Who says that the Toronto Blue Jays can’t go undefeated this season?
On Sunday afternoon, the Blue Jays faced off against the Boston Red Sox with no regular players in their lineup. Despite that, the Blue Jays won 8-7 thanks to a six-run ninth inning. Let’s take a look at what happened in the second Spring Training game.
It wasn’t a great start for the Blue Jays, as Trevor Story hit a double that scored Roman Anthony in the bottom of the first inning to make it 1-0. In the bottom of the second, Alex Bregman hit a two-run home run to give the Red Sox a 3-0 lead.
*AHEM*
Alex Bregman with a 2-run shot! pic.twitter.com/2VYq3rCGJ4— Red Sox (@RedSox) February 23, 2025
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The Blue Jays got some runs on the board in the top of the third, as Alan Roden hit his second double of the game to score Orelvis Martínez. This was followed by Steward Berroa’s double to make it a 3-2 game.
The Rookies 😁
Back-To-Back-To-Back doubles for Orelvis, Roden and Stewy! pic.twitter.com/kVnNpfTSae
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 23, 2025
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A wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth made it a 4-2 game, followed by another run scored off a Bregman extra-base hit, this time a double. The score held this way until the top of the ninth, where the Blue Jays found some success.
Starting with a walk to Josh Kasevich, the Blue Jays were able to load the bases. Devonte Brown singled to score two runs and after a Will Robertson single, Dasan Brown walked to tie the game at five. Former Red Sox prospect Cutter Coffey gave the Blue Jays a lead with a single, followed by another single, this time from Kasevich, to give Toronto an 8-5 lead.
BLUE JAYS WIN!
FINAL: #BlueJays 8, Red Sox 7 pic.twitter.com/t2YDxVDMB4
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 23, 2025
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The Red Sox scored twice in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn’t enough as the Blue Jays moved to 2-0 this Spring.
Takeaways…
Alan Roden may earn a spot on the Blue Jays 26-man roster out of Spring Training. He finished 2-2 in this game with two doubles, as well as a walk. The outfielder has one of the best hit tools in the system and even hit 16 home runs last season.
In total, the Blue Jays finished the game with 14 hits between 11 different players. On top of Roden’s two doubles, Orelvis Martínez, Steward Berroa, and Eddinson Paulino each hit a double while no home runs were hit in this game.
Yariel Rodríguez didn’t have a great start for the Blue Jays, allowing two earned runs in an inning and a third of work. The other potential starting pitcher who pitched in this game, Jake Bloss, also gave up two earned runs in an inning and two thirds. However, Bloss reached 98 mph with his fastball, a great sign.
Of the seven relievers the Blue Jays used, Braydon Fisher and Ryan Jennings found the most success. The former struck out two in an inning of work and was acquired by the Blue Jays in the Cavan Biggio trade last season. Jennings, who may be used as a starter in the Blue Jays minor league system in 2025, struck out two in two innings of work and picked up the win.
Toronto is back at it tomorrow afternoon, as they head to Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, home of the Detroit Tigers during Spring Training. Bowden Francis is the expected starter for the Blue Jays.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
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