Easton Lucas delivers for Jays with composed start

Easton Lucas was beaming Wednesday after limiting the Washington Nationals to one hit over five scoreless innings in his first major league start, a 4-2 interleague win for the Toronto Blue Jays.

TORONTO – Easton Lucas was beaming Wednesday after limiting the Washington Nationals to one hit over five scoreless innings in his first major league start, a 4-2 interleague win for the Toronto Blue Jays.

There was more work ahead, however, for the 28-year-old from California.

“I got back (to the locker-room) and I had a couple of hundred text messages,” he said. “I haven’t gone through them yet because I was showering and getting ready for this (media scrum). I’m going to go over there and start responding as soon as I get the chance.”

One message that was particularly appreciated came in person from Max Scherzer, whom Lucas was filling in for due to the three-time Cy Young Award-winner’s sore thumb.

“Scherzer came up to me and said ‘Way to step up,’ said Easton. “That was awesome.”

Lucas (1-0) struck out three and walked two in a composed 74-pitch outing before an announced crowd of 20,104 at Rogers Centre.

“He was in total control … A really, really good day,” said Toronto manager John Schneider.

“It was awesome, it was huge,” added Jays outfielder George Springer, who homered to open the fourth inning. “He gave us everything that we needed.”