Opening Day Starters, Romero beats Halladay

By Eddie Michels on April 1, 2012

CLEARWATER, Fla.—In a battle of opening day starters Toronto Blue Jays lefty Ricky Romero beat his Phillies counterpart righty Roy Halladay

Roy Halladay (Eddie Michels photo)

8-5 Saturday at Bright House Networks Field.

Romero finished the spring with a 0.00 era and on Saturday pitched two perfect innings striking out two before rain shortened his outing.

“Everything felt great today, I think it’s the best I have felt all spring,” said Romero, “I think it was a good way to end my spring. I was sharp with all my pitches, it’s where I wanted to finish.”

As far as his spring went Romero liked how things went.

“Pitching in the minors last week was a lot of help, I needed an outing like that where I was able to make adjustments throughout the game. I’m going into the year now healthy and I have just got to go out now and preform.”

Manager John Farrell commented earlier in the day about Romero developing into a team leader.

“I’ve just said it all along, just lead by example, I am not a rah, rah guy in here I just come in and do my work,” said Romero. “I feel like everyone is a leader in their own way, …we’re arrogant in a good way and know we can win. I think that is good qualities to have.”

Major and minor league umpires get help finding the way to their locker room at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater. The sign has the proper identification in English for the rooms use but underneath is required by Florida law, The sign in brail. Umpires have always had a need for improved eyesight, the State of Florida is just taking it a bit farther. (Photo by Eddie Michels)

Halladay also went two innings but was touched for two runs on three hits including Edwin Encarnacion’s fourth homer of the spring. Halladay did strike out three.

Luis Valbuena and Jose Bautista also added homers for the Jays

Romero is the Jays opening day starter in Cleveland while Halladay get the nod in Pittsburgh with both games scheduled for April 5.

Blue Jays ace Ricky Romero has not given up an earned run this spring. (Eddie Michels photo)

PHILLIES NOTES: One Clearwater Threshers intern got his introduction to the major leagues on Saturday and he failed miserably at his assigned task. The young man (name withheld to protect his innocents) was told they needed the key to the batter’s box so they could play the game. At last viewing he had yet to find the elusive key. Film at 11.

BLUE JAYS NOTES: “He’s feeling better and his back is free,” said manager John Farrell of Adam Lind (lower back), “He’ll go through all baseball activities today. He’ll take ground balls BP on the field so hopefully he is back on the field tomorrow.” …”He will go through a full speed running today,” said Farrell of Ben Francisco (hamstring), “We will have him over on the minor league side tomorrow, games begin there at nine o’clock.” …RHP Dustin McGowan (planters fasciitis) will start the season on the DL

Jimmy Rollins wore the collar 0 for 3, here he grounds out to third. (Eddie Michels photo)

according to Farrell. “The foot (right) continues to feel better but we are going to be sure that every symptom is out of there,” said Farrell. “If the injury starts to alter the arm slot that starts to get into a dangerous area.”