Worth noting

• Ryan Howard hit a first-pitch single to left-center field in the first inning on Wednesday against Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ to tie the game at 1. Howard is trying to improve against lefties this spring. "I really liked Howard's aggressiveness early in the count," Sandberg said. "You want to see if he can make [lefties] throw the ball over the plate. Be patient, be relaxed in those situations. Get a good ball to hit. Make the pitcher come to him. If it means being patient and taking walks, that's for the betterment of the team. Spit on it, take the walk and be a baserunner. Will that result in some walks? Seventy-five to 100, 120? Probably."

• Right-hander Phillippe Aumont struggled in his debut. He walked Melky Cabrera and Bautista in the third before allowing both runners to score.

"It's his first time out," pitching coach Bob McClure said. "First time out jitters, trying too hard maybe, trying to make the team on the first day."

• Right-hander Jeff Manship allowed one hit and struck out three in two scoreless innings.

"He threw the ball very well, mixing up pitches," Sandberg said. "He really shows a knack for mixing it up."