R.A. Dickey – The Blue Jays knuckleball pitcher navigated his way through the Tigers lineup, working his way out of a first and fifth-inning jam. Dickey (7-9) retired nine of the final 10 hitters he faced.
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The Toronto Blue Jays have been hot and would like nothing more then to head in to the break with a ton of momentum.
Following the game, Sanchez was named to the AL All-Star squad, replacing injured Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel.
He said he, and fellow veterans Estrada and J.A. Happ, have taken enjoyment in watching the Jays’ two young former first-round draft choices – Marcus Stroman and Sanchez – grow into major-leaguers. “There were so many other guys deserving of this award and to be mentioned with those people is a huge honor for me”.
“Pitching in the big leagues is not easy”.
The Toronto Blue Jays enter the All Star break on a high as they beat the Detroit Tigers 6-1 in game three of their four-game series.
“He’s had a tremendous first half”, manager John Gibbons said.
“Numbers?” he said. “I don’t really pay attention to the numbers”.
Saunders put the Blue Jays on the scoreboard in the first inning, bouncing a single to centre field and bringing home Donaldson from second base.
Sanchez lost his second straight start, allowing five runs and eight hits in four innings.
The Blue Jays had three hits in the third, but thanks to a double play, the Tigers were able to keep them from scoring and avoid a potential disaster.
Leading 2-0 in the seventh, Encarnacion took Bobby Parnell’s fastball over the centre-field wall for his 23rd home run of the season. Rondon missed the first two games of the series with flu-like symptoms.
Rodriguez, who hadn’t pitched for the Tigers since July 2, earned his 24th save.
Martinez hit his 17th homer, a one-out drive off Jason Grilli (3-3). “He did exactly what we needed him to do”.
Thole smacked a two-run single to right-centre to score Troy Tulowitzki from third and Kevin Pillar from second with two out in the second. Martinez tried to score after Steven Moya lined out to left, but was thrown out at home on a ideal throw by Carrera to Russell Martin.
Saltalamacchia made it 2-0 in the fourth with a two-out RBI single.
Just keep in mind to think of it that way after Sanchez gets battered by the Blue Jays offense this afternoon.
Toronto’s defense delivered a couple highlight-reel plays.
Porcello (11-2) is 8-0 in nine starts at Fenway this season. Or will the Blue Jays finally feast on the Tigers’ subpar starting rotation?
Right fielding slugger Jose Bautista is reportedly hitting off a tee now as he tries to return after stubbing his toe in a game in June.
The 33-year-old Encarnacion was originally suspended on July 3 after he made contact with home plate umpire Vic Carapazza while arguing balls and strikes in a 19-inning loss to the Cleveland Indians on July 1.
Sanchez has allowed 22 runs over 16.1 innings in four starts spread out since May 31.
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Early on, Sanchez looked to be his typical fantastic self as he struck out the side in order to start off the game. He lasted seven strong, allowing five hits and one earned run with five strikeouts.
