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Shoemaker solid, as Blue Jays tie Yankees

Toronto Blue Jays starter Matt Shoemaker worked into the sixth inning in his Grapefruit League start against the New York Yankees at Dunedin Stadium on Thursday. Photo: Jay Blue

By Jay Blue

Blue Jays from Away

It was a brisk outing for the Blue Jays as they tied up the New York Yankees in Dunedin in a 1-1 match.

Matt Shoemaker was very solid for the Blue Jays, going 5 1/3 innings with just one run against him, allowing four hits (including one that was a suspect infield hit on what I thought was a blown call at first by the ump) and a walk with three strikeouts. While he wasn't always sharp, Shoemaker worked through some command issues at times to put the club in a good position.

Elvis Luciano got the final two outs of the sixth on one pitch, getting a double play, and allowed two hits in the fifth but managed to get out of the inning with some help from his defence. Luciano was hit by a comebacker that deflected to Bo Bichette who made an outstanding play to retire the batter. Luciano continued and appeared to be fine. Tim Mayza had a solid eighth inning, allowing one hit and Joe Biagini finished the game, grinding things to a slow burn, allowing a hit and two walks before retiring the final outs.

Eric Sogard drove in the only run on a solid single, going 1/2, scoring Kacy Clemens who was pinch running for Kendrys Morales who slammed a double in the seventh. Bo Bichette also hit a double and took a walk while Brandon Drury was 1/2, as was Justin Smoak who also hit a double.

The Blue Jays are in Clearwater on Friday with Ryan Borucki on the hill

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