Spring Training 2014: Blue Jays Rally For Walk-Off Win

In Spring Training action, the comeback-minded Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles yesterday in a walk-off in the bottom of the tenth.

The exciting 4-3 contest between American League East rivals at the Jays home facility in Dunedin, Fla., featured some sparkling defense, including some great catches in the field, a pitcher to home to first double play, and several runners thrown out at the plate. The teams combined for 25 hits in the game.

The Orioles seemed to be in control the entire game witnessed by about 4,600 fans, but that ultimately was not reflected in the final outcome. The Jays tied the game at 2-2 in the ninth on four straight singles. Then a home run by Daniel Alvarez gave the Orioles a 3-2 lead in the top of the tenth; the Jays rallied in the bottom of the frame, however, with two runs, culminating in Josh Thole’s groundout with the game winner in the person of Jonathan Diaz who scored from second.

In MLB Spring Training action, the game would have ended in a tie if it was still deadlocked after 10 innings.

Baltimore starter Miguel Gonzalez pitched four innings and gave up five hits but only one earned run. His Jays counterpart Todd Redmond tossed five innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs.

Alfredo Aceves, formerly of the Boston Red Sox, was effective in middle relief for the Jays, scattering four hits (no runs) over three innings. Similarly, the Jays’ Aaron Sanchez pitched four innings, allowing five hits but no runs. Reliever Kelvin De La Cruz was tagged with the loss, while Arik Sikula was credited with the win.

Returning from paternity leave, Orioles star center fielder Adam Jones went 1 for 2 with a walk. Jays superstar Jose Bautista was 2 for 4 and “nearly had an RBI in the bottom of the seventh inning, but catcher Dioner Navarro was thrown out at home.” Star shortstop Jose Reyes, who came to the Jays from the Miami Marlins in that 2012 blockbuster trade, went 1-3. Fan favorite Munenori Kawasaki pinch ran for Reyes and had one hit.

Going into today’s Spring Training action, the Orioles are 10-6 (5-3 in away games), while the Blue Jays are 7-10 (4-6 at their home Spring Training field).

[top image credit: Christopher Paulin]