DIFFERENT STROKES
In the Jays current rotation they have lefty Ricky Romero, who started Tuesday's game, following lefty Brett Cecil.
Having young left-handers pitching back-to-back is not a common occurrence at this level, but pitching coach Bruce Walton believes they give the hitters a different enough look and it certainly hasn't hurt Romero's numbers.
"I think they are two different pitchers and they have two different game plans," Walton said.
"I think they're two different looks. Ricky throws a heavier ball, more of a sinker ball with slider and more of a split changeup than Cecil. Cecil is starting to come close to him as far as throwing his changeup but I still think they are really worlds apart."
BOTTOMS UP
In their 5-1 victory on Monday, the bottom three hitters in the Jays lineup -- 3B Jose Bautista, C John Buck and RF Travis Snider -- each hit a home run.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it marked the first time in club history that each of the Blue Jays starters batting in the 7-8-9 spots have hit a home run in the same game.
HOMER HAPPY
The Blue Jays entered Tuesday's game with 41 home runs, tops in the major leagues.
Of their 127 runs scored, 62 of them or 48.8% have come via the home run, the second-highest percentage in the American League.
The plus to an offence that is homer-centric is it can score runs in a hurry and rarely is out of a game. The downside is the lack of consistency, and if they aren't hitting them out, they aren't scoring.
"I've played on teams that have hit home runs but you can't just live by the home run," manager Cito Gaston said.
"I think if you had a couple of guys that can drop in a couple of base hits in there too along with the home runs, it's always good. But if you live or die with the home run, that's not good all the time. Still, we're about fourth or fifth in the league in runs scored and RBIs so you can't knock it right now."
BASHING BUCK
Among catchers in the American League, Buck ranks first in extra-base hits (13), is first in RBIs (14), is tied for first in doubles (8), is tied for first in home runs (5) and is second in total bases (41).
UP NEXT
Wednesday, Blue Jays (RHP Brandon Morrow, 2-2, 5.46) at Indians (RHP Fausto Carmona, 3-1, 4.05), 12:05 p.m., Sportsnet, Fan 590.
