Solid 7 Innings from Sanchez, Bullpen Holds - Jays Win 3-1

Coming off a tough series loss at the hands of the LA Dodgers, the Toronto Blue Jays (16-17) looked to rebound in their 2016 Interleague play debut against the San Francisco Giants (17-16).

Aaron Sanchez took to the mound for the Jays sporting a 2-1 record with a 2.82 ERA, while the Giants countered with Jake Peavy (1-3 with a 9.00 ERA).

BOXSCORE for Mobile

The game was a 10:15pm start for those of us in the East. Not sure if that would have any effect on the Blue Jays players but it sure didn't help us fans.

A walk to Josh Donaldson, a single by Jose Bautista, and a walk to Edwin Encarnacion kicked off the Jays threat in the 1st. Michael Saunders singled home the game's first run to give the Jays the lead but that's all the Jays would get despite having the bases loaded with one out.

1-0 Jays

They would extend their lead in the Top of the 3rd when Encarnacion, with Bautista on first base, would take the Peavy deep over the wall in left on a full-count offering.

3-0 Jays

The Jays loaded the bases in the 5th after a Bautista walk, Saunders being unintentionally-intentionally walked to get to Tulo who then singled to load them for Russell Martin, but the Jays catcher only managed to weakly pop it up in the infield to end the threat.

Peavy's night would end after six. His final line; 6IP, allowing 3 runs (all earned) on 5 hits, walking 5 and striking out 6. Albert Suarez came on in relief.

Meanwhile, the Giants sent a lefty heavy lineup at Sanchez tonight. A recipe for disaster for the young Jays starter. But, through five innings the Giants had not been able to solve the Jays righty.

Unfortunately, some questionable calls behind home plate helped put a runner on first for Brandon Belt who lined a ball to left. Saunders appeared to have a beat on it but lost the ball in the lights letting it get down and passed him for a double. A Hunter Pence fielder's choice cashed in the runner cutting the Jays lead.

The Giants very nearly caught another break when Brandon Crawford lifted a ball into foul territory up the left side. And, while the ball was playable for Saunders, again, he'd stumble over the bullpen mound up the left field foul line and the ball would fall uncaught giving Crawford another chance.

But, Sanchez settled down to get Crawford to fly out to centre to end the inning and keep the Giants from drawing any more blood in this-- eventful 6th Inning.

3-1 Jays.

Sanchez worked his way into a bit of trouble in the 7th. After losing his command in spots (as he had for much of the night) he'd face Joe Panik with two runners on and two out. But, he'd battle through it and get him to bounce out to Donaldson to end the inning, and close the book on Aaron.

Aaron Sanchez's line: 7 IP, 1 run (earned) on 3 hits. He walked 5 batters and also struck out 5. He wasn't sharp but he induced weak contact when he needed it most, and K'd Giant batters at clutch times to avoid damage.

This marked the 5th time in his seven starts that Sanchez had gone at least seven innings. And one of the other times was six innings against the Yankees.

Not bad from your 5th starter.

Gavin Floyd took over in the 8th and worked a clean 1-2-3 inning taking the Jays to the 9th with a lead.

Roberto Osuna entered the game to close it out. Crawford doubled to centre over the head of Kevin Pillar who seemed to have a difficult time following the ball in the air and took a bad route to it. But, Osuna got Gregor Blanco to fly out, Trevor Brown to strike out, and Conor Gillaspie to ground out (thanks to a fantastic play by Donaldson) to end the game.

JAYS WIN 3-1!


Source: FanGraphs

Jays of the Day
Aaron Sanchez (.261) who pitched a sometimes inconsistent but effective game. Edwin Encarnacion (.184) whose HR and 2 RBI's were the deciding factor.

Gavin Floyd gets an honourable mention because he pitched a clean 8th Inning, something we haven't seen much this season.

Suckage
Russell Martin (-.111)... Sorry, man.

The Blue Jays are back in action... tonight... Stupid Western timezone... as J.A Happ (4-0 and a 2.50 ERA) heads to the mound to face off with Matt Cain (0-4 with a 7.84 ERA) going for the Giants.