Inland Waterways » participated in 40 to 50

TORONTO – The Blue Jays play the rubber match of their three-game series with the Yankees on Sunday. With a win, Toronto (3-3) would head into its first off-day of the regular season above .500 and with the Astros coming to town for a three-game set starting Tuesday. KRATZS FIRST START Catcher Erik Kratz was looking forward to being behind the plate for Drew Hutchisons start on Sunday afternoon. “I like his demeanour,” said Kratz. “I like how he goes after hitters and hes not afraid of contact. Hes going to go right after these guys and Im excited about it.” Its been a whirlwind couple of weeks for Kratz. Acquired from Philadelphia in the offseason, along with pitcher Rob Rasmussen, it was assumed Kratz would have the inside track to be Dioner Navarros backup because hes an offensive threat. Kratz lost the job to Josh Thole, who has a lengthy track record catching knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, but was recalled in time for opening day when Casey Janssen went on the disabled list. “Theyve been up and down for sure,” said Kratz. “When I got sent down I was disappointed but when I got called back up obviously youre excited again. Its something that, its part of the game, its part of where Im at in my career.” He understands the business and knows there are limited opportunities to impress. But Kratz is familiar to the organization, the Blue Jays drafted him in 2002, and hes confident hes built up enough of a resume during his time in Philadelphia. He hit 18 home runs in 375 at-bats over the last two seasons. “I cant sit here and say, Oh man, this one at-bat that Im going to get off the bench is going to make or break my season,” said Kratz. “Its something that you do have to take advantage of your opportunities. Ive been fortunate to have opportunities in the big leagues so Ive put together a little bit of a resume.” Should he be called upon to catch Dickey this season, Kratz has confidence in his ability to receive the knuckleball. “Its as good as its been,” said Kratz. “I think he said it right and he knows the pitch the best. I definitely improved. Is there room for more improvement? Absolutely. I think its something that, getting that comfort level out in those games, lights are a little brighter than in spring training. Just the more reps I can get the more comfortable Ill get.” WALDEN “SHOCKED” AT CALL-UP Needless to say Marcus Walden was surprised when his contract was purchased from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday. “I was definitely shocked,” said Walden. “I saw that they were calling up Chad Jenkins. I didnt hear of a 10-day rule, I had no knowledge of it, so my skipper called me in and I was shocked. Really shocked.” The 10-day rule to which Walden is referring applies to players optioned to the minor leagues. Players on option already are on the 40-man roster and if theyre sent to the minor leagues, they must spend 10 regular season days on option before theyre eligible to be recalled. The lone exception is to be an injury replacement when someone on the big league roster is placed on the disabled list. The Blue Jays intended to recall Chad Jenkins but, because hes on option, he isnt eligible for call up until April 10, the 11th day of the regular season. Walden wasnt on the 40-man roster, hence his contract being “purchased,” and so he was selected as Jeremy Jeffress replacement when Jeffress was designated for assignment. Walden, 25, is a sinkerball pitcher who relies on ground ball outs. His career minor league strikeout rate of 5.4 per nine innings reflects his approach. He missed most of 2009 and all of 2010 after undergoing Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. Walden made a number of adjustments to his training regimen as a result. “Ever since then Ive kind of changed a lot of stuff about working out and doing a lot of things to get myself ready to pitch,” said Walden. “At the end of the day I think its paid off.” Walden swears by yoga; he estimates he participated in 40 to 50 sessions in the offseason. Hes considered one of the strongest players in the Blue Jays organization and he credits yoga. “I think its something, it kind of gets people to be more limber and more flexible,” said Walden. “If youve got really big, strong, tight muscles it does you no good. The more limber you are, the more flexibility you can have, the looser your muscles are to help with not having injuries.” ,b>POSITIVE SIGN For the first time in franchise history, the Blue Jays first three wins of a season have come with the club scoring fewer than four runs in each of the victories. The starting pitching, with the benefit of improved defence, is off to a much better start than last year. Its early but the Blue Jays 3.78 starting staff ERA has the team on track to vastly improve on last seasons 4.81 ERA amongst starters, which ranked second worst in baseball. Jesse Lingard England Jersey . Louis, MO (SportsNetwork. Gary Cahill England Jersey .com) - Chris Kreider tallied a goal and an assist as the New York Rangers capped a successful California road trip with a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. http://www.englandsoccerpro.com/ . -- Even as Chris Paul remained evasive about his future, he did what team leaders are expected to do. Eric Dier England Jersey .com) - A pair of programs shooting for their 10th win of the season get together at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, as the NC State Wolfpack tangle with 22nd-ranked West Virginia during the challenge round of the Gotham Classic. Harry Kane England Jersey . -- John Fox will coach the Denver Broncos from the sideline and not the booth upon his return Sunday five weeks after heart surgery.Dallas, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - John Klingberg scored twice as the Dallas Stars ended a four-game skid with a 5-4 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. Erik Cole and Ales Hemsky each tallied a goal and an assist and Trevor Daley also lit the lamp for the Stars, who have earned points in 11 of their last 12 games against the Senators. I thought it was a really hard battle to stay in there and come back with that second period, Stars head coach Lindy Ruff said. Everybody dug in and found a way to win. Anders Lindback stopped 34-of-36 shots after Kari Lehtonen gave up two goals on five shots early in the game. Mike Hoffman, Jared Cowen. Clarke MacArthur and Milan Michalek all scored for the Senators, who have lost four of their last five. We got sloppy, Senators head coach Dave Cameron said. Its tough when you give up four (goals) in the second to come back against anybody. Robin Lehner allowed all five goals on 29 shots in defeat. Dallas seized control of the game with a four-goal second period. Daley beat Lehner with a rising slap shot from the point and Klingbergs wrister off the rush made it a 3-3 game at 8:42. Cole gave the Stars the lead after he tipped in Alex Goligoskis point shot on the power play and Klingberg capped the frenetic frame with his second of the night, a snap shot from the edge of the right circlle for a 5-3 lead with nine seconds remaining in the middle stanza.dddddddddddd Ottawa got within a goal after Michalek whacked a loose puck into the net off a scrum in front six minutes into the third. The Senators pulled Lehner with under two minutes to play, but were unable to net the equalizer. Hoffman took a stretch pass from Bobby Ryan in the neutral zone, raced into the Dallas zone up the right side and wristed a shot that beat Lehtonen stick side for an early Ottawa lead 4:57 into the first. The Senators took a 2-0 lead on the power play as David Legwand slid a pass over to MacArthur, who wristed a shot past Lehtonens blocker at 10:30 of the opening stanza, chasing Lehtonen from the game. Hemsky got the Stars on the board with a blast from the right side with 3:52 to play in the first, but Cowen countered with a wrister 1:47 later to restore Ottawas two-goal lead. Game Notes Dallas forward Jason Spezza played his first game against the Senators since he was traded from Ottawa last July. Spezza spent his first 11 seasons with the Senators ... Ottawa has not won in Dallas since a 4-2 victory on Dec. 7, 2007 ... The Stars improved to 6-1-0 in their last seven home games against the Senators ... Dallas forward Vernon Fiddler was a late scratch due to a lower-body injury. 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