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Instant Reaction: Will Wagner had a great game in the Blue Jays’ 4-1 victory over the Rays
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Photo credit: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Mar 20, 2025, 16:00 EDTUpdated: Mar 20, 2025, 17:39 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays are back in the win column.
On Thursday afternoon, the team hosted the Tampa Bay Rays in what was their fourth-to-last Spring Training game ahead of next Thursday’s Opening Day. The Blue Jays won this one 4-1 to bring their Spring Training record to 15-10-1. In the Grapefruit League standings, they are tied with the Boston Red Sox, who play Thursday evening.
The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, as Anthony Santander hit an RBI single to score Will Wagner. Andrés Giménez reached on a fielding error later that inning, scoring Santander for the 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Blue Jays added two more runs as Anthony Santander hit his second double of Spring Training to score Will Wagner and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. giving the Jays a 4-0 lead.
Unfortunately, the shutout bid was broken up by Jonathan Aranda in the top of the sixth as he hit a solo home run, giving us the final score of 4-1.

Takeaways…

Will Wagner is making a solid case to be the Blue Jays everyday first baseman. He reached base all four times with a single and a double while walking twice. Wagner also made two nice plays at the hot corner.
Bo Bichette also had a good day at the plate, hitting three singles in four at-bats. Anthony Santander drove in three of the four Blue Jays’ runs and was the other player with a double. Overall, those three players combined for seven of the Blue Jays’ 10 hits, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Andrés Giménez, and Alejandro Kirk each hitting a single.
It’s safe to say that Bowden Francis is in regular season mode. He pitched 5.1 innings while giving up one earned run, walking two, and striking out four. Similar to last season, Francis also had a no-hitter in the fifth inning.
The bullpen had a solid day. Chad Green finished the sixth inning with a hit and nothing else. Mason Fluharty struck out two in his inning of work, as did Nick Sandlin. Tommy Nance picked up the save, striking out a batter while allowing a walk and a hit.
Next up, the Blue Jays welcome the Philadelphia Phillies to Dunedin at 1:07 PM ET on Friday afternoon. José Berríos is expected to start the game for the Jays.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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