Bucs beat Jays 3-1, Romero Announced Opening Day Starter

Drew Carpenter was tagged with the loss pitching only one inning giving up two hits. The big one to Nate McLouth a two-run shot. (Eddie Michels photo)

DUNEDIN, Fla.—The Toronto Blue Jays lost for just the second time in two weeks, this time 3-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Toronto carried a 1-0 lead into the top of the eight when Drew Carpenter surrendered Nate McLouth’s second home of the spring, a two run shot to give Pittsburgh the lead.  McLouth was 2 for 2 on the day bring his spring average to .378.

Pittsburgh added insurance in the ninth when Matt Hague hit his seventh homer of the spring off Jim Hoey for the 3-1 final.

Toronto starter Brandon Morrow tossed four shutout innings allowing just two hits and striking out four on 50-pitches, 34-strikes.

Pittsburgh starter Jeff Karstens allowed one run on four hits over his four innings of work walking one

Jeff Karstans (Eddie Michels photo)

and striking out one on 51-pitches, 35-strikes.

Toronto got their run in the fourth when Kelly Johnson doubled to lead off the inning and scored an out later when Edwin Encarnacion singled.

Adam Lind walked once during his two appearances at the plate in his first game action in a week.

“Adam will be in the line up tomorrow (Monday) for three at bats,” said Toronto manager John Farrell.

April Fools! (Eddie Michels photo)

BLUE JAY NOTES: According to manager John Farrell RHP Dustin McGowan will start the season on the DL.  “He’s feeling a little bit better,” said Farrell, “He’s 5-10 days away from picking up a ball.  Say he missed 2 ½ weeks he’ll have 2 ½ weeks to get back to where he was when he he came out of the game.” …To no ones surprise Sunday morning Farrell announced that LHP Ricky Romero is his opening day starter in Cleveland April 5,  Farrell has yet to announce the rest of the team’s rotation.  With 49-year old Jamie Moyer making the opening day roster of the Colorado Rockies Farrell was ask about Moyer and soon to be age 45 year old Qmar Vizquel of the Jays.  “I think it’s awesome,” said Farrell, “It shows their love of the game but I don’t think they have their AARP cards yet..” …OF Ben Francisco (hamstring) played in a minor league game on Sunday in which he was scheduled to play three innings in center and get at least five at bats hitting lead off every inning.