Blue Jays Grapefruit League recap: Lose 5-4 to Red Sox

After beating the Red Sox on Monday, the Blue Jays weren’t able to complete the home and home spring sweep, losing 5-4 in Tuesday’s match-up.

The Blue Jays sent Joe Biagini to the hill on Tuesday against Drew Pomeranz, who was making his first start of the spring for the Red Sox. Biagini was making his 5th appearance of the spring, and his 3rd start.

Biagini pitching 2+ innings, leaving after 2 batters faced in the 3rd. All told he gave up 2 unearned runs on 2 hits and a walk, while also striking out 2. He wasn’t totally in control though, only throwing 22 of his 46 pitches for strikes.

Fortunately for the Blue Jays, they were able to get to Pomeranz early, as Melvin Upton took him yard for his first spring home run in the opening frame. In the 2nd inning, Anthony Alford reached on a triple, and then scored on a sacrifice fly from Darwin Barney.

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Biagini started the 3rd, and was lifted in favour of Casey Lawrence as the Red Sox got on the board. Upton undid some of his home run good will, with a 2 base error that ultimately lead to the Red Sox tying the game. Two runs scored on a Mitch Moreland single against Lawrence, and closed the book on Biagini’s day.

Justin Smoak did his best to quiet the critics, knocking a double into the gap in the 7th before being lifted for pinch runner, who ultimately scored on another Darwin Barney RBI. Smoak finished 1-3 with an RBI and a strikeout, and raised his spring average to .154.

The Red Sox went ahead again on a Steve Selsky, two-run double, putting the Red Sox ahead again. Mike Ohlman also homered for the Jays in the 9th, keeping the game close until the final out, but ultimately falling just short of the AL East rival on Tuesday.

The Blue Jays have an off day on Tuesday before they resume spring action on Thursday. Aaron Sanchez will get the start against Yankees, in just his 2nd appearance of Grapefruit League action. The game gets underway at 1:07 EST, and will be played at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

Next: Blue Jays' Tim Mayza making the most of spring opportunity