Stroman Pitches a Gem, Blue Jays Take Series from Red Sox

Marcus Stroman continues to impress just about everyone more and more after every outing. Going into Thursday’s rubber match against the Boston Red Sox, Stroman led all rookies in ERA through their first 9 starts with a 2.50 ERA, yes, that includes Masahiro Tanaka, who’s ERA through his first 9 starts was 2.51.

Immediately as Stroman took the mound you could tell he was on a mission, striking out the super utility rookie Brock Holt for the first of 3 times on the night. He proceeded to walk Shane Victorino before David Ortiz lined a shot right at Juan Francisco, who doubled-up Victorino at 1st to end the inning.

The Blue Jays’ half of the 1st went a little better on the other hand, as they were able to get to Boston starter Rubby De La Rosa for 1 run. The run came after Melky Cabrera had walked, then advanced to third on a Jose Bautista single. Rubby De La Rosa proceeded to walk Dionner Navarro to load the bases, before Boston catcher Christian Vasquez was charged with a passed ball, allowing Cabrera to score.

The Toronto Blue Jays wouldn’t look back, as Marcus Stroman took over on the mound, zoning in on the Boston Red Sox lineup and retiring the side in the 2nd all on groundouts by Mike Napoli, Daniel Nava, and Stephen Drew. While the Red Sox hitters were being dominated by Marcus Stroman, it was pretty much the complete opposite for the Blue Jays, as they led off the bottom of the second with a triple to centre, courtesy of Big Juan Francisco.

Francisco was immediately scored by recently called up defensive wizard, Ryan Goins, who doubled to left. After Anthony Gose had bunted Goins over, and Jose Reyes grounded out, the always-consistent Melky Cabrera hit a double to the gap, easily scoring Goins. That would be all the Blue Jays could produce, at least for the 2nd inning.

Stroman continued his dominant performance in the 3rd, getting Xander Bogaerts to popup to begin the inning. After walking Jackie Bradley Jr., Stroman got Christian Vasquez to groundout to third, then struck out Brock Holt to end the Red Sox’ half of the inning.

The Blue Jays continued to get to De La Rosa in the third, once again on the back of Juan Francisco. With 2 out and Munenori Kawasaki on, Juan Francisco took a De La Rosa pitch deep to right field for a 2 run homer to put the Blue Jays up 5-0 in the 3rd.

The 4th inning was very much of the same dominance by Marcus Stroman, as he got Shane Victorino to ground out, before striking out two of Boston’s best hitters in David Ortiz and Mike Napoli. It was in that fourth inning where Stroman really showed how good his stuff really is.

After the Blue Jays couldn’t capitalize for the 1st time in an inning all day, Stroman returned to the mound in the fifth, pitching a similar frame as the 4th, inducing a groundout, then K’s of the next two batters. After Stroman’s dominant fifth, the Blue Jays put up another 2 spot on a single by wait for it….Juan Francisco, who was a double shy of the cycle by the end of the day.

In the 6th inning Marcus Stroman pitched a perfect frame, continuing his no-hitter through 6 IP. He came out for the 7th inning looking to continue his no-no, only to be spoiled by Shane Victorino leading off with a bloop single to centre field to end the no-hit bid. Although, Stroman would shake it off and get Ortiz to fly out to left, and Napoli to ground into a double play, ending Stromans night at 7 IP, 0ER, 2 Walks, and 7 K’s while only allowing 1 hit.

The Blue Jays bullpen would continue to dominant the Red Sox hitters as they continued to pitch well and combine to throw a 1 hit shutout. The Toronto Blue Jays take 3 of 4 from the Red Sox, as well as make up for that 14-1 loss on Monday night. The Blue Jays will take on The New York Yankees for a 3 game set in the Bronx, as Mark Buehrle will take on Huroki Kuroda