--RHP Roy Halladay and Yankees RHP A.J. Burnett, former rotation-mates, are headed for a showdown Tuesday at Toronto. Manager Cito Gaston said after Halladay's start at Anaheim on Wednesday that his next start would be Tuesday, after the team's day off Monday. Burnett went six innings for the Yankees in his latest start Wednesday and is also on track to pitch the opener of the Blue Jays-Yankees series at Toronto next week.
--RHP Scott Richmond will start the series opener in Oakland on Friday. The 29-year-old rookie is 4-0 in his first five starts. He leads all major league rookies in wins (four), ERA (2.67), innings pitched (30 1/3), strikeouts (26) and opposing batting average (.217). --Rookie LHP Brett Cecil recorded six strikeouts Tuesday to match a club record by a Blue Jay making his major league debut. In six innings, Cecil allowed two runs, one earned, on six hits, didn't walk a batter but hit three and struck out six. He received a no-decision.
--RHP Bryan Bullington and LHP Brian Burres, demoted from the major league roster last week, cleared waivers and were outrighted to Class AAA Las Vegas.
BY THE NUMBERS: 2 -- Home runs hit by RF Alex Rios after the opening 27 games. Despite his lack of power production, Rios will continue to hit third in the lineup.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "There will be no change, it's where I want him. Moving him out of that spot is not going to help him. I don't want him to think we're giving up on him. I'm not going to take away from his confidence right now. I'm going to stick with him." -- Manager Cito Gaston, on his plan to keep RF Alex Rios as his No. 3 hitter.
