Making his third spring training start, Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer struck out six over 3 1/3 strong innings in a 5-0 win over the visiting Detroit Tigers on Saturday in Dunedin, Fla.
Scherzer, who signed a one-year, $15 million deal last month to join Toronto’s rotation, allowed one hit and no walks to lower his spring ERA to 2.00.
Ernie Clement sparked Toronto’s offense, going 2-for-3 with a three-run home run, while Bo Bichette delivered an RBI single.
Detroit starter Jackson Jobe, who is 18 years younger than the 40-year-old Scherzer, delivered 3 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and two walks. Brant Hurter yielded five runs (four earned) on six hits in two innings.
Braves 6, Pirates 5
Matthew Batten capped a four-run, ninth-inning comeback with a tiebreaking RBI single to lift Atlanta over visiting Pittsburgh in North Port, Fla.
Marcell Ozuna’s two-run double gave Atlanta an early 2-0 lead, but starter Spencer Schwellenbach yielded three runs on six hits in three-plus innings. Ambioris Tavarez, Stephen Paolini and Lizandro Espinoza each had an RBI.
Andrew McCutchen, Endy Rodriguez, Jack Suwinski, Bryan Reynolds and Matt Gorski had RBIs as Pittsburgh built a 5-2 lead. Jaden Woods couldn’t close it out, allowing all four Braves runs (three earned) in the ninth.
Twins 9, Red Sox 8
Despite blowing a seven-run lead and falling behind late, host Minnesota rallied to beat Boston on Aaron Sabato’s walk-off single in Fort Myers, Fla.
Trayce Thompson’s go-ahead grand slam capped a six-run eighth for Boston, which trailed 7-0 entering the seventh. Nick Sogard hit a two-run shot to get the Red Sox on the board in the seventh.
Ty France was Minnesota’s hitting star, going 2-for-3 with four RBIs, including a three-run homer in the sixth. Luke Keaschall hit his first spring homer, a solo shot.
Rays 6, Orioles 3
Tre’ Morgan capped a five-run seventh inning with a two-run home run as visiting Tampa Bay defeated Baltimore in Sarasota, Fla.
Bob Seymour, Tanner Murray and Jake Mangum notched RBI hits in the seventh before Morgan went deep. Kameron Misner added a solo shot in the ninth.
Charlie Morton was sharp for Baltimore, allowing one hit over three scoreless frames. Jeremiah Jackson drilled a two-run homer and Adley Rutschman, who is hitting .438 this spring, knocked an RBI single.
Cardinals 5, Nationals 3
Ryan Vilade and Michael Helman each drove in a pair as visiting St. Louis posted a win over Washington in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Thomas Saggese went 2-for-3 with two runs and Pedro Pages also scored twice for the Cardinals, who got solid pitching from starter Steven Matz and the bullpen.
For the Nationals, Keibert Ruiz notched a hit and two RBIs and Jacob Young went 2-for-3 with two runs. Starter DJ Herz was touched for four runs (two earned) over 3 1/3 innings.
Phillies 5, Blue Jays 4
Philadelphia build an early five-run lead and held off a late Toronto comeback to post a home victory in Clearwater, Fla.
Alec Bohm belted his third spring homer, a solo drive, to give Philadelphia a 4-0 lead in the third. J.T. Realmuto, Bryson Stott, Kyle Schwarber and Brandon Marsh all collected RBI singles.
Bowden Francis endured a tough start for Toronto, giving up all five Philadelphia runs on seven hits over 2 2/3 innings. Addison Barger, Alan Roden and Eddinson Paulino all went deep.
–Field Level Media
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