Jays Jots: Spring Training Game 6

Feb 25, 2013; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes (7) signs autographs for fans before a spring training split squad game against the Boston Red Sox at Florida Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsWell, if that was the low point of the season, at least we got it out of the way during Spring Training.

The Toronto Blue Jays trotted out a line-up full of regulars against the lowly Houston Astros, but it was the never-ending chain of middle relievers that started and ended this game for the Blue Jays. Houston set the tempo early, jumping on Brad Lincoln for 4 runs in the first inning and it was all downhill from there, with Houston sending Toronto to its fourth straight loss, this time by a score of 10-1.

– Lincoln was set to pitch two innings on the day, but pitching coach Pete Walker announced before the game the he would only throw one inning due to “normal spring training stuff”. Well, it was obvious from the get-go that Lincoln was lacking even “normal spring training stuff”, as he struggled to find the strike-zone and when he did, he was punished by the Astros. Lincoln reached his 25 pitch limit before getting out of the first inning, with Trystan Magnuson finishing the inning for Lincoln.

– Justin Germano was next out of the pen and looked good again, surrendering just a single hit in two innings of work while striking out four. Germano has now struck-out six in four innings of work on the spring with his big slow curve-ball doing most of the damage. He’s still destined for Triple-A, but on a day with very little positive things to say, he gets a mention.

– One guy that gets a mention for all the wrong reasons is Jeremy Jeffress, who came on in relief of Germano. Jeffress didn’t fool a single hitter, getting teed up for four hits, a walk, and three earned runs in one inning of work. To make matters worse, he took too much time fielding a bunt and then failed to throw the runner out in time. Those types of efforts are what have plagued him during his career and won’t help him plead his case to make the team out of camp. Jeffress has no more minor league options, so he’ll need to really sharpen up after this outing.

– The line-up was relatively silent for the afternoon, with Jose Reyes being the only Jays hitter with multiple hits on the day. The new shortstop notched three base hits in three trips to the plate and was caught stealing after stumbling on his jump.

– The lone run scored by the Blue Jays came on a solo home run by J.P. Arencibia, an absolute bomb hit in the third inning off of Wesley Wright.

The Blue Jays will look to rebound on Thursday, making a trip to Tampa to face the Yankees. Brandon Morrow will get his second start of the spring, with Yankee killer lefty J.A. Happ scheduled to follow him.