Stroman emotional in maybe last home start
TORONTO — Marcus Stroman was overcome with emotion as he left the field Wednesday in what could have been his final home start in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform.
The right-hander walked into the dugout after seven stellar innings in an eventual 4-0 American League baseball loss to the Cleveland Indians, pumped his fist into his glove, looked up at the crowd and shouted loudly.
“I said ‘this is my house’ because it is,” said Stroman, clad in a black T-shirt with an orange six on it when speaking with media after the game. “I just thought it could be my last outing here. I’ve always been emotional, I feel like I’ve had a pretty good tenure as a Blue Jay . ... I feel like I’ve pitched pretty well in the best division in baseball.
“There’s been no willingness from the front office to sign me, so I’ve just kind of come to terms with it and I’m ready to dominate — wherever that may be — absolutely dominate.”
Stroman (6-11), who allowed just one run and five hits with six strikeouts and a walk, has been mentioned in trade rumours for much of the season. With the July 31 deadline fast approaching, Stroman — a Blue Jay since he was drafted by the team in the first round in 2012 — could very likely be joining another team before his next scheduled start. The 28-year-old threw 100 pitches, 60 for strikes, on Wednesday while lowering his earnedrun average to 2.96, third best in the American League behind Charlie Morton and Justin Verlander.
Stroman’s 3.42 ERA at home is also third-best among Toronto pitchers in franchise history behind Doyle Alexander (3.06, who pitched at Exhibition Stadium) and Roy Halladay (3.23).
“I feel great,” Stroman said. “I’m just excited (about) how good I feel. I feel like I’ve always been a second-half pitcher and my work ethic from this past off-season is really starting to show. And I’m having a pretty special second half.
“My stuff is beyond where I (thought) it would be at.”
“He did the same thing he’s been doing his last five starts . ... This guy’s a good pitcher,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said of Stroman.