LDN - Sports

MLB roundup: Astros' McCullers in midseason form

[March 10, 2017] The Sports Xchange

Astros right-hander Lance McCullers retired all six batters he faced in his first spring training appearance in a 3-0 victory over St. Louis. McCullers, ticketed for the starting rotation, missed the final two months of 2016 with a sprained right elbow that did not require surgery.

McCullers struck out three and the Cardinals got only one ball out of the infield. Teoscar Hernandez and Colin Moran had back-to-back doubles to open the third inning off right-hander Lance Lynn, who made his second spring start and third appearance. He missed the 2106 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in November of 2015.

Nationals 2, Marlins 2

Bryce Harper hit his third homer of the spring and newcomer Derek Norris had his second as the Nationals and Marlins played to tie in game that was stopped after nine innings to conserve pitching. Washington starter A.J. Cole threw four hitless innings before nonroster reliever Joe Nathan gave up two runs in the fifth. Marlins starter Dillon Peters pitched three hitless innings.

Blue Jays 6, Phillies 4

Jarrod Saltalamacchia had three hits including his second spring homer and Kevin Pillar had two hits as the Jays supported Francisco Liriano with five runs in the first three innings. Liriano struck out five in three hitless innings. Tom Joseph hit his second spring homer and Howie Kendrick had a two-run single for the Phillies.

Tigers 5, Mets 5

Right-hander Jacob de Grom pitched four scoreless innings and Yoenis Cespedes hit his third homer of the spring off Tigers starter Anibel Sanchez in a game that was called after nine innings to preserve pitching. De Grom struck out four. Sanchez gave up six hits, including homers by Cespedes and Champ Stuart, and four runs in three innings.

Yankees 8, Braves 7

Brett Gardner led off the game with a homer and Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits when the Yankees used a six-run sixth inning to edge Atlanta and record their major-league best 11th spring victory. Michael Pineda gave up two runs in three innings for the Yankees. Nonroster invitee Matt Tuiasosopo had two homers.

Pirates 10, Rays 8

Pirates prospect Jose Osuna hit his fourth homer of the spring and Phil Gosselin drove in two runs when the Pirates scored seven runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Osuna, a first baseman/outfielder who is expected to start in the minors, is 8-for-17 with three walks this spring. Rays starter Blake Snell gave up five hits and two runs in two innings.

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Angels 5, Indians 4

Right-hander Matt Shoemaker gave up three runs and stuck out six in three innings in his second spring start as he returns from September brain surgery, but the Angels scored in each of the last five innings while breaking a tie in the ninth. Shoemaker, struck by a line drive last September, has given up five runs in five innings. Austin Jackson and Tyler Naquin hit their first homers for Cleveland, which got 3 2-3 scoreless innings from starter Josh Tomlin.

Mariners 8, Cubs 6

Mike Zunino hit his third homer of the spring and drove in two and the Mariners erupted for four runs in the ninth inning off left-hand Brian Duensing. Mitch Haniger and Danny Valencia had two hits apiece for the Mariners, and James Paxton gave up one run in three innings, a homer by Anthony Rizzo homered in the first. Left-hander Mike Montgomery gave up one run in two innings and Brett Anderson gave up two runs in his two innings.

White Sox 4, Diamondbacks 2

Luis Giolito gave up one run on a Chris Owings' solo homer in four innings for his second spring victory. Giolito, one of the White Sox's key young offseason acquisitions, gave up three hits and struck out one. Matt Davidson had three hits including a homer and Kevan Smith also homered for the Sox. Jake Lamb his hit second homer of the spring and nonroster invitee Gregor Blanco doubled for Arizona.

A's 12, Reds 5

Stephen Vogt and Trevor Plouffe had two hits and three RBIs apiece and Jed Lowrie had three hits when the A's scored 10 runs in the first two innings. Plouffe had a three-run double in a four-run first and Vogt drove in two runs in the second. A's left-hander Sean Manaea gave up three hits and a run while striking out three in 3 2-3 innings. Adam Duvall and Arismendy Alcantara homered for the Reds.

Brewers 8, Padres 2

Domingo Santana had two hits including his third homer, a three-run shot in the third inning, and Lewis Brinson had a two-run single in support of Kyle Davies, who gave up one run and four hits in 2 2-3 innings. Wil Myers had two hits and his second homer, and Jeremy Blash drove in his 11th run with a groundout for the Padres. Jarred Cosart gave up three hits and a run in 1 1-3 innings in his second appearance.

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