Quick Recap: Jays beat Yankees, Miguel Castro was impressive

Blue Jays 4 Yankees 2

I've said it before, but I like beating the Yankees, doesn't matter if it is just spring training. Any win against them is good.

I thought the star of the game was Miguel Castro. He went 2.2 innings, had 2 strikeouts, didn't allow a hit or a walk. At least that's the way I remember it, the GameDay boxscore has him pitching 3 innings, giving up a hit and a walk and getting another strikeout. I know I'm right, Liam Hendriks came in with 2 outs in the 7th and gave up the hit and the walk, having a bit of trouble getting out of the inning.

I think it will be tough to keep Castro off the roster, if he keeps pitching like this. I could see him in the pen, getting to pitch 2 or 3 innings if needed. Pitching in say 50 games but getting close to 100 innings. I do like the idea of pitchers starting their MLB careers in the bullpen. The Jays used to do that fairly often, but it seems to have fallen out of favor. I think it is a good way for them to find out how to get batters out, without the pressure of starting.

It is a long jump from A ball though.

Drew Hutchison had a pretty good start, he went 4 innings, allowed 4 hits, a walk, 2 runs with 3 strikeouts. He was doing well, until 1 out in the 2nd inning, when he chased a foul pop up and went for a tumble on the warning track on third base side. I hope he doesn't do that again, we can't have another starter injured. After that he had a bit of trouble finding the strikezone, giving up a walk and 2 singles to the next 3 batters, costing him a run. A strikeout/throw out ended the inning for him. He had a quick 3rd inning and gave up a leadoff home run to Mark Teixeira to start the 4th, but followed that with 3 quick outs. All-in-all, a good start, but I was worried when he tumbled.

Roberto Osuna pitched the last 2 innings allowing a couple of hits and a walk, but, with the help of 2 strikeouts, made it through without giving up a run.

On offense we had 11 hits. Those having hits:

• Jose Reyes: 2 for 3, with a triple and a stolen base. He's hitting .429.
• Josh Donaldson: 1 for 3, walk, caught stealing, k. .304.
• Dioner Navarro: 2 for 2, he also scored from first on a double, surprising me, but it did look like he was running in slow motion.  .375.
• Dayan Viciedo: 2 for 3, both doubles, k. .353.
• Devon Travis: 2 for 3, double, walk. .300. He had an impressive game. He might be winning the second base job.
• Josh Thole: 2 for 4, double. .389.

Going hitless:

• Maicer Izturis: 0 for 2, k. ..077.
• Jose Bautista: 0 for 2, walk and picked off first. .313.
• Caleb Gindl: 0 for 2. .400.
• Danny Valencia: 0 for 0. .278.
• Dalton Pompey: 0 for 4, 2 k. .267.

I'd give Jays of the Day to Castro, Travis and Viciedo.

Tomorrow the Jays host the Rays in Dunedin, back to the 1:00 Eastern time. The game is on MLB Audio. Mark Buehrle starts. Aaron Loup, Steve Delabar, Jeff Francis, Wilton Lopez and Kyle Drabek are scheduled to pitch.