DUNEDIN, Fla. – Whit Merrifield hit two runs and added an RBI single as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the New York Yankees 5-2 in spring training action on Saturday.
The Yankees soon took a 2-0 lead thanks to the RBIs of Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton.
However, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. kicked off the Blue Jays with a solo at the end of the first inning to cut the deficit in half.
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Merrifield gave Toronto a 3-2 lead with his homer in the third inning. In the fourth half, Danny Jansen sent Matt Chapman home with a brace before Merrifield scored again shortly after, scoring for Cavan Biggio.
Bowden Francis started on the mound for the Blue Jays. He hit five strokes, while missing one walk, three hits and two runs in three action rounds.
Toronto (October 13) next plays the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.
Earlier on Saturday, the Blue Jays announced that they had assigned pitchers Adrian Hernandez and Casey Lawrence, as well as quarterback Rainer Nunez, to minor league spring training. They will still be eligible to play in spring training games as needed.
Fifty-three players (30 pitchers, six catchers, 11 onfielders and six outfielders) remained in the big league for Toronto.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on March 18, 2023.
© 2023 Canadian Press
