Toronto Blue Jays fans got their first look at one of their team's latest acquisitions on Friday night.
Righty José Soriano took the mound for the first time as a member of the Blue Jays, stringing together a solid outing against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Soriano finished the game with a line of 4.2 innings with three strikeouts and two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks. He threw 94 pitches, 62 for strikes, and generated 18 whiffs.
The 27-year-old made an early impression, striking out the dangerous Kyle Schwarber in the leadoff spot, forcing the whiff on a knuckle curve outside the zone. He followed it up with outs on Trea Turner and Bryce Harper, putting down the fearsome top of the Phillies lineup in order.
Though he gave up a run in the second, it went uncredited as Brandon Marsh scored from first on a fielding error by Jesus Sanchez in left field.
His lone earned run came in the third, as Harper singled to right field to score Schwarber, who had doubled earlier in the inning.
The right-hander finished his start on a strong note, striking out the final two batters he faced beofre coming out of the game in the fourth inning.
Soriano had last started on July 26 against the San Francisco Giants and pitched five innings of shutout ball, striking out five and walking three. He was scratched from a start for the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday in anticipation of a trade, which eventually came when he was dealt to the Jays for a package headlined by shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala.
Heading into Friday's outing, Soriano had pitched to a 3.29 ERA this season with 127 strikeouts and an American League-leading 57 walks over 123 innings.
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