Preview: Orioles Vs. Blue Jays
(AP) -- Aaron Sanchez showcased his promising ability with a top-notch performance out of the Toronto Blue Jays' bullpen in last season's final two-plus months.
The highly rated prospect will attempt to carry over that success into his new starting role beginning Saturday night against the Baltimore Orioles.
Sanchez was called up from the minors July 22 and posted a 1.09 ERA in 24 appearances while striking out 27 over 33 innings. He didn't give up an earned run in his final 12 games - a span of 14 innings.
Now the 22-year-old right-hander will make his first major league start after earning a rotation spot because of Marcus Stroman's season-ending knee injury in spring training.
"Going into spring training, we weren't sure if he was going to be in the pen or in the rotation," manager John Gibbons said. "I think everybody wanted to see him in the rotation but might have ended up in the 'pen out of necessity.
"When Stroman went down, that cleaned that up. We'll see how it all ends up. If anything, (Sanchez and 21-year-old Daniel Norris) will add a lot of youthful energy to a pretty good veteran club, and we're excited about that."
Sanchez will try to help the Blue Jays (3-1) add to their best start since winning four of five to open 2011. Toronto spoiled Baltimore's home opener with a 12-5 win Friday.
Josh Donaldson drove in three runs for his first RBIs with the Blue Jays. Dioner Navarro also brought in three, while Jose Bautista went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and a career high-tying four runs scored.
Baltimore (2-2) had given up nine runs in its opening three-game series at Tampa Bay.
Bautista was hitless in 12 at-bats and struck out eight times in Toronto's season-opening series at Yankee Stadium.
"Slow start individually doesn't matter when your team is winning games," Bautista said. "If we sustain that, I'll be happy."
Ubaldo Jimenez will try to end the Orioles' first losing streak in 2015 in his season debut. The right-hander had a lackluster 2014 in the first of a four-year deal with Baltimore, going 6-9 with a 4.81 ERA in 22 starts and three relief appearances.
"Last year was really tough for me and my mechanics were a mess," Jimenez said. "I've been trying to work on my mechanics and get everything going."
Jimenez went 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA in his final two starts against Toronto last season, but also issued a total of nine walks. Bautista is 2 for 26 all-time against him for his worst showing versus any pitcher he's faced at least 25 times.
The current Orioles roster is a combined 1 for 11 against Sanchez with a solo homer by Chris Davis accounting for the lone hit. Adam Jones is 0 for 2 but is coming off a 4-for-4 performance Friday that featured his first home run in 2015.
Jones, who also drove in a pair of runs and scored two, was 1 for 11 in the three games against the Rays.
