Around AL East Spring Training, 3/9: Blue Jays Win Sixth-Straight, Yankees Struggling

Blue Jays: Toronto, who holds a 5-1 record this spring, was off on Tuesday. The Blue Jays will play the Phillies on Wednesday. ... Jays pitcher Dustin McGowan pitched a simulated game on Tuesday. McGowan is expected to pitch in another simulated game if there is no soreness after shoulder surgery last year. ... SB Nation’s Bluebird Banter takes a look at division rivals, starting with the Boston Red Sox.

Orioles: The Orioles aren’t doing themselves any favors looking ahead to the 2010 regular season: today’s 8-3 loss to the Rays marks the team’s sixth-straight loss of the spring. The defense has been a huge concern for Baltimore, as the O’s committed five errors on the day. ... Is Matt Wieters the “perfect catch”? I think a guy named Joe would like to make an argument on that topic. ... Brian Roberts, one of the best second baseman in baseball, has a back injury and the team -- specifically Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations -- is questioning whether or not their All-Star will start the season on the 25-man roster.

Rays: Jeff Niemann became the first pitcher in spring training this year to pitch four innings of work, leading the Rays to an 8-3 victory over the Orioles on Tuesday. Evan Longoria and Reid Brignac led the offense with two runs batted in each. ... Former Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock is going to get another shot and this time it comes with the Rays. Tampa Bay signed the 29-year-old infielder to a minor league deal Tuesday. ... Rafael Soriano is a creature of habit, so he gets to do what he wants. Rays coach Joe Maddon hopes whatever works -- well, works.

Red Sox: Tim Wakefield may be turning 44 this year, but even a three-hour van ride couldn’t stop him from keeping the Marlins scoreless in a 9-0 Red Sox win on Tuesday. Wakefield pitched three innings and threw 22 of 30 pitches for strikes. Red Sox outfield prospect Josh Reddick went 3 for 4 with an RBI in the win. ... The Red Sox are in action Wednesday (1 p.m.) against the Rays.

Yankees: The Yankees dropped a slugfest to the Pirates on Tuesday, 12-7. Nick Johnson hit two home runs for the Pinstripes while CC Sabathia was shelled for five runs in two-plus innings of work. ... SB Nation’s Pinstripe Alley breaks down what fans know about the Yankees team this early in the spring. One truth? There isn’t a single Yankees outfielder that wants to bat above .143 (Randy Winn). ... The Yankees’ Mark Newman, senior VP of baseball operations, was arrested for DUI last Monday night.