SHARING SPOTLIGHT
Jose Bautista had a terrific month of July but it was only good enough to earn him co-Player of the Month honours with Minnesota's Delmon Young.
The Twins outfielder hit .434 (46-for-112) with 12 doubles, six home runs, and 30 RBIs. Bautista, meanwhile, hit .347 (34-for-98) with eight doubles, 11 home runs and 29 RBIs.
LEADING OFF
In facing the Yankees on Wednesday afternoon, manager Cito Gaston put out one of his more creative lineups. He had slugging left fielder Travis Snider leading off.
"It's the first time I've batted leadoff since I was 11 playing for the all-stars in Little League," Snider said before the game. "It came as a little bit of a surprise.
"But any way I can get in there, I'm happy to help."
In the opening two games against the Yankees, Snider has gone 4-for-8 with two doubles, one homer and three RBIs. On Wednesday he was 0-for-5.
For the game, Gaston rested both outfielder Fred Lewis and shortstop Yunel Escobar, who have been the top two hitters in his lineup. With Snider leading off, Gaston moved Hill back to his former No. 2 spot. Both Snider and Hill will return to their usual spots upon the return of Lewis and Escobar.
John McDonald made his 22nd start of the season, but just his fourth playing at short for Escobar.
BUCK BOUNCED
Alex Rodriguez did double damage against the Jays on Wednesday.
Not only did he hit a two-run homer in the first -- the 600th of his career -- but in the fifth inning on a 3-2 count, he foul-tipped a ball that caught the right thumb of catcher John Buck and tore the digit open for three stitches. Jose Molina went in to replace Buck.
Following the game, the Jays announced that Buck has been placed on the 15-day DL, with J.P. Arencibia coming up from triple-A Las Vegas to replace him on the 25-man roster. Arencibia is hitting .303 with 31 homers and 79 RBIs and is the frontrunner to take over the catching duties next season.
LONG TIME, NO SEE
This one is kind of hard to believe but the last time that Shaun Marcum faced the Yankees was on Sept. 22, 2007. Marcum missed all of 2009 because of his recovery from Tommy John elbow ligament surgery. Incredibly, in 2008 he made 25 starts but none of them came against the Yankees. Wednesday marked his 11th appearance and ninth start against the Yankees.
ON DECK
Thursday -- Off Day
Friday -- Rays (RHP Matt Garza, 11-5, 4.11) at Blue Jays (LHP Brett Cecil, 8-5, 3.77), Sportsnet, Fan 590.
Saturday -- Rays (RHP James Shields, 10-9, 4.54) at Blue Jays (RHP Jesse Litsch, 1-5, 5.79), Sportsnet, Fan 590.
Sunday -- Rays (RHP Jeff Niemann, 10-3, 3.12) at Blue Jays (RHP Brandon Morrow, 8-6, 4.79), Sportsnet, Fan 590.
