The Blue Jays see him as a complementary player who adds depth, versatility, speed and someone who can play all three outfield spots. Travis fouled off eight straight pitches, including one drive that sailed just wide of the left-field foul screen. He’s also made several nice catches.
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It just so happens that the Padres are playing north of the border for the first time in major league history, as they are now in a three-game set after dropping the first one 4-2 at Rogers Centre.
Clemens walked Jose Bautista to make it 6-5 before Donaldson tied it with a fielder’s choice grounder. The Padres have homered in 24 consecutive contests – three shy of tying the major-league record of 27 set by the Texas Rangers in 2002.
After the game, the Blue Jays announced they had acquired righthanded pitcher Joaquin Benoit from the Seattle Mariners in exchanged for reliever Drew Storen, who was designated for assignment by the Toronto earlier in the week.
Marcus Stroman had a spotty outing, earning a no-decision.
The Padres were willing to take Hansel Rodriguez, a right-hander pitching in Rookie ball whom Toronto did not have internally among its top 30 prospects.
While not almost as dominating on Tuesday, Stroman was effective in spurts and left the game in the seventh inning with a no-decision.
With Kevin Pillar at first on a fielder’s choice, pinch hitter Darwin Barney stroked a double to the gap in left-centre that moved both runners into scoring position. Benoit, who turned 39 on Tuesday, is 1-1 with a 5.18 ERA in 26 games this season.
The Padres then sent out Carlos Villaneuva to close out what appeared to be a certain win against the Blue Jays in the bottom of the frame, but it didn’t quite work out that way.
Padres: RHP Luis Perdomo (4-4, 6.93 ERA) will make his first career appearance against Toronto.
Donaldson is the first third baseman in Blue Jays history to post consecutive 25-homer seasons.
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Blue Jays: RHP R.A. Dickey (7-11, 4.44) will start on three days’ rest, with RHP Marco Estrada getting pushed back to Friday. Dickey has lost his past two starts.
