Rookie Rowley stars in win for Blue Jays

TORONTO — Chris Rowley’s unusual journey to the major leagues culminated in a sharp debut and a standing ovation Saturday as the rookie led the Toronto Blue Jays to a 7-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Rowley, who missed the 2014 and 2015 seasons to serve in the U.S. Army, gave up one run in just over five mostly troublefree innings as the Blue Jays (55-61) evened their three-game series in front of 46,179 fans under a closed Rogers Centre.

With his parents and sister in attendance, 26-year-old Rowley conceded that he got a “little emotional” during the crowd’s boisterous send-off.

“You have 45,000 people standing on their feet — that’s the first time I’ve ever seen that in person. That’s pretty cool,” he said. “My family is obviously very emotional right now.”

Rookie right-hander Trevor Williams gave up four runs (three earned) over six innings and Jordy Mercer hit a solo home run for the Pirates (58-59), who had sailed to five wins in their last six games heading into Saturday’s matinée.

Outside of allowing a Josh Bell triple in the second (which eventually resulted in a run) and a pair of hits in the sixth that chased him after 75 pitches, Rowley looked dependable in his debut. He scattered five hits and only one walk over 51⁄3 innings.

“Awesome, really,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said of Rowley’s performance. “We’ve been looking for that. A debut is never easy, but I thought he did a tremendous job. He ought to feel proud of himself.”