The Twinkies of Minnesota travelled into Toronto yesterday to play game one of a four game series on Labour Day.

The game began with Toronto Blue Jays pitcher and Canadian boy himself Scott Richmond getting the starting nod against a Twins team struggling to hold onto their playoff hopes by overtaking the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central.

In my books, Richmond has garnered the title of “Mr. Inconsistent” and he proved it again yesterday afternoon.

Richmond allowed five runs in the first inning alone, causing Toronto manager Cito Gaston to signal the bullpen to get Dirk “Dirka Dirka” Hayhurst up and warming very early in the game.

Somehow Richmond managed to get out of the first inning and completely shut down the Twins over the rest of his starting appearance, tossing six innings in total, allowing eight hits, six earned runs, while walking three and striking out two.

The only problem with the performance was that it was too little, too late, as Toronto’s offense could only manufacture three runs off the Twins combination of starter Jeff Manship and relievers Bobby Keppel, Ron Mahay, Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier & closer Joe Nathan.

The Jays went on to lose the game 6-3.

This kind of performance from Richmond is not new. Richmond pitched a similar game against Oakland earlier this season on May 8th.

In that game, Richmond allowed five Oakland runs in the second inning, but turned it around and pitched eight innings, allowing seven hits, and five earned runs for his first loss of the season.

The first loss came after Richmond jumped out to a hot start winning four of his first five starts and going 3-0 in the month of April to receive American League Rookie of the Month honors.

Richmond is 2-9 since winning the first four out of his first five starts showcasing the inconsistencies of Scott Richmond.

Richmond also has not won a game for the Jays since June 24th against Cincinnati.

So what’s the deal with Richmond?

Some would say it is his in game rhythm. Richmond seems to lose it and slow down the pace of the game drastically with runners on.

Some would say it has to do with the problem he has had with right bicep tendonitis that sidelined him for over a month earlier this season.

Some would say it was the pressure of pitching his first complete year in the Major Leagues.

Whatever the case, the inconsistency of Scott Richmond has been a plague of late in Toronto, as the Jays have not seen a win out of their fifth spot in the rotation since the June 23rd date I mentioned above and it continued into yesterday’s series opener against Minnesota.

Some goods news that came from yesterday was the departure of Aaron Hill from the ball game.

How could that be good news you ask?

Hill left the game after three innings yesterday to travel to Florida to be with his wife Elizabeth, who went into labor with their first child.

Hill is expected to miss upwards of three days for the Blue Jays.

The Jays continue their series tonight with the Twins with Toronto sending Ricky Romero to the mound to pitch against the Twins Brian Duensing.