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SEATTLE(AP) Remaining in Toronto, perhaps through 2010. Watching
Cliff Lee
become the ace traded to Philadelphia. Then, allowing a season-high 11 hits in record-setting Seattle heat.
Roy Halladay
sure wasn't expecting any of this when he woke up Wednesday.
''I'm going to lock myself in a room and hide,'' the
Blue Jays
' trade-weary ace deadpanned.
Ken Griffey Jr. doubled twice against Halladay and drove in the decisive runs in the seventh inning, and the
Seattle Mariners
put more hits on the dominant right-hander than anyone had in 15 months while beating Toronto 3-2.
The Mariners won for the second consecutive time after a four-game losing streak. They got a solo home run from ailing
Jose Lopez
against Halladay (11-4), whom Toronto had declared open for bidding on the non-waiver trade market that closes Friday afternoon.
Rumors ran all morning from Seattle back to Toronto that Halladay would be scratched because of an imminent trade. Then the
Phillies, thought to be the front-runners to obtain him, made a deal with Cleveland for Lee instead.
That left reports that
Blue Jays
general manager J.P. Ricciardi, who made the shopping of Halladay public with a huge asking price weeks ago, will now keep
Halladay in Toronto through the end of his contract following the 2010 season.
So that's the end of the trade saga?
''For me it is,'' Halladay said, smiling. ''It's important for me to realize that my best chance is going to be (staying)
here. ... It's somewhere I like, so that's pretty easy for me.''
When asked if he was looking forward to finally being settled - apparently - Halladay said: ''Absolutely. You never want that
kind of circus.''
The surprising Mariners were swept by Cleveland last weekend, part of a dreadful four-game losing streak that seemingly ended
their hopes of playoff contention.
The 39-year-old Griffey joked that he was able to endure the hottest day ever in Seattle - 102 degrees - by staying ''inside
in the AC and sipping Mountain Dew'' as the DH. Then he lobbied first-year manager
Don Wakamatsu
to waive his rule that players wear ties on road trips.
Yes, the Mariners were cool and comfortable for their flight to Texas.
''Thanks, Skip,'' Griffey told Wakamatsu, as
Ichiro Suzuki
and
Mike Sweeney
celebrated the coup.
Hobbled by a knee that's been surgically repaired and drained since October, Griffey golfed the first pitch he saw from Halladay
into the right-field corner in the seventh, after Seattle loaded the bases on three singles. Rookie
Michael Saunders
scored ahead of Suzuki, after laying down a bunt to start the inning - part of Wakamatsu's plan to make Halladay work extra
in the heat.
Griffey's double tied him with
Manny Ramirez
for fifth among players since 1954 with his 177th game having at least two extra-base hits. They trail only
Barry Bonds
(246),
Hank Aaron
(203),
Willie Mays
(200) and
Sammy Sosa
(182).
It also made Halladay a loser for the third time in four decisions.
Ryan Rowland-Smith carried a no-hitter into the seventh in his third start of the season, before
Aaron Hill
singled leading off.
Adam Lind
then homered to give Toronto a 2-1 lead.
Rowland-Smith (1-1) angrily stomped and yelled at himself as Lind rounded the bases for the 21st time this season. Yet the
Australian left-hander, delayed this season by an elbow injury and an ineffective, extended rehabilitation stint at Triple-A,
rebounded to allow just three hits and the two runs in seven innings for his first win since Sept. 27.
David Aardsma
walked Hill to begin the ninth, but struck out Lind looking and
Scott Rolen
swinging before retiring
Alex Rios
on a fielder's choice for his 25th save in 27 chances.
''That was exciting for me, going to bed last night knowing I was pitching against a guy I really look up to,'' Rowland-Smith
said of Halladay, whom he admires for his tenacity and his endurance in games.
Now, Halladay may finally have some staying power in Toronto.
''For me, (Philadelphia) was never an option. I was going in planning on being a Blue Jay,'' he said. ''And that's how I handled
it.''
NOTES: Halladay last allowed 11 hits in a complete-game loss to Texas on April 17, 2008. His career high in hits allowed is
12. ... INF
Jack Wilson
arrived in the Mariners' dugout just as Griffey hit his decisive double. ''Pretty good first impression,'' he said. Wilson
was acquired by Seattle from Pittsburgh. The deal also sent SS
Ronny Cedeno
and C
Jeff Clement
to the Pirates for RHP
Ian Snell
.
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