“A tough night, for sure,” Nola said. “I felt great. I felt the best I’ve felt all spring. I left some balls up over the plate.”

It is a fool’s errand to try to predict a player’s in-season success or failures based on Spring Training performance, but Nola is trying to bounce back from a rough 2016 campaign, so people are paying closer attention to his spring. He went 6-9 with a 4.78 ERA in 20 starts last season before he landed on the disabled list with an injured right elbow.

“People say it’s just Spring Training, but nobody wants to go out there and give up runs,” Nola said.

Nola had a 2.65 ERA over his first 12 starts last season, but a 9.82 ERA over his final eight outings. Nola said he did not think the injury played a role in those eight starts.

“I feel good,” Nola said. “The ball is coming out [of my hand] really good. It feels like my pitches are where I want them to be. There are just some things I need to work on.”

Nola allowed home runs to Troy Tulowitzki and Melvin Upton Jr. during Toronto’s five-run second inning.

Nola said he will pitch in a Minor League game Sunday in Clearwater, Fla., before he joins the team for Opening Day on Monday in Cincinnati. Nola is scheduled to make his first start April 8 against the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park.