Blue Jays hold off Rockies as Rodriguez makes debut

Yariel Rodriguez had been waiting his entire life for this moment — pitching in Major League Baseball.

Rodriguez did not disappoint, striking out six and giving up just one run on four hits over 3 2/3 innings as the Toronto Blue Jays held on for a 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday. The 26-year-old Cuban said he was trying to stay mentally present on the mound.

“It was very emotional but at the same time, I know I’ve got a job to do,” said Rodriguez.

“I was talking to myself, to just control yourself, mentally, physically, everything.”

Rodriguez agreed to a $32-million US, five-year contract with the Blue Jays in the off-season and was called up to MLB for the first time earlier Saturday. He has pitched as a starter and a reliever in top leagues in Cuba and Japan.

He did not allow a run in 6 1/3 innings as a starting pitcher for triple-A Buffalo this season, striking out 10 over his two starts.

“This is the best baseball in the world,” said Rodriguez, who turned professional at 18 before moving to Japan when he was 22. “If there’s any difference, it’s location, you really have to locate your pitches here. Don’t miss your spot because if you do you’re going to get hurt.”

Daulton Varsho had a grand slam after Davis Schneider’s bases-loaded walk as Toronto (7-8) built a 5-0 lead in the first. Cavan Biggio extended his hit streak to a career-best eight games with a basehit in the eighth.

Bowden Francis (1-2), Tim Mayza, Chad Green and Yimi Garcia came out of the Blue Jays’ bullpen to preserve the win.