Jays win big 13-6 to end the spring.

Jays v Astros Saturday April 3

Last spring game for the Jays before regular season starts on Monday.
Jays announce multi-year contract for Adam Lind. Four year $18 million guaranteed with club options for three more to make $38.5 million over seven years. Jays management believe Adam to be a key component of the Jays future.
I wonder if Travis was watching all of this today and hoping that his turn could come one day and perhaps even batting cleanup behind Adam ??

Jays win big 13-6 and three of those came in the Astros last inning from another Johnson home run (number eight for the spring) off minor leaguer Henn.

Morrow pitching five innings five hits, one run but three walks. Not the most ideal outing and will be pitching number four in the rotation? Followed today by Dana Eveland who goes three but also gives up five hits and two runs. Eveland has also been named as fifth starter in the rotation.
I don’t agree with Tallet as number two over Romero but Cito’s rationale is the more experienced arms numbers one and two. Let’s see how that works out and whether Cecil will be pitching in Toronto before the end of May.

However forget that today, an afternoon game and Jays hitters are out in force. For the second game in a row all five in the rotation get hits and of course yet another home run from Hill who is really seeing the ball well right now. Number six on the spring to lead the team but more importantly four in the last week. He ends his spring training with a .417 average. Topped only by Jose Bautista who had a bases clearing triple and ends the spring with .439 to lead the team.
All but Molina of the starting lineup get a hit this afternoon.

Major surprise today however is breakout day by Encarnacion who hits his first home run of the spring a three run home run in the fourth inning, and also a sacrifice fly to bring in Bautista.

Travis today perfect… two hits both doubles and two walks. Perhaps he has realized that the home runs will come, just concentrate on hitting the ball. Even Alex Gonzalez gets one today.
Doubles from Lind, Overbay, Snider and Kyle Phillips. Home runs from Hill and Encarnacion a great day for Jays hitters as they head to the Rangers.
Vernon two hits both singles,

Jays hitters 7/14 with runners in scoring position today a huge improvement.

Let’s hope that Aaron’s streak continues until someone else picks up the job and this is what this team will have to rely on this season. Will Adam Lind come alive when Aaron slumps? Will Vernon step up? He has had a much better spring and his wrist appears to be good. Jays fans have waited patiently three long seasons to see him break out again.

And will Travis stay the season and fulfill that potential?
In answer to yesterday’s question about Alex Gonzalez and ninth spot. Cito has said that Travis will bat ninth to start with and move up during the season if all goes well. I think it also relieves him of the immediate pressure. Not that I am convinced that experience in the form of Gonzalez justifies a higher spot. Travis will also play in left which means that there will no platooning with Bautista in left as they did at the start of last season. Of course there is no Alex Rios either this year.
There is no doubt that right field is far, far stronger with Jose Bautista.

Jays finish with a record of 12/13 for the spring.