Stroman’s struggles a blip, Gibbons says
For those worried about Toronto Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman getting knocked around in his last two starts, manager John Gibbons has some calming logic.
Gibbons prefers to chalk the struggles as a temporary blip best chalked up to growing pains for the still-learning right-hander and a curve ball that is currently missing some of its effectiveness.
“I was figuring out the other day before his last start that in his first year, he was here for what, three months?” Gibbons said prior to the Jays’ opener of a three-game series against the Tigers at Comerica Park. “Then take away last year (due to injury) where he was here really one month and two months this year, that’s basically been like one regular season for him and he’s 20-8, which ain’t bad.’’
Stroman is 5-2 in 2016 but the recent battering — in two consecutive starts against the Boston Red Sox — has seen his earned run average soar to 4.82. Last Saturday, the energetic starter allowed six runs on nine hits and five walks in 5 2/3 innings to take the 6-4 loss. The previous start on May 28, he escaped with a no-decision, but allowed seven runs on 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings.
“You don’t like to see anybody fail, but (the recent struggles) will help him, no doubt.”
ROTATING ROTATION
Stroman may have temporarily relinquished his status as ace of the Jays staff, but others have been stepping up to drive the current strong run, which has seen the Jays win five of their last six (prior to Monday) and 10 of 13.
Gibbons was still raving about Marco Estrada’s effort in Boston on Sunday in which the starter took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of what ended up being a 5-4 Jays win.
“To pitch the way that he has as a starter has really surprised me,” Gibbons said of Estrada, who was acquired from Milwaukee for first baseman Adam Lind in November, 2014 essentially to pitch out of the bullpen.
TIGER TOWN
There are fans of both teams that still miss the old rivalry between the Blue Jays and Tigers before Detroit was shifted to the Central Division.
Monday’s meeting at Comerica kicked off the first series between the two since the Jays swept a three-game set at the Rogers Centre last August, clobbering the Tigers by a combined 29-6.
In the midst of their big playoff push, the Jays pushed their winning streak over the Tigers to four games, the longest since a sevengame stretch back in 2003.
QUICK HITS
Josh Donaldson was back at third base for the Jays on Monday after missing Saturday’s game with a jammed thumb. On Sunday, the reigning American League MVP appeared as a designated hitter. “He’s one of those guys who doesn’t take days off easily, that’s for sure,” Gibbons said. “It’s probably going to be a little tender for a few games, but he’s good enough to play.”