Jays Jots: Spring Training Game 5

Adam Lind has been taking his job very seriously in the early days of Spring Training. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsIt was an utterly ugly afternoon in Dunedin, Florida, as the Toronto Blue Jays dropped their third straight game of the spring and fell to 2-3 in Cactus League play. What started as a 1-2-3 inning for Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero turned into a lopsided affair and ended with a 8-4 loss to the visiting Minnesota Twins.

That said, Toronto’s line-up featured just a few of their regulars and the game did have its bright points, despite what the scoreboard had to say.

– As mentioned, Romero started the game with a 1-2-3 first inning, but the things got away from him a bit in the second inning. The left-hander allowed 2 hits and a walk in the inning, surrendering a two-run home run to Joe Benson in the inning. Romero almost escaped the inning with a double-play, but Emilio Bonifacio‘s throwing error kept it going and Benson took advantage as the next hitter. That all said, Romero wasn’t working to mix up his pitches, instead choosing to focus on his sinker and change-up, two weapons he looks to get a better feel for in 2013.

– It wasn’t a good day for the bullpen arms as well. Steve Delabar, Dave Bush, Ramon Ortiz, and Esmil Rogers all got roughed up as well. Delabar surrendering two runs in his outing and has now given up three runs in 1.2 innings this spring. He’ll still have time to work through those kinks, but it is worth watching with a solid bullpen competition underway.

– Another hit for Lance Zawadzki, who apparently read my preview on non-roster invitees and decided to prove me wrong. He is now 5 for 7 on the spring.

– Adam Lind continues to take every at-bat seriously, slugging his first home run of the spring today, a 2-run shot off of Mike Pelfrey. Lind is now 4 for 8 and has looked good everytime up to the plate.

– Andy LaRoche also contributed a home run, this one a solo shot off of Tyler Robertson. LaRoche also added a double on the afternoon, joining Rajai Davis as one of only two Blue Jays with multiple hits on the day.

– Anthony Gose continued to impress, singling, taking a walk, and stealing his first base of the spring. Colby Rasmus should be watching this kid very carefully.

– Newly acquired Michael Scwimer also made his Blue Jays debut today, pitching one inning in relief. He struck out one and walked a batter in a hitless performance.

The Blue Jays will host the Houston Astros on Wednesday afternoon, getting their first look at the newest team in the American League. The team will not receive a day off until Monday March 4th.