Blue Jays beat Pirates 7-1

 Brett Lawrie hit a pair of two-run doubles and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-1 Saturday in a spring training opener.

Eric Thames homered for Toronto.

Blue Jays starter Brett Cecil, 4-11 last year after a combined 22-11 in his first two seasons, pitched a hitless first inning. Kyle Drabek, Jim Hoey and Scott Richmond each followed with a scoreless inning before Pittsburgh nicked Danny Farquhar in the fifth for two of their three hits.

Adam Lind walked and Edwin Encarnacion singled to start the Blue Jays’ second against James McDonald. One out later, Lawrie lofted a wind-blown double off the left-centre field fence.

Lawrie’s sinking liner eluded diving centre fielder Starling Marte in the sixth for two more runs.

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