Aaron Sanchez has pitched well so far in his rookie season. (Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)
TORONTO — Rookie right-hander Aaron Sanchez received a standing ovation when he left the mound in the eighth inning Tuesday of what turned out to be a 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
Sanchez was probably not as brilliant as the ovation suggested, but the Rogers Centre crowd appreciated the strides the 22-year-old is making.
They are necessary strides, not only for Sanchez, who has the makings of a very good pitcher, but for the pitching-starved Blue Jays, who need more efforts like the one they got Tuesday if they are to salvage the season.
“I thought he did an outstanding job today,” third baseman Josh Donaldson said. “He pounded the zone, he had a lot of ground-ball outs, allowed his defense to work behind him tonight. I thought he did well.”
Sanchez allowed six hits, three walks and three runs in a career-best 7 1/3 innings.
He left with the game tied 2-2 with two runners on base and one out after shortstop Erick Aybar singled and first baseman Albert Pujols walked.
Another rookie right-hander, 20-year-old Roberto Osuna, came in and gave up a squibber to third by right fielder Kole Calhoun. Donaldson decided to go for the out at third. Aybar slid in safely and the bases were loaded for designated hitter David Freese, who hit a sacrifice fly to break the tie.
“I knew it was going to be a tough play (at first),” Donaldson said. “Obviously I thought there was going to be a play at third with Aybar there. I was wrong and it ended up costing us.”
“It was a tough loss but a lot of good things happened out there for me today,” Sanchez said. “Just consistent with my heater, attacking guys, the curveball as well, threw a couple of changeups.”
“Sanchez was great tonight,” manager John Gibbons said. “From the get-go, pounding the strikes. It was fun to watch, he got ground ball after ground ball. He got some strikeouts tonight (five).”
The Blue Jays need more outings like it.
