Watch CBS News

Jimenez, Orioles Breeze Past Blue Jays 7-1

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Ubaldo Jimenez struck out eight and allowed one single over seven sparkling innings, Jonathan Schoop hit a grand slam and the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 7-1 Saturday night.

Alejandro De Aza and Chris Davis also homered for the Orioles, who rebounded from a 12-5 loss to Toronto in their home opener Friday.

Jimenez (1-0) also enjoyed a bounce-back performance following a miserable 2014 season in which he went 6-9 and lost his place in the rotation after signing a $50 million contract.

Following an effective spring training in which he successfully overhauled his mechanics, Jimenez retired 21 of 23 Toronto batters.

The right-hander got nine straight outs before Reyes hit a sinking liner to left that a diving De Aza barely missed grabbing. Jimenez then retired eight in a row -- not allowing a ball out of the infield -- before walking Reyes in the sixth.

After Tommy Hunter worked a hitless eighth, Zach Britton gave up a double to Steve Tolleson and an RBI single to Edwin Encarnacion in the ninth.

Aaron Sanchez (0-1) allowed three runs and seven hits over 3 1-3 innings for the Blue Jays in his first major league start. He surrendered two homers, twice as many as he yielded last season in 24 games as a reliever.

On Friday, the Blue Jays scored four first-inning runs and rolled to an easy victory. In this one, the Orioles wasted no time taking control. De Aza marked his 31st birthday by driving Sanchez's second pitch over the right-field wall, and Davis hit an opposite-field shot to left with one out for a 2-0 lead.

It was the first homer of the year for Davis, who hit 53 two years ago and 26 last season through Sept. 10 before being given a 25-game suspension for using Adderall.

The only home run Sanchez allowed last year was to Davis on Aug. 5.

Baltimore used three singles and a double-play grounder by Adam Jones to make it 3-0 in the third.

The Orioles pulled away in the fifth against Todd Remond. A single and two walks loaded the bases for Schoop, who hit a 1-1 pitch into the left-field seats for his first career grand slam.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: OF Jose Bautista returned to the lineup after leaving Friday's game with leg cramps. "He's fine," manager John Gibbons said.

Orioles: LH Wesley Wright was placed on the 15-day list after experiencing tightness in his left shoulder while pitching Friday. The Orioles recalled RH Eddie Gamboa from Triple-A Norfolk to fill out the bullpen.

ON DECK

Blue Jays: RH Drew Hutchison (1-0, 1.09 ERA) is making his second start after holding the Yankees to one run over six innings in Toronto's 6-1 victory on opening day.

Orioles: RH Chris Tillman (1-0, 1.35 ERA) is looking to pick up his second win after allowing just one run in 6 2-3 innings in a 6-2 victory over Tampa Bay in the season opener.

(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.