It was definitely a pitchers’ duel. Jordan Zimmerman vs. Marcus Stroman. They both had very good performances, Stroman had seven strikeouts over seven innings, and Zimmerman didn’t allow a hit until the seventh inning. But, Christin Stewart’s two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning led the Detroit Tigers to a 2-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto’s season and home opener on MLB’s Opening Day.
It was also new Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo’s managerial debut in the MLB, after spending many years managing in the minors. But his team couldn’t get a win for him on his special day.
Neither team had a hit until the sixth inning. Stroman gave up four walks but struck out the side in the fifth. Stroman pitched seven innings, allowing two hits, allowed no runs, and threw seven strikeouts.
But Zimmerman was even better. He also pitched seven innings, allowing just one hit, no walks and threw four strikeouts.
Blue Jays’ OF Teoscar Hernandez broke Zimmerman’s perfect game bid with a single in the bottom of the seventh inning. Toronto’s only other hit came in the ninth when Brandon Drury also hit a single.
The Jays’ bullpen had a lot of trouble last season, but they had a pretty good start to this season as Joe Biagini and Ken Giles each struck out the side in the eight and ninth innings, respectively. But, Daniel Hudson came in for the top of the 10th, giving up a double to Niko Goodrum, and then the two-run home run to Stewart, which ended up being the winning runs, as Hudson was handed the loss in this one. Victor Alcantara got the win and the save went to Shane Greene.
This was the Jays’ eighth straight home opener loss. They haven’t won a home opener since 2011, when they beat the Minnesota Twins. They also now have a losing record in home openers of 21-22.
Up Next:
Game two of this four-game series goes Friday night. The starting pitchers will be Matthew Boyd for Detroit and Matt Shoemaker for the Blue Jays.
Sources:
-All stats, info and video courtesy of MLB.com
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