TORONTO -- Trying to maintain his throwing arm in the midst of a 30-month stint with the U.S. Army often proved challenging for Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Chris Rowley. Fortunately, his company medic was willing to cooperate.
The first West Point graduate to reach the major leagues, Rowley pitched one-run ball over 5 1/3 innings to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in his debut Saturday, leaving the field to a standing ovation.
"It still feels pretty surreal," Rowley said Sunday. "I'm slowly processing it. I'm still in that initial surge. My phone is getting blown up, I have all these interviews.