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Instant Reaction: Running game helped elevate Blue Jays over Yankees in Spring Training opener
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Photo credit: © Kim Klement Neitzel - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Feb 22, 2025, 16:06 EST
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How nice is it that Toronto Blue Jays baseball is back?
On Saturday, the Blue Jays hosted the New York Yankees in their first Spring Training game, defeating the Bronx Bombers 6-4 to go to 1-0 this Spring.
In the bottom of the first, Andrés Giménez reached on a single and stole second. Next up was Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who drove in the second baseman to give the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead.
The second run was manufactured by the run game as well, as Ernie Clement reached on a single, stole second, advanced to third on a sacrifice fly, and scored on a wild pitch. Their fourth run saw Bichette reach on a single and advance to second on an error. Alejandro Kirk (more on him later) drove in the run with a single.
However, the biggest play of the game came from Orelvis Martínez, who hit an outside pitch 390 feet with an exit velocity of 105.6 mph. The 2025 season needs to be a big one for the 23-year-old, as he missed a large part of the 2024 season with a suspension.
In the top of the sixth, the Yankees had a big inning as they scored three runs to cut the Blue Jays’ lead down to one. In the top of the eighth, they tied it. However, in the bottom of the eighth inning, Steward Berroa drove in Riley Tirotta for the game-winning run, before scoring himself on a wild pitch.

Takeaways…

The Blue Jays had a good day on the base paths, as Andrés Giménez, Ernie Clement, and Riley Tirotta each stole second base and eventually scored. Last season, base running was not good, so this is an encouraging sign.
Alejandro Kirk went 1-2 in the game, driving in a run. More importantly, though, he had the two highest exit velocities in the game, a 110.4 mph single and a 109.6 mph line out. If he can get that one a line or in the air, he’s going to have a very good season.
Bo Bichette had a good game, reaching base with two hits in his three plate appearances including a double. Other players with a double were Joey Loperfido and Steward Berroa. Orelvis Martínez was easily the Blue Jays’ player of the game as he hit the first home run of the season. 
Easton Lucas started the game for the Blue Jays, striking out three batters in two innings pitched while not giving up an earned run. The only baserunner he allowed was via hit by a pitch. Brendon Little also had a solid outing, striking out a batter in his inning of work. Mason Fluharty struck out two and allowed a hit in his inning. All three of these pitchers are left-handed and could factor for the Blue Jays in 2025.
The Blue Jays return to action on Sunday as they’ll face off against the Boston Red Sox at their Spring Training stadium. Yariel Rodríguez will start that game, followed by Jake Bloss.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
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