Jays’ Rasmus and Encarnacion swinging with gusto

LAKELAND, FLA.— The Jays dropped their first decision of the spring on Monday, losing 4-2 to Justin Verlander and the Tigers. The Jays had taken a 2-1 lead in the seventh on a single to left by second baseman Ryan Goins. But non-roster pitcher Jerry Gil allowed two runs in the seventh and the Tigers added one in the eighth against Nelson Figueroa.

The Jays were led offensively by centre fielder Colby Rasmus who was 2-for-2 with a double and a walk. First baseman Edwin Encar- nacion doubled home the tying run in the sixth after being earlier robbed of a home run to left by Delmon Young.

“He’s dealt with some wrist issues last year and the previous year,” manager John Farrell said. “But he’s come in, he’s felt great, his swing even seems more compact.”

The Jays outhit the Tigers 10-7 as their record dropped to 2-1. The Jays host the Phillies in Dunedin on Tuesday, with Ricky Romero making his first start.

GOSE REPORT: Rookie centre fielder Anthony Gose had a mixed bag kind of day vs. the Tigers. Farrell thought he was playing too shallow in the seventh when the Tigers took the lead on a triple to left centre, but he also made a tremendous throw to the plate in the eighth inning that had baserunner Rob Brantley beat, but it eluded catcher Yan Gomes. “Very good arm strength,” Farrell said. “. . . The ball gets (caught) at home plate, that’s an out. . . . The ball over his head (hit) right at him, a little bit of a tough read, he broke in and ended up being the difference in today’s game.”

JAYS WELL ARMED: The Jays’ pitch- ing depth showed again on Monday. In three games, Farrell has used 22 different pitchers to work a total of 26 innings. Among that group, 15 have pitched scoreless ball. “Evan Crawford again today, very crisp stuff, even against Miguel Cabrera, even against Jose Bautista,” Farrell said. “Name recognition isn’t fazing him one bit.” The 25-year-old lefthander struck out Cabrera and Young. In the intrasquad game Friday, Crawford had struck out Bautista and Encarnacion. He pitched last season at Double-a New Hampshire.

VILLANUEVA ON MEND: Jays’ righthander Carlos Villanueva is making positive strides in coming back from the mysterious circulatory problem in his right forearm and hand that left him cold and with a momentary and alarming inability to detect a pulse or blood pressure.

Villanueva threw a full bullpen on Sunday, will pitch in a simulated game on Wednesday.

LITSCH OUT: Jesse Litsch has undergone surgery and will miss 12 weeks after suffering a shoulder infection from an injection given to relieve shoulder inflammation.