Sanchez goes six strong

DETROIT The Toronto Blue Jays figured out the perfect strategy against Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.

The Blue Jays simply sat back and let the Tigers’ pitching staff beat itself with control problems. Toronto drew 10 walks, including two with the bases loaded, and went on to a 7-2 victory.

The game lasted 3 hours, 48 minutes, ending just before 11 p.m.

Toronto manager John Gibbons didn’t mind the late night if it meant a victory.

“(Shortening games) is the commissioner’s job,” he said. “Did anyone leave?”

The Tigers threw 220 pitches, matching their most in a nine-inning game since needing 224 in a 26-5 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Sept. 9, 2004.

“You can’t walk 10 guys and expect to win a major league game,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “You have to throw strikes.”

Steve Pearce and Jose Bautista homered for the Blue Jays, who won the first game of a 10day, 10-game road trip.

“You never know what is going to happen coming out of the break,” Gibbons said. “I thought that was pretty crisp.”

Aaron Sanchez (1-2) allowed one unearned run, seven hits and two walks to win for the first time since beating the Boston Red Sox on Oct. 2. He struck out four. “This was a lot better,” Sanchez said. “I got a lot of weak contact, especially after the first couple innings.”

Because of injuries, Sanchez only made six starts before the All-Star break, going 0-2 with a 4.85 ERA.

“He was really good tonight,” Gibbons said. “He looked like a veteran, and that’s a good sign.”