Right-handed pitcher Aaron Sanchez had another promising start with triple-A Buffalo in his comeback attempt to the majors.
Sanchez, who signed a minor-league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays last month, pitched six solid innings Friday night to earn his second straight win as the Bisons defeated the host Lehigh Valley IronPigs 5-2.
The 31-year-old from Barstow, Calif., gave up two hits and one run, a homer in the third inning to Nick Podkul, while recording five strikeouts and two walks. He improved to a 2-2 record and 9.00 ERA over five starts.
Sanchez, who was selected by the Blue Jays in the first round of the 2010 draft, was a key member of the team’s starting rotation during their playoff runs in 2015 and 2016.
He earned a career-high 15 wins in 2016 and represented the Blue Jays at the All-Star Game while finishing seventh in voting for the American League Cy Young Award.
Sanchez, whose career was derailed by injuries, last pitched in the majors during the 2022 season with the Minnesota Twins and has a 38-38 record, 4.16 ERA and 541 strikeouts over eight years.
Meanwhile, right-handed reliever Erik Swanson held the line during one shutout inning of work in the eighth, giving up one hit and registering two strikeouts.
Swanson, who was one of the Blue Jays’ most reliable relievers last season, has struggled this year with a 9.22 ERA and 10 strikeouts over 13.2 innings. He was optioned to Buffalo on May 28.