Blue Jays hit two late homers, fall to Cardinals in spring training
Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis gave up three earned runs over 3 2/3 innings in Toronto’s 9-5 spring training loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.
Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis gave up three earned runs over 3 2/3 innings in Toronto’s 9-5 spring training loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.
Francis, a favourite to land the fifth spot in Toronto’s starting rotation, allowed seven hits and had five strikeouts.
The Cardinals (9-11) outhit the Blue Jays 16-10.
Entering the ninth inning trailing 9-3, Toronto’s bats provided some punch. Catcher Robert Brooks and outfielder Will Robertson each hit solo homers to close the gap.
The Cardinals got multiple hits from expected regulars Lars Nootbaar, Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson.
Burleson hit a fourth-inning homer off Francis, and Nootbaar left the yard in the sixth.
Brendon Little (1-1) took the loss for Toronto (12-8).
Andre Pallante (2-0) worked five innings for the victory.
— With files from Sportsnet Staff
