Yanks ride 7-run 2nd inn. to victory

Despite Andy Burns' second homer of the season, Dunedin's offense was not enough to match Tampa's highest offensive output of the season

By Patrick Kurish

April 17, 2013

Wednesday was just one of those nights for the Dunedin Blue Jays as they couldn't complete their first sweep of the season in Tampa, falling the to the Yankees, 9-4, at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Of the four games Dunedin has lost this year, it was the D-Jays' most lopsided defeat of the 2013 season.

Efrain Nieves (2-1, 5.84) took his first loss of the season in what was an uncharacteristic start for the southpaw. The 23-year-old lefty lasted just 1.1 innings for the Jays after he let up seven runs on six hits, including all seven runs and five of the hits coming in the bottom of the second inning. Despite surrendering just two extra base hits during the run-heavy inning, the Yankees sent 12 batters to the plate, most of which reached base on soft base hits just out of reach of the Dunedin defenders.

Ajay Meyer entered the game in relief of Nieves and pitched effectively for the "Baby Jays," retiring the first nine hitters that he faced before allowing a two-run homer to Ali Castillo in the fifth. Meyer finished the day with 3.0 innings pitched, allowing two runs on four hits.

Evan Crawford, after a pair of disappointing rehab outings in Dunedin, looked especially sharp out of the bullpen for the Jays, tossing 2.1 innings and allowing just one hit while striking out five.

The D-Jays offense showed some life in the fourth inning after Peter Mooney led off the frame with a single and was immediately driven home on a home run by Andy Burns, his second of the season. However, it was slim pickins for Dunedin after that, as the Blue Jays were only able to put two more runs up on the scoreboard for the rest of the night. Matt Newman drove home a run on an RBI fielder's choice in the seventh inning and Aaron Munoz plated a run with two strikes and two outs in the ninth.

The Blue Jays return to action tomorrow night as they travel to Lakeland to take on the Flying Tigers. RH Casey Lawrence will take the bump for the Jays and will be opposed by LH Kyle Ryan (1-1, 6.17). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 ET.