Orioles Return The Favour To Jays: Sanchez, Offence Struggle In Loss

Orioles 7 Blue Jays 1

Well if yesterday was a great start to a series, tonight was pretty much the opposite of that. At least it wasn't the Blue Jays Home Opener, right?

Aaron Sanchez struggled in his first career major league start. He had trouble finding the strike zone, and as a result, grooved way too many pitches and the Orioles didn't miss many of them. Alejandro De Aza and Chris Davis hit first inning home runs off to welcome Sanchez as a Major League starter. They were also the first and third batters of the game.

Sanchez allowed seven hits and walked two although his control was more of an issue than two walks would normally show.

He allowed three runs, and in reality it could have been a lot worse if it wasn't for a couple of well-timed double plays by the defence.

Enter Todd Redmond. Redmond loaded the bases with a single and two walks allowed and promptly cleared them when Jonathan Schoop hit a grand slam to turn a manageable 3-0 deficit into a less-manageable 7-0 one. Redmond walked three and allowed two hits in two innings.

Ubaldo Jimenez looked to put 2014 behind him and kept the Blue Jays lineup at bay allowing just one hit over seven innings, striking out seven. He also showed great command, walking only one.

I actually forgot about Jose Reyes's single even though I remember pumping my fist when it happened, and later on was lamenting a possible no-hitter. Well, we sure dodged that bullet!

Our hitters:

• Jose Reyes: Reyes was the only Blue Jay to reach base against Jimenez with a single and a walk. He also stole a base. He came out of the game for Steve Tolleson. Was 1-for-2.
• Steve Tolleson doubled to lead off the ninth (1-for-1)
• Jose Bautista: 0-for-3 with a strikeout before being removed in the 8th inning for Danny Valencia.
• Edwin Encarnacion: 1-for-4 with an RBI single in the ninth to score Tolleson.
• Dalton Pompey and Josh Donaldson were 0-for-4. Valencia 0-for-1. Everyone else: 0-for-3.

Jays of the Day: No one qualified, but honourable mention to Colt Hynes (WPA .055) and Liam Hendriks (.001) who were the only two who did their job. Hynes got the two left-handed hitters out in the fourth inning to keep it a 2-0 game.

Hendriks pitched two innings and struck out four without allowing a base runner. He may be the go-to seventh man in the bullpen when it goes down to seven men. Jose Reyes (.037), too and turned a couple of nice double plays with Devon Travis.

Suckage Jays: I can't put everybody, but let's face it. Today sucked. Aaron Sanchez takes the mantle (-.236) but honourable mention to Todd Redmond (-.088). The offence was a combined -.232 as well.

Back on the horse tomorrow with a chance to take the first two series on the road. See, that's how you spin things!

Drew Hutchison looks to build off of his Opening Day win against the Yankees as he goes up against Chris Tillman who started Opening Day for the Orioles. Game time is 1:35 p.m.