ATLANTA – The Toronto Blue Jays held a team meeting Tuesday to discuss pitcher Ricky Romero’s remarks about his teammates.
After losing 2-0 to Atlanta on Monday night on a two-run homer by pitcher Tim Hudson in the seventh inning, Romero said the Blue Jays relied too much on Jose Bautista and Adam Lind to drive in runs.
Toronto manager John Farrell would not say if he approached Romero or if Romero approached him about speaking to the team before its game against the Braves.
“I think he recognized the fact that some of those (remarks) might have been interpreted the wrong way and to his credit he wanted to be sure that no one took them as such,” Farrell said. “And he addressed his teammates.”
Farrell said Romero elaborated on his thoughts so there wouldn’t be any misunderstandings.
“I think that speaks volumes (about) him as a person, that he takes accountability for the actions he demonstrates,” Farrell said.
Toronto had just two hits against Hudson. Braves closer Craig Kimbrel entered with runners on first and second in the ninth inning and struck out Corey Patterson, Bautista and Lind.
Bautista and Lind, who have combined this season for a .328 average, 36 homers and 90 RBIs, were a combined 0 for 8 with four strikeouts.
“Those guys are getting pitched around, so everyone’s got to step it up or else we’re not going to keep winning ballgames,” Romero said Monday. “We’re going to keep losing ballgames like this. Like I said, this team doesn’t revolve around one or two guys. Everyone’s got to put in their part. That’s how we win ballgames.”
Romero wasn’t available to speak with reporters before Tuesday’s game.
Farrell said he likes the competitive spirit of Romero, the staff ace in just his third season.
“Ricky’s putting himself in a very select group of pitchers in the major leagues by his performance,” Farrell said. “Along with that status comes greater attention, greater focus, on how he does his work. Ricky is a leader by example in every sense of the word.”
Romero allowed six hits and walked two in seven innings against the Braves, dropping 6-7 on the year. The left-hander has dropped three of his four starts this month despite a 3.23 earned-run average.
Romero was disappointed in himself for giving up Hudson’s second career homer, but also called out his teammates for a lack of run support.
“If you don’t score, you don’t win,” he said. “I did everything possible. I’ve thrown that pitch 101 times. You never really expect the pitcher to hit it out. If anything, just put the barrel through it and get a big (single) or something. It was Timmy’s night, I guess. He did his job on the mound and helped himself with two runs.”
Toronto was fourth in the AL East entering play on Tuesday, 8 1/2 games behind division-leading Boston. It had lost two straight and seven of 11.
“When comments are made and actions are performed, they resonate,” Farrell said. “In this case, as he is with everything else, he is accountable. And he’s handled it the right way.”
Comments