Local hurler Dustin McGowan (1-1) picked up his first win of the year for the Toronto Blue Jays Saturday with an impressive outing against Detroit.
Playing at home, the right-hander gave uponly two runs through six innings as the Jays beat the Tigers, 3-2.
McGowan, who has relied on striking out batters through the early part of the season, managed only one in this game. However, he and his 98-mph fastball, found away to get 11 Tiger out via ground balls.
In the seventh inning, with the Jays up 3-2, McGowan made the play of the game, when with two outs, batter Clete Thomas nailed a ball, which bounced but made a bee line at the pitcher. McGowan fell to his knees, raised his gloved left hand, snagged the ball and made the play to first. The play shut down the Tiger’s momentum, and wrapped up a seven-inning performance by the Ludowici native.
McGowan’s wife Jilly said, “Dustin is very blessed to be so athletic, he made some great plays out there today. The whole team did”.
She added, “I was very proud of his performance, and am relieved that this first win is under our belt.”
In the game, McGowan completed seven innings facing 28 batters and gave up 7 hits. He had the lone strikeout, but added 7 fly outs and 11 groundouts. He threw 105 pitches with 65 strikes. He walked 2 batters, gave up 2 earned runs and now has a 3.38 ERA.
Even though the Jays won the game, their offense still remained in a slump, as they only managed seven hits and drew six walks, going 0-12 with runners in scoring position.
In their last four games, they have gone 4-42 with runners in scoring position. In the four games that McGowan has pitched, they have scored only 11 runs.
The Jays are in third place in the American League East with a 9-9 record, behind the Boston Red Sox (12-7) and the Baltimore Orioles (11-7).
Toronto will take on the Tampa Bay Rays Thursday night at Champion Stadium. McGowan will be on the mound, facing right-hander Andy Sonnanstine (2-1). In five outings against the Rays, McGowan has a 3.58 ERA and is 2-0. Game time is 7:10 p.m.
Playing at home, the right-hander gave uponly two runs through six innings as the Jays beat the Tigers, 3-2.
McGowan, who has relied on striking out batters through the early part of the season, managed only one in this game. However, he and his 98-mph fastball, found away to get 11 Tiger out via ground balls.
In the seventh inning, with the Jays up 3-2, McGowan made the play of the game, when with two outs, batter Clete Thomas nailed a ball, which bounced but made a bee line at the pitcher. McGowan fell to his knees, raised his gloved left hand, snagged the ball and made the play to first. The play shut down the Tiger’s momentum, and wrapped up a seven-inning performance by the Ludowici native.
McGowan’s wife Jilly said, “Dustin is very blessed to be so athletic, he made some great plays out there today. The whole team did”.
She added, “I was very proud of his performance, and am relieved that this first win is under our belt.”
In the game, McGowan completed seven innings facing 28 batters and gave up 7 hits. He had the lone strikeout, but added 7 fly outs and 11 groundouts. He threw 105 pitches with 65 strikes. He walked 2 batters, gave up 2 earned runs and now has a 3.38 ERA.
Even though the Jays won the game, their offense still remained in a slump, as they only managed seven hits and drew six walks, going 0-12 with runners in scoring position.
In their last four games, they have gone 4-42 with runners in scoring position. In the four games that McGowan has pitched, they have scored only 11 runs.
The Jays are in third place in the American League East with a 9-9 record, behind the Boston Red Sox (12-7) and the Baltimore Orioles (11-7).
Toronto will take on the Tampa Bay Rays Thursday night at Champion Stadium. McGowan will be on the mound, facing right-hander Andy Sonnanstine (2-1). In five outings against the Rays, McGowan has a 3.58 ERA and is 2-0. Game time is 7:10 p.m.