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 His regular-season debut, his long-awaited return, was no
different.
Hutchison led the Blue Jays to a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on
Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.
The 23-year-old righty scattered three hits, walked three batters
and struck out four over 5 1/3 scoreless innings. It was Hutchison's
first major league win since June 3, 2012. He was injured two weeks
later, and his elbow was reconstructed in August 2012.
"I think coming out of spring training, I was just ready to go, so
it was a good start," Hutchison said. "I'm glad we got the win, and
I'm ready to get going."
Hutchison was effective and efficient while helping the Blue Jays
even the season-opening series at a game apiece. He gave up a
leadoff single to Tampa Bay shortstop Yunel Escobar in the top of
the sixth and followed that up by walking left fielder Matt Joyce.
He managed to retire right fielder Wil Myers, the reigning American
League Rookie of the Year, before manager John Gibbons walked to the
mound to take Hutchison out of the game.
Hutchison threw only 83 pitches. Did he think he had more in him?
"I had some left," Hutchison said. "But he came and he got me, and
our bullpen, as always, did a great job of shutting the door."
Gibbons said, "Normally, when he gets rolling here, he'll go deeper
than that, but I thought it was plenty for the first game."
After being kept off the scoreboard by Hutchison, the Rays rallied
against right-handed reliever Steve Delabar in the eighth inning.
Myers swatted a double to the center field wall, scoring Joyce and
cutting Tampa Bay's deficit to 4-1.
The comeback attempt continued in the ninth against Toronto closer
Sergio Santos. Rays third baseman Evan Longoria hustled his way to a
leadoff double that bounced off Blue Jays third baseman Brett
Lawrie's glove. Longoria scored on center fielder Desmond Jennings'
double to deep center. A double steal put two runners in scoring
position with two outs, but Escobar took a called third strike from
Santos to end the game.
"I've got to give their pitching credit, but I really do like the
fight in our group," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.
After being held to two runs in the season opener, Toronto's lineup
backed up Hutchison with four early runs against Rays right-handed
starter Alex Cobb, viewed by many as a potential breakout star this
season.
Maddon said before the game that Cobb already is a No. 1-caliber
starter. A rival scout quoted in Sports Illustrated's baseball
preview issue compared Cobb to Greg Maddux. However, Cobb struggled
in his first outing of the season, allowing five hits and four walks
in five innings. He struck out three and labored through 104
pitches.
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Toronto got to Cobb right away. Left fielder Melky Cabrera led off
with a single to center field and right fielder Jose Bautista drew a
one-out walk after narrowly missing a home run on a long foul fly to
left. First baseman Adam Lind then worked a 3-1 count before
smashing a changeup over the fence in center field for a three-run
homer.
"Probably his favorite place he could ask for a ball," Cobb said.
Toronto shortstop Jonathan Diaz, called up late Monday to replace
injured starter Jose Reyes, tacked on another run against Cobb in
the fourth with his first major league hit, an RBI single to center
that brought home Lawrie. Diaz, who was drafted by the Blue Jays in
2006, went on to swipe second for the first stolen base of his
career.
"It's pretty amazing, especially with the team that drafted me and
the team that I spent so many years with," Diaz said. "It was
definitely a good feeling. To get the W is even better."
NOTES: Blue Jays SS Jose Reyes was diagnosed with mild inflammation
in his left hamstring after being placed on the 15-day disabled list
following Monday's season opener. An MRI revealed no structural
damage. Reyes said the MRI results were a relief, and he hopes to
return to the field after two weeks of rest. ... Rays OF David
DeJesus said his bruised right foot was still a little sore Tuesday.
DeJesus said the swelling and soreness were expected, and he did not
anticipate a trip to the 15-day disabled list. "I know it's not
broken, so that's good," DeJesus said. ... The game was delayed for
3 minutes, 34 seconds in the seventh inning for an umpires' review
of Toronto CF Colby Rasmus' foul ball down the right field line. The
call was confirmed. ... Toronto manager John Gibbons challenged
whether Jays LF Melky Cabrera was out at first base to end the top
of the ninth. The call was upheld after a 1-minute, 20-second delay.
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