Dustin McGowan picked up his seventh win of the season Tuesday, as Toronto slammed the Minnesota Twins 7-0.
Playing in front of the home fans at Centre Stadium in Toronto, McGowan mixed up his pitches and earned his second win in a row. Just five days earlier he had shut down the Yankees, as the Blue Jays won a tight one 1-0.
On Tuesday night, the right hander depended on his fastball and change up to get the crucial strikes when he needed them. But he also kept the Twin batters honest by tossing his curve ball, when veteran catcher Gregg Zaun gave him the signal.
With the 25-year-old mixing up his pitches, it kept the opposing batters off balance, resulting in seven of the Twin outs coming through the air and nine via groundballs.
The Blue Jay offense, which had eight hits, was led by center fielder Vernon Wells who had a two-run homer in the fourth and a two-run double in the eighth.
For the night McGowan pitched 7-1/3 innings, facing 27 batters. He threw 111 pitches with 68 being for strikes. He gave up four hits, walked three, and struck out five. He now has a record of seven wins and five losses, with an ERA 4.45.
McGowan was unable to be contacted for a comment, but according to his wife, Jilly, one of the reasons he is having such a good year is his confidence has grown during the season.
“Dustin is just going out there having fun and building his confidence,” she said. “I am so proud of him. He is an amazing person and athlete and those who know him love him.”
As of Saturday, Toronto is just at the .500 mark, with a 51-51 record. Their home record is 31-20 and their road record is 20-31.
Toronto is currently in third place in the American League East standings, 11.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox (63-40) and three games behind the Yankees (55-48).
In the wild-card run for the post season tournament, the Jays are in fourth place, eight games behind the Cleveland Indians (60-43).
McGowan should make his 13th start of the year Monday when Toronto takes on the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Tropicana Field.
Playing in front of the home fans at Centre Stadium in Toronto, McGowan mixed up his pitches and earned his second win in a row. Just five days earlier he had shut down the Yankees, as the Blue Jays won a tight one 1-0.
On Tuesday night, the right hander depended on his fastball and change up to get the crucial strikes when he needed them. But he also kept the Twin batters honest by tossing his curve ball, when veteran catcher Gregg Zaun gave him the signal.
With the 25-year-old mixing up his pitches, it kept the opposing batters off balance, resulting in seven of the Twin outs coming through the air and nine via groundballs.
The Blue Jay offense, which had eight hits, was led by center fielder Vernon Wells who had a two-run homer in the fourth and a two-run double in the eighth.
For the night McGowan pitched 7-1/3 innings, facing 27 batters. He threw 111 pitches with 68 being for strikes. He gave up four hits, walked three, and struck out five. He now has a record of seven wins and five losses, with an ERA 4.45.
McGowan was unable to be contacted for a comment, but according to his wife, Jilly, one of the reasons he is having such a good year is his confidence has grown during the season.
“Dustin is just going out there having fun and building his confidence,” she said. “I am so proud of him. He is an amazing person and athlete and those who know him love him.”
As of Saturday, Toronto is just at the .500 mark, with a 51-51 record. Their home record is 31-20 and their road record is 20-31.
Toronto is currently in third place in the American League East standings, 11.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox (63-40) and three games behind the Yankees (55-48).
In the wild-card run for the post season tournament, the Jays are in fourth place, eight games behind the Cleveland Indians (60-43).
McGowan should make his 13th start of the year Monday when Toronto takes on the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Tropicana Field.