Friday morning, before the Toronto Blue Jays opened their home slate against the Red Sox, the Players’ Tribune published a letter written by Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman entitled “The 6ix,” a nod to his new hometown of Toronto.
The former Blue Devil discussed the development of Toronto as a baseball city and the cultural center of Canada. He also shared his initial feelings of disappointment after being drafted by the Blue Jays following his college career and the frustration of tearing his ACL in spring training prior to last season.
Stroman took advantage of the injury, though, and made the most of what could have been a demoralizing situation, as he returned to Durham to rehab during the summer and finish his sociology degree. With a special exception from Duke to overload during the summer, the Medford, N.Y., native took five classes over the course of two academic sessions before returning to the majors late last season for the Blue Jays' postseason run.
Love the 6. #TORONTO https://t.co/QlgAR3Tf6X
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) April 8, 2016
Unfortunately for Stroman, after picking up his first win of 2016 on Opening Day against the Tampa Bay Rays, he could not keep it going against Boston. After Toronto staked him to an early 7-2 lead, the sixth inning was ultimately his demise.
The Red Sox loaded the bases with just one out, as Stroman surrendered a leadoff double followed by two walks and a fielder’s choice before Toronto removed him after just 5 1/3 innings and 92 pitches. The 5-foot-8 right-hander was responsible for all three runners on base after his departure, and his stat line took a hit when Boston third baseman Brock Holt smashed a grand slam off Jays reliever Jesse Chavez to pull the Red Sox within one at 7-6.
Stroman finished the game with a no decision as the Red Sox rallied to win 8-7, giving up six hits and four walks and notching just four strikeouts. His ERA rose to 5.40 through his first two starts, but Stroman will take the mound again Thursday against the New York Yankees in Toronto.
Of the other Blue Devils playing in the MLB this season, Milwaukee Brewers reliever Chris Capuano has appeared in three games so far out of the bullpen. He tossed a perfect inning in his first outing Monday, but surrendered an earned run to the San Francisco Giants in his second appearance Wednesday when Angel Pagan tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly.
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Twitter: @mpgladstone13
A junior from just outside Philadelphia, Mitchell is probably reminding you how the Eagles won the Super Bowl this year and that the Phillies are definitely on the rebound. Outside of The Chronicle, he majors in Economics, minors in Statistics and is working toward the PJMS certificate, in addition to playing trombone in the Duke University Marching Band. And if you're getting him a sandwich with beef and cheese outside the state of Pennsylvania, you best not call it a "Philly cheesesteak."