Brandon Morrow roughed up in Blue Jays loss to Pirates

March 5, 2014; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Brandon Morrow allowed five earned runs in today’s loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Final: Blue Jays 4, Pirates 6

Spring training results should never be taken too seriously but Brandon Morrow had a rough outing for the Toronto Blue Jays today against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which was a disappointing result for those of us looking for Morrow to return to form.

Morrow hit the first batter of the game he faced, Starling Marte, before walking Chris Dickerson to put two men on with nobody out. Fantasy-world future Blue Jay Neil Walker then singled to load up the bases.

With the pressure mounting early, Morrow was able to induce a ground ball double play ball to Pirates’ first baseman Gaby Sanchez to leave a runner on third and two out. Travis Snider singled to score Dickerson and in the game of once Blue Jays, Brent Morel grounded out to Getz to end the inning.

Morrow was much better in the second and had a 1-2-3 inning including a swinging strikeout of Josh Harrison.

The order turned over to start the third and once again Morrow had trouble putting away the top of the Pirates order. He got two quick outs from Marte and Dickerson before Wagner singled to extend the frame. Morrow then threw a wild pitch to Sanchez, which allowed Walker to move up to second. Sanchez went on to capitalize with a two-out double to tack on another run. And it got worse.

Snider homered then Morel singled but thankfully catcher Dioner Navarro was able to end the threat by throwing out Morel attempting to steal second base. It was an eventful three innings for Mr. Morrow to say the least.

Sergio Santos pitched for what I believe was the first time this spring and had a clean innings. Aaron Loup and Jeremy Jeffress allowed one hit each in their scoreless frames. Chad Jenkins gave up two hits and an earned run but also had three strikeouts. Jays’ prospect Aaron Sanchez pitched two innings and retired all six batters he faced with two strikeouts.

Edwin Encarnacion led the offense with a two-RBI double while Chris Getz and Steve Tolleson had a ribby each. Dioner Navarro, Anthony Gose and Jared Goedart chipped in with singles with Navarro also drawing two walks, which is about how many base on balls former Blue Jays’ catcher J.P. Arencibia would take… in a month.