While the Jays had at least two offensive juggernauts by the end of 2009 in All-Star starting Second Baseman Aaron Hill, and .305 average, 35 home run hitter Adam Lind, they were still a shadow of the team they might have been at the plate. Gold Glove center fielder and former 30/100 man himself Vernon Wells was recovering from a wrist injury that underwent surgery in the off-season, and bright light Travis Snider was still struggling with coming into his own as a power hitter in the major leagues.
The signs from early on in spring training, however, are very encouraging.
Last night versus the Detroit Tigers, Toronto's bats sprang for 13 hits and three home runs in an 8-5 trouncing of the tabbies who just failed to make the post-season last year in a one-game playoff against the Minnesota Twins.
Making the difference for the Jays were the very same Wells, swatting his first home run of the pre-season, as well as Jose Bautista's second, to give the utility player five RBI's, matching young DH Randy Ruiz who had four on the night.
Brian Tallet, everyone's favorite lanky lefty starter took the win despite giving up four runs in only two innings of work, landing him with an 18.00 ERA. As a team the Jays struck out eight, two of which were Tallet's, while Jason Frasor, Scott Downs and Shawn Camp each pitched one of Toronto's five perfect innings.