TORONTO

Marcus Stroman strikes out 8 in Blue Jays' 4-0 win over Orioles

John Chidley-Hill The Canadian Press
Published Wednesday, June 28, 2017 10:41PM EDT Last Updated Wednesday, June 28, 2017 10:45PM EDT

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) acknowledges the crowd after being taken out of the game against the Baltimore Orioles during eighth inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Wednesday, June 28, 2017. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

Text:

TORONTO - Jose Bautista and Justin Smoak both had solo home runs to lift the Toronto Blue Jays over the Baltimore Orioles 4-0 on Wednesday.

Marcus Stroman (8-4 ) was superb for Toronto (37-40), striking out eight in 7 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and issuing just one walk. Relievers Danny Barnes and Roberto Osuna closed out the game for the Blue Jays.

Bautista drove in another run and set up an unearned run with a fielder's choice in the fourth.

Wade Miley (3-6) gave up four runs - three earned - and struck out five in five innings of work as Baltimore (38-39) had a three-game win streak snapped. Alec Asher pitched three innings of scoreless relief for the Orioles.

Bautista led off the game in the first inning with a rare home run to right field, backing Seth Smith up to the wall for a 1-0 lead. He hadn't hit a home run to the opposite field since Sept. 12, 2015, in a 12-5 victory over the New York Yankees.

Smoak added to Toronto's lead with a homer to dead centre in the bottom of the fourth. It was Smoak's 21st of the season, a new career high for the eight-year veteran.

Bautista piled on later in the fourth. With the bases loaded he hit a sharp grounder to Baltimore shortstop Paul Janish, who flipped the ball to second. However, second base umpire Ted Barrett ruled Kevin Pillar safe and Jonathan Schoop's throw to first pulled Trey Mancini off the base, letting Bautista reach safely.

The ball rolled out from under Mancini, allowing Steve Pearce to score from third and Pillar to advance to another base to make it 4-0.

Stroman pounded his chest and clapped into his glove as the 38,847 in attendance at Rogers Centre gave him a standing ovation as he left the game with two out in the eighth inning.

Barnes gave up a walk but then fanned Schoop to end the eighth. Osuna struck out Adam Jones, Mark Trumbo and Mancini to close out the game.

Notes: The Blue Jays signed Canadian outfielder Michael Saunders to a minor-league deal on Wednesday. He played for Toronto in 2015 and 2016 before leaving for Philadelphia in free agency. ... Shortstop Logan Warmoth and right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson took in batting practice with Toronto before the game after the two first-round draft picks signed with the Blue Jays earlier in the day.