TORONTO – Former Angelo State Ram Zach Stewart was phenomenal in his Major League debut for the Toronto Blue Jays as he earned the start for the Blue Jays and pitched 7.0 innings of work before collecting the no decision in the Jays' 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.

On the mound for the Jays, the former ASU undergrad scattered seven hits in as many innings allowing just two earned runs and one walk while striking out four. His first Major League strikeout came in the top of the first as he got Nick Markakis to swing at a 1-2 count for the second out of the frame.

The 24-year old Stewart was called up from Double-A New Hampshire this week. He was 4-3 with a 4.39 ERA in 12 starts for New Hampshire.

Stewart, a native of Wichita Falls, retired the first six batters he faced, including a pair of strikeouts. He turned in a solid effort, but was pulled from the game with the score tied 2-2 after hurling 7.0 innings of work.

“Zach is an extremely hard worker and has gotten what he deserves,” Head coach Kevin Brooks said. “ I'm not surprised by his success and I think he'll continue to be successful in his Major League career.”

Stewart was a student at ASU in the fall semester of his first year as a collegiate student-athlete and was a member of the Rams baseball team. The 6-foot-2 right-hander also attended North Central Texas Junior College and Texas Tech.

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