The ball was flying out of the park at Dunedin Stadium on Saturday as the Toronto Blue Jays hit four home runs but ended up losing 6-5 to the Tampa Bay Rays as 24-year-old Brandon Lowe had four hits and drove in six runs for the Rays.

Marcus Stroman started the game for the Jays and was outstanding, striking out three in two perfect innings. He made way for Elvis Luciano who gave up a run on two hits with a strikeout in the third and Thomas Pannone allowed two runs despite striking out four in two innings. Yennsy Diaz pitched two innings and allowed a home run (to Lowe) and walked two to take the loss and add three runs to his spring record while Corey Copping walked one and struck out one. Righty Zach Jackson stranded two runners, giving up two singles and double but got out of the inning without giving up a run after Andrew Guillotte made a strong throw to Kevin Smith who got the ball to Santiago Espinal who tagged Roberto Alvarez out.

The Blue Jays hit four home runs, getting on the board with a two-run jack from Justin Smoak, driving in Dalton Pompey who was 0/4 but threw out a runner on the bases. Brandon Drury hit a solo shot in the second, giving the Blue Jays a 3-0 lead. Bo Bichette followed with a solo home run in the sixth and Max Pentecost, who was 2/2, finished the scoring for the Jays with a solo home run in the seventh. Danny Jansen had the Jays’ only other hit.

Devon Travis, it was reported, is dealing with a recurrence of knee inflammation, which was what plagued him in 2018.

Matt Shoemaker takes on a split squad of Yankees on Sunday at 1:07 at Dunedin Stadium.

If you like us here, like us on Facebook!

The 2019 Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Handbook is coming soon!

Visit the Handbook page for more information! Now is a great time to subscribe to the Blue Jays from Away Premium Content Section!

All photos are copyright Blue Jays from Away (2013-2018) and may not be used without permission.