The Atlanta Braves fell to the Toronto Blue Jays in a spring training matchup Thursday afternoon in Dunedin, 3-1. This was one of two spring training games for the Braves on Thursday afternoon, as many of Atlanta's regulars faced Puerto Rico's national team back at CoolToday Park in North Port.
Strider, Hilliard impress in Atlanta Braves 3-1 spring training loss to Blue Jays
Drawing the start for Atlanta was right-hander Spencer Strider, who would make only one mistake in the bottom of the third coming with a solo HR from Cavan Biggio. Strider would go 3.1 IP for Atlanta, allowing only one run on three hits with five strikeouts.
As for the Braves, Atlanta would not get much going offensively until the seventh inning, when Sam Hilliard added a HR to tie the game, 1-1. In fact, not much would happen for Atlanta's offense overall for the day, as the Braves only amassed four total hits.
Pitching-wise for Atlanta behind Strider would be a clean 0.2 IP from Trey Riley, which was followed by an appearance from right-hander Bryce Elder, who is currently in the competition for the Braves fifth rotation spot. Elder would go three innings for Atlanta, allowing two earned runs on two hits and one walk with three strikeouts, and would be followed by Ty Tice in the bottom of the eighth who added a clean inning.
As for those two runs for Elder, Toronto would re-claim the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning due to a two-run HR from George Springer, with the Blue Jays going back in front, 3-1. Toronto would not surrender the lead either, and the Blue Jays would go on to win, 3-1.
Noteworthy Stats:
- RHP Spencer Strider - 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 5 K
- OF Sam Hilliard - 2/3, R, HR, RBI
- RHP Bryce Elder - 3 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
What's Next?
The Atlanta Braves will face the Tampa Bay Rays in spring training action Friday at 1:05 PM ET from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. The Braves projected starter is TBD, while Tampa Bay will be starting left-hander Jeffery Springs (1-0, 0.00 ERA).