Jays lose final game with second stringers after Reyespitches strong start.

Jays v Tampa at Tropicana Field. The final 2011 Spring game.

Chatter: The offline consensus is that Edwin is only here for the 30 days until Lawrie can get the options that Jays want… Showcasing Edwin maybe not a great idea. One blogger is concerned for the health of Aaron from Edwin’s throws to first, that is mean.

Indians game cancelled snow in Ohio, en route east to Toronto tonight but relax, Jays have the roof.

Jayson Nix from Cleveland added to the roster with Carlson moving to 60 day disabled list. No player exchange just cash.

Interesting: Jose Bautista with 9 doubles in the spring tied for 1st. But for my money Anthony Gose is the best stat. 9 stolen bases in the spring tied for 2nd and this kid didn’t start many games coming in later innings and was sent to Minors last week. Would be interesting to see how many at bats he had. Hard to believe he was in high school last year. I hope the Toronto fans will see him in September, he is one exciting young player and future all-star in my book.

Back to today’s matchup:
Toronto: Davis, Escobar, Bautista, Lind, Hill, Rivera in LF, Encarnacion, Molina, Arencibia as DH today. Jo-Jo Reyes pitching. First team sort of, without Travis who injured that back sliding into second yesterday but Jays say they are not too concerned.
Tampa: Upton, Damon, Longoria, Zobrist, Shoppach, Dan Johnson, Elliot Johnson, Jeff Niemann pitching.
Top 1st: Davis gets under this one and pops up behind the plate to Shoppach. He didn’t see where that one went against that crazy roof, Niemann had to guide him. One down for Escobar lines out to Upton in centre. Bautista, here we go, singles to centre. Lind with one on two down. Flies out to Upton.
Bottom 1st: Upton called third strike, one down for Damon. Fly ball to Rivera. Longoria, oh boy, gets hold of this one, no doubt at all, home run to left centre, his fourth of the spring. 1-0 Rays. Zobrist strikes out swinging but first blood to Tampa.

Top 2nd: Hill leading off, goes down swinging this time. Rivera, fly ball to Zobrist in right, Encarnacion, at least no chance for a double play this time, would have been though as he grounds to short. Niemann having no problems with the Jays so far.
Bottom 2nd: Shoppach leading off, fly ball to Davis in centre, one down, Rodriguez, walks, Dan Johnson, there goes Rodriguez and has second stolen, Johnson strikes out, two down. Elliot Johnson strikes out. Four strikeouts for Reyes.

Top 3rd: Molina, fly ball to left, Arencibia strikes out, Davis, walks, Escobar with one on and two down. Hit and run? Escobar singles to short but Davis gets to third on the play. Bautista now with runner at third. That’s the way Jose, singles to left here comes Davis, speed kills. Jays tie it up and still have two on base for Lind. Pinch runner Jonathan Diaz in for Escobar. Loewen in for Bautista, Manager Farrell giving the first team the rest of the game off. Way to go Adam doubles to right, here comes Diaz, here comes Loewen and Jays getting to Niemann here 3-1 Jays. Another pinch runner Cooper for Lind this time. Hill grounds back to Niemann. But Jays break out.
Bottom 3rd: Johnny Mac now in for Hill at second. McCoy in for Davis. Five changes and we haven’t even been through the Rays order yet !! Reid Brignac grounds to McDonald, throw to first for the out. Upton walks. Damon, there goes Upton. Grounds to Cooper at first Upton to third, two down for Longoria. Walks him, Reyes having none of him this time. Zobrist, oh boy double steal here comes Upton both runners safe. We have seen that before with Joe Maddon. BUT the downside is that he has shown his hand for the regular season and that element of surprise has now gone when Upton ever gets to third. 3-2 Jays. Zobrist grounds to Diaz throw to first for the out.

Top 4th: Rivera, fly ball to Damon in left, one down. Encarnacion, (with nobody on base) grounds to short, throw to first. Edwin’s last five at bats have been infield ground outs. Molina, grounds to short. Jays go three up and down.
Bottom 4th: Here’s one change I like, Brett Lawrie now in for Edwin Encarnacion, this is one guy who has earned a place and his time will come this season. Thames now in left. All the starting line-up now gone except for Molina and Arencibia. Shoppach strikes out swinging. Sean Rodriguez, strikes out. Number six for Reyes. Dan Johnson, fly ball to Thames in left.

Top 5th: Kyle Farnsworth now pitching for Niemann. Arencibia, lines out to Sean Rodrguez at second. McCoy first at bat. Grounds to short. Two down for Diaz. Weird play, soft fly to short, but Upton deflects the ball and Jonathan gets to second on the play. Loewen with runner in scoring position, strikes out swinging.
Bottom 5th: Will Ledezma now pitching for Reyes. Nice outing for Reyes. Four innings, six strikeouts but three walks and two runs. Elliot Johnson at bat, well welcome Wil, there she goes, home run to left and this game is all tied up 3-3. Sorry Jo Jo….. Brignac, strikes out looking. Upton, don’t let him get on base Wil. Walks him. Well you only have yourself to blame. Damon with one on, ah ha, pick off, throw to Cooper on to Diaz and Upton is dead meat at second. Damon strikes out. Ledezma recovers but owes Reyes dinner tonight.

Top 6th: Time for Jays hitters to break out here. Adam Russell replaces Farnsworth. Cooper at bat. Singles to right. Nice start. Johnny Mac, bunting ? Not this time, gets hold of one here though high fly ball to left but Damon has it. Nice try Johnny Mac. Thames fly ball to Upton, two down. Lawrie first at bat. Lines out to Sean Rodriguez at second. Cooper left stranded out there.
Bottom 6th: Jon Rauch in for Ledezma. Longoria, this should be interesting matchup. Fly ball to Loewen in right, advantage Rauch. Zobrist, strikes out swinging, two down for Shoppach, singles to left. Sean Rodriguez, fly ball to Thames. Rauch maintains that .000 ERA, very, very nice Spring Jon….

Top 7th: Jake McGee now in for Adam Russell. Molina at bat. Fly ball to Damon in left. Joe Maddon still has his starting line-up out there. Arencibia, full count, grounds to Dan Johnson at first, two down for Mike McCoy. Not this time Mike, strikes out swinging.
Bottom 7th: Rzepczynski now pitching. Budde catching now for Molina. Rays still have all their first team line-up out there, this is now a Jays minor league team facing them. Different approaches by the two managers. Dan Johnson leading off. Strikes out, one down. Elliot Johnson, singles to McCoy in centre, Diaz cannot get it and off his glove. No error given. Brignac, oh boy, sac bunt but Rzepczynski throwing error and both runners safe. Here comes Upton with only one out. No another double steal, will Jays ever learn ???? that should not happen twice in a game. Now sac fly scores, singles to centre here comes both runners. 5-3 Rays. Rzepcyznski you have yourself to blame twice. And you know Upton will be stealing. Hit and run, Damon singles to right Upton to third. Evan Crawford replaces Rzepcyznksi and pinch runner Sam Fuld for Damon at first, Maddon wants more. Longoria (still out there) strikes out swinging, moral victory to Crawford. Zobrist called out on strikes, very nice pitching Evan, Manager Maddon will not like that with only one out and not bringing in Upton from third.

Top 8th: Sonnanstine pitching. Diaz walks, one on Loewen fly ball to Upton in centre, Cooper, nice singles to left, Diaz all the way to third on the play, speed. Two on, one down. Johnny Mac. No no pops up to Longoria at third, two down. Thames strikes out swinging. Not good.
Bottom 8th: Evan Crawford still in there. Shoppach hitting. Fly ball to Loewen. Sean Rodriguez, fly ball to Thames, two down. Dan Johnson, same again fly ball to Thames. Very nice relief here by Crawford.

Top 9th: Last crack for Jays before they head to the airport and north for some although I imagine the first team has already left. Sonnanstine still out there, Brett Lawrie leading off, give them something to think about here Brett. That’s the way, singles to centre. Will he be stealing ? Ryan Budde at bat. Not good, you should have gone Brett as Budde grounds to second on to short over to first. Double play. Arencibia now last shot, lines out to second. Game over. 5-3 Rays.
The good: Jo Jo Reyes. Rauch and Evan Crawford. Lind and Bautista with the rbis. The minor leaguers holding their own against first stringers of Tampa.
Not so good: Rzepczynski, not holding the runners and his error leading to the two go ahead runs.

Jays and Rays win two each this spring but Jays end with better record 16-14 against the 15-14 of Tampa.

Now to Friday and opening day.

Hot Hill and hits saves Cecil and Encarnacion as Jays win 7-4

Jays v Orioles.

Toronto: Davis, Escobar, Bautista, Lind, Hill, Rivera, Snider, Encarnacion, Arencibia and Cecil pitching. First team line-up today. I like it all except Encarnacion at third. Would much rather see young Lawrie in there for the season.
Baltimore: Roberts, Markakis, Lee, Guerrero, Scott, Jones, Reynolds, Wieters, Hardy and Chris George pitching.

Top 1st: Davis grounds out, Escobar, singles, Bautista singles, two on one down. Lind now bring him in Adam. Strikes out swinging. Can Aaron do it? Way to go Aaron, another double and Jays are up and away 2-0. Hill is becoming a doubles machine. Two yesterday. Rivera, here he goes single to centre but trying to stretch it to two is thrown out at second, Hills scores. Jays lead 3-0 for Cecil to work with.
Bottom 1st: Roberts grounds out, Markakais grounds out to third, two down. Lee, doubles to Snider in left, one on for the big guy. Guerrero. There he goers single to left here comes Lee, 3-1 Jays, Vladdy at first. Luke Scott, watch this guy Cecil two homeruns yesterday. Not this time fly ball to Snider for third out. Guerrero’s spring average is .375… what a steal by Baltimore at $3 million. And with Luke Scott protecting him in the lineup this could be a very different Baltimore this year.

Top 2nd: Snider, leadoff single to left. Encarnacion, oh boy, grounds to second, on to short on to first double play ball. Arencibia fly ball to centre and Jays go very quietly… Not sure Travis will appreciate Encarnacion hitting behind him. Time will tell and hopefully prove me wrong.
Bottom 2nd: Adam Jones leading off, nice bunt back to Cecil and beats throw. Jays not the only team able to play small ball. Reynolds fly ball to Snider but enough for Jones to get to second. Wieters, doubles to left, here comes Jones, 3-2 Jays. Everything going to left today. Cecil not fooling Orioles hitters. Hardy fly ball to Davis in centre, Wieters to third, two down for Roberts. Doubles to Snider in left, here comes Wieters and Cecil has blown that 3-0 lead, he has nothing. Markakis, 3-0 and walks him. Not for long in this game Brett. Two on two down. Derrek Lee, there goes Roberts and steals third easily. Lee singles to centre Roberts scores and Orioles go out ahead 4-3. How to give up a three run lead in two innings, still two on for Guerrero. Lucky Cecil, fly ball to Snider in left to end this but major concerns with Cecil. They were already concerned about mysterious loss of speed, and today is fooling no one. Does he have an injury ? Two innings, six hits and four runs, something wrong with that line.

Top 3rd: Koji Uehara replaces Chris George. Rajai Davis leading off. Goes down swinging, one down for Escobar. Fly ball to Markakis in right, two down for Bautista. Strikes out swinging.
Bottom 3rd: Luke Scott leading off, singles to right, hit number 7 for Orioles. Jones pops up to Hill at second. One down for Mark Reynolds. Pops up to Escobar, two down. Wieters with Scott still at first. Fly ball to Bautista in right and Cecil escapes this time.

Top 4th: Michael Gonzalez now pitching. Lind leading off. Fly ball to Jones in centre. One down for Hill. Fly ball to centre, two down for Rivera. Strikes out swinging. Jays go quietly.
Bottom 4th: Has Farrell seen enough of Cecil ? McCoy now in for Snider in left. Hardy leading off, pops up to Lind at first, one down. Is that the first inning that Cecil has not put the first hitter on base ? Brian Roberts, grounds to third throw to Lind, two down. Markakis, singles to left. Derrek Lee, two down and one on. Doubles to left, Guerrero with two in scoring position. This could be Cecil’s last hitter. Chicken, walks him to load the bases to get to Luke Scott ???? good luck…. He gets it, grounds to Hill at second throw to Lind for third out but Cecil one hit away from further disaster. Now 9 hits.

Top 5th: Hey look who is here? Ex-Jay Kevin Gregg replacing Michael Gonzalez. You know he will be wanting to show them up. He has not had a great spring. Six innings, 11 hits, 11.37 ERA ouch… McCoy leading off, is he bunting? No but gets a walk. Encarnacion, here we go again, grounds to third, on to second on to first, yet another double play his second of the game in two at bats. Hmmmmm. Arencibia, with two down. Strikes out swinging. Well at least Kevin is a happy man. Gets his ERA down to 9.82.
Bottom 5th: Well finally Cecil’s agony is over and so is ours. Purcey now pitching. Cecil 4 innings,9 hits 4 runs, 2 walks and faced 23 hitters, ERA 5.96. Houston we have a rotation problem. Jones leading off, pops up to Hill at second. Reynolds singles to left. Wieters singles to centre, Purcey not much better yet, two on one down, Hardy, grounds to third on to Hill at second to get Wieters, two down. Reynolds at third.

Top 6th: Jason Berken now pitching for Gregg. Pitcher number five today for the Orioles. Rajai Davis, strikes out swinging, one down for Escobar. Watches the third strike, two down for Bautista. Fly ball to Scott in left, Jays hitters anemic today but can you blame them after Cecil ruined that great start?
Bottom 6th: Purcey has to do another. Markakis leading off. Strikes out swinging, Derrek Lee, strikes out swinging, Guerrero fly ball to Davis. Is that the first three up and down inning this game for Baltimore ? Yes it is. Orioles have a dinner date tonight.

Top 7th: Another pitcher Josh Rupe now pitching. Townsend in for Lee at third. Lind at bat and time running out for this hapless lot today. FINALLY gets hold of one and this one is out of here, Adam has a home run, and an opposite field bomb. Jays tie this one up 4-4. Number two for Lind this spring. Hill singles to centre, Aaron one of the bright lights today for Jays offence. They have something going here. Rivera, singles to centre, off Andino at second, but that’s ok, two on and nobody out, rally here ???, three consecutive hits. McCoy, now is the time for that bunt Mike. No the boss wants a hit, single to centre and here comes Aaron, Jays retake the lead 5-4 Jays. Still two on and nobody out. Oh boy it is Encarnacion, two double plays today, probably why Farrell wanted McCoy to hit away. I don’t believe it, Encarnacion grounds to short on to second over to first, double play his THIRD in three at bats today, is that a major league record ???? Please, please Alex trade this guy, package him with Dotel and mail to the Yankees or better still Boston. Arencibia with runner at third, grounds to short throw to first, I am in shock. That is unbelievable. After four consecutive hits, Encarnacion finds a way to ruin the rally.
Bottom 7th: Shawn Camp now in to try to hold this lead. Luke Scott, grounds to Hill over to Lind, one down. Jones grounds to Escobar, throw to first, two down. Reynolds, walks, come on Shawn. Jake Fox hitting. Carlos Rojas pinch running at first. Strikes out swinging. Nice going Shawn.

Top 8th: Top of Jays order. Rupe still pitching for the Orioles. Izturis in for Hardy. Nanita pinch hitting for Bautista singles,. Hill singles and here comes Nanita, 6-4 Jays. Nanita pinch running. Rivera singles here comes Loewen another run Nanita scores, Diaz to second, two on two out. McCoy grounds back to pitcher Dunn. But Jays add two insurance runs here. 7-4. Big question, will Encarnacion hit in the 9th and will he hit into double play? Probably a home run instead…..
Bottom 8th: Frasor now pitching for Camp. Izturis flies out to McCoy in left. One down for Avery. Grounds to Loewen at first, two down. Andino flies out to Nanita in right. Nice inning Jason.

Top 9th: Here we go… Will Encarnacion try for four? Or will John Farrell give him (and the fans) a break? Clay Rapada pitching. No it is Woodward for Encarnacion, Perales walks. Johnny Mac with two down and one on. Wild pitch, Perales to second. McDonald strikes out swinging.
Bottom 9th: Wes Etheridge? ok your guess is as good as mine. Townsend singles, Pie for Guerrero, grounds to McDonald at third to get Townsend out at second. One down Green singles to left, Figueroa, with two on. Tying run. All right Wes, call it two, Figuero grounds back to Etheridge, on to Diaz at second on to Loewen at first, double play ball to end this one. Jays come back to win 7-4.


Excellent: Hill three hit 3 rbi day…. Excellent. .524 average since his return. He is hot, hot, hot. Jays bullpen after Cecil.
Jays overall: RISP 5-9 despite Encarnacion. That’s much, much better, and many thanks to Hill. However Encarnacion leaves four out there.

The (very) bad: Cecil. Had nothing today and ruined a great start by Jays hitters. Major concern for Jays now. Not only loss of speed but obviously other issues as well.

The awful: Edwin Encarnacion.

Interesting Jays sold out seven games in Dunedin this spring. Attendance up from 52,000 to 68,000. Of course we did have 3 rain outs last year but great sign of renewed interest.

Rain ruins Drabek's fine outing as Red Sox win lucky.

Jays v Boston last home game in Dunedin this spring. Cloudy day, and rain forecast.

Line-ups:
Boston: Cameron, Pedroia, Gonzalez, Lowrie, Sears, Sutton, Hazelbaker, Hissey, Vazquez and Pena pitching. Hardly a World Series line-up but obviously Francona resting the stars today.

Toronto: Davis, Escobar, Bautista, Lind, Hill, Snider, Encarnacion, Rivera, Molina, Drabek pitching. Meantime Jays reply with a very strong line-up.

Top 1st: Cameron strikes out swinging, one down, Pedroia doubles to right. Gonzalez strikes out swinging, two down for Lowrie, fly ball to Davis to end this inning.
Bottom 1st: Davis leading off after that great 5-5 day yesterday, he said afterwards he had thought about “in the park” home run with that triple. That would have been good to see. Jays go quietly one two three.
Baltimore getting off to a great start against Scherzer of Detroit, Luke Scott’s grand slam with only one out in the top of the first inning.

Top 2nd: Spears singles to right, Sutton with one on, oh great play by Jose Molina picks him off at first. Encarnacion playing first today. Sutton strikes out swinging, number three for Drabek. Hazelbaker, strikes out. Four in first two for Drabek.
Bottom 2nd: Lind leading off, singles to left. Hill, that’s the way Aaron, doubles to centre, here comes Adam. Jays go out 1-0. Rivera grounds to first, one down. Snider grounds back to Pena, two down. Encarnacion flies out to left and here we go again, three wasted chances to bring runner in from scoring position. This must worry Farrell and the other coaches, what can they do with this group to improve this?

Top 3rd: Hissey singles to left. Vazquez, doubles to right, Drabek not having, much luck this inning. Still nobody out. Cameron singles to get one in. Boston gets on the board. Gonzalez grounds out. 1-1 game.
Bottom 3rd: Molina fly ball to centre, one down. David flies out to centre, two down for Escobar. Grounds to short. Nothing firing for Jays hitters yet. Gonzales finally replaces Max Scherzer for Detroit now losing 10-0 in third inning.

Top 4th: Lowrie grounds out, Spears strikes out, Sutton grounds out. Drabek doing his job, now for the hitters or did they shoot their bolt with that 20 hit game yesterday?
Orioles running away with their game, now 9-0 in the second inning, three home runs two for Luke Scott. Gonzalez now pitching for Detroit.

Bottom 4th: Portice now pitching for Boston, Bautista fly ball to left. Lind strikes out two down. Hill doubles, his second of the game, Mike McCoy pinch running. Rivera singles to bring in McCoy. Loewen pinch running for FRivera. Snider grounds out to short. But Jays are ahead again 2-1. Enrique Gonzalez didn’t make much difference for Detroit, Orioles now ahead 13-0 at the end of the third inning.

Top 5th: Hazelbaker leading off, Loewen in right. McDonald playing third. Drabek three up and down.
Bottom 5th: Encarnacion leading off, fly ball to centre. Molina fly ball to left, two quick outs. Kenny Wilson in centre for Davis, strikes out swinging.
Too bad that Farrell is not giving the home crowd the maximum at bats for the first stringers, this is the last home game of the spring after all and they have certainly not excelled this afternoon apart from Hill with his two doubles. However to be fair the conditions are not good right now and he is obviously saving injuries.

Top 6th: Chris Woodward now in for Encarnacion, well that at least is an improvement in my book. If only Encarnacion would look as if he was enjoying his game or even show some life in his approach, always just ambling through every move. Glenn is in for Snider in left.

Now the rain is heavier. Rain delay at top of the sixth. The first game this spring to be delayed in Dunedin. We had three rainouts last year. 33 minutes bit enough to knock out Drabek.

Resumption. That was it for Drabek. Gailey pitched the sixth without incident. But in the seventh Villanueva gives up a two run home run to Hazelbaker to get the Red Sox out ahead 3-2 and that held up as the winning score as game was called yet again for the rain bottom of the 8th. This time that is it and Red Sox get a sneaky win.

Tough loss but Jays will be very happy with performance by Drabek.

The very good: Kyle Drabek, all high fives today, five innings, five hits and five strikeouts. It would have been interesting to see if he could have gone a couple more if the rain had not appeared. Kyle’s ERA drops to 2.81.

The good: Hill 2-2 today with two doubles, he looks ready with his timing. Patterson now added to 40 man roster. Casey Janssen pitched one hit inning and his ERA drops to 1.74.

The bad: Jays runners in scoring position 1-5, they had a great opportunity in the 2nd with runners in scoring position and nobody out but could not score. Rivera, Snider and Encarnacion the culprits.

Jays have two more spring games with Baltimore and Tampa Rays before heading north.
Drabek now can prepare for Saturday start in Toronto.

Classic display of aggressive baseball by Jays to win 9-5

Jays v Baltimore.

Line-ups: Baltimore: Andino, Winn, Reimold, Fox, Harris, Pie, Green, Tatum, Izturis and Guthrie pitching. No Guerrero in Dunedin, Baltimore has split squad also playing Boston.
Toronto: Davis, Escobar, Bautista, Lind, Hill, Rivera, Snider, Encarnacion, Arencibia, and Romero pitching. Jays getting their first team line-up into the last few games.

Romero needs a much better outing than his last two before Friday night’s opener this week. Ricky responds by going five one run innings but then Orioles get to him big-time in the sixth though with four runs to go ahead 5-4. Nick Green with his two run home run chases Romero with one out in the sixth. Camp replaces Romero and stops the rot to get both Tatum and Izturis swinging. However do we have concerns here for Romero ??? 7.91 is not the ERA he had hoped for as the numero uno. Opening Day will be nothing but interesting.

Bottom 6th: Jays tie it up immediately with Davis again the catalyst, pulls it back with a leadoff triple and run with Escobar’s ground out, but then Bautista is out at second trying to stretch a single. Lind grounds out but Jays do get the one back. Davis 4-4 today, triple, two doubles and a single. Will he get chance for the cycle?

Top 7th: Rzepczynski pitching gets two quick outs Reimold prolongs the inning with walk. Jake Fox, strikes out swinging.
Bottom 7th: Hill singles to go 3-4, here comes Chris Woodward again to pinch run.. Aaron gets a break, has had a great day. Rivera singles Adam Loewen pinch running, that’s it for Pat Egan Rapada now pitching. Two on and no one out with Snider at bat. Grounds out but Woodward gets to third. Snider at first with one down. Thames pinch running for Travis, here comes Encarnacion. WOWEEEEE double steal here comes Chris Woodward stealing home and safe, Thames also going to second both safe. Jays go out ahead 6-5 what a great aggressive play…. Oh to see these young guys in Toronto but what a treat when they are all in the majors. Encarnacion walks, there goes Thames stealing third, Arencibia fly ball to cash him in 7-5. Small ball and aggressive plays so great to watch. That`s it for Rapada, Hendrickson now pitching. Rajai Davis going for the cycle here. Needs the big one. Singles to left, ah well Rajai a five hit day is fantastic, crowd gives him a great ovation as Mike McCoy pinch running. Escobar doubles and here comes Encarnacion, here comes McCoy running on the hit with two down anyway Jays 9-5. Bautista with runner in scoring position, strikes out swinging. Very nice inning by Jays with both small ball and aggression helped with timely hitting. Package that inning and send it to Rogers Centre. Jays with 18 hit day. Of course Rajai Davis has five of them. And Romero is off the hook for the loss.

Top 8th: Frasor now pitching. Harris pops up to Woodward at second. Three up three down for Jason.
Bottom 8th: Are the Jays done yet. No, the beat goes on, David Cooper singles, Chris Woodward singles, what a game he is having. 20 hits for the Jays today. Adam Loewen flies out, one down two on for Thames. Flies out to left. Ryan Budde pinch hitting for Encarnacion pops up to Izturis.

Top 9th: Hinckley pitching Hernandez pops up to Jonathan Diaz at short. Izturis grounds to Woodward at second. Two down. Ronnie Welty pinch hitting for Andino. Strikes out.
Jays win big… 20 hit afternoon and now go 15-12 for the spring.

The excellent: The most exciting play in baseball, Chris Woodward stealing home and on back end of double steal with Thames going to second. Escobar home run and a five RBI day and takes his team leading average to .414. Davis a five hit game including triple, two doubles, two singles and stolen base. This is first time for many seasons that Jays have had a decent leadoff guy. Jays 12 hits in the first five innings. Everyone in the lineup with Arencibia getting a sac fly ribi.
Hill with three hits including double for Aaron, good to see his bat alive again. Lind, Escobar, Bautista, and Rivera all with two hit games.
Jays relievers Camp, Rzepczynski, Frasor and Hinckley close the Orioles down after they get to Romero for four runs in the sixth inning.

The not so good has to be Romero (again) today. Jury is still out on him, what happened in the sixth after giving up only one run in the first five.

And we have to mention this, runners in scoring position, despite the 9-5 win, Jays hitters went 2-15 today.

Jays send Cooper, Thames, and pitchers Abreu, Cordero, Henn, Hinckley, Ledezma, and Rommie Lewis to minors today but get some of them into the game in Dunedin.

Bautista's bat heating up as Jays beat Phillies 7-6

Jays v Phillies.

Line-ups: Toronto: Davis, Escobar, Lind, Bautista, Hill, Snider, Rivera, Thames DH, and Jose Molina with Drew Hutchison pitching. Hutchison is only 20 and took Drabek’s spot so that Kyle could start against the Orioles on Monday to get him in to the regular rotation and pitch his first regular game on Saturday. Hutchison was with Class A Lansing last season went 1-2 with 1.52 ERA.

Phillies: Victorino, Castillo, Rollins, Howard, Francisco, Young, Barfield, Ruiz and Kendrick pitching and hitting ninth. Phillies post a very strong starting line-up.

Jays go out ahead in the first inning with doubles from Escobar followed by Bautista. Escobar had two more singles to go 3-4 on the afternoon. In the third inning Jays hit three more doubles from Lind, Bautista and Molina to make it 3-0 and Davis had a solo home run in the 5th to give the Jays a 4-0 lead.

The Phillies scratch their way back to tie it in the 8th. In the fifth Ruiz gets his two run homer and Ben Francisco gets an rbi double to make it 5-3. Phillies came back in the bottom of the eighth to get three runs including a bases loaded walk and tie the game before Jays Crabbe gets the go ahead run in the top of the 9th off Chapman. Abreu closes down the Phillies to end this one with another impressive win for Jays. 7-6 and to go out 14-12 for the spring.

Great news: Corey Patterson hit in the helmet last night by Bard (not Beckett) appears to be ok today. He is slated to be the spare outfielder to go north with the team when they leave Dunedin. Corey said he did not believe the hit was deliberate even though it came right after the three run home run by the Jays in previous inning and that Daniel Bard had phoned him later.

The very good: Hutchison and excellent outing against a tough Phillies line-up at Bright House. 4.2 innings gave up a 2 rbi home run to Ruiz in the fifth inning but only two hits and two runs. Bautista a three hit day all doubles along with Escobar. Cordero, Janssen, Rauch, Abreu all keep the Phillies off the board. Rivera another great throw to the plate to get Ruiz coming home.

Good: Hill, Crabbe, Snider, Lind, Molina, Cooper all had hits to give Jays 13 on the day and go 7-16 with runners in scoring position, a much better than average day at the park.

Not so good: Unusual for Casey Janssen getting into trouble. In the 8th today giving up two hits, three runs and a walk after he has had faultless spring to date.

Tomorrow Romero gets his last spring start against the Orioles in Dunedin needing a much better outing than his last two starts where he has struggled.

JP Arencibia's night going deep and 3-4 in 11-8 rout of Boston

Jays v Boston in another night game. Ex-Jay Scutaro playing tonight.

Lineups: Jays: Patterson, McCoy, Thames, Encarnacion, Cooper, Arencibia, Loewen, Diaz, and Anthony Gose. Litsch pitching. Only two of the starting lineup travelling tonight.
Boston: Ellsbury, Pedroia, Crawford, Gonzalez, Youkilis, Ortiz, Drew, Varitek, Scutaro and Beckett pitching. This is (almost) Red Sox first team lineup.

Jays get out to early lead 2-0 at the top of the first with McCoy bringing in Patterson leadoff double, and Encarnacion bringing in McCoy.Boston come right back with two of their own off Litsch.
Jays go out ahead again and storm to five run lead 10-5 with the Arencibia three run hr in the top of the 7th. Jays add one more before Boston comes back with three. But
Jays were never lead by Boston tonight and this is a great win for them away from Dunedin without their big guns of Davis, Hill, Lind, Snider, Rivera and Bautista. Boston is in Dunedin next week, should be a dandy.

Corey Patterson pays for the Arencibia home run with hbp from Bard whoever he is, in the top of the 8th. Boston not a happy bunch tonight. Thames however triples and brings in Nanita pinch runner for Corey Patterson to add insult to injury, Jays lead 11-5. Encarnacion and Cooper both leave Eric out there though to end the inning.

Bottom 8th: Rommie Lewis replaces Villanueva. Scutaro leadoff double, error by Loewen enables McDonald to get to second and move pinch running Dening to third with no one out. This one is not over yet. Perfect, Tejada grounds back to Lewis throw to Cooper for the first out without runner coming home. Nate Spears, triples to Gose in centre, two runs score 11-7 still only one down. Sutton grounds to short run scores but second out, 11-8 Middlebrooks grounds out to Chris Woodward at second to end this but definitely not a pretty inning from Rommie Lewis although not helped by Loewen error.

Top 9th: Boston getting serious, here comes Papelbon. Jays have scored nine of their 11 runs in the last four innings. Can they add to them here? Budde is in for Arencibia so no chance for a four hit night for JP. But he will be delighted with tonight’s work, along with every Jays fan. Budde strikes out swinging. Jason Lane pinch hitting for Loewen. Strikes out looking. Diaz with two down, that’s the way Jonathan doubles to left, hit number 15 for the Jays tonight. Gose with runner in scoring position, not this time grounds to second to end this inning. Jays need some closure here.

Bottom 9th: Vince Perkins pitching for the Jays. Tough gig for Vince tonight. Jed Lowrie leading off, no one said this would be easy Vince. A little nervous here and walks Lowrie. Perkins plays with fire in the bottom of the 9th but hangs in there to get the save with two left on base.

Villanueva shuts them down bigtime striking four out in his 1.1 inning of work.
Beckett six innings but 11 hits and seven earned runs. Not exactly the outing he was looking for. Dennys Reyes gives up the three run home run to Arencibia in his one inning of work.

Jesse Litsch faced 25 hitters in his 4.2 innings work, and no walks, but 11 hits will do that. He could have had a much worse headache tonightand was fortunate that only four runs were scored off him. Rommie Lewis had a rough eighth inning giving up three and getting Boston back in this game.

Purcey gives up two walks in his inning of work but Villanueva and Perkins in the 9th keep the Red Sox off the board.
Villanueva. A great performance 1.1 inning, facing the minimum four and striking all four of them out.

The excellent: JP Arencibia finally getting it going with three hit night and a three run home. Jays hitters with 4 run 7th inning including JP’s HR. We have been saying this for the last week or so that JP gradually getting some confidence and the hits, singles to start and now the 3 rbi HR to cap a three hit night.

The very good: Adam Loewen home run ( but not his error)

The good: Patterson nice throw to get Scutaro at home plate. Five Jays with multi-hit games tonight.
Two hits each from Patterson, McCoy, Diaz and Loewen. Artencibia goes deep for three run rbi. Thames one hit but a triple and two RBIs. Three rbis for Cooper as well as Arencibia although Coper also left five on base. Not as bad a night as Edwin Encarnacion who went hitless and left six out there on base.
Patterson, Thames and Gose all steal bases tonight and all of Beckett and Varitek combination.

NOT good: Jays go 4-18 with runners in scoring position. That is definitely not good even with 11 runs. Boston were even worse going 7-25. Manager Francona will not be a happy guy tonight.

Entertaining game with 32 hits between the two teams and Boston actually outhitting Jays 17-15. But three run home runs help and Jays have the bragging rights for the weekend at least. But Jays fans will be happy tonight not about the win but about Arencibia going deep for the first time this spring and for a VERY long time period.

Cecil falls apart in the sixth as Jays lose to Braves 5-3

Jays v Braves in Dunedin.
Two ex-Jays visiting with Hinske DH and Gonzalez at SS.

Starting lineups: Braves: Young, Gonzalez, Heyward, Uggla, Hinske, Ross, Freeman, Lucas and Mather. Jurrjens starting.
Jays: Patterson, Escobar, Bautista, Lind, Hill, Encarnacion, Snider, Rivera, and Arencibia with Cecil pitching.

Cecil gets a great start going five, but then falls apart in the sixth giving up two but the floodgates are open and five runs score all off Cecil. Finishes with 5.1 innings, six hits, five hits five strikeouts and no walks. The bullpen Hinckley, Richmond, Rzepzynski and Rauch stop the rot and close them down but the damage is done in just one inning.
A three run home run by Dan Uggla did the major damage. Jays lose this one 5-3.

The good: Home run to Bautista his third of the spring but unfortunately a solo shot.
Double today to Rivera, Hill another single, Encarnacion and Rivera all with singles. Thames pinch hitting for Lind gets another rbi. Arencibia and Rivera in double steal in the fifth inning after Arencibia was hit by Abreu in the fifth. Patterson another hit in the third. Stansberry triple leaves yet another at third.

Some great defence today. Arencibia gets Young with throw to second. JP is gradually getting that percentage up.
Cecil also gets a nice pickoff.

The battle between Escobar and Gonzalez playing against their old clubs. Alex gets a hit but Yunel is having much better spring in terms of average hitting almost 100 points higher. .380 against .288.

The very bad: Runners in scoring position. 0-7 today, has this been getting worse or is it my imagination? But whatever it is a serious problem for Jays that must not carry into regular season.

Other not so good news. Brett Lawrie sent down to minors, in my book he had earned the place on roster over McCoy, who went hitless in his two at bats and picked up his second error today. Lawrie will be a keeper one day; he has age on his side definitely over McCoy and he hustles on every play, he really wants to be out there. The only good part of this is that Brett will play every day in the minors as opposed to sitting on the bench all season. With luck Jays fans will see him in September call up if not before. He is one exciting young player for the future.

Jays fall to .500 at 12-12 and the Braves go 15-9.

Jays hitters get to Hughes but cannot support fine effort by Reyes.

Jays v Yankees. An unusual (for the Jays at least) night game in Tampa.

Line-ups: Jays: Davis, Escobar, Bautista, Lind, Hill, Encarnacion, Snider, Rivera and Molina with Reyes pitching.
Yankees reply with: Jeter, Swisher, Teixeira, Rodriguez, Cano, Jones, Posada, Martin, Gardner and Hughes pitching.

Bad start to the day for Jays to put Morrow on 15 day DL. For many fans in Dunedin this spring, Morrow is the number one with Romero apparently unable to cope with the role in his last two starts, despite the illusion that some feel he had a great start. Not the two games I saw him pitch. However it is not good to see Morrow on the DL and we hope he will be back in rotation quickly. The Jays meantime now have to find replacement and tonight Jo Jo Reyes gave a strong audition performance.

Jays get to Hughes and go out quickly 3-0 into the 7th until the wheels fell off and Yankees score 4 to go out ahead and finish this one 5-4..

The excellent: Jo Jo Reyes six great innings to stake a place in rotation
The very good: Hill responding to the increasing doom and gloom forecasts on his future with Jays, an RBI double and sac fly tonight. I think all Jays fans would love to see Aaron have a career season. Bautista also with stolen base and an rbi and sac fly.

Two hit game for Escobar. Doubles for Hill, Encarnacion, Bautista and Davis.
Jays tag Hughes for eight hits but only three earned runs.

Runners in scoring position tonight for the Jays 2-6, and actually the Yankees were much worse going a terrible 1-8.
Purcey takes the loss and Ledezma gives up an insurance run to make it 5-3 in bottom of the 8th. Jason Lane gets on base in the ninth with a single off Logan but Jays could not bring him in.

Not good: Thames pinch running for Snider in the 7th gets caught stealing.

However overall I think Jays management will be very relieved that they may have another guy for the rotation whilst Morrow is out.
Snow in Toronto today, must be opening day soon.

Romero in trouble but Arencibia more confident

Jays v Phillies in Dunedin.
Ricky Romero v Cliff Lee.

Lineups: Phillies: Rollins, Valdez, Francisco, Howard, Ibanez, Mayberry jr., Barfield, Ruiz, Martinez and Lee pitching. This is close to the best line-up that Charlie Manuel can put out today with injuries now to Polanco, Utley and Brown and considering that this group had tough game with Boston cross-town yesterday I am surprised that the Phillies have sent such a strong line-up to Dunedin.
Jays: Davis, Escobar, Bautista, Lind, Hill, Encarnacion, Snider, Rivera and Arencibia with Romero pitching

This is a long awaited game for Jays fans to see Hill back in the line-up; we have been teased with his appearances at batting practice but nothing like the real thing. It is also a strong Jays line-up and possibly the opening Day group although with Bautista at DH today I am sure that will change on April 1st.
Potentially an excellent pitching matchup and I am sure that Lee is determined to match performance yesterday against Boston by his Phillies colleague Halladay. Great crowd, yet another sell-out and more than half in red shirts for the Phillies and a glorious 25C cloudless sky at first pitch. What more could we want?

As so often in baseball, such pre-game hype is never realised and so it was today although Jays hitters did give Phillies a scare in the bottom of the ninth.

But in reality this one was lost before the second out as Romero was awful, and Ricky had given up a 3run home run to Ibanez with only one out in the top of the first. You can’t give Cliff Lee a three run lead and how to beat him. Lee just cruised through the Jays and although he didn’t match Halladay’s eighth inning heroics he did give Phillies the support they needed.
For the Jays Rajai Lewis once again showed his class as he slammed a leadoff triple off the centre field wall and it was left to Bautista to bring him in from third to get one back but that was it until the fourth. Lee started to lose his control and was facing the wrong guy. Juan Rivera.

Rivera had a home run into left and you could see it coming as Lee fell behind 3-0 and you knew he would come back with one down the middle, the question was, would Rivera take or would he be swinging? No doubt at all he has the green light. A beauty of a line drive home run into the left field trees.

The excellent sign to me at least was JP Arencibia who caught two stealing with excellent throws and also had a strong single up the middle, one of the few Jays with a hit today. I saw that as a glimmer perhaps of some confidence back with JP. Alex had given interview with mlb.com which was reported on in local media reaffirming that they would be staying with JP they had made a commitment and would honour that. Perhaps all it does take is that confidence building and I know that many Jays fans hope the same for him.

Other excellent signs today were the bullpen once again, Casey Janssen, Chad Cordero, Marc Rzepczynski, Villanueva and also Henn who had blown the game in Port Charlotte keep the Phillies off the board.

The young hitters also came to life in the bottom of the ninth with four hits and two runs to make it 5-4 and with Charlie Manuel very concerned about reliever Baez unable to close this thing, managed to induce double play with two on deck and one down. McCoy, Thames, and Loewen have consecutive singles to get one back. Budde strikes out but Patterson brings in Thames to make it 5-4 with two on before Jonathan Diaz grounds into double play to end this one.
Close, but not enough today.

Major concerns with Ricky Romero now with two lousy outings back to back after being named Opening Day starter. Is the pressure too much? Is it just a blip? Or is it that finger that he injured in the last game?
Hill did not have a great day and it is obvious that he is not going full out in the field, a couple of plays he would normally swallow up he missed one was a pop up behind first that he just didn’t have any speed running after and another a ground ball into right he was far too late getting there, that is a play he makes 99 times in 100. But to be expected when he is returning from that leg injury, it will take a few games.

The infield did not have a good day today at all with only one great save by Encarnacion at third. Balls were bobbled and there seemed to be no hustling after popups. Escobar on one play running from first on a pop up just ambling along. Yes two were down but errors are made Yunel and you run out every base, we had enough years of Rios doing that type of nonchalant play. I think also the difference we are seeing now with the first team is that lack of speed that all the new younger players had in the first three weeks. We became so accustomed to hustle by every one of them trying to make the team. Don’t swing the lead Yunel or the fans will really be all over you in Toronto. Ditto for Encarnacion although that lazy half asleep performance appears to be his norm and today he gets the benefit with that great play at third.
The other negative today aimed at Jose Bautista, as he popped up in the first he used some language that he will regret as he ran to first. Jays fans behind the dugout responded immediately and let him know and the rest of the team that this team has a lot to live up to. He was very fortunate that that did not happen in Toronto. Sure he was frustrated but there were many, many, young children behind that dugout this afternoon, role model and leader Jose or is too much?
Even though Jays have ten hits, Jays runners in scoring position was another awful 2-11. Meantime Phillies also with ten hits show the Jays how it is done by going 3-6. These are signs that the Jays may not yet be ready to compete with the big boys.

Hello old Jays friends: Chris Woodward makes a cameo appearance earning some cheers from the fans around the dugout. Pinch hitting for Bautista he also gets a single.
The other friend was the old guy throwing out the first pitch, yes Pat Gillick looking very fit and trim.

Superman Halladay outpitches Lester to win a classic

Off day for the Jays but I catch a great game at Bright House with JJ Jay watching her last game before heading back north to the cold and wet winter in Toronto.
Phillies v Boston. Some call it an October preview, more than that with Halladay v Lester.

This was going to be a big one from the size of the early crowds at Bright House. Another sellout at 10,991 standing room only all around the field and 4-5 deep around our own area. No one was leaving their spot today and with the heat there were many more crowding under cover.

85 F at 2.45 but then cloud gradually reduced the heat five degrees by the end of the game, but it was one hot one out there which made Halladay’s day even more incredible. Halladay goes deep in the eighth inning (7.2) before leaving the game to a well earned standing ovation.

In the early going he was just so sharp and on his game. Boston lineup had nothing on him today. Boston runners in scoring position were 0 -5 but that was definitely a result of Halladay bearing down whenever he was in trouble.
Phillies on the other hand made few errors bringing the runners in and went 3-6. It was not until the fifth inning that Boston finally gets on the board. And that would be it for the Red Sox in this game. Phillies meanwhile had scored against Lester early in the third and added three more in the sixth to chase Lester who was obviously tiring out there. Meantime Halladay continued on like a metronome.

Playing NL rules for the Philies meant that Halladay had his at bats and end ed the day with three, no pinch hitting for Doc today. More to the point he contributed. A bunt single in the third which later lead to the first run, and very nice single to right later in the game. Halladay was out there probably at least thirty more minutes than Lester, this was no contest and I had the feeling that Halladay was making some statement today to Boston. Yes we might see you in October but....
Downer for the Phillies, Victorino hurt in a collision and had to leave the game with eye injury. Along with Utley and Brown already injured Phillies do not need this one.


Back to the Jays: Sad to see Gose and Travis d’Arnaud both return to the minors, but we will look forward to seeing them both in Toronto in the September call-up if not before. Gose finished with eight stolen bases which is number one in the AL. Even more amazing is that this kid did not even start many games, he was a late replacement. He was no slouch with the bat either and provided he can keep injury free will be an amazing future all-star for Toronto. D’Arnaud gave Arencibia something to worry about and is obviously right there in the wings. You can see the shape of the future infield with Cooper at first, Diaz at second, Heccaverria at short and Lawrie at third. With Gose in centre ,Travis and Bautista would make a great outfield. Speed, speed and more speed.

Jays getting down to the final lineups, but still with questions. Pitching rotation is (almost) clear with Romero, Morrow, Cecil, Drabek and Litsch, but Jesse is on thin ice if he has another lousy start this week. Bullpen with Francisco and Dotel both injured, makes some breathing room for others, although I cannot see Dotel making this squad the way he has been pitching here. Casey Jannsen has definitely earned his spot, Rauch a closer with Frasor as setup would be a good combination. Purcey, Camp, Vilanueva have all impressed.

Lawrie, McCoy and Diaz all fighting hard for a backup bench position, but I think it will be made more clear after Tuesday return of Aaron Hill. We have not seen him much this spring beyond batting practice and ground ball routines. He has competition this season and is definitely not indispensible. As always Johnny Mc is around and always so competent. I think his bat has been much more consistent this spring he has been hitting singles and doubles when needed and of course his fielding remains strong and reliable.

Lind has been getting stronger at first and his bat more consistent, Snider to my mind has been outstanding and his bat really sharp and his fielding in left has improved this spring by a long way. Arencibia still remains a huge question mark, but Jays want to stay with him. The question is for how long? Jose Molina has remained reliable as ever both with his bat booming far better than Arencibia and his throwing is far more accurate than JP but remains in the wings whilst the Arencibia experiment continues. Escobar has short wrapped up, second base is dependent on Hill’s next few days and weeks. Third appears to be Bautista with Rivera taking right. Rajai Davis has been superb at centre but has also given Manager Farrell some options by playing in both right and left, something that we rarely saw Vernon do.

The last ten days should be a time to consolidate and get the starting group organized but as above Jays do not have that luxury and with question marks remaining.

Travis and Jesse show today with shutout win over the Twins

Jays v Twins in Dunedin.

Line-ups
Twins: No Mauer or Morneau in this travelling squad. Casilla, Nishioka, Kubel, Delmon Young, Valencia, Hughes, Bailey, Butera and Repko. Baker pitching.
Jays: Patterson, Escobar, Bautista, Lind, Rivera, Snider, Lawrie DH today, Arencibia and Diaz. Jesse Litsch pitching and hoping for much better start than his last.

The Jays win big with the Travis and Jesse show today. Jays get an early run in the first with rbi by Adam Lind off the glove of shortstop to bring in Bautista from second and that was it until the bottom of the eighth when Travis Snider still in the game to get his at bats lined a Travis special over the right field wall. This ball was hammered as only Travis can do, this guy is so powerful and there was no doubt about this as it left the bat. Almost a line drive but he hits it so hard it easily cleared the wall. His first of the spring but Travis has been connecting and his timing has been great since day 1 this spring and I have no doubt at all it is because he is so much more relaxed at bat. No more haunted look on his face as he struggled as before. Cito fans don’t agree with me, but I firmly believe it was Cito’s old school “tough knocks attitude” that never ever worked with Travis’s personality. This year he is a totally different player. Let’s see what others think when they see him in Toronto in a couple of weeks.

Meantime Travis rounded out his show with two catches in right field, the second of which was a running over the shoulder catch into centre worthy of Vernon at his best, a great catch Travis and he was flying today, here’s to seeing a breakout year for him. The fans will love it.

Other excellent performances Jesse Litsch gave an excellent 5.1 innings, only 3 hits and seven strikeouts and reduces that ERA to a very respectable 3.12. Jesse made a very strong statement for that number five rotation spot. Now can he repeat today in his next start?

Escobar a two hit day, and other hits from Snider, Lind, Bautista a double in the first off the glove of Twins shortstop Casilla. Other singles to Rivera, Loewen, Arencibia (a single up the middle), and Diaz. Diaz also had an excellent slide taking out the Twins player at second to break up a double play. Jays turn two themselves.
Downer, Jason Lane pinch hitting unable to bring the guy in from third.

Twins Baker matched Jesse for four innings with just the one run in the first inning and six strikeouts; it was a tough loss for him to take with that performance.

Jays bullpen of Purcey, Camp, Frasor, and Rauch combined to close them out for the rest of the game with just allowing only two more Twins runners to reach base. Rauch still to give up a run this spring.
Runners in scoring position not many chances today 1-4 but Jays made the most of them.
Nice sight before the game ex-Jay great, Jack Morris wandering around as colour commentator for the Twins. Jays now go 12-9.
JJay was happy with ball signings by Lawrie and Bautista today. The report is that both were happy to sign for all the fans.

Jays tie up Yankees Garcia in Tampa

Jays v Yankees in Tampa.

Lineups: Jays take their travel squad to Tampa, no Bautista, Hill, Lind or Snider but good enough to give the Yankees a game.
Davis, Escobar, Thames, Lawrie, Cooper, Arencibia, Loewen, Gose, McCoy, and Cecil pitching. Chance for the young guys Lawrie, Gose, McCoy and Cooper to show what they have against good competition.

Yankees: A few more of their big guys at least seven of a starting lineup. Jeter, Nunez, Teixiera, Rodriguez, Cano, Posada, Jones, Romine catching and Mesa with Garcia pitching.

Yankees get to Cecil early as he struggled and gave up two run home run to Cano to take a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Jays as ever this spring come back with three of their own in the fourth and then two more to go ahead of the Yankees in the top of the sixth 5-4 with Cooper’s second home run of the spring to bring in Escobar after his own double to lead off the inning.

Yankees tie it back up again in the sixth with Nunez rbi off Villanueva to bring in Bernier from third. Remains a tied game after extra innings although Jays do get the go-ahead run to third in the tenth. Managers call it a draw today after ten. Jays have not lost to the Yankees in their last three spring games. Sure it is spring and no one is counting, but you know that the Jays players are happy bunch tonight.

The good: Davis, Escobar and Loewen all with doubles today. Jays bullpen of Casey Janssen, Lewis and Arbreu keep it scoreless for four innings.
Cooper his second home run of the spring. Lawrie stolen base and RBI single.

The not so good: Jays hit 3-11 with runners in scoring position, and ground into two double plays. Gose throwing error in the sixth which enabled Nunez to advance to third on his single to centre.

Jays game in Tampa was sold out and unwilling to pay big $ for scalpers in Tampa, especially to Yankees fans, JJay and I were in Lakeland to see Tigers v Braves. The Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland is a beautiful stadium and we felt that it was well worth the long drive from Dunedin. Tigers win dramatically in the bottom of the ninth 2-1 after being behind all the game from the top of the first. This was a pitchers matchup.

Interesting déjà vu moment for us to see ex-Jay Eric Hinske playing at first base for the Braves.

Tomorrow back in Dunedin, Jays v Minnesota Twins who are also the opening day opponents for April 1st in Toronto. Twins Joe Mauer played today against the Rays in his first rehab game so he may be too sore for tomorrow.
Good news for Marcum now with the Brewers, he says there is nothing major wrong with his shoulder and should be resuming next week with rest for now. With Greinke already injured Brewers do not need Marcum on the DL as well. Boston`s Beckett remains winless at 0-3 for the spring.

Morrow another fine outing to beat Burnett and the Yankees

Jays v Yankees in Dunedin.

Pitching battle of the respective rotation number twos. Morrow v AJ Burnett. Another sell-out in Dunedin and with all the standing room only tickets sold. Loads of Yankees fans here today, Jays will want to take them out of the game fast.

Line-ups: Jays: Patterson playing centre today, McDonald, Bautista, Lind, Rivera, Snider, Molina, Thames DG and McCoy playing short.
Yankees: Gardner, Martin, Granderson, Swisher, Posada, Chavez, Nunez, Belliard and Pena. Not the Yankees first team line-up but that’s ok, any
Jays get out to an early lead and never looked back getting to Burnett for four runs in his first three innings. AJ was not helped with two fielding errors by his infield but neither did her help himself with wild pitch and passed ball and a hit batsman.Strange it was the hitter after Molina's home run. Umpire also thought so with a warning to AJ. Jays fans don’t have much sympathy for his misery.

Meantime the Jays hitters had a great day with hits by eight of the starting nine. Snider and Lind both continue their strong performances with hits to keep their averages over .400. Snider now .448 and Lind .406.
Burnett definietly saw a Jays team playing ball that he was not familiar with in his stay in Toronto. Speed, and this team is going to surprise many this season.

The excellent: Morrow had another excellent outing escaping some trouble in the first, five scoreless innings, three hits, six strikeouts, so three walks, but gets his ERA down to miniscule 0.75
The very good: Home runs to Jose Molina getting a start instead of Arencibia and making the most of it. Jose with a fine throw to second for caught stealing as well as a bullet home run over left field fence. I am sure that Arencibia will still get the nod to start, but Molina certainly provides huge insurance.

Great plays: Ledezma pickoff of Mesa at second base. Rivera throw to the plate to get Gardner.
Doubles: Lind his fifth, and Snider his third.
Stolen bases to Bautista and Patterson, both off Burnett.

Not so good: Runners in scoring position. 3-11. Rzepcynzki did not do his starting chances much good today, letting Yankees back into this thing with six hits and five runs and three walks. Jays still have that number five spot in rotation wide open with neither Litsch nor Rzepcynzki making a major claim on the role. Ledezma rescued him in the 8th with one pitch for the final out with Yankees threatening to take this one and finished them off in the ninth.

Jays outhit by Yankees 9-8 but made the most of their extra base hits.
Jays move to 11-9 for the spring and Yankees fall to 8-12. Revenge matchup tomorrow in Tampa and more than likely the big Yankee guns. But Jays should be very happy with this one.

JJay at her first spring game says she is very impressed with this team: “These are not the same Jays I saw 6 months ago. The hitting is still strong – HR’s by McCoy and Molina- but the difference is that this year they will complement it with small ball – 2 more stolen bases today! These guys are not only skilled, but also fast and strong. It will be an interesting year if they keep playing like this. No one will expect the Jays to bunt and steal bases- Burnett sure was caught off guard today!”

Jays power wins this one behind Reyes pitching.

Jays v Phillies at Bright House, a sea of green today for St. Patrick’s Day. Strong line-ups on both teams today. 10,816 attendance, always a sell-out at Bright House.

Jays: Davis, Escobar, Bautista, Lind, Rivera, Snider, Encarnacion, Arencibia and Johnny Mc. Could be a starting line-up for the Jays if Hill is not fit, but he is supposed to be ready this week. Jo Reyes starting, still a rotation opportunity with Litsch not pitching well.
Phillies: Rollins, Victorino, Ibanez, Howard, Francisco, Ruiz, Barfield, Martinez and Cliff Lee hitting nine.

Top 1st: Davis leading off, strikes out, Escobar strikes out, two down for Bautista, fly ball to left, three up and down for Lee.
Bottom 1st: Rollins singles to Snider in left, Victorino, here we go this one is out of here in left field home, run to Victorino and Phillies are 2-0 with nobody out. Ibanez, that’s better, strikes out swinging. Howard, pops up to Johnny Mc. Two down for Ben Francisco, don’t make a mistake with this guy Jo. Not this time, fly ball to Snider for the third out.

Top 2nd: Lind leading off singles back up the middle. Rivera, oh boy, one of those days, grounds to Rollins, to Martinez at second on to Howard; call it two, double play ball. Rivera has not impressed much this last week. Snider, strikes out swinging on three pitches, Lee having no problem with Jays hitters so far today. 12 pitches, 12 strikes, six outs.
Bottom 2nd: Ruiz leading off, grounds to Bautista at third, throw to first for the out, Barfield, doubles to Snider in left, Martinez grounds to Escobar at short, throw to Encarnacion for the second out, Barfield has to hold at second. Lee singles to Escobar, Barfield moves to third, two on two down for Rollins, grounds to Escobar on to Johnny Mc. at second to get Lee to end the inning.

Top 3rd: Encarnacion grounds to Barfield at third throw to Howard for the out. Arencibia pops up to Howard at first, Johnny Mc. pops up to Rollins drops in for a double. Davis with runner in scoring position. Walks on four balls, Escobar with two on and two down, wild pitch and both runners move up, Lee rattled here. Grounds to Barfield at third throw to first to end this rally by Jays.
Bottom 3rd: Victorino fly ball to Rivera in right, one down, Ibanez grounds to Johnny Mc, throw to first for second out. Howard strikes out swinging on three pitches. Much better inning for Reyes.

Top 4th: Bautista leading off. Grounds to Barfield, oh dear Josh throws it away and Jose motors on to second. Now three shots at bringing him in. Lind, Rivera and Snider. Lind first crack, that’s the way Adam, doubles to the wall in right, here comes Jose and Jays are on the board 2-1, more importantly they bring a guy in from second. Lind now 2-2 today. Now Rivera’s turn to return the favour for Adam, OH BOY, finally Rivera gets hold of this one and this way out of here, into the beer crowd in left, HOME run.... and Jays go out ahead 3-2 just like that, still nobody out. Rivera’s first home run of the spring. Snider strikes out. One down. Encarnacion he gets hold of it another home run into the St. Patrick’s Day beer drinkers in left. Lee has totally fallen apart here, 4-2 Jays. POWER. Arencibia, he singles into centre, Johnny Mc. This might be Lee’s last inning if he cannot get McDonald out. Six hits to the Jays already. Johnny Mc. doubles to left and the beat goes on, Arencibia at third. Davis now with only one down, yes Rajai, fly ball this should do it here comes JP and Jays have scored five. 5-2 Jays. Escobar, can he continue the line? No grounds to third and throw to first to end Lee’s nightmare but Jays score big and five runs this inning to take the lead in big way.
Bottom 4th: Francisco fly ball to Rivera in right, one down. Ruiz strikes out swinging, Barfield now wants to make up for that error. Not this time, fly ball to Davis in centre, and Phillies go one two three in order.

Top 5th: Lee’s day is done, not one to remember four innings, seven hits and three runs including two home runs. Bastardo facing Bautista leading off, oh Jose does not like that, takes third strike. Lind 2-2 already not this time as he grounds to second for the out at first. Rivera now, has he discovered his stroke finally? Well that will do, singles to right. Snider hitless in two, walks on four pitches. Two on two down for Encarnacion. No, no, Juan, caught stealing third to end the inning. Great throw by Ruiz to Barfield. BUT a real no no. The heat getting to him. That was definitely not good.
Bottom 5th: Reyes still out there. Martinez leading off, there she goes into left field fans, home run and Phillies get one back. 5-3 Jays. Valdez, fly ball to Davis, one down. Rollins fly ball to Snider in left, two down. Victorino pops up to Johnny Mc. at second to end this inning.

Top 6th: Encarnacion leading off, Kyle Kendrick now pitching for the Phillies. Fly ball to Valdez in centre, one down. Arencibia fly ball to Ibanez in left, two down. McDonald, 2-2, both doubles, singles to Galvis at short and beats out throw, 3-3 on the day. Davis pops up to Barfield at third to end the inning.
Bottom 6th: Jon Rauch in for Reyes who had a great outing apart from the first couple of hitters at beginning of the game. He settled in nicely against a strong hitting team. Cory Paterson now in for Rajai Davis in centre. Ibanez leading off. Takes third strike, one down. Howard grounds to McDonald at second, throw to first, two down. Francisco grounds to Bautista at third, throw to first for third out. Phillies go in order for Rauch who maintains that scoreless ERA.

Top 7th: Escobar leading off. Singles to right, his first hit of the day. McCoy pinch running, Bautista grounds to Barfield on to Martinez on to first call it two another double play. No chance for McCoy to steal. Lind singles to left, ouch, that makes that double play even worse, Adam three hit day, Thames is out to pinch run for him. Rivera 2-3 and chance to amend his base running error. There he goes singles to centre and here comes Thames to score and make it 6-3. Tolisano now pinch running for Rivera, Snider singles to right, Tolisano to third. Loewen pinch running for Snider. Two on two down for Encarnacion, fly ball to centre for the out. Jays have 13 hits today.
Bottom 7th: Jason Lane in at first for Encarnacion. Purcey now pitching for Jays. Ruiz walks on four pitches, not a good start David. Tuffy Gosewisch there`s a baseball name for you, now pinch running for Ruiz. Barfield, strikes out swinging, one down. Martinez singles to centre, two on one down for Valdez, fly ball to Patterson in centre, two down. Galvis, strikes out swinging on three pitches.

Top 8th: Ryan Budde now catching for Arencibia leading off. Grounds to Orr playing third, throw to Mayberry at first for the out. Johnny Mc. grounds to Garvis but error on throw to first and McDonald safe. Anthony Gose now pinch running. This should be interesting, Patterson singles to right and Gose to third easily. Two on one down for Mike McCoy, will he be bunting. Yes he does. Bunt singles to Mayberry and safe at first, Gose scores, Patterson at second. The only problem with Mike doing this is that he is doing it so often that scouts will be noting. Lawrie grounds to second, McCoy out at second Lawrie safe at first. Patterson to third. Two down. Thames strikes out on three. Nice inning. 7-3 Jays.
Bottom 8th: Purcey still out there, Kratz leading off, home run to left, 7-4 Jays. Young, strikes out swinging, one down. Mayberry walks on four pitches, getting to be a habit that could buy him a Vegas bus ticket. Sullivan, grounds to Lane two down, Mayberry to second. Gosewisch to Patterson for third out.

Top 9th: Zagurskie pitching. Tolisano strikes out, Loewen strikes out on three pitches, two down for Jason Lane, first time I have seen him this spring, but one of my favourites. There you go Jason, didn`t let me down, doubles to centre field. Now someone bring him in to make my day. Budde, with two down, strikes out swinging on all three pitches.
Bottom 9th: Mike Hinckley now pitching. Orr leading off. Strikes out swinging, one down for Martinez, fly ball to Patterson in centre, two down. Valdez singles into left behind short, one on two down. Galvis oh boy, déjà vu, there it goes another home run and Phillies score two to make this 7-6 Jays, exactly what Hinckley did last week in Port Charlotte. Kratz already with a home run last inning. Grounds to Lawrie throw to Lane at first and this one is over, just..... Hinckley playing with fire there and getting reputation for blowing games for the Jays. He might want to think about that and Manager Farrrell may want to bring him in earlier if he keeps doing this.

The good: HRs from Rivera, his first, and Encarnacion his 4th. McDonald 3-4 and on base four times. Three hit days for Lind, Rivera and Johnny Mc. Good outing by Jo Reyes to strengthen his hold on the rotation spot, and another hitless inning by Rauch.

The not so good: Rivera grounding into double play in the second. Reyes giving up quick two runs in bottom of the first with nobody out. Rivera getting thrown out at third base in the fifth with two on and Encarnacion at the plate. RISP 4-10. Purcey and his walks, Hinckley and his playing with fire in the 9th inning.

Young Jays showcase the future wth excellent ball.

Jays v Pittsburgh in Bradenton today at McKechnie Field.

Line-ups: Most of the big guys getting a day off. Jays Patterson, McCoy, Encarnacion playing third, Thames, Jose Molina, catching, Cooper, Arencibia, DH today and maybe can concentrate on that swing, Tolisano, and Jonathan Diaz playing second. Drabek pitching.

Pirates: Old friend of the Jays playing at first, Lyle Overbay.
Line-up: Tabata, Walker, McCutchen, Alvarez, Overbay, having a good spring so far with a .379 average, Jones, Cedeno, Brown, Maholm the pitcher hitting ninth.

Top 1st: Corey Patterson leading off today. Encarnacion, whoa, gets hold of this one no doubt over left field fence, home run Edwin. I tell you this guy is SO frustrating. So inconsistent, impossible to know what he is going to do. But no complaints today, his third home run of the spring. Jays go out ahead in the first 1-0.
Drabek pitching bottom of first, oh boy, Walker gets a hold of this one and this game is all tied up 1-1 as Walker home run over Tolisano in right field, his second of the Spring. Andrew McCutchen singles to right, Drabek needs to settle here. That’s better nice throw by Molina to get McCutchen stealing, two down. Jose still has that arm. Drabek gets out of the inning without more trouble.

Top 2nd: Molina leading off, Maholm threw nothing but strikes the first inning, all eight pitches. Cooper singles to left. Wild pitch and moves to second. Arencibia now with that pitiful .094 average, what has happened to this guy`s bat? Walks, better than a strikeout. Two on for Tolisano who grounds into a double play to end the inning leaving two out there.
Overbay, three home runs this spring and six rbis. Would we had that type of production from first base in Toronto. Pittsburgh must love that deal. Singles to left and moves his average up to .400. That`s better for Drabek, Garrett Jones grounds to Diaz, over to McCoy on to Cooper and call it two, double play ball. Cedeno singles to Patterson in centre. Dusty Brown grounds out to Diaz at second throw to Cooper to end this inning.

Top of third. Diaz grounds out to Lyle at first, one down. Patterson the very same, two down for Mike McCoy. Grounds to third, three up and down for Maholm.
Bottom third. Pitcher Maholm strikes out swinging. Ex-Jay Marco Scutaro has just hit home run against the Braves. Tabata singles to centre, one down one on for home run Walker. That will do it ground ball to Encarnacion, Diaz at second on to Cooper. Double play to end this one.

Top 4th. Thames walk and steals second, Molina singles him in 2-1 jays. Cooper with Molina at first, there she goes, home run for David over the right field fence, 4-1 Jays. Cooper`s first of the spring. Jays management will be pleased to see that. Arencibia singles, Jays hitters getting to Maholm now. Oh no JP, caught stealing with Diaz at bat to end the inning, probably so excited to get a single.
Bottom 4th: Drabek only 17 pitches the first three innings. Two inning ending double plays will do that to a pitch count. Overbay with two down. Not good Kyle walks him, being too cautious to Lyle. Wild pitch and Overbay moves to second. Garrett Jones singles to right and here comes Lyle 4-2. Cedeno grounds out. Drabek pitch count still low at 27 for four innings so he should be out for one more.

Top 5th: Diaz leading off, grounds out, Paterson grounds out, two down for McCoy, pops up to end this one and that is one quick inning for Maholm. This game is halfway through in 1 hour and ten minutes !!!! someone has a dinner date tonight.
Bottom 5th: Matt Diaz pinch hitting for Maholm. Tabata singles to right, his second of the day and hit number seven off Drabek, he has been playing with fire. Walker grounds out to leave Tabata out there.

Top 6th: Hanrahan now pitching. Encarnacion grounds out. Thames strikes out swinging on three pitches, 0-2 today, Molina grounds out to end the inning.
Bottom 6th: Villanueva replaces Drabek. Brett Lawrie in at third replacing Encarnacion. McCutchen doubles to left, Alvarez pops up to McCoy, one down but here comes Lyle with runner in scoring position. Not this time Lyle, fly ball to Patterson in centre and McCutchen has to hold, two down. Jones strikes out swinging and Villanueva preserves his 0.00 ERA, throwing nothing but strikes. He has been one very find trade for Alex.

Top 7th: Resop now pitching. Cooper leading off, 2-2 today. Another single, to centre. 3 hit day for David plus his home run, he will be very happy. Here`s a guy who needs a big hit, Arencibia, not here, strikes out. Copper caught stealing second. Second time for Jays today. Tolisano grounds back to Resop, throw to first to end this inning.
Bottom 7th: Casey Janssen now pitching. Gives up single to Cedeno, Tiregas fly ball to Patterson in centre, one down. Ciriaco pinch running at first. Bowker that`s better, grounds to McCoy, on to Diaz over to Cooper, call it two third inning ending double play by Jays infield today. Very nice. Three pitches, three strikes, Casey will take that any day and the 1.50 ERA to go with it for the Spring.

Top 8th: Jose Veras now pitching. Diaz leading off, very nice play Jonathan, bunts to Veras and safe with that speed at first. Patterson hitless in three at bats today, there we go Corey, singles to right and Diaz moves to third, no one out for Mike McCoy. Gose pinch running for Patterson, McCoy gets a nice bunt down here, perfect in fact to first base, here comes Diaz to score and Gose moves to second. 5-2 Jays. One down Lawrie, walks on four pitches, Veras rattled here, two on one down and speed on those bases, double steal here. Great small ball by the Jays here. Thames strikes out looking, two down. Budde at bat, there we go, you could see that coming, Gose takes off and is safe at third as Lawrie follows suit, double steal, how many is that this Spring. I dont think we can wait until these kids are playing in Toronto. All four of them. Are knocking on the door bigtime. Budde strikes out leaving two in scoring position but that was one excellent small ball display by the Jays of the future.

Bottom 8th: Henn now pitching for Janssen. Fields strikes out, Mercer strikes out, six pitches six strikes, Wimberley singles to centre, two down Rodriguez, wild pitch and Wimberley movers into scoring position at second. Rodriguez walks, two on and Henn losing focus here after those two quick strike outs. Pinch hitter Marte replaces pitcher Veras. Oh boy he is losing it now big time, walks Marte on four pitches to load them up. How do you throw six consecutive strikes and then eight consecutive balls. Manager leaving him in to work it out. Garrett Jones with the bases loaded. Another walk, three in a row and run scores 5-3 Jays. That IS it for Henn and maybe another bus ticket to somewhere far away. Rommie Lewis replaces him but Ciriaco with bases still loaded and two down. Fly ball to Loewen and Henn`s nightmare is over.

Top 9th: Michael Crotta now pitching. Cooper lines out to short, no four hit game for David today. Arencibia, his last chance today. Not this time. JP grounds to Ciriaco, two down for Loewen, grounds to Ciriaco, throw to first to end the inning.
Bottom 9th: Lewis still pitching after his one pitch rescue in the 8th. Niuman Romero replacing Cooper at first. Toregas, singles to left, this one is not over yet. Bowker, pops up to Stainsbury at second, one down, Fields fly ball to Loewen, two down for Mercer. Walks, come on Rommie, one more. Wimberley now tying run with two on and two down. Fly ball to Gose in centre and this is the game.

Jays win big 5-3 to get their record to back to .500 at 9-9.

The excellent: Cooper spraying his hits around, singles to left and centre and home run to right, that is excellent hitting. Jays have a good first base in the wings if Adam cannot handle it. Send his average soaring to .407
Small ball in the 8th. Diaz, McCoy, Gose and Lawrie, bunting and with great speed stealing successfully, big part of Jays future.

Drabek goes five innings, seven hits but only two runs and keeps his ERA at 3.27.
Three inning ending double plays.

The not so good: Runners in scoring position again 1-4 today

Bus tickets: Henn, awful outing gets two quick strikeouts on six pitches and then totally loses it and walks three consecutive hitters on twelve pitches.

Davis gives highlight reel day but Jays pitchers ruin it.

Jays v Phillies in Dunedin.

A very hot day and sellout crowd, with Phillies fans making up more than half. Jays need to take them out of the game. Serious stuff today, neither side taking this game lightly.

Line-ups: Jays: Davis, Escobar, Bautista, Lind, Encarnacion, Snider, Rivera, Arencibia and Johnny McDonald. Jesse Litsch pitching.

Phillies: Rollins, Victorino, Ibanez, Howard, Polanco, Goad, Francisco, Ruiz catching, Barfield and Blanton pitching.

On balance looks as if Phillies are stronger but this Jays team has deceptive power, on paper at least.

Litsch has an awful game, did nothing for his chances in the rotation and time is running out on Jesse. 3 1-3 innings. Gave up five hits and four runs.

Jays hitters come back in bottom of the first with yet another leadoff home run by Rajai Davis. This was Rajai's day today, three hits including the home run, a two run RBI double off the wall, and one incredible running catch at full speed into right. Vernon will not be missed this season at all friends. And to add to this

Anthony Gose heir apparent in centre also had yet another strong game with his two rbi triple. This guy has speed.

Two hit games from Lind Snider and Rivera to go with the three hits by Davis. Others to hit today Gose, Encarnacion, McDonald and McCoy.

Phillies were not pitching to Jose as Bautista takes two walks today. I have a feeling we will be seeing much more of that ``off the plate`` pitching to Jose during the season. The ultimate compliment yesterday after Jose hit his monster home run, Manny said this guy "is already locked in". I agree.

Jays down 6-2 get back into the game and finally get ahead in the 7th only to lose it big-time in top of the 8th. Lezedma having a horrible outing and probably earned his ticket to Vegas if not New Hampshire with that performance. You can’t throw eight pitches with nary strike at this level and not get burned, least of all against the Phillies. Abreu was just as bad and these two give up seven runs in the 1 1-3 innings to ruin a great comeback by Jays hitters. Good bye and maybe see you next year in Dunedin.
Jays lose this one 13-7 but the scire does not tell the story.

Poor day at the office: Arencibia yet another ill-advised play with pickoff attempt at third which went wild and resulted in two runs. JP has much to learn yet, and I hope he is not going to be learning during regular season.

More E grade: Runners in scoring position, Jays constant albatross. Today it seemed like every inning a hitter leaving runners ate second and third. Worst offenders today: Rivera, Escobar and Encarnacion all leaving two on base. Gose and Diaz one each.

The slowest pitcher: Frasor loses his record to Phillies Baez. Has anyone seen a slower pitcher? This guy not only steps off the mound every pitch but also asks for a new ball. It was a joke with the fans today. Who is this guy but one reason why the game went on so long this afternoon.

Interesting: Phillies had two players who are sons of former Jays, John Mayberry jr. and Josh Barfield.

Phillies are odds on favourites for the NL title. I am not so sure and will not be betting on them. Line-up is great on paper but they should not have allowed Jays to get back into this one today.
Friday the Yankees are in town.

Jays hit parade continues as they zap the Rays bigtime.

Jays v Tampa Rays in Dunedin.

This is revenge day I hope for the last two extra inning losses by the Jays in Port Charlotte.
Rays bringing the big guns, both Damon and Manny playing and drawing big crowd at batting practice.

Rays lineup: Zobrist, Damon, Longoria, Ramirez, Dan Johnson, BJ Upton, Sean Rodriguez, Kelly Shoppach, and Beckham.

Jays reply with Davis playing in right today, Escobar, Snider DH, Bautista at third ,Thames in left, Arencibia, Corey Patterson in centre, Cooper at first, Johnny Mc. at second and Morrow pitching second start.

More cuts today to the Spring roster. Minor league camp for Hechaverria, Jeroloman, pitchers Perez, Ray and Roenicke and outfielder Moises Sierra. Getting tighter for those remaining.

The best sight of bp.... Aaron Hill taking both hitting and fielding and looking good. Maybe we will see him this week. Tuesday would be good against the Phillies...

Sellout crowd today and most are (VERY) noisy Rays fans.

Jays give up early run in the first through error by Escobar, rushing a simple out. But storm back and win this going away

9-3

and stretch their Spring record now to .500 at 8-8.

Home runs from Bautista, no doubt about it as soon it left the bat, and Eric Thames with Lawrie on base, hits up and down the lineup today and everyone in the starting lineup with hits today. Good to see Arencibia with another strong hit. Jays end with 14 on the day to go with the 17 against the Yankees yesterday. Power indeed.
Cooper, Snider and Bautista all with two hits today. Doubles to Arencibia and Escobar. Sac flies to Bautista and Thames. Only one stolen base today by Escobar this time.

Runners in scoring position much better today at 3-8. Rays were worse at 2-9 which will not make Joe Maddon a happy guy tonight.
Rays were not in this game after the first inning.
Great running catch defensive play in right by Rajai Davis. Nice double play by Lawrie, Diaz and Cooper.

Morrow four innings and six strikeouts and only two runs. Looked good despite getting hit on the pitching shoulder. The balk called lead to one run, another run was a result of Escobar error in the first. 1.29 ERA. Rzepczynski just as good in relief, for three hits and only one run. Villanueva with scoreless inning, he still has a 0.00 ERA. Casey Janssen finished it off and gave up one run.

For the Rays Damon had a hit but Manny was hitless and flailing and missing against Morrow.

The Jays took the big crowd out of the game quickly which was definitely to their advantage.

The downer, the Kindlers are back in front of me.... fortunately they brought friends with them today and kept their Kindles hidden. I think I will spill beer on them next time they bring them out.

Tuesday the Phillies are in town again.

Jays overcome poor outing by Romero to come from behind and win.

Jays v Pirates in Dunedin.

Lineup: Davis, McCoy, Bautista, Snider, Rivera, Encarnacion, Rivera, Encarnacion, Lawrie, Arencibia, and Diaz playing at second.

Romero pitching today celebrating his selection in the starter’s role for Opening Day had a terrible outing. 3.2innings, 4 hits, and 4 runs but it was the five, yes five walks today. Ricky had nothing and was only helped by three double plays or this would have been far worse outing for him. He walked back to clubhouse with the trainer, so it could be he had an excuse, but that was an outing he wants to forget fast. If he hopes to be "numero uno" he has to be more consistent.

Pirates outhit the Jays 10-8 but give up early 4-1 lead after three as Jays scratch their way back in this one to win 6-4.

Jays pitching apart from Romero was excellent, Camp, Rauch, Frasor, and Hinckley redeemed himself after giving up late runs last time out. Rommie Lewis had a rough outing but finsihed strong.
Jays turn three double plays but also a fine "strike him out throw him out" at second by Arencibia to get two.

Without jinxing the guy I think Arencibia is finally coming around, excellent game behind the plate today was hitting the ball at least instead of striking out and also had a fine sacrifice fly.

Other hits today: two to Mike McCoy, Davis, Bautista had a good day, a double to score two and get back in the game, plus two walks. Lawrie a double. Only one stolen base today to Mike McCoy who had a fine game all-round.

Encarnacion has to be the most frustrating guy, double off the wall and a huge home run just as we had given up on him. Cito said it best that he is a streaky player and with Lawrie breathing down his neck he must feel he has to produce. Remember last season, came back from AAA on fire.
Speaking of Cito, I can’t help but believe that Travis is playing so much better now that Cito is not on his case every at bat, he is looking so very relaxed here and is hitting the ball very, very hard, his single to right was a bullet and arrived so fast to right fielder, that Bautista was forced to hold up at second. Whatever the reason it so good to see him hitting so well.

Lawrie did not help his cause today with an agressive error and also cutting in front of McCoy at short in the first and fumbling the ball to enable the first guy on base who came around to score. He is so intense in everything he is doing he wants that ball on every play. That’s ok but sometimes it is a better play for the guy at short as was the case today. Two nice plays and throws to the plate by Rivera in right to hold runners at third. His bat was not that great today but his arm certainly was.

Jays 2-8 with runners in scoring position today.

In Lakeland with the split squad, Jays lose again to Tigers 4-3, but some excellent performances, Gose two hits including a double, and another stolen base. Heccaverria three hits, Lind another double. Tigers come from behind in late innings to won this one. Jays 1-12 with runners in scoring position.

Tomorrow Rays in Dunedin.

Jays hitters hammer hapless Yankees

Jays v Yankees in Dunedin.

Yankees do not send their first crew but Granderson and Swisher were subject to a thrashing.
Always a great day when Yankees fans start leaving the game early and this was it today with near sellout crowd at Dunedin.

Jays pitchers starter Drabek, Jo Jo Reyes who looks better each succeeding outing, Rauch another scoreless inning, Purcey also scoreless and Janssen finished them off. Casey made heavy weather of the 9th but gave up only one run.

Jays hammered 17 hits today off very poor and ineffective Yankees pitching and even worse defence.

The poor: error on first pitch by Mike McCoy missing simple out on Granderson ground ball which lead to first Yankees run but he compensated with a great triple although aided by an off- target throw to third by Granderson.

Yankees defence today was pitiful; pitching was terrible none of the six pitchers could control the Jays hitters today. It was one steady procession by the Jays loading the bases so many times and yet their old problem of runners in scoring position.

An amazing stat: This team went 3-15 with runners in scoring position and still won 10-3.

The very good: Jose Bautista and Adam Lind both get their first home runs of the season. Travis Snider had three hits and hit the ball very hard each time out, is he ever locked in right now.
Encarnacion wakes up with a double off centre field wall, McCoy a triple. Goins, Johnny Mc., Cooper, Rivera, even Jose Molina, add in seven, yes seven walks by Yankees pitching staff and this was one long procession to the basepads by Jays hitters today.

Scott Posednik makes his first appearance and leading off today impressed with his first hit and stolen base plus threatening to steal several times on his next appearance at first. Jays have lots of speed in the dugout this season.

A great game for Jays fans and the Yankees fan sitting next to me ran out of excuses.
Sorry Jim, time to switch support to these Blue Jays.

Yankees leave their first squad to play the Braves but that strategy did not help them much either as they lost also to Atlanta 6-2.
16 runs against Yankees today, easy to see where their problem lies, pitching, pitching and more pitching or rather in their case, no pitching. Their depth appears to be very limited.

Tomorrow Jays have split squads tomorrow with Pittsburgh in Dunedin and Detroit in Lakeland.

Jays win big with Davis-Lawrie power.

No game in Dunedin today and wet and cold to boot.

Jays at Twins today.
Litsch starting and continues his strong Spring although not as good as his last two outings. Goes 3 2/3 innings a little wild at times walking two but after giving up two in the bottom of the first he held the Twins.

Jays once again get more power from Davis, another leadoff home run, and Lawrie also his second of the Spring. Lawrie gets two hits on the day making a strong bid for that spot, playing at third again. Decisions, decisions for the management. Especially when Encarnacion playing at first goes hitless in four at bats. Anthony Gose continues his fine play with a double and yet another steal, number seven on the Spring and taking third base this time. WOW, when did that last happen with a Blue Jay?

Johnny Mc. and Hechaverria both with errors today. Jays go 2-10 with runners in scoring position.
Arencibia another hitless day at the park. Not good JP. Get it together. Hinkley managed to redeem himself for that extra inning loss this week by closing out this one, facing the minimum three hitters as the Jays win 7-4 and take their record to 5-7 for the Spring. Tomorrow a tougher matchup with the Yankees in Dunedin.

Guerrero another home run for Baltimore, his third, what a steal for the Orioles.
Ready for the opening day? Halladay goes six scoreless innings against the Yankees.


Conversation in the breakfast nook this morning about Jays lack of hitting with runners in scoring position. Who is to blame? Dwayne Murphy or the minor league hitting instructors?

My vote is against the minor league instructors. This should be basic level stuff at the minor levels. But with the Jays organization it appears to be a disease. Last year even with Cito the results were just the same as yesterday. And that was before Rios was traded. It would be interesting to do an analysis of the games last year and determine how many were lost through lack of just one hit with runners in scoring position. But obviously Manager Farrell has a concern. It is of no value stealing and getting into scoring position if the hitters are unable to bring them in.

Another addendum to the stealing yesterday. Note that the majority were done from the 8th inning onwards with John Jaso catching. Joe Maddon said that Jaso had mechanical issue getting the ball out of his glove. Minor problem ? hmm.
The other note about the steals was that the majority were the minor leaguers and in fact Bautista was caught stealing.
However it was still great to watch after years of the big hit mentality of Cito and maybe something to look forward to with (some of) the new Jays in the lineup.

Today’s rumour mill regarding Jays and Twins RHP Kevin Slowey. Walk rate of 1.50 per nine innings is second only to Halladay since 2007 when he made his debut. Alex might have some interesting trading in he works to add to the rotation.

Another rough day at the office: Following theft of JC Romero’s Porsche at the weekend in Clearwater, Evan Longoria had his 1967 Camaro RS stolen whilst it was being refurbished in Arizona.

Tomorrow’s game against the Yankees in Dunedin. Jays fans will not see 41 year old Manuel Rivera he just started throwing yesterday and it looks like Sunday to bring him in.
Will Cameron Diaz make a visit with A-Rod? Who cares although it might get the Kindle readers out of their books but then again maybe not.

Awful. Jays run wild but unable to hit.

Jays v Rays in Port Charlotte. Second game of back to back.

Morrow did not go to this one although it was his turn. Official story is that they did not want Rays to get familiar with him as he had pitched against them last week and they have so many in the season.

No friends, no question today, this was one UGLY game. Jays lose 3-2 in eleven.
Forget the hundreds of stolen bases and the great pitching this game was blown big-time for the second consecutive day in Port Charlotte and for the second day in extra innings.

Yes there were some positives, but once again we have a team that appears unable to bring in runners in scoring position. As with last year when game after game we saw that, this Spring is looking awful similar.
The problem obviously lies in the minor leagues coaching staff, they have to get these kids to do the obvious, learn how to bring a runner in.

Jays ran wild today, incredible base-running but all to no effect
They had some great pitching but all to no effect.
They had the Rays beaten for the second day in a row, all to no effect.

Culprits today, well start with Jeroloman who went 0-5 today. I am sorry but NO professional player should do that period. Bus ticket to Vegas if not New Hampshire tonight. No excuses.

The very good: The stolen bases were undoubtedly the highlight. Not sure what happened here today, but it was not the Blue Jays of old we were watching today in terms of running bases. Definitely not a Cito team. NINE, yes nine stolen bases including TWO double steals.... Three stolen bases by Anthony Gose, I just cannot wait until he gets to Toronto, this kid is the real thing friends. Plus we must not forget the two caught stealing, by my math that makes 11 attempts... I can recall weeks without any attempt. Long live King John.

The good: Pitching. Cecil with his three innings of fast and scoreless work. Rays get to him in the fourth and score two but he still had a good outing. Francisco, Villanueva and Ledezma had scoreless innings to no avail. Multi hit games from Escobar and Diaz. A hit and walk for Arencibia, all small steps for J.P. Cecil a great outing, hitless in three,

The very bad: The goats today besides Jeroloman were too many to list. But time after time, 14 to be precise, Jays left runners out there. Two double steals put runners at second and third with only one out, and Jays hitters could not bring them in, not even a measly bunt.
Cooper had a great chance to showcase his stuff but left three out there as did Mastroianni.
Bautista, Budde and Thames left two out there but the Big Billy Goat Gruff today was Jeroloman who left six, yes SIX players on base with his zeros five times over. Come to think of it why did Manager Farrrell not pull him earlier. In total Jays hitters left 24, hard to believe, 24 players out there on base, that is bush league. 3-14 with runners in scoring position.

But when we get to the 9th and 11th, the roof falls in for the second day in a row as Henn and Perez give up the important runs. Perez with two out in the 11th.

This one leaves a lousy taste in the mouth. Jays have a lot of work to do and on the basics.

Next game up Yankees in Dunedin.... Wonder whether Cameron will be there, but we may not see A-Rod as it is an away game.

Jays lose heartbreaker in extra innings.

Jays v Tampa in Port Charlotte.


Jays lineup: Davis, Thames, Lawrie, Snider, Rivera, Cooper, Molina, Diaz, Hechavarria and Rzepczynski pitching. Loads of speed and youth in this lineup. Lawrie definitely earning his time, as with Thames and young Jonathan Diaz. Will be interesting to see how they do against Tampa who just broke their long losing streak yesterday to win only their second game of the spring. Jays will want to start another one for them.
Facing Shields today Rzepczynski, and looking to get that ERA down from 9.00.

OH WOWEEEE ! what a great start as Rajai Davis goes deep to left off Shields for his first home run as a Jay. Wind is blowing out there today in left, but Davis takes advantage. 1-0 Jays in the first. Thames and Lawrie strike out swinging, Snider continues his form with a double to right sending his average to .500. Rivera could not bring him in but Jays are off to a great start. Rzepczynski walks Elliot Johnson on four balls and then strikes out Joyce on three pitches and then walks Kelly Shoppach before getting Kotchman. ERA 5.79 after two.
Hechavarria gets his first rbi. Rough for Shields who threw nothing but strikes for his 3.1 innings only one ball but left 2-0 down.

In the 4th Octavio Dotel of the 22.50 ERA and two horrible outings replacing Rzepczynski, pressure on Octavio, three strikes and he could be toast. Needs a good outing to hang on. Gets Joyce swinging on three pitches. But walks Shoppach and wild pitch gets two in scoring position and only one out but rescued by Rivera in right who nails Shoppach at home plate for great double play. Dotel ERA drops to 15.00 and maybe another shot.

Casey Janssen, in the 5th wow !!! seven pitches, seven strikes, three up and down. Casey is one focused guy this spring, he wants that bullpen job. Keeps his ERA at 0.00.
In bottom of the 6th David Purcey walks the first batter on four pitches but not helped by Diaz error on the missed catch enables Rodriguez to get to third and then he loads the bases without throwing a strike.
Mills replaces Purcey. Gets Shoppach on three pitches. But bases still loaded and then gets Kotchman to ground into a double play. That was pressure pitching, well done Brad. Purcey owes you bigtime today.

In the bottom of the 9th Rommie Lewis gets the first two and replaced by Winston Abreu who gives up the triple and tying run. Mike Hinckley gets the extra inning and could not hold it. Disappointing 3-2 loss for the Jays.

The very good: Rajai leadoff home run. Rzepczynski very efficient 19 pitches and that includes two walks, after three hitless innings and gets his ERA down to a more respectable 4.76. Rivera in right with great throw to the plate in the 4th to double up Shoppach and end inning to get Dotel out of trouble. Casey Janssen three up and down and how. Brad Mills replacing Purcey with bases loaded. Gets Shoppach on three pitches and with bases still loaded gets Kotchman to ground into a double play. Excellent... Mills gives up a home run to Dan Johnson in the next inning but at least the bases were not loaded. In his third inning of work he gets two more on but is saved by yet another double play. Four double plays today.

Good: Hits spread around Jays hitters today. Cooper, Diaz and Rivera singles. Molina and Snider and Tolisano doubles.

The not so good: Hechavarria picked off at first. Jays trying to take advantage of his throwing nothing but strikes, free swinging in the 3rd to give Shields an easy four pitch inning. Jonathan Diaz missed catch and the error in the 6th. Gose and Jason Lane both striking out with two in scoring position. Gose also left Jeroloman at third base in the top of the 9th. Jays hitters go 0-8 with runners in scoring position. Diaz not his day with failed bunt in the top of the 9th on top of his earlier error. Jays leave 15 on base today. Winston Abreu who gives up the triple and tying run gets Beckham but the damage is done and a great game for the Jays wasted. Should John Farrell have pulled Rommie Lewis for Abreu with two out in the 9th ? 20/20 no way.

The awful: Purcey couldn’t throw strikes in first 12 pitches to walk three and load the bases.