DUNEDIN, Florida – Toronto knuckleballer R.A. Dickey was roughed up for four runs in five innings Thursday and the Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 6-4.
After quickly retiring the Tigers in order in the first, the 2012 NL Cy Young Award winner allowed two runs in the second on a single by James McCann and a throwing error by center fielder Kevin Pillar.
Jose Iglesias hit an RBI single against Dickey in the fourth. Nick Castellanos homered in the fifth.
The 41-year-old Dickey yielded eight hits, walked one and struck out five on 100 pitches. He has a 5.02 ERA in four exhibition games.
Justin Smoak hit his fourth homer of spring training, connecting off Detroit starter Matt Boyd.
Blue Jays star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who left Wednesday’s game against the Mets after being hit on the right hand with a pitch, took the day off. He said he will hit in the batting cage Friday and could return to the lineup before the end of the week.
JEFF ODOM