No walks, season-high strikeout tally as Alek Manoah makes his Blue Jays return
Posted July 7, 2023 9:54 pm.
When Alek Manoah last pitched in the MLB, he was sporting a 6.36 ERA and lasted just a third of an inning after allowing six runs in that span. He was optioned to the Florida Complex League shortly after.
On Friday, in Manoah’s much-anticipated return to the majors against the Detroit Tigers, his game was significantly improved.
Allowing only one run across six innings, Manoah did not walk a batter and struck out a season-high eight as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tigers 12-2 for their fourth straight victory. Over his 91 pitches, 61 were strikes and he allowed just five hits.
Alek Manoah's night is done: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 Ks
He threw 61 of 94 pitches for strikes, averaged 92.7 mph with his four-seam fastball, looked more comfortable in his delivery & had some swagger on the mound. Still stuff to work on, but a very strong return #BlueJays
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) July 8, 2023
While this might not be an indication that the 25-year-old is completely over the hurdle he faced to start the season, it’s certainly an encouraging sight to see the former Cy Young finalist looking ready to rejoin the Blue Jays’ rotation.
The Blue Jays announced that Manoah would return to the mound on Tuesday following a one-month stint in the minors, split between the Florida Complex League and double-A New Hampshire. Although his first start in the rookie league was shaky, he appeared more like himself with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and finished five innings on a high note.
A return to form from Manoah could be just what the Blue Jays need as they continue to battle for a playoff spot in the American League. They came into Friday’s game tied with the New York Yankees for the final wild-card spot.
As for the game, Whit Merrifield homered and drove in four runs while George Springer added a home run and three RBIs for Toronto, which sent 10 batters to the plate in a six-run fourth and 11 in a five-run ninth. Kevin Kiermaier had four hits.
Toronto improved to 15-5 against American League Central teams, while the Tigers fell to 2-15 against the AL East.
Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report
