Jays Jots: Spring Training Game 7

Feb 28, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Brandon Morrow (23) throws against the New York Yankees during the bottom of the first inning of a spring training game at George Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsThursday’s match-up against the New York Yankees certainly was not a pretty game to watch, as both offenses struggled to piece anything together, but at the end of the day the Toronto Blue Jays finally got back into the win column with a 1-0 victory over New York.

It was the second time in a matter of five days at Toronto’s pitching staff blanked the New York offense. Toronto shut-out the Yankees 2-0 on February 24th. That first match-up became notable after J.A. Happ plunked Curtis Granderson, fracturing the outfielder’s arm and costing the Yankees some more offense for at least the first 10 weeks of the regular season.

But let’s talk about Thursday’s game with New York:

– Brandon Morrow got his second start of the spring and was much more impressive. After surrendering a two-run home run in his first outing, Morrow was stingy with the Yankee hitters, limiting them to just 2 hits and collecting a strike-out on the day. His control was much better, with the ball consistently staying down in the zone.

– The aforementioned Happ followed Morrow with a hitless inning of work, both of the batters and to the batters. Sergio Santos, Aaron Loup, Brett Cecil, Evan Crawford, John Stilson, and Chad Beck all looked equally impressive, with only Cecil allowing more than one base-runner. Jays pitchers issued no walks on the day.

– The only run of the game was accounted for by non-roster invitee Andy LaRoche. The younger LaRoche hit a solo home run in the seventh inning. Toronto scattered just five more hits on the day, with Ryan Langerhans, Brett Lawrie, J.P. Arencibia, Ryan Goins, and Jose Reyes all adding singles in the game.

– Yankee catcher Chris Stewart was ejected from the game for arguing a close call at first base in just the second inning. You just don’t see a player ejected often enough in Spring Training. I guess some guys just want to make sure they get credit for every last stat.

Here is today’s line-up for the game against Tampa Bay in Dunedin, courtesy of the Blue Jays Twitter feed: