3/2 Grapefruit League Recap

Even though the Rangers lost two consecutive World Series, and even though they did not spend any significant money during the 2012-2013 off-season, I can always find solace that the Rangers are run much more efficient and successfully than the Miami Marlins.

Toronto fans however, are glad that the Marlins are such a mess.  The Blue Jays were the beneficiaries of the Marlins financial and management issues, as they were able to haul in Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonifacio, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle in a trade that cost them relatively nothing.

Three of those four players were in action for the Blue Jays on Saturday, contributing greatly to the 11-6 Toronto win over Philadelphia.  Josh Johnson relieved another newcomer to the Great North, R.A. Dickey, pitching two innings allowing just one hit (a homer) and striking out one, while earning the win.

Reyes and Bonifacio however, contributed in a much bigger way.  Bonifacio went 2-2 at the plate and scored two runs while knocking in two more.  Bonifacio doubled in the game and homered against Cliff Lee.  Reyes went 3-3 in the game including a double and a homer as well.  Reyes scored two runs also, and drove in three.

Toronto obviously improved themselves in the trade that brought these guys on board, but I do not know if we can fully understand the speed factor that these two bring to the table.  Reyes is in my opinion the best lead-off hitter in the game, and when he is healthy and happy, he can be a player of MVP caliber.  I do not think Toronto will be able to win the American League East, but I will without hesitation say they will be in the mix for a playoff spot either way.

Scores from Saturday:

Houston 6, Atlanta 5
Tampa Bay 4, Baltimore 1
Boston 2, Minnesota 1
N.Y. Yankees 10, Detroit (SS) 3
Toronto 11, Philadelphia 6
Detroit (SS) 4, Pittsburgh 1
Washington 6, St. Louis 2
Miami 8, N.Y. Mets 8 (F/9)

Notes from Saturday:
Houston was able to get to the two best pitchers on the Atlanta staff on Saturday no their way to a win.  Kris Medlen got the start for Atlanta, pitching three innings and allowing a home run to new Astros designated hitter Carlos Pena.  That was the only hit allowed by Medlen, who struck out two.  Braves closer Craig Kimbrel gave up a run and two walks in his one inning of work as well.  J. D. Martinez of Houston went 2-3 with a homer and two RBI, while Joey Terdoslavich of Atlanta had a four hit day in four at-bats.  Yunel Escobar had a big day in the Rays win over Baltimore, going 2-3 with a home run and two RBI.  J.C. Linares hit a homer for Boston in their 2-1 win over Minnesota.  Clay Buchholz pitched 1 1/3 innings and allowed one hit and two walks in his first start of the spring for the Red Sox.  Justin Morneau drove in the only run for Minnesota, while Josh Willingham and Joe Mauer had a hit each for the Twins.  The Yankees got two RBI from three of their lesser known players on their way to a 10-3 win over a split squad Tigers team.  Tyler Austin, Corban Joseph and Chris Stewart each knocked in a pair of runs.  New York got a strong performance from Ivan Nova, who pitched two innings and struck out one while allowing one hit.  While Josh Johnson had a nice performance on the mound for Toronto, their other new starter, R.A. Dickey, did not.  Dickey gave up four hits and three runs (including a homer to Ryan Howard) in just three innings of work.  Howard had the two-run homer for Philadelphia and catcher Eric Kratz added a two-run shot as well.  Cliff Lee got the start for the Phillies, pitching three innings and allowing five hits and three runs.  Miguel Cabrera went 1-3 with a two-run homer to help a split squad Detroit team over Pittsburgh, 4-1.  Ian Desmond went 2-3 with a homer for the Nationals, and Washington got two hits and two RBI from prospects Chris Marrero and Anthony Rendon in their win over St. Louis.  Gio Gonzalez started for the Nationals, going three innings and allowing two runs on five hits.  Drew Storen, who is being replaced as the team's closer, pitched a scoreless inning while striking out two and giving up two hits.  Allen Craig knocked in the only two runs for the Cardinals in their loss, while Adam Wainwright was roughed up for five runs and eight hits (two for home runs) in just three innings.  And finally, the Mets and Marlins played to a tie on Saturday, with the Mets getting a homer from Lucas Duda and two RBI from Zach Lutz.  Miami got four RBI from Joe Mahoney, who was 2-5 at the plate with a homer.  Christian Yelich also went deep for the Marlins.