Stroman fizzles as Mets earn split
It was Independence Day across the United States, but looking around the Rogers Centre there was no indication it was a special day for the huge neighbouring country to the south other than the redwhite-and-blue patriot socks worn by many of the Blue Jays and Mets.
But in the end it, seemed the Mets came with their own fireworks on the way to a 6-3 win and a series split.
Jays starter Marcus Stroman, a proud New Yorker from Long Island, was making his first career start against the Mets. His first two outings upon returning from the disabled list had been solid, bordering on sensational, allowing one earned run in 12 innings. But after a seven-inning effort against the Tigers, he came up short Wednesday, running his season record to 1-6 with a 6.33 ERA.
He was cruising through four innings, facing just one batter over the minimum, when it all came apart in the fifth after the Jays had taken the lead. Wilmer Flores singled leading off followed by a two-run homer by Todd Frazier.
A double and a walk put runners at first and second for Jose Bautista, who singled up the middle to drive in the Mets’ fourth run of the game. Stroman allowed another RBI single and then was replaced by Luis Santos after just 4 2⁄ 3 innings. In the two games, Jays starters combined to throw five innings, with the bullpen being needed for 13 innings.
Bautista was greeted warmly with a prolonged ovation when he stepped into the box in the first inning. Former teammate Russ Martin stepped out in front of the plate to allow the moment to continue, with Bautista at first turning to all four corners of the stadium to wave and then doffing his helmet before stepping in. In what was perhaps his final MLB at-bat at the Rogers Centre, he was serenaded by fans with the Jose-to-thefourth power chant and grounded out in the ninth.
The Jays seem to have finally settled on a three-man mix for the troublesome two middle infield positions that consists of Lourdes Gurriel, Aledmys Diaz and Devon Travis. In three consecutive games Gurriel, after being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo, has started twice at second and once at shortstop.
The 24-year-old Cuban started two nifty double plays in the first two innings in support of Stroman and contributed a go-ahead RBI single in the fourth after his go-ahead tworun homer in the series opener on Tuesday.
“If Gurriel’s going to be here he needs to play,” manager John Gibbons said. “Then you want to give (third baseman Yangervis) Solarte a day here and there. If we were in a jam like if (Curtis) Granderson’s DH’ing and we need another outfielder, put Gurriel out there. He’d be the next guy in line. He’s been locking in on the middle infield spots, but he can do it. I say that because he can run.”
Gurriel is signed to a freeagent major-league contract through 2023.
He spent an injury-plagued first season trying to find him- self in the Jays’ farm system, but they always knew they had a special talent. Defensively he is a work in progress, adjusting to making the shorter second base throw to first and sometimes erratic on the longer throw from the shortstop position.
“We knew the talent, for sure,” Jays GM Ross Atkins said.
“(Assistant GM) Andrew Tinnish did a great job in leading that scouting effort and we had a lot of history, we had a lot of reps with him. We also had a great deal of conviction in that he had been around some of the better coaching in the world and had really good influences in his life.
“But no one knows how that will translate when you are going through a transition that he’s gone through. We certainly knew the talent, the bat, the (glove), the athleticism, the arm strength. We knew those things and on how it would translate, we were optimistic.”
Gurriel’s countryman, Kendrys Morales, opened the scoring for the Jays with a solo homer into the seats above the Mets bullpen. Having escaped Cuba in 2004 and now living in South Florida, Morales — on all of his July 4ths — has batted 13-for-36 (.361) with three doubles, two homers, eight RBIs and a pair of walks. The Jays’ DH needed a triple in his final at-bat for the Independence Day cycle, but struck out.
Canadian catcher Martin posted his third three-hit game of the season, snapping a streak of eight at-bats without a safety. In all, the three American-born hitters in the Jays’ lineup combined to go 0-for-12.
The Jays used both of the relief pitchers that were brought up on Wednesday after the ’pen had recorded 26 outs in winning the night before. Right-hander Luis Santos threw 1 1⁄3 innings in relief of Stroman, while righty Rhiner Cruz entered in the eighth in relief of Aaron Loup.
Earlier in the day, Preston Guilmet had been designated for assignment, while lefty Tim Mayza was optioned to Buffalo.