Blue Jays starter Stroman gives up just three hits, but long ball costly in loss

TORONTO — Normally a starting pitcher would be pleased to give up just three hits over 5 1/3 innings of work.

Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman was anything but after his performance in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night. 

Two of the three Cleveland hits that Stroman allowed went over the fence for solo homers. He also gave up three walks and two of those runners came around to score.

The Indians went on to win 4-2 and take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Stroman threw 59 of his 94 pitches for strikes and allowed four earned runs in all.

“Not good enough,” Stroman said of his performance. “I didn’t do the job. That’s pretty much it.”

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It was a 13-day break between starts for the 25-year-old right-hander. He had a no-decision in a wild-card game win over Baltimore on Oct. 4.

Stroman said he felt comfortable on the mound despite the long layoff. He felt his off-speed pitches were working well, but he couldn’t find a rhythm with one key pitch in particular. 

“I struggled with the sinker all day,” Stroman said. “I struggled to throw it for a strike. I didn’t have the same action.”

Stroman fell to 0-1 in the playoffs and his earned-run average rose to 6.75.

He was 9-10 with a 4.37 earned-run average in the regular season. Stroman went 1-0 in three post-season starts last year. 

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Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press