Blue Jays-Tigers recap: Scherzer dominates, Lauer makes spring debut

With the win, Toronto improves to 8-5 in the Grapefruit League season.

Max Scherzer started for the Blue Jays and added to his strong Spring, going 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out six. He threw 49 pitches. Brendon Little came in and got the final two outs of the fourth inning as the two teams exchanged zeros.

While the Blue Jays couldn't get anything going against Tigers starter Jackson Jobe, their bats came alive in the fifth inning off of Brant Hurter. After an Alejandro Kirk single and a walk to Nathan Lukes, Ernie Clement sent a pitch over the centre field wall for his second home run of the spring to put the Blue Jays up 3-0.

The Blue Jays added one more on a single, fielder's choice, a walk and an error to go up 4-0. Bo Bichette then hit an RBI single in the 6th to put the Blue Jays up by five.

Jeff Hoffman pitched a scoreless fifth inning to pick up the win for the Blue Jays.

Lefty Eric Lauer, who has now moved up the starting depth chart thanks to injuries, pitched three scoreless innings, striking out two and allowing just one hit in his spring debut. Fellow lefty Richard Lovelady pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the 5-0 win for the Blue Jays.

It was their first shutout victory this Spring.

The Blue Jayscontinue will look to build upon their strong spring with a game against division rivals Tamp Bay on Sunday.