THAT’S HARDLY PUTTING YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD
Jays’ Goins forced from game after Rays infielder steps on him as he slides into second
The Blue Jays have not been at .500 all year, but despite that mediocrity they’re not shying away from the challenge of remaining in the nineteam wild-card mix.
The Jays rode the strong right arm of Marcus Stroman and a stout bullpen to a 3-2 win over Tampa Bay that pulled them to within a game of the also-contending Rays. The Jays have never been out of last place in the East this season, either by themselves or tied.
The 26-year-old Stroman may be among the top five starters in the American League right now, in a group behind Boston’s Chris Sale and Cleveland’s Corey Kluber. Other than the game against Oakland on July 27 in which he was ejected in the fifth inning by umpire Will Little, the Long Island native has worked sixplus innings in seven of his last eight starts.
Stroman is 11-6 for the season, tied for seventh in the AL in wins, and third with a 2.99 ERA. He has made five straight quality starts against the Rays, including all three outings in 2017. He is also temporarily tied for second in innings pitched, a stat of which he is especially proud.
“Absolutely,” Stroman said. “I want to be that guy to go 200, 220, 230 (innings) every year. I want to be that guy to be counted on every single time I take the ball every fifth day, to kind of give the bullpen a rest and give us some length. I pride myself on that. That’s why I work as hard as I do.” The key moment in the game was once again provided by the Jays’ bullpen. Nursing a two-run lead in the seventh, Stroman yielded a one-out walk, a single to centre and another walk to load the bases.
Aaron Loup entered to face Steven Souza, Jr. The Jays’ left-hander appeared to have strike three, but umpire Lance Barksdale called a ball and Souza ended up with an RBI walk. As manager John Gibbons went to make the pitching change, he was ejected by Barksdale, his fifth early exit of the year.
Four of Gibbons’ ejections have been in games started by Stroman. It seems even the manager gets amped up for the Stro’ Show.
“I just think it’s the moment and I understood it’s a big moment,” said bench coach Demarlo Hale, who finished up the game as manager. “There were some close pitches and Gibby’s got the backs of his players. They love him for that. He’s going to go to bat for them and he feels com- fortable enough with his staff that, if something happens, we usually keep the train moving.”
It was Dominic Leone, who has emerged as a key member of the Jays’ no-name pen, who made sure of that. He relieved Loup, struck out Evan Longoria and induced a popup from power-hitting Logan Morrison to preserve the one-run lead.
“The adrenalin was pumping,” Leone said of his first appearance back from bereavement leave. “It’s good to be back. I figure first day out, of course I’ll get thrown in there. But ultimately I just wanted to do my job. I just wanted to be aggressive and not back down. Longoria’s an unbelievable hitter.”
Another key moment came in the ninth, with Roberto Osuna on to nail down his 31st save.
Three innings earlier, shortstop Ryan Goins had been spiked badly on a head-first slide into second base after driving in the third run. Darwin Barney moved over from second base and in the ninth made a gamesaving play diving up the middle to snare an Adeiny Hechavarria grounder, rolling over and flipping an accurate throw to Rob Refsnyder to force Smith, who represented the tying run. Osuna retired the next two hitters.
“I think considering the circumstances, it’s always nice to get the job done,” Barney said. “Just relieving some pressure, I think that was the benefit of the play. Stro threw so well today it was nice to give him a win.”
The Jays made two roster moves prior to the game.
Veteran left-hander J.P. Howell, signed to a one-year deal as a free agent, was designated for assignment, replaced by Leone.
The Jays also activated reserve catcher Miguel Montero, a player they had acquired in a cash deal with the Cubs on July 3.