Spring training roundup: Kevin Smith, A's outslug Rangers

 

[March 11, 2023]  Kevin Smith slugged a walk-off grand slam as the Oakland Athletics scored seven runs in the bottom of the ninth to rally past the Texas Rangers 12-11 on Friday in Mesa, Ariz.

Oakland trailed 11-5 before coming back without registering an out on a walk, a hit batter, three consecutive singles, another walk and Smith's homer that scored Lawrence Butler, Tyler Wade and Brent Rooker.

Smith finished 2-for-3 with a double, a homer, five RBIs and two runs. Trenton Brooks hit a three-run homer during Oakland's four-run eighth inning.

The Rangers, who had scored three times in the top of the ninth to pad their lead, were led by Yoshi Tsutsugo (2-for-3, three RBIs), Nathaniel Lowe (two RBIs) and Josh Jung (home run).

Braves 3, Rays 2

Matt Swarmer walked the first Rays batter he faced, then struck out three swinging in a scoreless bottom of the ninth to earn the save as Atlanta beat Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Magneuris Sierra, Vaughn Grissom and Cody Milligan drove in one run apiece for the Braves. Gavin Collins hit a solo homer for Tampa Bay.

Blue Jays 2, Red Sox 0

Toronto starter Zach Thompson threw three scoreless innings with two strikeouts as four pitchers combined to shut out Boston on five hits in Fort Myers, Fla.

Thomas Hatch, Sem Robberse and Jimmy Robbins each pitched two innings for the Blue Jays. Red Sox starter Corey Kluber yielded two runs, five hits and two walks with three strikeouts in three innings.

Yankees 4, Tigers 3

Anthony Seigler singled home Matthew Pita with the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth to lift New York over Detroit in Lakeland, Fla.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa homered for the Yankees, while Eric Haase, Kerry Carpenter and Andrew Knapp went deep for the Tigers.

Phillies 10, Pirates 4

Darick Hall went 3-for-3 with two homers, three RBIs and two runs as Philadelphia topped Pittsburgh in Clearwater, Fla.

The Phillies also got homers from Scott Kingery, Rhys Hoskins, Jhailyn Ortiz and Will Toffey. Oneil Cruz and Travis Swaggerty went deep for Pittsburgh.

Mets (ss) 7, Astros 2

Starling Marte and DJ Stewart each drove in two runs to lead a New York split squad past Houston in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Marte doubled and homered for the Mets, while Justin Verlander got the start against his former team and yielded one run and three hits with five strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. The Astros were limited to six hits.

Dodgers 6, Angels

Eddys Leonard drew a walk-off walk as the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Los Angeles Angels in Phoenix.

Clayton Kershaw started for the Dodgers and allowed three runs on five hits (including homers to Taylor Ward and Kevin Padlo) and two walks with two strikeouts in three innings.

White Sox 4, Cubs 3

Yasmani Grandal hit an RBI double in the top of the ninth for a crucial insurance run as the Chicago White Sox held off the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Ariz.

The Cubs scored twice in the bottom of the ninth on RBI singles from Sergio Alcantara and Yonathan Perlaza. Cubs starter Drew Smyly scattered four hits over four shutout innings.

Royals 1, Padres 0

Shortstop Tyler Tolbert accounted for the only run of the game with a sixth-inning home run as Kansas City edged San Diego in Surprise, Ariz.

The Royals used six pitchers to limit the Padres to four hits and one walk with six strikeouts. Six San Diego pitchers allowed a combined five hits and four walks with seven strikeouts.

Mariners 11, Reds (ss) 3

Tom Murphy went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs to lead Seattle past a Cincinnati split squad in Peoria, Ariz.

Cooper Hummel also homered for the Mariners, while Will Benson went deep for the Reds.

Brewers 12, Guardians 3

Mike Brosseau went 3-for-3 with a solo homer and four RBIs as Milwaukee downed Cleveland in Phoenix.

Brewers pitchers limited the Guardians to four hits, including David Fry's home run.

Rockies 8, Giants 1

Starter Austin Gomber pitched four scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks with two strikeouts, as Colorado defeated San Francisco in Scottsdale, Ariz.

C.J. Cron (four RBIs) and Elehuris Montero (three RBIs) homered for the Rockies, while Luis Matos went deep for the Giants.

Marlins 7, Nationals 2

Jesus Luzardo fanned six while tossing four innings of one-run ball to lead Miami past Washington in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Austin Allen and Bryan De La Cruz homered for the Marlins, while the Nationals got a home run from Stone Garrett.

Cardinals 7, Mets (ss) 5

Juan Yepez homered and knocked in four runs to guide St. Louis over a New York split squad in Sarasota, Fla.

Brendan Donovan and Masyn Winn added homers for the Cardinals. William Woods threw two shutout innings for the Mets.

Orioles 5, Twins 5

Kyle Bradish struck out eight and allowed just one run in four innings as Baltimore and Minnesota played to a tie in Sarasota, Fla.

Twins pinch runner Ben Ross raced home as part of a double steal to score the tying run in the ninth inning.

Reds (ss) 6, Diamondbacks 5

Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit a three-run homer as part of a six-run first inning and a Cincinnati split squad held on for a win over Arizona in Goodyear, Ariz.

Seth Beer homered and Peter Solomon threw two scoreless innings for the Diamondbacks.

--Field Level Media

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