Duke: Another early L
(c) Associated Press
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The Toronto Blue Jays have lost just twice in Grapefruit play. The Astros have lost five times, with three of them at the hands of the Jays. That includes a 6-3 decision Thursday which snapped Houston's three-game winning streak.
Zach Duke gave up two runs in each of the first two innings and the Jays never looked back. The Astros answered with an early run in the first when an Angel Sanchez bouncer plated Jordan Schafer. In the sixth, Schafer scored again on a grounder by J.D. Martinez. To continue the theme, an RBI ground out by Brett Wallace drove in Travis Buck in the ninth for the final run.
If you'd like some good news, both Brett Myers and Brandon Lyon threw scoreless innings. For Myers, that's the first inning all spring he has not allowed a run.
In other news, the Astros optioned two players and re-assigned seven others to the minor league camp, among them were three top prospects acquired in trades last July. First baseman Jonathan Singleton and pitchers Paul Clemens and Juan Abreu were sent to the minors. Also sent down were outfielders Jake Goebbert and Brandon Barnes, infielder Diory Hernandez, catchers Chris Wallace and Rene Garcia and right-hander Lance Pendleton.
The remaining Astros travel up the road to face the Atlanta Braves on Friday evening. Wandy Rodriguez will get the start at 5:05 Central time.
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