ANAHEIM, Calif. – Blue Jays righthander Marcus Stroman refused to allow an unusual umpiring decision to stop him from tossing his second complete game in 12 days on Sunday.
Stroman was angered when plate umpire Ramon De Jesus awarded first base to the Angels' Kole Calhoun in the third inning for throwing a 3-1 pitch before Calhoun was deemed to be ready. Toronto manager John Gibbons was ejected for arguing the call, and the Angels scored on back-to-back singles immediately afterward.
Stroman still isn't sure exactly what he did wrong in De Jesus' eyes, since he didn't get an explanation — and he used the same abbreviated delivery later in the game without getting called.
"There was no reason for it," Stroman said. "I didn't really get an explanation as to why I couldn't or shouldn't do it, so that was the only thing wrong. I was a little bit upset."
Gibbons said he also wasn't sure why De Jesus made the ruling.
Stroman said catcher Russell Martin calmed him down. He also plans to use that short delivery in the future.
"I don't think it's going to be something that I'm worried about going forward," Stroman said.
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