Spring training roundup: Niko Goodrum, Twins rally past Braves

 

[March 27, 2024]  Yoyner Fajardo hit a game-tying two-run single in the sixth, Niko Goodrum broke the tie the next inning and the host Minnesota Twins scored five unanswered runs to charge past the Atlanta Braves 9-6 in their spring-training finale Tuesday in Fort Myers, Fla.

Goodrum scored Brian O'Keefe with a single in the seventh, and O'Keefe added a two-run double in the eighth for the Twins. Braves reliever Jake McSteen (0-1) blew the save in the sixth and gave up the three crucial runs on five hits over two innings.

The Twins had taken a 4-0 lead following Matt Wallner's two-run homer, but the Braves replied with six straight runs, including home runs by Jarred Kelenic and Orlando Arcia.

Jeff Brigham (1-2) threw two scoreless innings of relief for Minnesota and struck out five with just one hit.

Tigers 3, Rays 3

Carson Williams scored the game-tying run on a wild pitch by Brendan White for host Tampa Bay to draw with Detroit in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Chris Meyers smashed a three-run home run in the top of the eighth for the Tigers to take the lead before White's gaffe in the bottom half. Tigers starter Casey Mize tossed six strikeouts and allowed one run on two hits in five innings.

Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe had solo homers for the Rays, who got six innings of two-hit ball and eight strikeouts from starter Ryan Pepiot.

Red Sox 4, Rangers 1

Rafael Devers and Mark Contreras homered as visiting Boston topped Texas in Arlington, Texas.

Contreras and Masataka Yoshida both went 2-for-2 at the plate and Ceddanne Rafaela and Jamie Westbrook provided the other RBIs for the Red Sox. Starter Richard Fitts (1-0) tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings with two hits, one walk and three strikeouts.

Jared Walsh had an RBI single and Marcus Semien and Wyatt Langford added two hits apiece for the Rangers. Starter Dane Dunning (2-2) gave up two runs on four hits and one walk with two strikeouts in 3 1/3 frames.

Cardinals 7, Cubs 2

Ivan Herrera went 2-for-2 with a solo shot and two runs as St. Louis pulled away from host Chicago in Mesa, Ariz.

Brendan Donovan had an RBI double in the second inning and went on to score on an error by Cubs starter Shota Imanaga (2-2), and three other Cardinals had RBIs. Kyle Gibson (1-2) fanned nine batters and gave up a run on four hits across five innings.

Imanaga yielded four runs (three earned) on eight hits and a walk over three innings while striking out six. The Cubs' only runs came on solo homers by Mike Tauchman and Christian Franklin.

Rockies 6, Brewers 1

Jameson Hannah hit a pair of run-scoring singles, Nolan Jones also put up two RBIs and host Colorado eased past Milwaukee in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Ezequiel Tovar had an RBI double and a run for the Rockies, whose starter Ryan Feltner (1-0) struck out six and scattered four hits and a walk over four scoreless innings. Jake Cave and Michael Toglia joined Hannah with two hits apiece in Colorado's 14-hit attack.

Mar 26, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers left field Wyatt Langford (82) warmups on deck during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Brewers starter Aaron Ashby (0-1) was dinged for five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and a walk while striking out four over 5 1/3 innings. Carlos Rodriguez went 3-for-3, while Ernesto Martinez drove in the Brewers' only run on a sac fly.

Diamondbacks 6, Guardians 1

Brandon Pfaadt threw five sharp innings and Blaze Alexander hit a two-run homer to lead Arizona past Cleveland in Phoenix.

Pfaadt (1-1) yielded a run on three hits and no walks with four strikeouts. Wilderd Patino contributed two hits for the Diamondbacks.

Guardians starter Triston McKenzie (1-2) fanned seven in six innings. He gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks.

Mariners 7, Padres 6

RJ Schreck hit a game-tying single in the top of the ninth and Seattle added two runs on a throwing error by shortstop Leodalis De Vries to pull out a win at San Diego.

Schreck and Alex Sanchez each had two hits for the Mariners. Seattle starter Casey Lawrence logged five innings of two-run ball.

Jose Azocar went 2-for-3 with three RBIs for the Padres. San Diego starter Michael King served up homers to Julio Rodriguez and Dylan Moore.

Athletics 3, Giants 1

Paul Blackburn capped his fine spring with 5 2/3 scoreless innings, leading Oakland to a victory at San Francisco.

Blackburn (4-0) gave up two hits and no walks while striking out six. He finishes the spring with a 2.04 ERA. Oakland didn't have a run-scoring hit, cashing in on an RBI groundout and two sacrifice flies.

Wilmer Flores had two hits and Joey Bart added an RBI single in the ninth inning for the Giants.

Angels 4, Dodgers 3

Zach Neto tripled with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and Jack Lopez followed with a walk-off single to give the Los Angeles Angels a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Anaheim, Calif.

Angels starter Chase Silseth struck out 10 and walked none in five innings of two-run ball. He gave up only two hits, solo homers by Freddie Freeman and Will Smith.

Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani struck out in both of his at-bats. Gavin Lux also went deep for the Dodgers, and Miguel Sano homered for the Angels.

--Field Level Media

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