Game recap: Francis, Santander shine against Tampa

Bowden Francis had his best start of the spring, giving up three hits and one run. while striking out four and walking two over 5.1 innings. Chad Green, Mason Fluharty, Nick Sandlin, and Tommy Nance held the Rays in check the rest of the way.

On the offensive side of things, the Blue Jays got two in the first inning thanks to an RBI single from Anthony Santander, who then scored on an error by Rays second baseman Jonathan Aranda.

Santander would add a two-run double in the fifth. Francis' only blemish was a solo home run by Aranda in the sixth.

The bullpen looked for the Blue Jays as both Fluharty and Sandlin struck out two in their inning of work. Nance worked around a hit and a walk in the ninth to pick up the save for the Blue Jays.

Santander now has eight RBIS this spring, to go along with a .263 average. Francis, who has been inconsistent this spring, finally found some solid ground and improved his ERA to 7.63. Nance, who is fighting for the final spot in the Blue Jays' bullpen, also improved his case, through it may be too little, too late for him.

The Blue Jays have three games left in the Grapefruit League, which wraps up this weekend against the Phillies, Twins, and finally the Pirates.

The Blue Jays are mere percentage points behind the Boston Red Sox in their quest for the Golden Grapefruit.

The Jays play the Phillies tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 1:07PM ET