Mark Buehrle, Marco Estrada, Miguel Castro, Wilton Lopez, Steve Delabar, Kyle Drabek and combined to blank the Phillies through 8 innings. In the ninth, Jayson Aquino and Ryan Tepera allowed 2 runs. Overall, the Jays’ pitchers continued their strong start to the spring in the Blue Jays’ 5th Grapefruit league contest. Collectively, they now sport a 3.27 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP thus far.
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We’ll give Marco Estrada top pitching honours with a hitless, 1 K, 2 innings of work. Buehrle, Castro, Lopez and Delabar all had quality outings as well though. Delabar picked up 2 Ks. The only walk issued the whole afternoon was by Drabek (surprise?). Drabek struggled to put away batters but managed to escape unscathed and threw some nice splitters. Jayson Aquino was hit hard by the two batters he faced and was the weakest link pitching-wise today. Ryan Tepera came in to mop up Aquino’s mess and was a mixed bag, allowing a double but retiring the other three batters he faced. Tepera might not have allowed any of the inherited runners to score if a come-backer had managed to stay in his glove. It was a tough play and hee did well to locate the ball again and get the out at first.
Together, the Jays’ pitching line was 9IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB and 6 Ks.
Mar 7, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA;Toronto Blue Jays third basemen Josh Donaldson (20) hits a fly ball in the first inning of the spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
The bats contributed 4 runs. Kevin Pillar started things off with a single to score Justin Smoak in the 2nd. Josh Donaldson hit a blast to left field in the 4th. Caleb Gindl and Matt Hague picked up RBIs in the 7th. We’ll give Donaldson top offensive performance honours and hand out demerits to Daric Barton for his 0-3 day. Daric Barton did redeem himself with a great snag to start a double play in the first. Tolleson, Smoak Valencia, Carrera, Dickerson and Goins also had 0-fers.
The Jays batting line was 36 ABs, 4 R, 10 H, 1 BB and 6 K. Anthony Alford stole a base in the 6th.
Kawasaki picked up his 2nd error of the preseason, failing to catch an admittedly poor throw from Matt Hague. Looked like Kawasaki was trying to turn two and rushed catching the throw.
Jonathan Papelbon pitched the 6th inning and was seen to look longingly at the Blue Jays’ bullpen several times.
The Jays are now 3-2 early this spring.
The Jays face the Pirates tomorrow 1:07 PM at FAES in Dunedin. Aaron Sanchez will start things off and will hope for some better results than last time out.