With his spot in the new six-man rotation solidified, Aaron Sanchez took the hill tonight against the Royals to try and keep the Jays undefeated against the Royals in 2016. But before he stepped over the white line tonight, he had a 1-0 lead courtesy of Devon Travis, who hit the Jays’ 16th straight solo homerun to lead off the game. Travis has been on a tear lately, adding two more RBI for the Jays tonight. Sanchez was as consistent as ever, working through the early innings with ease. In the 4th he surrendered back to back one out singles, but was able to get Kendrys Morales to strike out, and Salvador Perez grounded out to end the inning. Sanchez ran into trouble in the 5th, giving up a leadoff single to Alex Gordon, and then throwing a wild pitch which allowed Gordon to advance to second. Paul Orlando then singled, and Paul Mondesi bunted his way aboard to load the bases with nobody out. When the lineup turned over for the Royals, Escobar hit an infield single which scored one run, and the inning appeared to be taking a positive turn when Sanchez got Cuthbert to line out softly to second base. He then got Cain to hit a ball on the ground to Donaldson, who threw Paul Orlando out at home. Hosmer extended the inning with a two out, RBI single into centerfield. Sanchez gave up another run in the 6th inning after Orlando singled and rookie Raul Mondesi smacked a triple, his first extra-base hit as a big leaguer, which plated Orlando. Devon Travis was the only offense that the Jays could muster tonight, as Bautista, Donaldson, Encarnacion, and Martin all went without a hit.
Top Play of the Game by WPA
With the bases loaded in the 5th inning and 1 out, Aaron Sanchez got Lorenzo Cain to hit a ground ball to Josh Donaldson at third base. Donaldson opted to get the lead runner at home, and Russ Martin did not attempt to turn a double play (-.112).
Bottom Play of the Game by WPA
Also in the 5th, Eric Hosmer picked up a two out base hit and RBI, which put the Royals ahead of the Blue Jays (.266).
[Power at the top]
In the last 15 games, Devon Travis is hitting .345, with an OBP of .387, and he is slugging .603. In the last two nights, he’s got 4 RBI, while going 4 for 9.
Up Next
Coming off a great start last time out against Houston, Marcus Stroman will take the hill tomorrow afternoon at 2:15 pm in the series finale against the Royals. He will face Yordano Ventura, who has not faced the Jays this year.
Lead Photo: John Rieger-USA Today Sports