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Manny clobbers first HR of year

N.Kim3 months ago

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PHOENIX — Manny Ramirez hit his first home run of the spring and Yoenis Cespedes went hitless again in Oakland’s 8-6 win Tuesday over a Milwaukee Brewers split squad.

Ramirez sent a long drive to left-center against right-hander Mike Fiers. Ramirez, who has not played in the majors since last April, had been 0 for 8 this spring. He also drew a walk and flied out.

Ramirez must serve a 50-game suspension for a violation of baseball’s drug policy.

Cespedes, the Cuban outfielder the A’s signed to a four-year, $36 million deal, struck out twice and grounded out. He has gone hitless in six at-bats over his past two games.

Indians 8, Rangers 8

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Yu Darvish couldn’t command his fastball over three innings for the Texas Rangers in a 10-inning tie with the Cleveland Indians.

The Japanese star walked four in his second spring start. He allowed two runs and three hits and struck out three.

Marlins 2, Braves 2

JUPITER, Fla. — Carlos Zambrano struck out five in four innings for Miami in a 10-inning tie with Atlanta.

Zambrano gave up two hits and one run. The last time he faced the Braves was Aug. 12 when he stormed off the mound after allowing eight runs, cleaned out his locker and never pitched again for the Chicago Cubs.

Braves starter Mike Minor gave up one hit in four scoreless innings and struck out four.

Cubs 5, Giants 4

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Cubs newcomer Chris Volstad pitched three shutout innings for the second straight time this spring.

Volstad, acquired in January from the Miami Marlins for fellow right-hander Carlos Zambrano, gave up two hits. In his prior outing, he allowed one hit against Seattle.

Volstad also got a hit against San Francisco.

Astros 6, Phillies 5

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Livan Hernandez pitched five scoreless innings for Houston and Brian Bixler’s three-run homer in the 10th lifted the Astros over Philadelphia.

Bixler had two hits, drove in four runs and stole a base.

Domonic Brown’s home run in the top of the 10th put the Phillies ahead.

Hernandez gave up five hits, walked none and struck out one in his third spring start.

Phillies starter Cole Hamels gave up a run while striking out four and walking none in five innings.

Cardinals 7, Mets 1

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Adam Wainwright pitched three scoreless innings in his second outing of the spring, and David Freese and Yadier Molina homered as St. Louis beat the Mets.

Wainwright, returning from elbow surgery that shelved him all of last season, gave up one hit and one walk, throwing 25 of 40 pitches for strikes.

Mets starter Mike Pelfrey left some pitches up early on, and the Cardinals took advantage. Freese, the World Series MVP who also had a three-run homer Monday, hit a two-run shot over the right field wall with one out in the first inning, and Molina led off the second with a homer to left.

Angels 3, Diamondbacks 0

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Dan Haren struck out seven of the last eight batters he faced in three innings and the Angels went on to beat Arizona.

Haren gave up one hit, a leadoff single to Willie Bloomquist, and walked none. It’s the only hit the former Diamondbacks ace has allowed in two spring starts. Overall, he has 10 strikeouts and one walk in five scoreless innings.

Alexi Amarista hit his second home run of the spring for the Angels, a solo shot off Arizona starter Trevor Cahill, who allowed two runs and five hits in three innings.

Mariners 7, Brewers (ss) 4

PHOENIX — Zack Greinke threw three scoreless innings for Milwaukee’s split squad before Seattle came back.

Greinke gave up one hit and struck out five. He left after issuing his lone walk to Casper Wells leading off the fourth.

Orioles 7, Rays 7

SARASOTA, Fla. — David Price worked into the fourth inning, and Matt Moore made his spring debut with a hitless 1 2-3 innings in Tampa Bay’s 10-inning tie with Baltimore.

Price pitched 3 2-3 innings and allowed the Orioles’ biggest inning of the spring — four runs — keyed by a three-run homer by Jai Miller.

Blue Jays 8, Twins 2

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Francisco Liriano’s fast spring start slowed when the Toronto Blue Jays scored four runs off him in the third inning and beat Minnesota.

The streaky lefty, who pitched a no-hitter last year while going 9-10, struck out five. But Toronto’s Travis Snyder and Travis d’Arnaud hit consecutive two-run doubles off the right-field fence against Liriano.

Royals 7, Reds 5

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain homered and Everett Teaford pitched three scoreless innings as Kansas City defeated Cincinnati.

Gordon’s home run to lead off the fourth snapped a 4-4 tie. Cain homered to open the fifth. Teaford struck out four in three innings to pick up the victory in relief.

Padres 6, White Sox 3

PEORIA, Ariz. — Catcher Nick Hundley went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and threw out a runner in San Diego’s win over the White Sox.

Hundley played in just 82 games last season because of an elbow injury.

Rockies 5, Dodgers 2

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Drew Pomeranz pitched two more scoreless innings before leaving with tightness in his right hip and Colorado beat the Dodgers.

Considered a top prospect, Pomeranz was acquired by the Rockies last summer in the trade that sent Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland. The 23-year-old left-hander, drafted fifth overall in 2010, is a projected member of Colorado’s rotation this season after making four starts for the Rockies last year.

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