The Toronto Blue Jays are increasingly liking the idea of ​​using Otto Lopez as shortstop Bo Bichette’s understudy. The Quebecer had another good preseason game in a 2-2 draw with the Pittsburgh Pirates in Dunedin.

Like the day before, the 24-year-old scored in a key moment in the eighth inning as the Jays already had two outs against them. John Aiello followed up with another single, pushing Lopez to third base, but Wynton Bernard then compromised to finish the turn at bat.

The Montréaler of Dominican descent also pulled a walk in sixth place that the Canadian team was again unable to capitalize on.

Bichette had given his team a 2-1 lead in the third inning with a single to left field. Kevin Kiermaier crossed the plate. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also made the round in the early stages of the game when he was forced onto the plate in front of Matt Chapman due to pitcher Roansy Contreras’ illegal cheating.

The Jays are 3-3-1 in preseason games so far.

Almost a game with no points or hits

The Pirates had split their formation in two to also take on the mighty New York Yankees and, let’s say, there wasn’t really a meeting.

The Bronx Bombers won 9-1 and it wasn’t until the ninth and final inning that Pittsburgh finally got the first goal. Matt Fraizer hit a single before being hit in a double play. Luckily, Drew Maggi was the next batter and forced Matt Bowman’s throw in the stands for the solo homer.

For the Yankees, Andres Chaparro hit a grand slam in the ninth round. Rafael Ortega also stretched his arms for two points, in addition to aiming for a paying treble. Anthony Volpe and Estevan Florial completed the goal with a long ball and a one-two respectively.

For Quebec, Édouard Julien missed three batting attempts in the Minnesota Twins’ 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Longueillois Abraham Toro was little luckier as the Milwaukee Brewers lost 7-4 to the Texas Rangers. In three shots, he was struck twice after hitting a ground ball and once on strikes.