The Twins are eager to find Édouard Julien

UPDATE DAY

Quebecer Édouard Julien had a very good World Baseball Classic with Canada, showing that he had what it took to compete at the highest level. The return of the Twins prospect will be a breath of fresh air in the coming days, as the Minnesota team is having a lot of trouble generating offense. 

The Twins were shut out 2-0 by the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday afternoon at Hammond Stadium in South Fort Myers, Florida. No less than 16 different players made a plate appearance for the team in this game, but two hits and a small walk were obtained by the offense.

Minnesota scored four points or less in his four most recent meetings of the preseason calendar. Meanwhile, Julien maintained an incredible .538 batting average at the World Classic, hitting seven in 13 appearances and hitting two home runs.

If there is anything positive to take from this setback on the Twins side, it is the holding of the relievers. Starter Joe Ryan allowed the Rays' two runs, but the pitchers replacing him on the mound gave up just one single in five innings.

Kyle Manzardo and Tristan Gray, the latter to with a long ball, drove in the points for Tampa Bay.

Too little, too late for the Jays

At Ed Smith Stadium , the Toronto Blue Jays were unable to complete their comeback in a 7-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Trailing by five runs heading into the final inning, the only Canadian team in major league baseball got going. Peyton Williams got the ball rolling with a double run, then Estiven Machado added more with a productive ground ball.

Pitcher Nick Vespi managed to end the hemorrhaged and handed the victory to the Orioles.

For the second time in five days, first baseman Franchy Cordero made it difficult for the Jays, collecting three hits once again.

Austin Hays has also been excellent at the plate for Team Maryland. He hit a two-run homer and added a paying double to put the game out of reach for the Blue Jays.

Zach Thompson (2-1) took the loss after allowing the long ball by Hays and three more earned runs in three innings.

Cole Irvin (1-0) meanwhile fulfilled his term by limiting the Jays to six hits and two earned runs in four and a third innings. .