Tulowitzki homers as Blue Jays top Pirates
DUNEDIN, Fla. — Troy Tulowitzki hit his second homer in as many games to lead the Toronto Blue Jays over the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 on Sunday.
Following a two-out double by Jose Bautista in the first inning, Tulowitzki connected off A.J. Schugel for a long drive to left field. The five-time All-Star also homered against Houston on Friday.
Toronto starter Marco Estrada had an up-and-down debut after missing nearly four weeks with back soreness, yielding a towering shot to Andrew McCutchen.
The right-hander walked John Jaso to lead off the game before McCutchen’s fourth home run of spring training, which landed near the bullpen in right field.
“I was warming up and didn’t feel great, and once I got out there, it took a little bit to get me going,” Estrada said.
After walking David Freese and giving up a single to Starling Marte, Estrada settled down to retire six straight. He was lifted after McCutchen walked with no outs in the third.
“I’ve still got to work on a feel for pitches. That’s to be expected right now for me, I guess,” he said. “I’m a little behind, but I think I’ll be more than ready for the season.”
Ryan Goins added the go-ahead RBI double for Toronto in the fifth.
After Tulowitzki’s homer, Schugel sat down the Blue Jays in order in the second. The right-hander is expected to start the season at Triple-A Indianapolis.
Making his first exhibition appearance at third base, Freese made a diving stop on a grounder by Russell Martin in the fourth before nabbing him by a step on a throw to Jaso at first.
The former All-Star signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Pirates after spending the last two seasons with the Angels.
Up next for the Pirates, Francisco Liriano is scheduled to make his third start today in a split-squad game against the Braves in Bradenton. The left-hander will be Pittsburgh’s opening-day starter April 3 vs. St. Louis.
