Nationals at Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays' offense got progressively worse while the team was being swept in a three-game series at Tampa Bay this week, and they are hoping a return home can jump start the bats. The Washington Nationals, who visit the Blue Jays for the start of a three-game interleague series Friday, enjoyed an offensive breakout Wednesday and are taking on their second straight American League East opponent after splitting two games at the New York Yankees.
Toronto scored four runs Monday, one Tuesday and was shut out 1-0 on Wednesday, leaving the team 30-38 and closer to last place than first as the Yankees and Boston Red Sox run away with the AL East. The Nationals were shut out in consecutive losses before getting a pair of home runs from 19-year-old Juan Soto in Wednesday's 5-4 triumph over New York. "For him to go out there and do what he did today, in front of this crowd, it tells you a little bit about the character that he brings," Washington manager Dave Martinez told reporters of Soto, who is the youngest player to record a multi-homer game since Andruw Jones in 1996.Trying to keep Soto, Bryce Harper and company in the yard Friday will be Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez, who opposes Nationals lefty Gio Gonzalez.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), Sportsnet (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (6-2, 2.65 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Aaron Sanchez (3-5, 4.33)
Gonzalez struggled with his control against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, issuing four walks in 3 1/3 innings while allowing four runs and six hits in a no-decision. The Florida native worked at least seven innings in each of his previous three turns and watched his ERA jump from 2.27 to 2.65 with the abbreviated outing. Gonzalez, who began his career in the AL with the Oakland Athletics, is 2-2 with a 3.31 ERA in five career starts against Toronto.
Sanchez struggles with his control as well but managed to complete six innings in each of his last two turns. The 25-year-old allowed two runs on six hits and four walks in 6 1/3 innings against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday but did not factor in the decision in a game the Blue Jays went on to win 4-3. Sanchez is seeing Washington for the first time in his career and is 4-1 with a 1.07 ERA in eight career interleague games (four starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson (calf) could be activated from the 10-day DL in time for Friday's game.
2. Taking over for his father, Ted, Mark Lerner was named the managing principal owner of Washington on Thursday.
3. Toronto RHP Marcus Stroman (shoulder) allowed two runs, one hit and walked four over 4 1/3 innings in a rehab start for Class A Dunedin on Wednesday.