Sports
Threshers Halt Jays Winning Streak
Clearwater pitchers close the door on the D-Jay bats in 4-0 shutout.
The Dunedin Blue Jays were cruising along with a four-game winning streak and a game below .500 for the first time this season.
And then the Clearwater Threshers shut them out 4-0 on Saturday night at Bright House Field.
Threshers starting pitcher Julio Rodriguez allowed the Jays only three hits over seven complete innings and Darin Ruff sealed the victory with a two-run homer in the fifth.
Find out what's happening in Clearwaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Rodriguez is in his fourth year of pro ball. The Puerto Rican native's record goes to 5-0 (league leading) with an ERA of 1.67.
Aaron Hill of the Blue Jays returned to Toronto after playing in the past two D-Jay games and is expected to be at second base on Sunday at the Rogers Center.
Find out what's happening in Clearwaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Jays and Threshers will have Sunday off before resuming their series at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium at 7 p.m. Monday.
Extended Spring Training Notes: Chase Utley of the Phillies and Jason Nix of the Blue Jays both played in the same game Saturday morning at the Englebert Complex on Solon Road in Dunedin. Utley, who is rehabbing a knee injury, batted in seven consecutive innings and played second base. He went 5 for 7 with with two home runs. Nix, acquired by the Blue Jays prior to opening day from the Indians, did not play the field but did contribute a single at the plate.
