Instant Reaction: Blue Jays clinch top spot in Grapefruit League with a 2-1 win over the Twins

There is a new Golden Grapefruit winner.

On Saturday afternoon, the Toronto Blue Jays headed to the Minnesota Twins’ home for Spring Training, defeating the Twins 2-1 to clinch the top spot in the Grapefruit League. At least they won something this season, as they’ll take home the Golden Grapefruit.

In the top of the first, Tyler Heineman hit a double to get into scoring position. The next batter, Alan Roden, drove him in thanks to an RBI single.

The score stayed that way until the top of the sixth, as Rainer Nuñez hit an RBI single to drive in what became the game-winning run. In the bottom half of the sixth, Byron Buxton hit a solo home run to cut the Jays’ lead in half but it wasn’t enough.

Takeaways…

It was a quiet day for the Blue Jays bats. Aside from Tyler Heineman’s double in the top of the first, all of the Blue Jays’ seven hits were singles. Heineman also hit a single while Alan Roden had two singles because of course he did. Alex De Jesus, Will Robertson, and Rainer Nuñez had the other three hits. Myles Straw also walked three times while Josh Rivera and Riley Tirotta walked once each.

Max Scherzer made his last start on Mar. 8 and has missed time due to a thumb injury. Well, he started Saturday and finished with a line of 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, and 4 K to finish with a Spring Training ERA of 1.38. He also made a nice behind-the-back catch in the second inning.