TORONTO – Marcus Stromans first career major league start began as the story of the day but once the Blue Jays were done waxing the Kansas City Royals, 12-2, in another record-setting fashion, he was happy to offer the proverbial tip of the cap to his offence. "The lineup is like playing a video game with a cheat team," he said. "Everyones like 100-level." By the time the first inning was over the Blue Jays led 7-0 on the strength of five hits, three walks and two hit batsman off Royals right-hander Aaron Brooks, wholl have far fewer fond memories of his first big league start than his mound opponent. Toronto set a franchise record; never before had the first eight hitters of a game reaching base safely. The cushion gave Stroman an opportunity to relax and he went to work with a dazzling curveball, striking out six Royals over six innings. The likes of Alcides Escobar, Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler succumbed as the pitch darted down and toward the left-handers batters box. "It was sharp today," said Stroman. "Me and (Dioner Navarro) got on a pretty good roll and whatever he was calling I was throwing and it just kept trickling in. I felt like we were pounding the zone pretty well." "You could even see the reaction of the hitters after they were swinging at it," said Navarro. "Hopefully he builds up from this start and keeps going strong and help us out throughout the whole season." Stromans final line: Six innings, one earned run, five hits, zero walks and six strikeouts. Manager John Gibbons offered a quick quip when asked if the 23-year-old had earned another start. "I think itd be crazy not to," said Gibbons. "I told you Im dumb, not stupid." Stroman started in place of Drew Hutchison, whose next start was pushed back to Tuesday for the series opener in Detroit. While nothing is ailing Hutchison, he has thrown 65 innings in 11 starts already this season. Pro-rate that over an expected 33 or 34 starts and Hutchison would be at, or close to, the 200-inning mark. Coming off a year-long rehabilitation of Tommy John elbow surgery and with limited minor league innings under his belt last year, the Blue Jays will take hand-picked opportunities to give Hutchison extended breathers. While the plan runs contrary to Hutchisons ultra-competitive nature, the 23-year-old is okay with the idea. "It was already kind of mentioned to me a little bit," said Hutchison. "I knew at some point this was probably going to happen. Of course I want to take the ball every five days, its something you take pride in doing but this is something I think will enable me to pitch all year and be beneficial." Hutchison threw a bullpen session on Sunday morning. "To keep it like it would be on my normal, five-day routine," said Hutchison. "Just to try to keep it the same so Ill be crisp leading up to (Tuesdays start)". RED HOT MAY The Blue Jays wrapped up a 21-9 May to improve their overall record to 33-24. The strong month comes on the heels of an 0-1 March and a 12-14 April. While pleased, manager John Gibbons delved into the personal history file to throw a bit of cold water on the excitement. "I think in 08 in May we won 20 games, we had the best record in baseball and I got fired three weeks later," said Gibbons. "I always enjoy a good month but it means absolutely nothing in June." Gibbons is right. Toronto went 20-10 in May, 2008 and had a record of 31-27 as a result. He was axed on June 20 with the club on a five-game losing streak and with a 4-12 record to that point in the month. As another point of reference: Toronto dropped a 4-3, 17-inning game in San Diego last May 31, which dropped the Blue Jays record to 23-32. Jalen Brunson Jersey . -- Theres nothing like winning to bring hope for a struggling team. Dirk Nowitzki Mavericks Jersey . The Maple Leafs may not have had a pick until the third round, but they have made the biggest move of the second day of the Draft, dealing defenceman Carl Gunnarsson and a fourth-round pick in the draft to the St. http://www.mavericksteamofficial.info/ . Players suspended during the season for a performance-enhancing drug violation will not be eligible for that years post-season. In addition, discipline will increase from 50 games to 80 for a first testing violation and from 100 games to a season-long 162 for a second. A third violation remains a lifetime ban. Jason Kidd Jersey . LeBron James believes hes a major reason for their early failures. Dwight Powell Mavericks Jersey . Rasmussen didnt have a decision during his four appearances in May, when he gave up two hits and no runs in two innings. Toronto used five relievers while pulling off the second-biggest comeback in franchise history on Friday night, rallying from an 8-0 deficit to a 14-9 win.CLEVELAND -- Hisashi Iwakuma kept his road record spotless with one minor blemish. Iwakuma pitched seven strong innings to stay unbeaten in road games since last July, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 5-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night. Iwakuma (9-5) improved to 9-0 with a 2.17 ERA in his last 14 road starts, the second-longest such streak in club history. The Japanese right-hander is 5-0 outside Seattle this season. "I didnt even know that," Iwakuma, speaking through a translator, said of his road perfection. "I dont what the secret is." Dustin Ackley hit a two-run double in Seattles four-run fourth against Trevor Bauer (4-6). Mike Zunino homered in the fifth for the Mariners, one of six teams scrapping for the ALs second wild-card spot. The Indians are 5-7 since the All-Star break and are trying to decide whether to be active before Thursdays trade deadline. Once again, Iwakuma didnt do anything to hurt himself. He allowed two runs and six hits, and only walked one -- his first free pass in six starts. The right-hander has walked just nine all season. "Im a little disappointed he walked a batter," joked Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon. "Hes pretty good. He did a nice job for us." Iwakuma went 35 2-3 innings and 139 consecutive batters without giving up a walk before he put Michael Brantley on with four consecutive balls in the first. McClendon laughed about Iwakumas stunning loss of control. "He doesnt mess around," McClendon cracked. "He gets it done and gets it out of the way." Fernando Rodney pitched the ninth for his league-leading 29th save, and 18th in 19 tries. The Mariners, who came in with the fewest runs scored in the AL, took a 4-0 lead in the fourth when they hit three doubles off Bauer. Kyle Seager opened the inning by bunting against the shift, pushing a ball down the third-base line. Bauer hit Zunino, and one out later, Corey Hart hit an RBI double. With two outs, Ackley ripped his double off the right-field wall to mmake it 3-0.dddddddddddd Chris Taylor added another RBI double just over the glove of leaping left fielder Chris Dickerson. Zuninos 16th homer gave the Mariners a 5-0 lead in the fifth and chased Bauer, who had gone at least six innings in each of his previous four starts. Iwakuma dominated the Indians through four, but Cleveland got two runs in the fifth on an RBI single by Yan Gomes and Jason Kipnis run-scoring groundout. RUNNING AMOK The Mariners, who hadnt scored five runs in their past six games, improved to 39-10 when scoring four or more in a game. "Thats a good position for us," Ackley said. "When we get ahead, it gives us a better feeling and puts the pressure on them." BUSTED Seattle snapped a six-game losing streak in Cleveland. The Mariners last win at Progressive Field was on Sept. 19, 2011. NICE GRAB Seattle centre fielder James Jones ran down a drive by Nick Swisher and made a leaping catch before crashing into the padded wall in the seventh. TRAINERS ROOM Mariners: Left-hander James Paxton (strained back muscle) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, and as long as there are no setbacks, he could start Saturday in Baltimore. He hasnt pitched in the majors since April 8. Indians: As centre fielder Michael Bourn rehabs his surgically repaired left hamstring, manager Terry Francona is trying to let the speedster recover at his own pace. Bourn has been on the disabled list since July 6, and its not yet known when he will go on a rehab assignment or be activated. Bourn took batting practice before Tuesdays game. ON DECK: Two of the ALs top pitchers match up in the second game of the series when Seattles Felix Hernandez takes on Clevelands Corey Kluber. Hernandez (11-2) has allowed two runs or less and pitched at least seven innings in 13 consecutive starts, an AL record. King Felix, though, is just 7-5 in his career against the Indians, with all five losses coming in Cleveland. Kluber (10-6) carried a perfect game into the seventh inning of his previous start. ' ' '