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Stroman: 'I'll do everything in my power' to fix command issues

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

No one is more disappointed in Marcus Stroman's performance to start the season than himself.

The Toronto Blue Jays right-hander allowed eight runs (six earned) in 5 1/3 innings during a 9-1 loss to the New York Yankees on Saturday in the Bronx. The outing was the fourth straight in which Stroman has allowed at least four runs, ballooning his season ERA to a gaudy 8.55.

"Just need to figure it out," said Stroman, according to Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com. "I have it in spurts, then I just completely lose it at times. It's frustrating, but I'll do everything in my power. I'll kill myself (working hard) before I continue to go out there like this. I know that with my work ethic, I'm going to get back to where I need to be, hopefully soon."

Throughout his career, Stroman has been effective in limiting walks, but he's already allowed 14 in just 20 innings this season, with four coming Saturday.

YEAR IP BB9
2014 130.2 1.9
2015 27 2.0
2016 204 2.4
2017 201 2.8
2018 14.2 6.0

Stroman pitched effectively throughout the first five innings against the Yankees, with his one blemish coming from a two-run homer off the bat of Aaron Judge in the third inning. But things unraveled quickly in the sixth. Stroman allowed a single, wild pitch, walk, RBI single, wild pitch, and walk, before the Yankees scored a run on an error at the plate. He'd strike out Neil Walker to get the first out of the inning, but followed by surrendering a bases-clearing double that would end his outing.

Despite the struggles, Stroman remains confident, and believes his season is on the verge of turning around.

"Definitely some things to take from (the outing), it's just a matter of finding out why I'm losing it inning to inning, why I don't have my command there in certain parts. I know this is obviously a down point for me, but with my work ethic, I know times like this won't last," Stroman said.

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