National Post (National Edition)
Pannone paints near-perfect picture
JAYS 6, ORIOLES 0
One of the more impressive aspects of Thomas Pannone’s MLB starting debut Wednesday was the fact he stymied the Baltimore Orioles by relying heavily on a fastball that averages 89 miles per hour.
But it was the way the lefthander delivered and used the fastball, along with his curveball and change-up, that made him so hard to hit in Toronto’s 6-0 victory, running its record to 12-1 against the Orioles this year.
“His fastball plays a lot higher than 89-90, plays like 92-93,” said catcher Danny Jansen. “I think he hides it really well, then uses his change-up off that. He throws inside, pretty high spin-rate guy, too. But I think he just hides it, he commands it.
“He threw some good change-ups, (too). But like I said, his (fastball) jumps on you.”
Jansen, who has caught Pannone in the minors, said he couldn’t be happier for his battery mate and friend.
“It’s amazing. It’s awesome. He earned it,” said Jansen, who went 0-for-2 with a walk Wednesday, ending his six-game hitting streak to start his MLB career. “He’s an ultra competitor, he’s an awesome dude, he works his tail off and that shows on what he did on the field (Wednesday).”
Pannone threw 108 pitches over his seven innings of work and manager John Gibbons would have been hard-pressed to run him out for the eighth even if his nohitter was intact. It’s one of those decisions that managers can’t win. Do they pull the pitcher to save his arm and end the no-hit bid before the game is over? Or does do they leave him out there and risk damaging the arm?
In the end, it didn’t matter as Pannone gave up a hit to Trey Mancini to start the seventh and that made Gibbons’ decision to pull him after seven easy.
“I wasn’t saying I was rooting for him to give up a hit, but it didn’t bother me when he did,” said Gibbons with a laugh.
“(But) he did a helluva job. It was a great way to make your starting debut.”
BREAKING DOWN THE WIN
With home runs in four straight games, Kendrys Morales became the 15th Jays player (the 21st time overall) to hit a home run in at least four consecutive games. The last was Edwin Encarnacion from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3, 2015. Morales, who had a homer and single Wednesday, extended his hitting streak to seven games and is hitting .565 (13-for-23) with five HR over that stretch. He has the longest active home run streak in the majors ... Pannone was the 14th starter used by the Jays this season, tying the franchise record set in 2017. He also was the sixth pitcher this season to make his first MLB start, a new club high ... Devon Travis hit a three-run shot in the eighth to snap an 0-for-18 stretch and has now hit 34 home runs as a Jays second basemen to tie Orlando Hudson for third all-time behind Aaron Hill (90) and Roberto Alomar (54).