A half-game up in the AL East standings, the Toronto Blue Jays took to the field today looking for a series win against the Houston Astros, with Marcus Stroman taking the mound against Mike Fiers. The Jays played a little small-ball early, when a lead-off double by Devon Travis came around to score after a sacrifice bunt and single to give the Jays an early 1-0 lead. The Astros got that run right back in the top of the second when Stroman, trying to do just a bit too much, made a poor fielding decision that cost him an unearned run.The two teams traded outs until the bottom of the fourth when Darrell Ceciliani drove home Troy Tulowitzki with a two-out double to single to right to put the Jays up 2-1. The Jays’ party really got started in the bottom of the fifth, when Troy Tulowitzki and Russell Martin crushed back-to-back jacks for a 5-2 Jays lead.
The Stro Show was indeed on display today. Stroman had his stuff working, spotting his cutter and blowing his fastball by hitters. His one mistake of the game came in the seventh inning when he surrendered a lead-off home run to Jason Castro. He’d leave the game after 6 1/3 innings, giving up just one earned run on five hits with eight strike outs and no walks. Joaquin Benoit entered the game in relief, promptly serving up singles to Tony Kemp and George Springer. He’d get out of the inning unscathed, however, thanks in part to this spectacular catch by Russell Martin:
However, the Jays’ offense wasn’t done scoring. Edwin Encarnacion knocked his 33rd home run of the season in the seventh, and more small ball led to three more runs in the eighth. When the dust had settled, the Jays had scored nine runs on 12 hits, looking once again like an offense to be feared.
Top Play of the Game by WPA
With the Jays up by just one run in the fifth inning, Edwin Encarnacion doubled to centre field with one out. After Michael Saunders fouled out to third, Troy Tulowitzki came to the plate and belted a two-run shot 406 feet to left centre field, providing the top play of the game by WPA (.175).
Bottom Play of the Game by WPA
With the scored tied at one run apiece in the bottom of the fourth inning, Troy Tulowitzki singled to right followed by a walk to Russell Martin. That brought the struggling Justin Smoak to the plate, who struck out swinging. Though it ultimately didn’t matter with respect to the outcome of the game, it was the bottom play by WPA (-.062).
Darrell Ceciliani Knocks Home his First RBI as a Blue Jay
Ceciliani, who was enjoying a productive offensive season when called up from Buffallo to replace Jose Bautista, posted his first Blue Jays RBI today when his two-out double scored Tulowitzki. Part of the bottom third of the order that has, quite simply, been unproductive, one hopes that Ceciliani can start swinging a hot bat to help turn the lineup over.
Rotation on Extra Rest
Since moving to a six-man rotation, the starters’ results have been mixed, causing concern amongst some about the effects of extra rest on a pitcher’s routine. This time through the rotation, however, Jays starters have tossed 34.1 innings with a 3.67 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP, giving up three home runs and 14 walks with 34 strike outs. Though it’s still too early to draw any conclusions, things are trending in the right direction. (H/t to @james_in_to for the stats.)
Up Next
The Jays head off to the Big Apple to begin a three-game series against the New York Yankees on Monday. The Yankees, who have undergone significant roster changes in the last two weeks, have yet to set their rotation for the series. R.A. Dickey will take the mound tomorrow to face several Yankees’ rookies. First pitch flies at 7:05 PM ET.
Lead Photo: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports