Esmil Rogers has struggled of late

TORONTO - Heres a remarkable stat: In each of his last six starts, Josh Johnson has allowed multiple runs in the same inning he allows his first base runner of the game. The list and in parentheses the inning in question and runs allowed: June 28 at Boston (2nd, 2); July 3 vs. Detroit (2nd, 4); July 9 at Cleveland (4th, 2); July 14 vs. Baltimore (1st, 4); July 22 vs. Los Angeles (2nd, 4); July 27 vs. Houston (1st, 4). The Blue Jays havent won any of the six games and Johnson (1-7) has taken the loss in the last five. On Sunday, Houstons first four batters scored. Jonathan Villar singled, Jose Altuve did the same and so did Jason Castro, scoring Villar. Then Chris Carter came to the plate and made no mistake with Johnsons mistake, pounding a fastball into the batters eye in centrefield for a three-run home run. The Astros led before all of the more than 34,000 fans in attendance had taken their seats. "Definitely," said Johnson when asked if hes experiencing the most difficult period of his professional career. "Definitely. This game will definitely test you but like I said, just got to find a way, find a way to stay positive and get through it." "Hes scuffling, I mean thats an understatement," said manager John Gibbons. "Hes feeling it. Hes human. You know, you feel for the guy. Hes never struggled a whole lot in his career. Hes trying to settle in. Hes trying to contribute and it hasnt gone well for him. Its tough because theres really nowhere to hide out there but hes got to keep battling. Theres nothing else you can do." Nowhere to hide and so much time left in what already is a lost season. Gone is the chatter about Johnson being one-and-done with the Blue Jays, fleeing back to the US-based team willing to throw the most money his way. Instead, the belief is the Blue Jays will extend Johnson a qualifying offer (in the $14-million range) in the off-season, one which he could accept to return for the 2014 season. The focus turns to salvaging the next two months. "Its been a battle," said pitching coach Pete Walker. "Definitely had a tough time commanding the fastball and breaking stuff on the outer part of the plate but hes a competitor, hes going to get back at it (on Sunday). Back to the drawing board a little with him." Johnson is trying to improve his line to the plate. His tendency, on occasion, is to fall slightly toward the first base side as hes completing his delivery. As a result, his fastball runs over the plate and his breaking stuff, instead of starting in the strike zone and tumbling, flattens out. One close observer says hed like to see Johnson try to back door his curveball to left-handed hitters – meaning paint the outside corner – instead of trying to come hard down and in with his slider. Johnsons mechanical inconsistencies arent new. Video from last season, when Johnson was a Marlin, provide evidence of occasions when he would come out of his delivery. As for Johnsons issues out of the stretch – remember the problems seem to begin once a runner reaches base – Walkers on it. "Were certainly aware of that and trying to rectify it and make better pitches from the stretch," said Walker. "Hes worked with his hands and lowered his hands. Hes not tipping pitches. We thought maybe that was an issue but thats not the case ... Its a battle right now and I know hes frustrated with the consistency but were certainly not giving up on him by any stretch." Fans shouldnt give up on Johnson, either, if for no other reason than hes unlikely to be going anywhere else anytime soon. Johnsons seventh try for his second win will come on Thursday night in Anaheim.Mike Zunino Rays Jersey . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. Tampa Bay Rays Pro Shop .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. https://www.cheapraysonline.com/ . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. Kevin Kiermaier Jersey . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Jose De Leon Rays Jersey . John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead.TORONTO - The Blue Jays lost 5-1 to American League West-leading Oakland and dropped three of four to the Athletics. Below are some news items following Mondays game. HAPPS PITCH COUNT J.A. Happ was brilliant on Monday afternoon, working seven innings and throwing 116 pitches in the process. Happ has a tendency to work a high pitch count relatively early in games. He can be up near 90 or 100 by the fifth or sixth innings. "He gets a lot of foul balls," said manager John Gibbons. "Hes not a control-type guy. Ideally youd wish hed throw more strikes but to this point thats not who he is but he does get a lot of foul balls and that tends to run the count up pretty good." Happs 116 pitches on Monday was a season high for the left-hander, who will depart the ballclub for a few days to attend his grandfathers funeral. "I definitely had a heavy heart," said Happ, who became emotional. "I tried to use it. I probably had a little bit of a different attitude, a different outlook, given the last few days. But … I felt good and will be glad to get with family this week." Happ has been placed on the bereavement list, which leaves him a window of between three and seven days to be away from the ballclub. The move allows the Blue Jays to recall right-hander Todd Redmond from Triple-A Buffalo in time to make the TTuesday night start against the Red Sox.dddddddddddd ROGERS OKAY WITH MOVE BACK TO BULLPEN Esmil Rogers has struggled of late and is headed back to the bullpen. As for 2014, hell pitch where the Blue Jays put him. "Any opportunity they give it to me Im going to take it," said Rogers. "It doesnt matter if its in the bullpen. it doesnt matter if its nowhere. I just want to be in here. Thats where I want to be. It doesnt matter if its going to be like a funny thing, like an umpire, I want to be in the big leagues. I want to be here to help the team win." Rogers made 13 starts for the Blue Jays and initially was effective. Hes struggled of late, however, allowing 20 earned runs in his last three outings (12 1/3 innings.) As a starter, Rogers has a 5.48 ERA and a WHIP of 1.565. In those 13 games opponents hit .307 against Rogers and had an OPS of .863. RASMUS HURT Colby Rasmus wasnt in the Blue Jays starting lineup on Monday. "We talked (on Sunday) about giving him a day off," said manager John Gibbons. "He tweaked his ab a little bit too. Hopefully its not a big deal. Well know a little bit more (Tuesday.") Rasmus, who turned 27 on Monday, has a good chance to eclipse his single-season career high in home runs (23 – 2010 with St. Louis and 2012 with Toronto.) He has 18 so far this year. ' ' '