Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles

Sarasota, Florida:  Spring training is full swing throughout Florida and Arizona as major league teams prepare for opening day.  Over 7,400 fans packed Ed Smith Stadium to watch the Baltimore Orioles host the Toronto Blue Jays for some Grapefruit League action under the sunny Florida skies.

The visiting Blue Jays jumped out to an early lead in the first inning.  They wasted no time, tagging the Orioles started Miguel Gonzalez for back to back singled to lead off the inning.  Justin Smoak later drove home Jose Reyes for the first run of the afternoon.  Then Ramon Santiago scored on an RBI double by Kevin Pillar to make it 2-0 Blue Jays.

The Jays added to their lead in the fifth inning.  Munenori Kawasaki doubled to left, scoring Josh Tole to increase the Blue Jays lead to 3-0.

The Orioles reached the scoreboard by posting a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh.  The Orioles loaded the bases with a single by JJ Hardy, a walk by Chris Davis and a single bv Adam Jones.  Matt Wieters and Steve Pearce would each collect an RBI as the Orioles pulled to within a run of the lead.

The Blue Jays picked up two insurance runs in the top of the ninth.  Chris Dickerson doubled home a run with a line right to right that scored Anthony Alford.  Chris Colabello followed with an RBI single to give the Blue Jays the 5-2 margin of victory.

Blue Jays starter Drew Hutchison picked up the win, his first of the spring while Scott Copeland notched the save.  Miguel Gonzalez was charged with the loss for Baltimore.

Toronto improved to 4-6 on the spring while the Orioles fell to 3-7.

The Orioles will travel to the east coast to play the St Louis Cardinals (4-3) on Thursday at Roger Dean Stadium.  The Blue Jays will play another game on the road, this time a little further south at Charlotte Sports Park against the Tampa Bay Rays (2-5).

Click on the photo above to view photos from today's Orioles/Blue Jays game.