SPORTS

Toronto Blue Jays beat Cincinnati Reds 9-1 in front of 50,000 in Montreal

The Associated Press Published Saturday, April 4, 2015 4:54PM EDT

Toronto Blue Jays' Josh Donaldson in Montreal

Toronto Blue Jays' Josh Donaldson watches the ball fly during an exhibition game against the Cincinnati Reds in Montreal, on Saturday, April 4, 2015. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson)

Text:

MONTREAL -- Josh Donaldson homered and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-1 Saturday before a crowd of 50,231 at Olympic Stadium.

The Blue Jays earned a split of a two-game set with Cincinnati that drew 96,545. The fans rallied, hoping to show Major League Baseball they want big league ball back after losing the Expos to Washington following the 2004 season.

Toronto starter Daniel Norris allowed one hit in three shutout innings on the final day of spring training.

Donaldson homered in the second off Anthony Desclafani.

Toronto scored four times in the fifth off relievers Kevin Gregg and Chris Carpenter. Jose Reyes Encarnacion, Donaldson and Navarro each drove in a run.

The Blue Jays decided on their last 25-man roster spot before the game, opting to keep Liam Hendricks and go with an eight-man bullpen and sending infielder Ryan Goins to Triple-A.