The fight for a starting job doesn't start in earnest until next spring training, but that doesn't mean the outings over the final six weeks are of no account either.
Canada's Scott Richmond sure wouldn't buy into that theory.
Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston is set in his belief that in 2010 the first three spots in the rotation will go to Roy Halladay, a healthy Shaun Marcum and lefty Ricky Romero.
After that, it will be a dogfight with Richmond and left-handers Brett Cecil and Marc Rzepczynski the leading three candidates for the two remaining spots.
"He's one of those guys that has to win a spot at spring training," Gaston said yesterday before Richmond and the Blue Jays lost 7-3 to the L.A. Angels of Anaheim at the Rogers Centre.
ALL BUT IGNORED
Since spending 30 days on the DL with a bout of biceps tendinitis in July, Richmond has been bumped often and all but ignored due to a high number of off days in July.
His start against the Angels was just his third since his return to duty July 31 and, given the fact it was 11 days since his previous start, it was more than credible.
Richmond went seven innings, allowing four runs on six hits, walked three and struck out 10, his second-highest total in the big leagues and most against an American League opponent.
"He pitched a good game for us," Gaston said. "He got in a little trouble there (third inning) and gave up three runs."
Richmond, 6-7, doesn't look at his remaining starts as part of an audition towards 2010. He believes that's putting the cart before the horse.
"I look at it start to start," Richmond said. "I don't know what their plans are. I just try to go out there every opportunity and pitch the best that I can. At this level you've got to go out and execute when you get your chances and that's what I plan on doing every time I get one."
Gaston gave him a show of faith in the seventh inning. With two on and two out, he left Richmond in to face the dangerous left-handed hitting Bobby Abreu. Richmond struck him out.
"He deserves a chance to try to come in off the field and have a chance to win the game at that particular time, down a run," Gaston said. "To gain confidence and believe in him too, I want him to know that and let him know he has a chance to win a game."
He also should have given up just three runs. In the third inning, Maicer Izturis hit a fly to left that was slicing away from Adam Lind. Lind, who is left-handed, stretched for the ball as he slid to his right and it clanked off his glove for a two-run double. The play was hardly routine but was one where he should have caught the ball, allowing just one run to score.
"I may not get to a lot of balls but when it hits my glove I expect to make the catch," Lind said.
Lind came back with a three-run homer in the bottom of the third to tie the game, but after Richmond left, Brian Tallet allowed three runs in the eighth and that was that.
It was Lind's 25th homer of the season and, coupled with Aaron Hill's 29, gave the Jays two 25-plus home run hitters for the first time since 2006 (Vernon Wells 32, Troy Glaus 38).
They didn't make the post-season that year either.
MIKE.RUTSEY@SUNMEDIA.CA
