Blue Jays drop finale in extras: Two out of three ain’t bad

Jul 31, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez (41) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez (41) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays couldn’t capitalize on another strong start from Aaron Sanchez Sunday afternoon, dropping the final game of their series 6-2 to the Balimore Orioles in 12 innings. Toronto now falls back to a half-game behind the Orioles in the American League East.

Sanchez gave the Blue Jays seven innings with just two runs and four hits against. The young right-hander struck out three and walked two, forcing nine ground ball outs. With the start, Sanchez lowered his AL-leading ERA to 2.71.

Toronto’s offence got rolling in the second inning with a Russell Martin double as the catcher has been swinging a better bat throughout July. Kevin Pillar legged out an infield single to move Martin to third, and he was eventually brought home by Devon Travis who beat out a double play on a ground ball to the right side.

Troy Tulowitzki made it 2-0 with his 18th home run of the season in the fourth, a towering shot to left field that travelled an estimated 433 feet and hit the facing of the fifth deck. Later in the afternoon, Tulowitzki took a pitch off his hand and originally stayed in the game, but did not come out defensively in the eighth inning.

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

The Orioles were held off the scoreboard until the seventh. Following a Mark Trumbo double to put runners on second and third, a Pedro Alvarez ground ball and Matt Wieters sacrifice fly brought home one run each.

Recent trade acquisition Joaquin Benoit entered in the eighth inning, allowing just an infield single in a scoreless frame of work after the Blue Jays lost their DH for the second time this series. Roberto Osuna handled the ninth, striking out a pair and forcing a weak fly ball.

Toronto turned to Jason Grilli in the 10th, who issued a leadoff walk but escaped the inning unharmed. Brett Cecil followed in the 11th then handed off to fellow left-hander Franklin Morales for the 12th. Morales walked the first batter he faced and was called for a balk soon after, leading to an RBI single from Jonathan Schoop to score the winning run. Following another walk, Morales was lifted for Jesse Chavez, who surrendered a three-run home run to Adam Jones on his first pitch.

On Monday, the Blue Jays travel to Houston to open a four-game road series against the Astros with Marcus Stroman (8-4, 4.91 ERA) scheduled to pitch.