Toronto Blue Jays defeat Minnesota Twins 8-2 – MLB Spring Training
Toronto Blue Jays crushed Minnesota Twins 8-2 at the Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers Florida on Tuesday, March 13 in their Grapefruit League clash of the 2012 Major League Baseball Spring Training Sessions.
Making the most of available opportunities, the Blue Jays have emerged as one of the strongest teams in MLB this season. With nine wins in eleven spring season game, they will be looking to continue their impressive form in the regular season too to make
it to the playoffs.
For the Jays, Travis Snyder and Travis d’Arnaud batted in crucial two run doubles off the right field fence. Starter Brett Cecil allowed just one hit in three scoreless innings while striking out two and talking two.
Twins’ Francisco Liriano looked completely out of sorts as he leaked crucial runs throughout the contest. The left handed starter will be very disappointed with what he achieved on the field and he will be looking to bounce back strongly on his next appearances
to shut the critics. Giving up four runs in the third innings, he played a key role in deciding the outcome of the game. The Jays capitalised on Liriano’s unforced errors to pocket another important win.
"I tried to go too hard, and made a couple of mistakes," Liriano said. "My fastball was working pretty good, and my slider was working pretty good, and like I said, I made a couple of mistakes, doing too much and rushing."
"I kind of took it for granted subconsciously, I think, not doing the extra stuff I should have been doing," Cecil said. "That's basically it, and I got kicked in the butt for it. (I'm) getting after it a little bit harder than last year and even 2010.“
Liriano had failed to live up to the expectations last season after he managed to earn a 9-10 record with a poor 5.08 ERA. However, it appeared as if he is back to his best when he allowed only two hits and no runs in his first two spring outings this month.
With 12-3 record and 2.16 ERA, the guy posted his career best stats in 2006. It will be interesting to see if he can post similar numbers this season.
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