Stroman's celebrations draw ire of Pujols, Zaun

In a span of just 12 days, Marcus Stroman has already done what no Toronto Blue Jays pitcher could in 2016 - throw two complete games.

After a particularly tight ninth inning Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels that required a game-ending double play, Stroman celebrated on the field in his trademark excitable fashion.

This didn't exactly sit well with everyone. Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols stepped onto the field as Stroman and the Blue Jays celebrated the win, according to an Associated Press postgame report. Stroman received glares from the Angels' dugout, unappreciative of this display of emotion.

Stroman said he meant no disrespect to Pujols or the Angels.

"I'm going to talk to Pujols," Stroman said. "Lot of respect for that guy. Talked to him in the past. I understand things could have got skewed a bit, but I love Pujols."

Pujols and his Angels teammates were not the only ones displeased by Stroman's behavior. Sportsnet's Gregg Zaun was unimpressed, declaring the display, specifically Stroman's jumping around, to be unsportsmanlike.

"You just dominated somebody. Just high-five your teammates and go back into the clubhouse and celebrate," Zaun said.

Zaun also explained that it draws unnecessary attention to a player as a competitor. Most of all, he feels this kind of display has no place on a baseball diamond.

"For people like me, it ruins a perfectly good day," Zaun said.

Stroman has reason to be pumped. His complete-game win over the Angels gave the Blue Jays a much-needed victory and the chance to win their first series of the season if they win Monday. The outing also dropped his season ERA to 3.10. He'll need to stay sharp if the Blue Jays hope to crawl back into the race.

His next scheduled start will come against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre when the Blue Jays return home from their current road trip.