Jays roughed up by Rays as Donaldson hits dinger in Triple-A
TORONTO — Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman and his ailing finger pointed the blame at himself for his most recent outing.
Stroman was pulled in the second inning after allowing four runs and six hits as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 7-1 on Monday.
The 27-year-old was making his first start since Aug. 17. Stroman (4-9) was activated from the disabled list after a struggling with recurring finger blister that refused to fully heal between scheduled starts.
“I just had no feel today,” he said. “I didn’t make the pitches I needed to and I kind of paid the price. I didn’t execute.”
Yonny Chirinos (3-5) was solid in relief for Tampa Bay. Pitching after starter Ryne Stanek was pulled following one inning, Chirinos allowed just one run, four hits and three walks over seven innings of work. He also struck out five batters.
The Rays opened the scoring in the first inning. Tommy Pham hit an RBI single to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead.
Tampa Bay would pad its lead in the second inning. Mallex Smith hit an RBI single and Matt Duffy followed with a two-run double to give Tampa Bay a 4-0 lead.
Later in the inning, the Blue Jays got on the scoreboard when Teoscar Hernandez hit an RBI single to cut the Rays lead to 4-1.
The Blue Jays (62-75) have little to compete for in the standings down the stretch.
The club’s top players have been traded to contenders and playoff aspirations are nonexistent.
Josh Donaldson hit a grand slam in Triple-A on Monday after the Cleveland Indians placed him on the disabled list to give him more time to rehab a calf injury in the minor leagues.
Donaldson, playing for Columbus, also walked and lined out against Toledo. Acquired from Toronto on Friday, Donaldson will work out with the Indians today and then continue his rehab assignment for Double-A Akron in the Eastern League playoffs this week.
“That was good,” said Indians manager Terry Francona. “It sounded like everything else went well, too, and he made all the plays.”
Donaldson was playing third base and batting second for Columbus on Monday.
Once he is cleared and ready to play for Cleveland, the Indians intend to have Donaldson at third base and slide All-Star Jose Ramirez to second. Jason Kipnis will be moving to the outfield.
MARINERS 2, ORIOLES 1
SEATTLE — Erasmo Ramirez allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings, and the Seattle bullpen shut down Baltimore the rest of the way.
Ramirez (2-3) allowed two hits, struck out five and walked none. He is 2-1 in five starts since coming off the DL on Aug. 12.
Edwin Diaz struck out the side in the ninth inning for his 52nd save and 26th one-run save, both of which lead the majors.
Ryon Healy had an RBI single and Dee Gordon added a sacrifice fly, both off Josh Rogers (1-1).