Oliver & Alavarez toss in Minor League Action

(Eddie Michels photo)

DUNEDIN, Fla.–Toronto Blue Jays lefty Darren Oliver (left) tossed a perfect innings in a Class-A minor league game at the team’s Englebert Complex in Dunedin.  Oliver got three ground ball outs on 10-pitches, seven strikes.

Righty Henderson Alvarez (below) tossed seven shutout innings in a Class-A game against a squad of Yankee minor leaguers on Thursday.  Pitching in his next to last start prior to getting the home opener start April 9 against Boston.  Alvarez allowed just two hits and struck out four on 72-pitches, 57 -strikes.  “It was because I was throwing strikes and keeping the ball down,” said Alvarez through an interpreter of not having a three ball count until the seventh.  As to his fast innings Alvarez said, “All my pitches were for strikes and I got out of the inning quick.”  As far has the home opener goes Alvarez said,”I feel excited, it’s a great honor.”  Pitching coach Bruce “Pappy” Walton likes what he saw.  “He was down in the zone and had good control of his fastball,” said Walton, “He got 12 ground ball outs.”  Alvarez

(Eddie Michels photo)

started last season in A-Ball, a situation that Walton give credit to the team’s minor league coaches for getting him where he is today.  “They did a great job developing him to where he is today.”