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Shortly after being promoted to the Toronto Blue Jays as a September call up, former UConn ace Anthony Kay made his MLB debut Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
While the Rays’ lineup is certainly no cake walk, Kay made the most of his debut, picking up his first career strikeout with a backdoor curveball to freeze Austin Meadows.
Anthony's first Kay was FILTHY
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 7, 2019
Congrats, @TonyBuckets18! pic.twitter.com/gI9NxK6nMm
After that, Kay never looked back, racking up seven more strikeouts to tie a Blue Jays’ record of eight punch outs in a major league debut, relying heavily on his curveball and changeup. His final line for the day: four hits, two runs (both earned) and three walks in 5 2/3 innings of work. Kay left the game in line for his first major league win, but the Blue Jays couldn't hold on and wound up losing 5-3.
Anthony brought ALL the Kays @TonyBuckets18's 8 strikeouts match a franchise record for an @MLB debut! pic.twitter.com/A10YjlL3Do
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 8, 2019