Quick Spring Recap: Jays beat Tigers

Tigers 4 Blue Jays 5

That was an interesting 9th inning.

The Tigers had a 3-run homer in the top of the 9th, off Joe Biagini. I thought we had another spring loss.

Then, in the bottom half of the inning, our minor leaguers got us back the win. Jon Berti has a 1-out single, followed by a Mike Ohlman single (can I vote for him to take the backup catcher job?). After Roemon Fields popped out, on a bunt single attempt (who tries for a bunt single with 1 out in the 9th and the tying run on first?), Shane Opitz hit the game winning home run. A 3-run shot. Walk-offs are fun, even in spring games.

Marco Estrada was terrific. 5 innings, 2 hits, 1 earned (maybe helped along by Ryan Goins not making a catch in left that a regular left fielder could have make). He didn’t allow a walk and he had 5 strikeouts. He got the his last 14 outs without allowing a base runner. Just a great outing. He is showing us what he can do when his back isn’t hurting. Marco has a 3.46 ERA so far this spring.

Other Jays pitchers:

• Jason Grilli: 1 inning, 1 hit, 1 k. 5.40 spring ERA.
• Joe Smith: 1 inning, 1 hit. 6.75.
• J.P. Howell: 1 inning, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts. His best outing of the spring. 6.75.
• Joe Biagini: Had a tough 9th. He started the inning with a strikeout. Then a single, Matt Dean error and a 3-run homer. He’d give up another single before getting out of the inning. 1 inning, 3 hits, 2 earned, 2 k, 1 home run. He got a blown save and a blown save. 2.89 ERA on the spring.

Batters:

We hit into 3 double plays today. Good news is we got our leadoff hitters on base a fair bit, we just doubled them off most times.

• Troy Tulowitzki: 1 for 3, 1 k. .261.
• Russell Martin: 0 for 3, 1 k. .150.
• Josh Donaldson: 0 for 1, walk, hit into a double play. .000.
• Steve Pearce: 1 for 3. .296.
• Kevin Pillar: 1 for 3. .349. Tried for a bunt single but was thrown out on a close play.
• Justin Smoak: 0 for 2, both ground outs, and a walk. .150.
• Darrell Ceciliani: 1 for 3, double, 2 k, RBI. .275. I’m thinking I’d rather him in left than Ezequiel Carrera.
• Darwin Barney: 0 for 2, k. .250.
• Ryan Goins: 0 for 2, k, RBI ground out. .186.
• Jon Berti: 1 for 2. .308.
• Mike Ohlman: 1 for 1. .296.
• Shane Opitz: 1 for 1, 3-run, game winning homer. .143.