Spring training roundup: Tigers top Jays in slugfest

 

[March 16, 2024]  Keston Hiura hit a grand slam and Buddy Kennedy followed with a solo blast to highlight a seven-run sixth inning as the Detroit Tigers survived a big day from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to beat the host Toronto Blue Jays 9-6 on Friday in Dunedin, Fla.

Guerrero went 2-for-3, including a two-run homer in the fifth, and drove in four runs to improve his average to .417 this spring. George Springer also homered in the fifth to help the Blue Jays take a 6-2 lead but that wouldn't last.

The Tigers answered with seven hits in the sixth, including back-to-back blasts off Mason Fluharty (0-1), to take the lead.

Mason Englert (1-0) earned the win despite giving up five hits and four runs in two innings. Drew Anderson struck out five in two scoreless innings to pick up the save.

Tigers 6, Braves 1

Starter Matt Manning (1-0) allowed one hit in four shutout innings, striking out four, as host Detroit kept Atlanta in check in Lakeland, Fla.

Gio Urshela, Riley Greene, Justyn-Henry Malloy and Ryan Kreidler each had two hits, but the Tigers went just 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position.

Braves starter AJ Smith-Shawver (0-1) gave up five runs and eight hits in three innings. Michael Harris II went 2-for-3 and is hitting .375 this spring.

Rays 7, Orioles 2

Starter Naoyuki Uwasawa allowed one run on four hits in four innings to lower his spring ERA to 13.03 as Tampa Bay topped visiting Baltimore in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Jacob Waguespack (1-0) walked two and gave up one run and no hits in 3 2/3 innings as the Rays' bullpen threw five hitless innings.

Orioles starter Dean Kremer gave up two hits and one run in 4 1/3 innings, striking out three. Albert Suarez (1-1) took the loss after allowing six hits and five runs in 2 1/3 innings.

White Sox 3, Cubs 2 (eight innings)

Starter Chris Flexen (2-0) gave up two runs and five hits in four innings, lowering his spring ERA to 2.00, as the host Chicago White Sox edged the Chicago Cubs in Phoenix. The game was shortened to eight innings due to rain.

The White Sox bullpen allowed two hits and no runs in four innings. Tanner Banks struck out three in two innings to earn the save.

Cubs starter Jordan Wicks (2-1) allowed three runs and four hits in five innings.

Guardians 6, Royals 1

Starter Tyler Beede threw five shutout innings, striking out three and giving up three hits, to help visiting Cleveland beat Kansas City in Surprise, Ariz.

Guardians right-hander Scott Barlow (2-0) struck out two in one shutout inning to earn the win.

Royals starter Brady Singer threw four shutout innings, striking out four. Nick Anderson (1-1) gave up four runs and four hits in one inning.

Marlins 8, Cardinals 4

Miami finished with 15 hits and went 6-for-14 with runners in scoring position to double up host St. Louis in Jupiter, Fla.

Vidal Brujan, Josh Bell, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Avisail Garcia and Jon Berti each had two hits for the Marlins, with Berti hitting a three-run homer. Yonny Chirinos threw two shutout innings to earn his second save and lower his spring ERA to 1.29.

Drew Rom (1-1) gave up nine hits and four runs in 2 1/3 innings for the Cardinals.

Red Sox 8, Twins 5

Jarren Duran went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and Rafel Devers added two hits, including a homer, to power host Boston past Minnesota in Fort Myers, Fla.

Mar 15, 2024; Port Charlotte, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa (36) throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock struck out five and gave up two hits in 4 1/3 shutout innings. Felix Cepeda (1-0) earned the win despite giving up two runs and three hits in one-third of an inning. Lucas Luetge threw one shutout inning for his second spring save.

Alex Kirilloff and Christian Vazquez each homered for the Twins. Scott Blewett (0-1) gave up two runs on one hit in one inning.

Astros 5, Phillies 3

Starter Ronel Blanco struck out five and allowed no hits in four scoreless innings to improve to 3-0 this spring as host Houston topped Philadelphia in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Conner Greene retired one batter to earn his first spring save.

Starter Cristopher Sanchez (0-1) gave up eight hits and four runs in 2 1/3 innings for the Phillies, who were held to five hits in the loss.

Nationals 7, Mets 3

Lane Thomas hit a three-run homer and Luis Garcia Jr added a solo blast to help visiting Washington beat New York in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Nationals starter Trevor Williams (1-1) gave up two runs and seven hits in five innings, striking out five.

DJ Stewart hit a leadoff homer for the Mets, but the cushion was short-lived. Starter Adrian Houser (0-2) yielded four hits and four runs in five innings, striking out six.

Pirates 6, Yankees 2

Jack Suwinski hit a three-run homer to highlight a four-run seventh inning as Pittsburgh pulled away from host New York in Tampa.

Pirates right-hander Luis Ortiz (2-0) came on in relief and gave up one run and four hits in four innings, striking out four.

Gleyber Torres went 2-for-2 and hit his third homer of the spring. Anthony Misiewicz (0-2) gave up four runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Royals-Reds, canceled

The game between Kansas City and host Cincinnati in Goodyear, Ariz., was canceled due to inclement weather.

Giants-Athletics, canceled

The game between visiting San Francisco and Oakland in Mesa, Ariz., was canceled due to inclement weather.

Diamondbacks-Brewers, canceled

The game between Arizona and host Milwaukee in Phoenix was canceled due to inclement weather.

Mariners-Angels, canceled

The game between visiting Seattle and Los Angeles in Tempe, Ariz., was canceled due to inclement weather.

Rangers-Rockies, canceled

The game between Texas and host Colorado in Scottsdale, Ariz., was canceled due to inclement weather.

--Field Level Media

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