Alek Manoah allows 11 points in first minor league game

TAMPA, FL –

Toronto Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah was hit hard in his first game after returning to the minors, allowing 11 runs in 2 2/3 innings in a rookie-level Florida Complex League game on Tuesday.

The Blue Jays sent the struggling right-hander down on June 6 after the 2022 All-Star and AL Cy Young finalist failed to get out of the first inning against the Houston Astros.

The 25-year-old pitched for the FCL Blue Jays against the Yankees at New York’s minor league complex, giving up 10 hits, including two home runs, and two walks against a lineup composed mostly of teens ages 17 to 19 years old.

After Manoah gave up an RBI single to Hans Montero in the first, Roderick Arias hit a three-run homer in the second inning that cleared the 30-foot batter’s eye in center field. The 18-year-old Arias received a $4 million signing bonus from the Yankees in 2022.

The 6-foot-6 righty took 26 pitches, including 15 strikes, in the second.

Manoah was chased after giving up six more runs in a third inning with a two-run home run on the opposite field to Keiner Delgado’s right.

Manoah was booed by Toronto fans after giving up six runs and seven hits in a third of an inning in his seventh straight losing decision on June 5. He went 1-7 with a 6.36 ERA in 13 starts after going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA in 31 starts last season.

Manoah allowed 45 runs in 58 innings. He allowed 55 in 196 2/3 innings in 2022. He went 9-2 with a 3.22 ERA in 20 starts as a rookie in 2021.