LEADING OFF: Tulo likely to stay as leadoff for Blue Jays

Newly acquired shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is leading off for the first time in his career as he makes his Toronto debut.

“To be with a different organization now is shocking”, said Tulowitzki on Wednesday afternoon. “What a great first impression”. LeMahieu had three hits for the 12th time in his career. Tulowitzki said the sudden transition won’t change his approach to the game. “Sometimes you’re surprised when you have a guy like Tulo who’s so iconic in Colorado”. “He can put everybody in a slump”.

GOING DEEP The Blue Jays have homered in 11 straight games since the All-Star break, their longest stretch of the season.

His presence in the lineup will bolster Toronto’s league-pacing offence, which leads the entire majors with 528 runs scored – well ahead of the second-placed New York Yankees at 456.

Williams (3-8) allowed four runs and matched a season-high by giving up 10 hits in 4 2-3 innings.

Lester struck out seven of his first eight hitters and nine of the first 14.

“He settled down and he pitched very well”, interim manager Pete Mackanin said. “He was OK, he just wasn’t sharp”. In four starts for the Blue Jays, Doubront posted a 4.87 ERA, allowing opponents to bat.341/.380/.459 against him. He wasn’t bad, but them he wasn’t good either. “For the pitcher, you have to hit the corners of the plate”. “You just have to take it and come back next time”.

“The ovation from the crowd that first at-bat was obviously special”, Tulowitzki said. After working the count to 2-2, he struck out swinging on a breaking ball.

Phillies: Phillies LHP Cole Hamels is being pushed back one day and is not scheduled to start for again until after Friday’s trade deadline has passed. The second-deck blast, Tulowitzki’s 13th, came on an 0-2 pitch and snapped an 0-for-21 slump.

The All-star hasn’t been up to form as of late, and the fielding has been a bit of a concern for the Jays, and I think trading away Reyes will benefit the Jays, as Tulowitzki only has eight errors in 82 games played and a fielding percentage of.982. Plus, he did something his predecessor never did: compiled three RBI and scored three runs in a single game.

The two-time Gold Glove victor showed off his defense, making a strong throw from the hole to retire Andres Blanco at second in the third.

Footnotes. Though Nolan Arenado went 0-for-3 on Wednesday, he hit a sacrifice fly to give him 77 RBIs, the most in the majors entering Wednesday’s night games…. “He did OK. He was really good that night in Chicago”, Gibbons said.

TIGERS 2, RAYS 1: Justin Verlander outlasted Chris Archer for his first win this season and Detroit avoided a three-game sweep by beating Tampa Bay.

In order to make room for Tulowitzki on the 25-man roster, the Blue Jays designated fifth starter Felix Doubront for assignment.

Garcia was 3-3 with a 1.69 ERA in seven starts, the last coming on June 24 at Miami.

Blue Jays: 1B Edwin Encarnacion (left middle finger) was scratched from the lineup and replaced by Colabello.

Cubs: RHP Jake Arietta (11-6, 2.61 ERA) takes the mound against RHP Jimmy Nelson (8-9) as Cubs open an four-game series in Milwaukee. He had no decision in his last start, a quality effort in Colorado’s 6-5 victory over Cincinnati.

The Colorado Rockies and Toronto Blue Jays have swapped star shortstops.

Unfortunately for Rockies starting pitcher Eddie Butler (3-7), those two mistakes he made in the first and third inning would prove to be the dagger that led to his demise. He allowed just one run on four hits while striking out four and walking three in five innings of work.