Dubon, Baldwin lead Braves past Blue Jays 9-5 in Grapefruit League play

Atlanta Braves' Mauricio Dubón plays during a spring training baseball game, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Sarasota. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

NORTH PORT — Mauricio Dubon had a two-run double and Drake Baldwin hit an RBI single in a three-run sixth inning as the Atlanta Braves topped the Toronto Blue Jays 9-5 on Thursday in exhibition play.

Dominic Smith smashed a two-run homer for Atlanta (9-2) in the fourth after Austin Riley’s sacrifice fly scored a run.

Tristin English’s three-run double in the seventh added some insurance for the Braves.

Addison Barger had a two-run double in the fifth inning to tie the game 3-3 for Toronto (2-8) after an eight-pitch at bat against Braves pitcher Spencer Strider.


Jonathan Clase opened the scoring in the first for the Blue Jays with a sac fly and Cutter Coffey had a two-run double in the seventh to cut Atlanta’s lead to 6-5.

Chris Sale started for Atlanta, giving up a run on five hits over three innings and Strider earned the win despite allowing two runs on two hits over 2 1/3 innings. He struck out four.

Four more Braves pitchers followed Strider to the mound.

Eric Lauer pitched 2 1/3 innings in the start for Toronto, allowing a run on three hits. Six relievers came to the mound after him, with CJ Van Eyk taking the loss, giving up all three runs in the sixth.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2026.