Sanchez deals but Jays held to 2 hits

Dunedin, FL - After an impressive offensive output in a four-game road series win over the Bradenton Marauders, the Blue Jays returned home and recorded two hits in a 5-1 loss at the hands of the Palm Beach Cardinals on Ladies Night at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

Entering the ninth inning, Dunedin's lone hit came on a swinging bunt single from DH Shane Opitz in the first. The Jays second hit came from 1B K.C. Hobson, who hit a liner to right field that David Popkins appeared to lose in the lights. Hobson's hit scored a run, but the game ended with the tying run still two batters away.

RHP Aaron Sanchez was tremendous in his five innings, allowing no runs on three hits with three walks and five strikeouts, but the Cardinals did a number on RHP Kramer Champlin (L, 0-1). All-Star Jonathan Rodriguez hit a two-run homer in the sixth -- his fourth in the last 11 games -- and Palm Beach added three more in the eighth to make it 5-0.

RHP Blake McFarland kept the score respectable with a scoreless ninth, striking out two hitters in the process.

RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx will start tomorrow night's game at 6:30 p.m. as part of Bacon Night at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.