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R.A. Dickey sharp, Bautista sits as precaution for Jays

 
Published March 7, 2015

DUNEDIN — R.A. Dickey tossed hitless ball for two scoreless innings in his first start of the spring and the Blue Jays defeated the visiting Orioles 5-4 Friday. Dickey struck out three and walked one on 16 pitches. The 2012 NL Cy Young Award winner was 14-13 with a 3.71 ERA in a career-high 34 starts last season.

Dickey said he's trying to lessen his workload during the spring to avoid fatigue going into April, where he is a combined 4-7 with a 4.80 ERA since coming to Toronto from the Mets two years ago.

"It's something that I'm going to do in an effort to peak at the right time at the end of spring as we're going into the (opening) series, so we'll see how it goes," Dickey said.

Toronto RF Jose Bautista was a late scratch from the lineup as a precaution because of tightness in his right hamstring. The five-time All-Star was kept out because of wet field conditions. The start of the game was delayed 1 hour and 40 minutes because of rain.

Phillies: Hamels opens strong

CLEARWATER — Left-hander Cole Hamels pitched two scoreless innings in his Grapefruit League debut in a 4-1 loss to a Yankees split squad. Hamels allowed one hit, struck out two and did not surrender a walk on 31 pitches at Bright House Field.

"It's something where I just wanted to go out there and face hitters," Hamels said. "Batting practices are great, bullpens are great, but there is just a little more adrenaline and focus that you need when you actually have a guy in there from an opposing team."

Rain forced a 50-minute delay in the bottom of the third in the scoreless game.

Yankees starter Bryan Mitchell was just as effective in his two innings. The right-hander gave up a single but ended the first with a double play, then struck out two in the second.

Yankees: A-Rod work in progress

TAMPA — Alex Rodriguez went 0-for-2 with a walk in his second exhibition game, a split-squad 3-1 loss to the Pirates late Friday.

"Some days are going to be pretty good, some days are going to be pretty bad, but again this is just a work in progress," Rodriguez said. "All I'm looking to do right now is really just square the ball and start hitting the ball with good conduct."

The three-time AL MVP, who has not played a full season since 2007 because of a drug suspension, operations on both hips and other injuries, received a mixed reaction from fans at Steinbrenner Field.

Rodriguez drew a full-count walk in the second against Jeff Locke, had a soft lineout the next time up, then took three straight called strikes from Blake Wood in the seventh. "The last at-bat, I don't think I saw one of those pitches," Rodriguez said, smiling. "I actually feel pretty good. So far, so good."

Rodriguez had a single in two at-bats and walked once in his debut Wednesday. He has been a DH so far, but manager Joe Girardi didn't rule out playing him at third base Sunday.