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.