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Estrada steps up in playoff-like atmosphere
- Updated: September 20, 2016
SEATTLE — Marco Estrada seems to save his best for when the Blue Jays’ backs are against the wall. Just when it appears the entire country is on the verge of a full-blown panic attack, he finds a way to restore order.
Estrada bounced back from a series of rough outings on Monday night to come through when Toronto needed him the most. He carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, struck out eight and didn’t allow a run in the Blue Jays’ 3-2 victory over the Mariners.
Toronto wasn’t facing a must-win situation at Safeco Field, but it sure felt that way. The Blue Jays entered with the worst record (5-11) in the American League this month and while they still maintained a Wild Card spot it seemed to be slipping away. At least for one night, Estrada changed all of that.
“Marco really stepped up, and it reminded me a lot of that playoff game against Kansas City last year,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. “When we really needed a win, he went deep into the game, and with the fans, he got rewarded for it.”
Estrada, whose no-hitter was broken up by Robinson Cano in the seventh inning, garnered his reputation of being a big-game pitcher during last year’s AL Division Series vs. the Rangers. Toronto was facing a 2-0 deficit in the …
