Blue Jays by the numbers: At least Josh Donaldson is getting it done

Don't blame Josh Donaldson for being frustrated. At this time last year he was on a 27-16 Oakland Athletics team and on his way to a second straight All-Star game appearance.

Times are a little tougher through the first few weeks of Donaldson's first season in Toronto. The Blue Jays lost 4-2 to the Astros on Sunday to close out a dismal 1-6 road trip. Their record is now 17-22, which puts them in last place in the AL East.

With the losses starting to pile up, Toronto's new third baseman decided to let off some steam.

"I can only control what I do, the guys beside me can only control what they do, it’s really just about going out there and getting the job done," Donaldson told reporters after Saturday's 6-5 loss to Houston. "This isn’t the try league, this is the get it done league. Eventually they’re going to find people who are going to get it done."

Well, Donaldson certainly belongs in the get it done league because he's been great with the Blue Jays. As expected Donaldson's power numbers are up after moving from the pitcher-friendly parks in the AL West to the smaller confines found in the AL East. His eight home runs rank third among third baseman and he hasn't had to sacrifice his ability to get on-base to increase his slugging percentage.

"I love everything about Josh Donaldson, I’ve been saying it since he got here," said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. "The guy plays to win."

The same can be said about Russell Martin, who is also playing very well in his first go-round with Toronto. In fact, offence hasn't been the problem at all. The Blue Jays are averaging a major-league best 5.13 runs per game.

Once again, it's the pitching that's been hugely disappointing. The starting staff has combined for a 5.27 ERA and a league-worst 5.23 FIP. The bullpen hasn't been much better, coming in with a below average 3.91 ERA.

Those numbers are even worse than last year when the starters had below average 3.93 ERA and 3.96 FIP. And this time, the run prevention woes can't be put on the club's defensive play like it could last season because according to Defensive Runs Saved the Blue Jays have been the second best team in the field this season. Donaldson and Martin have been a big part of that too.

So don’t blame Donaldson for being frustrated. He’s come to Toronto and is playing better than ever before, yet it’s not resulting in the sort of winning he’s come to expect.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Canada Sports:

- - - - - - -

Israel Fehr is a writer for Yahoo Canada Sports. Email him at israelfehr@yahoo.ca or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr