can actually run on it, that's going to be the test. We'll throw another side on Friday and go from there."
DROPPING DOWN
For the second time this homestand, Jays manager Cito Gaston dropped RF Alex Rios to the seventh spot in the batting order. Rios opened the season hitting third and hit there for 61 games. The past two weeks he was shuffled to No. 6 and now it's No. 7. Gaston was asked what his thinking would have been during the spring if told that Rios would be hitting seventh? "I'd have thought that would be bad," Gaston replied. "He's someone we need to step up and play well. Hopefully, he'll do that before it's all over. I still believe he doesn't get ready in time (at the plate). He also has to have a plan. You can't hit every pitch they throw." On the homestand, Rios is 2-for-21.
RAPID RAYS
The Rays are the fastest team in the American League and lead in stolen bases with 121 heading into last night's game. All managers like to have speed and that includes Gaston. "Any time you have speed you can change the game around," he said. "It makes people rush. They (the Rays) just make you play hurry-up baseball some of the time.
NEXT UP
Today, 1:07 p.m., Rays RHP James Shields (6-5, 3.41) vs. Jays LHP Ricky Romero (5-3, 3.20). Sportsnet, Fan 590.
