The Toronto Blue Jays dropped a 7-6 decision to the Boston Red Sox at TD Ballpark on Monday in spring training play. Despite Addison Barger's 1-for-3 with a home run and four RBI effort at the plate, the Jays could not pull even when it mattered. Cody Ponce worked 2.0 innings on the mound, allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits. The Sox out-hit the Jays 12-8 on the day. Despite the result, the coaching staff gathered useful data on the current state of the roster. Spring training losses sting, but the information gained will inform decisions as Opening Day approaches.
Key Performers
Addison Barger was the standout at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and four RBI. His ability to drive the ball out of the park was the highlight of the afternoon. Performances like this give the Jays confidence that the lineup is rounding into form.
Charles McAdoo added to the attack, going 1-for-2 with a home run and an RBI, George Springer provided support, going 1-for-2, and Eloy Jiménez also contributed, going 1-for-2 with a double. While there were individual bright spots, the lineup could not string hits together consistently.
On the other side of the diamond, Mickey Gasper led the Sox offense with a 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI day. Nathan Hickey also contributed, going 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI. Allan Castro added a 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI effort as well. The Sox offense proved to be too much for the Jays pitching staff to contain on this particular day.
On the Mound
Cody Ponce got the start, struggling with his command, working 2.0 innings while allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits with two strikeouts. He threw 32 pitches in the outing. It was a useful learning experience as the Jays evaluate their pitching depth heading into the regular season.
The bullpen combined for 7.0 innings of work, allowing 6 earned runs while striking out 11. Spring training gives the coaching staff a chance to evaluate bullpen depth, and today provided useful information about the current state of the bullpen. Each reliever is auditioning for a roster spot, and innings like these factor into those decisions. Michael Sansone recorded the save to close out the game.
Among the relievers, Brendon Little stood out with 1.0 innings of scoreless work, striking out three. His performance was one of the day's bright spots from the bullpen.
How It Happened
Sox got on the board first with a run in the second inning. Sox tacked on a run in the third. Sox pushed across two runs in the fifth. The Jays struck back with five runs in the fifth. Sox answered with a run in the sixth. Sox tacked on two runs in the eighth. The Jays countered with a run in the ninth. The Sox were able to score in five separate innings, keeping the pressure on throughout the contest. Sox out-hit the Jays 12-8, with 1 error committed between the two clubs. A crowd of 5,943 was on hand to take in the action.
Looking Ahead
It was not the outcome the Jays were looking for, but spring training provides a forgiving environment to work through the rough patches. The focus remains on preparation and development, and the coaching staff will use today as a teaching opportunity. The regular season is right around the corner, and every game is a chance to improve.
