Blue Jays throttle Diamondbacks with big bats, Stroman gem

The Toronto Blue Jays were clicking on all cylinders Wednesday, winning the second and final game of their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-4.

Marcus Stroman had his best outing of the season, pitching eight innings of one-run ball while striking out six and not issuing a single walk.

Josh Donaldson wasted no time putting the Blue Jays on the board. Following a single from leadoff hitter Darwin Barney, Josh Donaldson launched his 24th home run of the season into the Chase Field swimming pool. Barney got involved again in his next at-bat, bringing home Devon Travis on a sacrifice fly.

Troy Tulowitzki doubled in Donaldason to give the Blue Jays a 4-1 cushion in the top of the fifth. This set up runners on second and third for Kevin Pillar, who drove in Russell Martin for the fifth run of the game.

That sequence was set up by Donaldson beating out a throw at second base that was originally called an out on the field but overturned upon replay review. In the 6th, Donaldson hit one of the longest balls possible without leaving the park, doubling off the centre-field wall to drive in another.

Following another strong bunt from Stroman and a heads-up play to grab second-base on Daniel Hudson‘s throwing error, Barney stretched the lead with a two-run triple.

Edwin Encarnacion provided the dagger, taking Hudson a quarter-mile into the left-field bleachers for a two-run home run (26). Encarnacion now has 86 RBI.

Barney got the surprise start in left field, the first time he’s played that position at the major league level. It was reported prior to the game that Michael Saunders had returned home for personal reasons but is expected to be back with the team on Friday. Ezequiel Carrera is still dealing with a minor achilles injury.

Brett Cecil was intended to be the only relief pitcher needed, but quickly allowed a pair of runners and a three-run home run to Tuffy Gosewisch. Joe Biagini entered to record the final two outs.

Toronto has the day off tomorrow before returning home for a series against the Seattle Mariners. Marco Estrada (5-3, 2.93 ERA) is scheduled to return from the disabled list to face James Paxton (2-4, 4.56 ERA).