Cecil hit by Braves in Sixth, Down Jays 5-3

DUNEDIN, Fl. (RSEN)–Lefty Brett Cecil tossed five solid innings before the wheels came off in the sixth as the Atlanta Braves topped the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 Thursday afternoon.

     Cecil cruised through the first five allowing just two hits while striking out five but in the sixth, things were different.

     Cecil, the Jays third starter, got a quick pop out by the inning’s first hitter but them allowed a single, a base runner due to an error,two more singles before Dan Uggla ended Cecil’s day with a three-run homer.

     The final line for Cecil was 5 1/3 innings, five runs, four earned on six hits with five strike outs on 88-pitches, 57 for strikes.

     Braves starter Jair Jurrjens lasted just one inning but for a different.  According to a team spokesman Jurrjens was suffering form discomfort in his right side.

     Jays 3B Jose Bautista did give the home team the early lead with a solo homer in the fourth to left center.  It was his third of the spring.

     The Jays travel to Ft. Myers on Friday for a night game against the Boston Red Sox at 7:05 PM.

     2B Aaron Hill (right quad) will stay back though and DH at least four times in a minor league game at the Cecil P. Englebert Complex in Dunedin.

     Jay’s manager John Farrell said of Hill’s progress, He came in feeling good after last night’s game, he had a bounce in his step today.”

     RHP Frank Francisco (right shoulder) who was penciled in as the closer at the start of spring camp, will start a throwing program on Sunday according to Farrell.  “We’re going to do the right thing by him,” said Farrell, “His arm is structurally sound.”