Estrada 1st Blue Jays pitcher to begin game with 5 straight Ks

Marco Estrada racked up the strikeouts early and often Wednesday.

Estrada became the first pitcher in Toronto Blue Jays history to start the game with five straight strikeouts as they played their series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays. He initiated 12 swinging strikes in his first three innings, compared to 13 combined in his previous three starts heading into Wednesday.

The 33-year-old lasted 5 1/3 innings, giving up four earned runs with three walks and seven strikeouts.

After starting the year on a tear posting a 2.36 ERA in his first 10 starts, Estrada has struggled immensely recently, going 2-4 with a 5.68 ERA, a 1.58 WHIP, and has allowed eight home runs in his past seven appearances.