TORONTO – Minutes after Kevin Pillar played the hero in Monday nights 5-4 Blue Jays walk off win over the Twins, he alluded to a conversation he shared with Jose Bautista earlier in the evening. Antti Raanta Jersey . The two were in the batting cage moments before game time. Bautista was taking final warm up cuts. Pillar was hitting soft toss. The one-time utility player turned All-Star pulled aside the clubs young, fourth outfielder and offered him some advice. Pillar described it as a discussion about hitting. Bautista told him there was nothing wrong with his swing, that he should remain aggressive in the batters box in order that the pitcher doesnt get too comfortable. He reminded Pillar that in Pillars role, he could step to the plate in crucial, late-game situations. Sure enough, Pillar got the game-winning single to snap a 4-4 tie in the ninth inning. Sure enough, he remained aggressive, perhaps too much so early in the at-bat when Pillar swung at the first two pitches down and out of the strike zone. With the count 1-2, Pillar took a pitch on the outer half to right field, Erik Kratz came around to score and the Blue Jays celebrated. Pillar thought enough of the conversation to share it with the assembled media postgame. Bautista seemed surprised to be approached on the topic. "You hope to have an effect on all your teammates, no matter what you talk about or discuss," said Bautista. "Even if its, hey youre opening up a little bit or having a 10-minute talk about being mentally ready, preparation and mindset and all that. You hope that your teammates listen to you. You dont hope that they do exactly what you say and if you say hop on one foot they start doing it, but if you make a comment that you think is going to help you hope they at least listen. Digest it and if it helps and it works then so be it." The type of conversation Bautista had with Pillar is rare this season, according to Bautista, because the Blue Jays are laden with veterans. The need doesnt arise as often. This, too, is the second year the group has been together after being arranged in the flurry of high-profile offseason moves made in November and December, 2012. "I think each person is more knowledgeable of others capabilities, more realistic with the expectations," said Bautista. "I think last year, people didnt know what to expect exactly with other players. Expectations might have been a little unrealistic, sometimes on the higher end and sometimes on the lower end. Sometimes you might have expected more out of somebody and that might have been not right. Sometimes you expected less and the guys surprise you. So now I think everybody is more in tune with each others capabilities." DICKEY THROWING MORE FASTBALLS R.A. Dickey is using his fastball more this season than he did last year. Hes thrown a heater 14.3 per cent of the time in 2014, compared to 11.9 per cent last season. This years number is more reflective of his 2012 Cy Young award season with the Mets, when 14 per cent of his pitches were fastballs. "I think its conscious because Ive had a lot of high-pitch games," said Dickey. "I had a 31-pitch first inning against (the Twins on Monday night), I had like a 30-pitch against the Royals, first inning. I need to get back to trying to induce contact earlier in counts so in that regard it has been something that Ive consciously tried to do. Especially with teams, Minnesota for instance is a team that leads the league in pitches taken so whenever you have a club like that you want to try to get ahead of guys as much as possible." Dickey is also conscious of his walk rate, which has skyrocketed this year. Hes issued a free pass to 10.2 per cent of hitters hes faced, compared to 7.5 per cent last year and 5.8 per cent in 2012. In each of his last two starts, hes allowed home runs off his fastball. On June 4 in Detroit, Miguel Cabrera took him deep on a first pitch fastball in the first inning. On Monday night against the Twins, leadoff hitter Danny Santana hit a home run off a full count fastball. Dickey had been falling behind in that first inning in Detroit and thought he could sneak a heater by Cabrera. "That was just a roll of the dice," said Dickey. "I had gone 2-0 with the first two hitters and felt that he would want to get in a hitters count. I tried to steal a strike the first time through the lineup and his numbers off me, I think hes had like 14 at-bats and two first-pitch swings and so the percentages were in my favour that he was taking and so I tried to play to those and got burned." Half of the home runs Dickeys allowed this season, five of 10, have been off fastballs. Has he become too predictable, throwing fastballs when in need of a strike? "I would hope not because I try to do a good job of throwing a lot of 2-0, 3-1, 3-2 knuckleballs," said Dickey. "Im not in the habit of routinely throwing a fastball in a fastball count but because I dont feature the same velocity as a lot of guys its a lot easier to put the barrel on the ball if theyve seen multiple fastballs in an at-bat; if theyre not well located in particular." JAYS INK TWO MORE PICKS The Blue Jays locked up their second and fifth round picks from last weeks amateur draft. They are highly-touted right-handed pitcher Sean Reid-Foley (49th overall) out of Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, Florida and centerfielder Lane Thomas (144th overall) out of Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. Both players are 18 years old. Brad Richardson Coyotes Jersey . The Goldeyes (10-7) lost 4-1 to the Saltdogs (8-9) Sunday afternoon before 5,834 sizzling fans at Shaw Park. The loss drops Winnipegs record to 3-4 during this past weeks seven-game homestand. Alex Goligoski Coyotes Jersey . He managed to save par, and went on to put together his best opening round of the year. Calcavecchia and Wes Short Jr. http://www.officialcoyotesfanstore.com/authentic-wayne-gretzky-coyotes-jersey/ . Smith, who raised eyebrows at the CFL combine in March with his ability on both sides of the ball, confirmed in a statement he tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol prior to auditioning for league officials.PHILADELPHIA - Running back LeSean McCoy has regained his 2013 form.All is well with the Eagles offence, coming off a 33-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys which moved the Eagles into sole possession of first place in the NFC East.And the offensive line is a big reason for the improvement.After using seven different combinations, due to suspension, injury and poor play through the first 10 games, it appears the Eagles have settled on their five linemen for the rest of the season.Jason Peters, the only player to start all 12 games, is the left tackle. Evan Mathis, who missed seven games with a knee injury, is the left guard.Jason Kelce, who missed four games with a sports hernia, is the centre. Andrew Gardner, who played two games early at right tackle, is the fourth, and the Eagles hope final, right guard. And Lane Johnson, who was suspended the first four games for violating the NFLs policy on performance-enhancing substance, is the right tackle.I just think theres a continuity, Eagles coach Chip Kelly said Monday. The same guys are playing next to the same guys and communication has been better. As a group, theyve gotten the chance to line up next to each other for a few weeks and thats one of the reasons and also, Jason (Kelce) is healthier and Evan (Mathis) is healthier, so that helps.From the start of the season when Johnson was suspended, the Eagles have never been able to put their five preferred linemen on the field.That would have been Peters, Mathis, Kelce, Todd Herremans and Johnson.Not only that, but even the backups got hurt.Allen Barbre, the teams sixth man went down in the season opener, as he filled in for Johnson at right tackle, with a season-ending broken ankle.Thats the same game MMathis injured his knee. Darcy Kuemper Coyotes Jersey. Weve been through a lot of changes, Peters said. Guys up, guys down, its not easy. But the other guys played hard and we won games. Now, were getting most everyone back and theres that sense of continuity again.In 2013, Kellys first year as head coach, he had all five linemen start all 16 games and the playoff game against New Orleans.This year hes used seven different combinations and 10 different linemen, with Gardner, Herremans, Dennis Kelly and Matt Tobin all playing two different positions.Now, as the team reaches its stretch drive to repeat as division champions and advance in the playoffs, the line is starting to get that feel back.I feel pre-injury healthy, Mathis said after the win over Dallas. My conditioning is up to par. ... I think were just getting better and better at hitting the blocks, playing as a team more so and more so every week. Were blocking better up front as five offensive linemen, with the tight ends, the wide receivers and the backs are hitting the holes. Were just trying to grow each week as a team.NOTES: Kelly confirmed Monday that quarterback Nick Foles had a CT scan on his broken left collarbone. It is healing as expected, but he was not cleared to return because the bone is not fully healed. Kelly did not know when Foles would get checked again. ... Kelly also brushed off an on-field argument between quarterback Mark Sanchez and wide receiver Riley Cooper. They were talking about what they were going to haTORONTO – Minutes after Kevin Pillar played the hero in Monday nights 5-4 Blue Jays walk off win over the Twins, he alluded to a conversation he shared with Jose Bautista earlier in the evening. Antti Raanta Jersey . The two were in the batting cage moments before game time. Bautista was taking final warm up cuts. Pillar was hitting soft toss. The one-time utility player turned All-Star pulled aside the clubs young, fourth outfielder and offered him some advice. Pillar described it as a discussion about hitting. Bautista told him there was nothing wrong with his swing, that he should remain aggressive in the batters box in order that the pitcher doesnt get too comfortable. He reminded Pillar that in Pillars role, he could step to the plate in crucial, late-game situations. Sure enough, Pillar got the game-winning single to snap a 4-4 tie in the ninth inning. Sure enough, he remained aggressive, perhaps too much so early in the at-bat when Pillar swung at the first two pitches down and out of the strike zone. With the count 1-2, Pillar took a pitch on the outer half to right field, Erik Kratz came around to score and the Blue Jays celebrated. Pillar thought enough of the conversation to share it with the assembled media postgame. Bautista seemed surprised to be approached on the topic. "You hope to have an effect on all your teammates, no matter what you talk about or discuss," said Bautista. "Even if its, hey youre opening up a little bit or having a 10-minute talk about being mentally ready, preparation and mindset and all that. You hope that your teammates listen to you. You dont hope that they do exactly what you say and if you say hop on one foot they start doing it, but if you make a comment that you think is going to help you hope they at least listen. Digest it and if it helps and it works then so be it." The type of conversation Bautista had with Pillar is rare this season, according to Bautista, because the Blue Jays are laden with veterans. The need doesnt arise as often. This, too, is the second year the group has been together after being arranged in the flurry of high-profile offseason moves made in November and December, 2012. "I think each person is more knowledgeable of others capabilities, more realistic with the expectations," said Bautista. "I think last year, people didnt know what to expect exactly with other players. Expectations might have been a little unrealistic, sometimes on the higher end and sometimes on the lower end. Sometimes you might have expected more out of somebody and that might have been not right. Sometimes you expected less and the guys surprise you. So now I think everybody is more in tune with each others capabilities." DICKEY THROWING MORE FASTBALLS R.A. Dickey is using his fastball more this season than he did last year. Hes thrown a heater 14.3 per cent of the time in 2014, compared to 11.9 per cent last season. This years number is more reflective of his 2012 Cy Young award season with the Mets, when 14 per cent of his pitches were fastballs. "I think its conscious because Ive had a lot of high-pitch games," said Dickey. "I had a 31-pitch first inning against (the Twins on Monday night), I had like a 30-pitch against the Royals, first inning. I need to get back to trying to induce contact earlier in counts so in that regard it has been something that Ive consciously tried to do. Especially with teams, Minnesota for instance is a team that leads the league in pitches taken so whenever you have a club like that you want to try to get ahead of guys as much as possible." Dickey is also conscious of his walk rate, which has skyrocketed this year. Hes issued a free pass to 10.2 per cent of hitters hes faced, compared to 7.5 per cent last year and 5.8 per cent in 2012. In each of his last two starts, hes allowed home runs off his fastball. On June 4 in Detroit, Miguel Cabrera took him deep on a first pitch fastball in the first inning. On Monday night against the Twins, leadoff hitter Danny Santana hit a home run off a full count fastball. Dickey had been falling behind in that first inning in Detroit and thought he could sneak a heater by Cabrera. "That was just a roll of the dice," said Dickey. "I had gone 2-0 with the first two hitters and felt that he would want to get in a hitters count. I tried to steal a strike the first time through the lineup and his numbers off me, I think hes had like 14 at-bats and two first-pitch swings and so the percentages were in my favour that he was taking and so I tried to play to those and got burned." Half of the home runs Dickeys allowed this season, five of 10, have been off fastballs. Has he become too predictable, throwing fastballs when in need of a strike? "I would hope not because I try to do a good job of throwing a lot of 2-0, 3-1, 3-2 knuckleballs," said Dickey. "Im not in the habit of routinely throwing a fastball in a fastball count but because I dont feature the same velocity as a lot of guys its a lot easier to put the barrel on the ball if theyve seen multiple fastballs in an at-bat; if theyre not well located in particular." JAYS INK TWO MORE PICKS The Blue Jays locked up their second and fifth round picks from last weeks amateur draft. They are highly-touted right-handed pitcher Sean Reid-Foley (49th overall) out of Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, Florida and centerfielder Lane Thomas (144th overall) out of Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. Both players are 18 years old. Brad Richardson Coyotes Jersey . The Goldeyes (10-7) lost 4-1 to the Saltdogs (8-9) Sunday afternoon before 5,834 sizzling fans at Shaw Park. The loss drops Winnipegs record to 3-4 during this past weeks seven-game homestand. Alex Goligoski Coyotes Jersey . He managed to save par, and went on to put together his best opening round of the year. Calcavecchia and Wes Short Jr. http://www.officialcoyotesfanstore.com/authentic-wayne-gretzky-coyotes-jersey/ . Smith, who raised eyebrows at the CFL combine in March with his ability on both sides of the ball, confirmed in a statement he tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol prior to auditioning for league officials.PHILADELPHIA - Running back LeSean McCoy has regained his 2013 form.All is well with the Eagles offence, coming off a 33-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys which moved the Eagles into sole possession of first place in the NFC East.And the offensive line is a big reason for the improvement.After using seven different combinations, due to suspension, injury and poor play through the first 10 games, it appears the Eagles have settled on their five linemen for the rest of the season.Jason Peters, the only player to start all 12 games, is the left tackle. Evan Mathis, who missed seven games with a knee injury, is the left guard.Jason Kelce, who missed four games with a sports hernia, is the centre. Andrew Gardner, who played two games early at right tackle, is the fourth, and the Eagles hope final, right guard. And Lane Johnson, who was suspended the first four games for violating the NFLs policy on performance-enhancing substance, is the right tackle.I just think theres a continuity, Eagles coach Chip Kelly said Monday. The same guys are playing next to the same guys and communication has been better. As a group, theyve gotten the chance to line up next to each other for a few weeks and thats one of the reasons and also, Jason (Kelce) is healthier and Evan (Mathis) is healthier, so that helps.From the start of the season when Johnson was suspended, the Eagles have never been able to put their five preferred linemen on the field.That would have been Peters, Mathis, Kelce, Todd Herremans and Johnson.Not only that, but even the backups got hurt.Allen Barbre, the teams sixth man went down in the season opener, as he filled in for Johnson at right tackle, with a season-ending broken ankle.Thats the same game MMathis injured his knee. Darcy Kuemper Coyotes Jersey. Weve been through a lot of changes, Peters said. Guys up, guys down, its not easy. But the other guys played hard and we won games. Now, were getting most everyone back and theres that sense of continuity again.In 2013, Kellys first year as head coach, he had all five linemen start all 16 games and the playoff game against New Orleans.This year hes used seven different combinations and 10 different linemen, with Gardner, Herremans, Dennis Kelly and Matt Tobin all playing two different positions.Now, as the team reaches its stretch drive to repeat as division champions and advance in the playoffs, the line is starting to get that feel back.I feel pre-injury healthy, Mathis said after the win over Dallas. My conditioning is up to par. ... I think were just getting better and better at hitting the blocks, playing as a team more so and more so every week. Were blocking better up front as five offensive linemen, with the tight ends, the wide receivers and the backs are hitting the holes. Were just trying to grow each week as a team.NOTES: Kelly confirmed Monday that quarterback Nick Foles had a CT scan on his broken left collarbone. It is healing as expected, but he was not cleared to return because the bone is not fully healed. Kelly did not know when Foles would get checked again. ... Kelly also brushed off an on-field argument between quarterback Mark Sanchez and wide receiver Riley Cooper. They were talking about what they were going to have for Thanksgiving dinner, Kelly said. Really, its no big deal. Guys argue all the time during a game. You should put on my headset.___AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' ' ve for Thanksgiving dinner, Kelly said. Really, its no big deal. Guys argue all the time during a game. You should put on my headset.___AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '