Jays shut out, Morales hurt in loss
TORONTO The Toronto Blue Jays played like the team that struggled mightily over the first month of the season on Tuesday night.
Making matters worse was the possibility that another significant player might be lost to injury.
Kendrys Morales left a 6-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians due to hamstring tightness. He was limping around the locker-room after the game with his left leg heavily taped.
“I’m not so concerned so far,” Morales said via a translator. “We’re going to do an MRI (exam) tomorrow and then we’ll see how it’s going to go from there. They’re going to tell me if it’s severe or not.”
Losing the veteran cleanup hitter would be a blow to an offence that is already quite thin. Morales, who appeared to suffer the injury while running out a grounder, leads the team with six home runs and 20 RBIs this season.
The Blue Jays (12-21) are already without regulars Josh Donaldson (calf ), Troy Tulowitzki (hamstring) and Russell Martin (shoulder). Starting pitchers Aaron Sanchez (finger) and J.A. Happ (elbow) are also on the disabled list.
Yan Gomes had two of Cleveland’s seven hits — including a three-run homer in the eighth inning — and Carlos Carrasco threw seven shutout innings. The Indians starter gave up three hits, didn’t walk a batter and struck out seven.
“I thought Carrasco was tremendous,” said Indians manager Terry Francona. “He’s obviously pitching with a lot of confidence and he should. He is in a good place. He’s been consistent in his routines.”
Andrew Miller and Nick Goody completed the four-hit shutout. The teams will play the rubber match of the threegame series Wednesday night at Rogers Centre.
Cleveland (18-14) scored twice in the second inning off Blue Jays starter Mike Bolsinger, who made his regular-season debut after a callup from triple-A Buffalo earlier in the day.
Bolsinger (0-1) turned in a respectable effort over 5 2/3 innings but was no match for Carrasco (4-2), who didn’t allow a Toronto runner to reach second base until his final frame.