Öffentlicher Bereich » Freese. But the next batter, Ibane

TORONTO -- Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons leaned back in his chair Monday afternoon, spat some chewing tobacco juice into a cup and smiled as he answered questions from the dozen reporters gathered in his office for a pre-game media availability. Gibbons knows most of the scribes by name and is quick with a joke and a laugh. He seemed as relaxed as ever even though the optimism that reigned here last spring is long gone. The Blue Jays are mired in last place in the American League East and are playing out the string on what playoff-starved Toronto fans had hoped would be a turnaround campaign. Some columnists have written the time is right for a managerial change while calls to the local all-sports radio stations have been getting angrier by the day. Gibbons has been an easy target given that his club took a poor 58-73 record into Mondays series opener against New York. The 51-year-old manager still has the same laid-back demeanour that he had back in April when Rogers Centre was abuzz after an expensive off-season roster overhaul. Naturally Gibbons is disappointed that his team has underperformed. But he doesnt seem the least bit bothered by the stories or calls for him to be replaced. "I dont get into whats fair and whats unfair," Gibbons said in his friendly Texan drawl. "Its a tough business man, and youre in the arena. So its open season. So have at it, I guess you could say." His supporters point to the fact he has been hamstrung by an injury-riddled roster throughout the season. His critics question his teams ability to execute basic fundamentals on a consistent basis. Toronto struggled out of the gate this season and never really recovered. The much-hyped starting rotation was largely a disappointment, making things all the more challenging in one of the toughest divisions in the major leagues. Gibbons previously managed the Blue Jays for parts of five seasons before being fired in June 2008. He said he doesnt fear the possibility that a managerial change could be made again. "My life is good. I enjoy competing every day out there," he said. "You play to win that game and in the end, people make decisions on things like that. I mean really, whats there to fear?" The Blue Jays struggled mightily over a 2-8 road trip that wrapped up Sunday. The team is back home for a six-game homestand at Rogers Centre, beginning with a three-game set with the Yankees. New York is fighting to stay in the American League wild-card hunt. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, have to settle for their usual late-summer role of spoiler. Gibbons, who is reportedly signed to a two-year deal with options, is expecting his players to step up and play hard over the last few weeks of the season. "Its easy when things go bad to tuck your tail and run, no question about it," he said. "And its easy to play when things are going good. Its tough to play when things are going bad, youre feeling the heat and everybody is breathing down your neck. "But youre a professional, getting paid good money, a lot of people are still coming to watch and they expect a good effort." The manager can be an easy scapegoat when the results arent there. The calls for the Blue Jays to make a change will only get louder if the losing continues. Gibbons doesnt pay much attention to it. "I dont read a whole lot (of reports), occasionally I might," he said. "I watch highlights and stuff on TV. But that goes with the business. Everybody gets fired in this business sooner or later. You really havent done anything if you havent." The Blue Jays still have a decent foundation in place and some solid prospects in the system. Many of those minor leaguers will get a look over these last few weeks. "We think this team could play better in the future," Gibbons said. "Were banking on that." Custom NCAA Jerseys . Right-hander Todd Redmond took the loss. Jose Bautista hit his second home run of the spring. Here are a handful of tidbits from around camp: Hutchison impressive The Blue Jays are being cautious when talking about their young arms but internally, excitement is building over the way Drew Hutchison is looking and performing this spring. Cheap NCAA Jerseys Authentic . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. https://www.chinajerseysncaa.us/ . FLIP SAUNDERS (Timberwolves): Im not the least bit surprised that he appointed himself as head coach after his search concluded. Replica NCAA Jerseys .com) - The collective hearts of Chicago Bulls fans sank on Friday night when Derrick Rose went down with a leg injury against the Cleveland Cavaliers. NCAA Jerseys China . -- Zach Johnson asked his short-iron approach on the par-4 18th to "Do something right, baby.ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Chris Iannetta swung the bat like a guy who definitely didnt want to catch one more inning. Iannetta homered with two outs in the 12th against Drew Pomeranz, giving the Los Angeles Angels a 5-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night. It was his fourth career game-ending home run. "It never gets old -- your first one, your last one, whatever it may be. Its an awesome feeling," Iannetta said. Pomeranz (1-1) retired David Freese on a grounder to second base and Raul Ibanez on a foul pop to the catcher before Iannetta drove the next pitch to centre field and just out of the reach of a leaping Craig Gentry, ending Oaklands four-game winning streak. "I was just looking for a pitch to hit. It was a fastball over the middle of the plate and I got the barrel to it," Iannetta said. "I know I hit it really well. But Angel Stadium at night, you never know -- and Gentrys a really good outfielder. He almost jumped out of the gym on that one. I think it went off his glove, so I was very thankful that he didnt make an awesome play." Angels manager Mike Scioscia got six scoreless innings out of his much-maligned bullpen, as the Athletics stranded runners in scoring position in the 10th, 11th and 12th. Joe Smith (1-0), who failed to retire any of the five batters he faced in the eighth inning of the Angels 10-9 loss on Tuesday night, pitched a scoreless inning for the victory. "Joe came back from the night before and pitched great. He had life on all of his pitches again," Iannetta said. "Its awesome that he came back and pitched the way he did, along with the rest of the guys. They really stepped up and pitched to their capabilities and just showed what they can do." Brandon Moss hit a three-run homer for the As in the fourth inning. Oaklands Jed Lowrie poked an opposite-field double inside the third base bag with one out in the 10th, but Michael Kohn struck out Yoenis Cespedes after Lowrie advanced on Josh Donaldsons flyout to centre field. Oakland left-hander Tommy Milone was charged with three runs -- two earned -- and six hits over six-plus innings in his second start and departed with a 4-1 lead..dddddddddddd. Los Angeles closed to 4-3 in the seventh with a pair of runs after a costly throwing error by first baseman and former Angel Alberto Callaspo, who had never played that position in the majors or the minors until this season. Dan Otero relieved Milone with two on and none out and Erick Aybar grounded into a force at second. J.B. Shuck followed with a grounder to Callaspo, who tried to start an inning-ending 3-6-3 double play. But his hurried throw couldnt be handled by shortstop Nick Punto and Iannetta scored from third. Albert Pujols added an RBI single one out later. The Angels put runners at the corners in the ninth with one-out singles by Mike Trout and Pujols, and Trout scored the tying run on a slow fielders choice grounder to third by Howie Kendrick. "We went to the ninth inning with the lead, but you put it behind you and move on," manager Bob Melvin said. "We werent very good defensively tonight." Callaspo also dropped a relay throw from second baseman Eric Sogard on a potential double-play grounder in the sixth by Freese. But the next batter, Ibanez, grounded into a 4-6-3 DP to end the inning. The As snapped a 1-1 tie in the fourth against Tyler Skaggs when Moss drove a 2-1 pitch into the right-field seats with two outs for a three-run homer after Callaspos RBI double. Skaggs was charged with four runs, seven hits and three walks in six innings. NOTES: The Angels will honour the late Jim Fregosi during a two-game interleague series against Philadelphia Aug. 12-13. Fregosi, who died Feb. 14 at age 71, was a six-time All-Star who spent his first 11 big league seasons as an Angels SS and managed them to their first division title in 1979. He also piloted the Phillies to a pennant in 1993. ... This was the first time the Angels played four extra-inning games on the same homestand since June 1975. ... The As claimed RHP Marcus Walden off waivers from Toronto and optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento. ... The Angels begin a nine-game road trip Friday night at Detroit. Jered Weaver will make his fourth attempt at his first victory of the season, while trying to extend the Halos winning streak against the Tigers to 10 games. ' ' '