Scuffling Storen cool with trade buzz
MINNEAPOLIS— Blue Jays reliever Drew Storen wasn’t surprised to hear his name has popped up in trade rumours. “I understand the process,” said Storen, who was acquired from the Nationals for Ben Revere in the off-season and has reportedly been offered around — after giving up 13 runs on 22 hits in his first 15 innings as a Jay. “I’ve been in rumours before. It’s fun. Everyone enjoys reading it . . . You can only control what you control, and then try not to get caught up in it.” SUPERMAN RETURNS: Jays centre fielder Kevin Pillar was up to his Superman tricks, making a spectacular diving catch Sunday to rob Twins leadoff hitter Brian Dozier and prevent a run that would have cut the Jays’ lead to 3-2.
“Off the bat, I thought the ball was in the gap,” Pillar said. “But I have that ‘never give up’ attitude. I went for it and it turned out to be a key play.”
Said starter Marcus Stroman, who mused about rewarding Pillar with a new pair of Air Jordans: “We’re all thankful for having him out there.” STROMAN’S SINKER: Stroman improved to 5-1 with 72⁄ solid in
3 nings. He allowed just one run on three hits, with three walks and five strikeouts. Stroman, whose groundout rate of 61 per cent is second-best in the major league, retired 11 of the 25 batters he faced on grounders. Said Stroman: “I felt like I was in command of my sinker all day.” FEEL THE LOVE: Several thousand Jays fans made the trip to watch the four-game series in Minneapolis, and Target Field was louder than the Rogers Centre through the Jays’ 3-1 victory on Sunday. Thanks to the travelling support, the Twins drew an announced crowd of 33,421 for Sunday’s game, their largest since opening day. “I’ve never been to Minnesota before, so I wasn’t sure of the support, but it really felt like a home game,” Stroman said. “It means the world to us. We love you.” A-ROD RETURNS: The Yankees are expected to activate DH Alex Rodriguez from the DL on Tuesday for the opener of a three-game series against the Jays at Yankee Stadium. Rodriguez has been out since May 4 with a strained hamstring.