Otto Lopez would be a finalist for a reserve position with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Quebecois continued his momentum in the preseason games by scoring the team’s only point in a 4-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers in Dunedin on Saturday.
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According to Sports Illustrated reporter Mitch Bannon, Lopez is fighting with Vinny Capra and Nathan Lukes for a job with the Jays. The shortstop has the best batting average of the three at .444.
Lopez was called up to replace Matt Chapman in the batting order in the eighth inning. Coming in front of pitcher Yaya Chentouf with loaded bases, the Montrealer drew a base on Walks. Michael Turnoci crossed the plate from third base.
After enjoying a stellar World Baseball Classic with Canada, the Dominican-born player is making serious arguments. With the Jays, he had eight hits, four RBIs and six rounds.
However, the Toronto squad ran out of gas against the Tigers. They scored their four runs in the fourth inning. Parker Meadows notably went to right field with a triple homer.
Toro’s quiet contribution
In Mesa, Arizona, Abraham Toro hit two shots for the Milwaukee Brewers, who defeated the Oakland Athletics 6-5.
The Quebecer has been on the quiet side of things this preseason with a .182 batting average in March. The Lavallois reached the cushions on a walk on Saturday. However, the next batter, Brian Anderson, started a double play and Toro was eliminated on second base.
The Brewers tied 5-5 in the ninth inning after Wes Clarke called twice.
The Minnesota Twins split the formation in two to face the Atlanta Braves. Quebecer Édouard Julien was not used in any of the meetings. It shows an average of 0.300 so far.