New bats face Tribe

Kevin Mench only found out about coming to his new home north of the border at 3 a.m. on Thursday morning following a doubleheader in Oklahoma City. He packed, hopped a plane to Cleveland made his way to the ballpark and was in the starting lineup facing C.C. Sabathia.

Jays

Alex Rios rf

Aaron Hill 2b

Scott Rolen 3b

Vernon  Wells cf

Kevin Mench dh

Lyle Overbay 1b

Rod Barajas c

Brad Wilkerson lf

Marco Scutaro ss

Roy Halladay p

Indians

Grady Sizemore cf

Franklin Gutierrez rf

David Dellucci lf

Victor Martinez c

Jhonny Peralta ss

Travis Hafner dh

Ryan Garko 1b

Asdrubal Cabrera 2b

Casey Blake 3b

C.C. Sabathia p

Mench said he didn't feel as nervous as when he was a rookie even though it's a chance to start his career up. He pointed around the room at guy that he knew -- Rod Barajas, Wilkerson and Texas residents Vernon Wells and B.J. Ryan. Coincidentally, Mench was given the locker next to Roy Halladay in the visitors clubhouse at the former Jake. It was a Mench line drive that broke Doc's tibia on July 9, 2005. He smiled when asked about it and recalled trying to reach Halladay that night to find out if he was alright and to apologize. He never did reach him but had a chance last night.

Wilkerson had gone home for a few days after being designated for assignment on April 30. He called the chance to play for the Jays "intriguing". He claimed that he had jammed his throwing shoulder at spring training and that it affected his start with the M's. He said he was as healthy as he had been at any time since the start of the 2005 season.

Let's see now. In November, J.P. offered a contract to Shannon Stewart, then signed Matt Stairs, then offered Reed Johnson arbitration, then signed Shannon Stewart then released Reed Johnson then called up Adam Lind then sent down Adam Lind then signed Brad Wilkerson then purchased Kevin Mench all the while ignoring Barry Bonds. Hey, Jim Edmonds and Jaque Jones are looking for work.

Richard Griffin