Great start from Aaron Sanchez: Jays beat Rockies

Blue Jays 5 Rockies 3

This will be a quick recap, just back from the bar where we celebrated the win and the series (so forgive the mistakes, there are good beers here).

Aaron Sanchez was great. He really was beyond great. 8 innings, 6 hits, 1 earned, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts.

He had a tough 7th, and I was all for pulling him when he had the bases loaded and 1 outs, off a Mark Reynolds single and two walks. I really thought he was done, but he got Ryan Raburn to hit into an easy double play.

Then, in the top of the 8th, Sanchez's spot in the batting order came up with 2 on and no outs. I was sure they would pinch hit, but no. Then I was sure he would bunt, but no. He struck out without swinging the bat. The Jays failed to score, and I was sure that would come back to hunt them.

But Aaron had a quick 8th inning.

Then Roberto Osuna came in to pinch the 9th, with a 4-run lead. Roberto finished yesterday's game, which just was only about 14 hours before he came into today's game. I wasn't thrilled that he was pitching again, after getting 4 outs yesterday.

He gave up a walk, then back-to-back doubles and it was a 2-run game. After a strikeout, catcher Tony Wolters doubled and the Rockies had the tying run on second base. A strikeout later, Charlie Blackmon came up and I was sure they would walk him, with first base open and a far lessor right-handed batter, Cristhian Adams following. But, Osuna pitched, and got to a 2-1 count (and I figured, once again, walk him) but Osuna saved time by hitting him with a pitch. Bases loaded, winning run at first and Roberta had thrown 26 pitches.

Thankfully Roberto got Adams to strikeout in 3 pitches. He really had me worried.

Offensively, we did enough. Josh Donaldson hit a home run. Junior Lake had an RBI double. Edwin had an RBI double of his own. He had a good day at the plate, going 2 for 3, also reaching base on catcher interference in the first inning. Tulo also drove in a run.

We thought Sanchez had a single that scored 2, in the second inning. He hit a ground ball to first, the Rockies pitcher didn't run a straight line to the bag, and, when he took the throw from the first baseman, he ran right over the bag, at the same moment Sanchez got there. I was worried that Sanchez was going to have to come out of the game. Orginally called safe, but he was out.

Josh Thole had a good day at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a walk.

Jays of the Day: Sanchez (.449 WPA tho a -.119 with the bat), Donaldson (.158) and Lake (.109).

No Suckage Jays.

That was a fun series. I enjoyed Coors Field. Denver has very hot, but I'm enjoying looking around.