Jays Win Over O's 5-2
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) -- Drew Hutchison continued his success against the Baltimore Orioles, pitching four scoreless innings in the Toronto Blue Jays' 5-2 win over the Orioles on Wednesday.
Hutchison, who is 4-1 with a 2.29 ERA against Baltimore in eight starts, hasn't allowed a run this spring in six innings -- all against the Orioles
In his four innings, Hutchison allowed two singles, struck out two and walked one.
"We're counting on Hutch, he had a good year for us last year and he's part of the future," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "He's got nothing to prove. He's just here working on some things."
Hutchison said there's nothing special about pitching against the Orioles.
"It's just spring training -- March," Hutchison said.
"I had a good sinker. I was focused on that. I was getting some groundballs. I was able to tease that to keep the ball on the ground some. Overall, good day."
Miguel Gonzalez allowed two first-inning runs. Justin Smoak had an RBI groundout, and Kevin Pillar added an RBI double.
Josh Thole and Munenori Kawasaki hit back-to-back doubles in the fifth to give Toronto a 3-0 lead.
Baltimore scored two runs in the seventh. Matt Wieters' double play scored the first, and Steve Pearce's single made it 3-2.
Wieters, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, is hitless in 20 at-bats this spring.
STARTING TIME:
Orioles: Gonzalez struggled a little in the first inning and then pitched better.
"I'm trying to be myself, and just go out there and get my innings in. That's important, and obviously throwing strikes, not trying to walk everyone. I was falling behind a couple of guys, just didn't give in. Made some good pitches when I needed to," Gonzalez said.
TRAINER'S ROOM:
Blue Jays: RHP Marcus Stroman, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a fielding drill on Tuesday said he's confident he'll return next season.
"Honestly, I feel like a lot of people are more worried than I am," Stroman said at Toronto's facility in Dunedin, Fla.
"I know I'm going to be fine. I know I'm going to come back probably stronger from this. I know that once 2016 comes, I'll be ready to rock and I'll have my goals set even higher than I did this year. We'll get past it, we'll move forward and we'll be good."
Orioles: Wieters was the DH for the third straight day. He will catch on Saturday against the Puerto Rico development team in a game played at Baltimore's complex. Basestealing will not be allowed. Showalter said that Wieters will catch a minor league game on Sunday.
TILLMAN AVOIDS RAYS:
Orioles: RHP Chris Tillman may start against Tampa Bay in the season opener, but he won't pitch against them on Saturday. Tillman will throw to Wieters.
Showalter said that he's not hiding Tillman from the Rays.
"I'm kind of over that, keeping away from people. There's no secrets there," Showalter said.
"Tillman's pitched how many games against them. Sometimes they might pick up something from them. Chances are he's not going see a whole lot of (regular) guys in that lineup, anyway."
MOVES:
Toronto optioned LHPs Rob Rasmussen and Juan Oramas to minor league camp and reassigned INF Jake Fox to minor league camp.
UP NEXT:
Blue Jays: LHP Mark Buehrle starts at Tampa Bay on Thursday. RHP Alex Cobb pitches for the Rays.
Orioles: RHP Bud Norris starts at St. Louis on Thursday against LHP Jaime Garcia. Norris allowed four runs in one inning on Saturday against Boston.
(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
