Blue Jays beat Tigers, lose to Phillies in spring training action

By The Canadian Press on February 28, 2023.

Catcher Stevie Berman had a two-run homer off the bench and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier went 2-for-2 with a run batted in and scored two runs as a Toronto Blue Jays split squad beat the visiting Detroit Tigers 6-4 Tuesday in spring training baseball action.

Santiago Espinal added two hits and two RBIs for Toronto.

Another Blues Jays split squad lost 7-2 to Philadelphia Tuesday afternoon at the Phillies’ spring training ground in Clearwater, Fla.

At Dunedin, Fla., newcomer Chris Bassitt picked up his first win of the spring session, giving up one earned run on two hits over two innings.

Jimmy Burnette pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up the save.

Kiermaier hit an RBI double and Espinal had a run-scoring single in the bottom of the second to put the Jays up 2-1.

Espinal had another RBI single in the fourth to give the Jays a 4-2 lead.

Berman’s homer in the bottom of the seventh put the Jays up 6-1. Detroit scored three runs off Paul Fry in the eighth to make it close.

Joey Wentz picked up the loss for Detroit.

In Clearwater, Fla., Trea Turner and Vimael Machin drove in two runs each for the Phillies.

Right-fielder Zach Britton homered and tripled for Toronto.

Phillies starter Zack Wheeler pitched two shutout innings, and Yunior Marte picked up the win.

Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios gave up two hits, no runs and struck out two over two innings.

Thomas Hatch sustained the loss after surrendering five earned runs in the fourth.

The Blue Jays are 2-3 in exhibition play and face the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 28, 2023.

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