Jays Jots: Spring Training Game 4

Feb 25, 2013; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Josh Johnson (55) throws against the Boston Red Sox during the top of the third inning of a spring training split squad game at Florida Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsMonday marked the first appearance of former manager John Farrell in a remotely hostile Toronto ballpark, this time in the sunny confines of Dunedin, Florida, and it carried with it the anticipated response. Farrell was booed heartily by a fanbase that feels he lied to the team about where his heart truly was. However, it was nowhere near the welcome he will get when Farrell’s Boston Red Sox visit the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto from April 5-7.

Unfortunately, Farrell and the Red Sox had the last laugh in this exhibition match-up, with Boston handing Toronto its second loss of the spring, dropping the Blue Jays 4-2.

– R.A. Dickey made his Blue Jays spring debut, getting the start opposite fellow knuckle-baller Steven Wright. Unfortunately, Wright looked sharper in his first start of the spring. While Dickey surrendered 2 runs, four hits, and a walk while tossing two innings on the day, Wright also threw 2 innings, surrendering two hits and striking out three batters. It wasn’t a horrible outing for the Toronto ace, but it wasn’t great either.

– It is worth noting that one of the two runs scored on a knuckle-ball that bounced away from J.P. Arencibia, who was catching Dickey yesterday.

– Josh Johnson followed Dickey, but looked much more impressive. In two innings of work, Johnson gave up two hits while striking out a pair. His fastball sat comfortably at 93 MPH, but it was consistent and he looked sharp.

– A pair of prospects also made appearances but with mixed results. Sean Nolin looked rough, surrendering 3 hits in just one inning while fanning one. He’s getting a look this spring, but will get the time he needs to brush up on his approach. Meanwhile, John Stilson threw one inning and walked a batter, but came away unscathed.

– Overall, it was a quiet day on the hitting front. Edwin Encarnacion launched his first home run on the spring, a solo shot in the sixth inning off of J.D. Durbin. Meanwhile, Melky Cabrera loosened up a bit and contributed a pair of doubles and an RBI on the day. Jose Reyes, Lance Zawadzki, Mark DeRosa, and Colby Rasmus also contributed base knocks.

Today’s line-up against the Minnesota Twins in Dunedin:

Emilio Bonifacio – 6
Maicer Izturis – 4
Rajai Davis – 9
Adam Lind – 3
Henry Blanco – 2
Ryan Langerhans – 7
Sean Ochinko – 0
Andy LaRoche – 5
Anthony Gose – 8

Ricky Romero gets the start.