Final: Blue Jays 8, Pirates 6

WP: Deck McGuire (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
LP: Jeff Locke (0-1, 13.50 ERA)
SV: Robert Coello (1, 9.00 ERA)

This game is a perfect example why winning or losing Spring Training games do not matter. The Bucs lost this one, but there are a lot of really good things to take out of it.

Pedro Alvarez, after starting off the spring 0 for 5, went 2 for 3 with an opposite field home run on a 3-2 count off Kyle Drabek. He also singled and struck out on 3 pitches. But overall, some good signs.

Garrett Jones hit a monster home run to right field and Josh Harrison went 2 for 2 with 2 doubles, giving him 3 two-baggers this spring.

Starling Marte is a beast. After playing in the Pirates’ intrasquad scrimmage this morning, he was plugged into the lineup in the 6th inning of this game and went 2 for 2 with a home run on the first pitch he saw. He is now 8 for 11 (.727) this spring and has hit safely in 7 straight at bats.

Jeff Karstens started and pitched 3 scoreless innings and Jason Grilli added a scoreless frame in relief.

The only discouraging news from this game was the performance of a couple of pitchers. Brad Lincoln gave up 6 hits, 2 walks, and 4 runs in 1+ innings. Jeff Locke gave up 5 hits and 3 runs in 2 innings. Evan Meek struck out 2 batters in his inning of relief, but did give up a solo home run.