Spring training games across Major League Baseball delivered plenty of offense on Friday, highlighted by a wild slugfest between the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Philadelphia erased an early deficit with a massive fourth inning and eventually outlasted Pittsburgh’s split squad 14–10 in Bradenton, Florida.
The Pirates initially seized control of the game when Ryan O’Hearn launched a three-run home run in the third inning to give Pittsburgh a 3–0 lead.
But the Phillies quickly flipped the script.
Philadelphia erupted for nine runs in the fourth inning, beginning with Rafael Marchan driving in the club’s first run with a double. Felix Reyes followed with another double that tied the game, and two bases-loaded walks pushed the Phillies ahead.
Marchan then delivered the biggest blow of the inning — a three-run double to center field — before Bryan De La Cruz capped the rally with an RBI double.
Pittsburgh refused to fade quietly. The Pirates rallied late with home runs from Yordany De Los Santos, Derek Berg and Omar Alfonzo, eventually clawing back to tie the game at 10–10 by the eighth inning.
Philadelphia regained control in the ninth when De La Cruz scored on a defensive error. Carson DeMartini then provided insurance with a three-run blast to center field that sealed the victory.
Marchan, De La Cruz, Otto Kemp and Paul McIntosh each finished with two hits for the Phillies. Jared Triolo led Pittsburgh’s offense with a 2-for-3 performance that included two runs scored and an RBI.
Blue Jays power past Pirates
In Dunedin, the Toronto Blue Jays pulled away from another Pirates split squad with a 9–2 victory fueled by a big swing from Nathan Lukes.
Lukes delivered the decisive moment in the fourth inning when he launched a two-out grand slam that completely changed the momentum of the game.
Toronto added more power later in the contest, as Yohendrick Pinango and Edward Micheletti each hit home runs to extend the lead.
On the mound, José Berríos turned in a solid outing, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out three across four innings.
Pittsburgh had taken an early lead on Termarr Johnson’s RBI single and a solo home run from Dominic Fletcher before the Blue Jays’ offense erupted.
Cardinals roll past Orioles
The St. Louis Cardinals used balanced offense to defeat the Baltimore Orioles 10–2 in Sarasota.
Nelson Velázquez and Joshua Baez both homered, while Yohel Pozo contributed a two-run double during a two-hit performance.
Jeremy Rivas and Ivan Herrera added RBI singles in the fifth inning to break a 1–1 tie and give St. Louis full control of the game.
Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy worked four innings, allowing one run while striking out four to earn his second win of the spring.
Baltimore’s offense was limited to runs from Ryan Mountcastle and Willy Vasquez.
Tigers overwhelm Red Sox
Detroit’s offense erupted late in an 11–3 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Lakeland.
Matt Vierling led the charge with a perfect 3-for-3 performance that included a home run, a double and four RBIs. Jace Jung added three RBI singles as the Tigers scored all 11 of their runs between the fifth and eighth innings.
Justin Verlander started for Detroit, striking out four while allowing two runs over two innings.
Boston’s early offense came from Kristian Campbell, who hit a two-run homer in the first inning, while Andrews Opata added a solo shot in the ninth.
Astros cruise past Nationals
The Houston Astros secured a comfortable 7–1 win over the Washington Nationals in West Palm Beach.
John Garcia and Brice Matthews each drove in two runs, with Garcia adding a home run.
Houston starter Mike Burrows impressed with 3 2/3 innings of one-hit shutout baseball while striking out four.
Washington’s lone highlight came from Daylen Lile, who hit a home run, while starter Cade Cavalli struck out six batters in four innings.
Rockies overpower Athletics
Colorado powered its way to an 11–6 victory over the Oakland Athletics in Mesa.
Brett Sullivan set the tone with a three-run homer in the first inning, while Chad Stevens followed with a solo shot in the second.
Kyle Karros added a two-run home run in the fifth, and T.J. Rumfield chipped in with another solo blast in the seventh.
Rockies starter Chase Dollander allowed just one run over three innings to earn the win.
Guardians rally past Angels
The Cleveland Guardians overcame an early deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 5–3 in Goodyear.
Gabriel Arias drove in two runs, helping Cleveland erase a two-run first-inning deficit created by Jeimer Candelario’s RBI double.
The Guardians eventually took the lead in the fifth inning thanks to an RBI double from Petey Halpin and a run-scoring single by Chase DeLauter.
Gavin Williams struck out five across 3 2/3 innings for Cleveland, while Connor Brogdon earned the win with a scoreless fifth inning.
Giants defeat Reds
Luis Matos powered the San Francisco Giants to a 6–3 win over the Cincinnati Reds in Scottsdale.
Matos doubled in a run early before later adding a solo home run. Matt Chapman contributed a two-run homer as San Francisco built an early lead.
Tyler Mahle threw two scoreless innings for the Giants, striking out four batters.
Mariners top Rangers
Seattle’s Cole Young delivered one of the standout performances of the day, homering twice and driving in three runs in a 5–1 victory over the Texas Rangers.
Young opened the scoring with a two-out homer in the third inning before later adding a two-run blast in the sixth.
Kade Anderson earned the win after throwing three scoreless innings for Seattle.
Additional results
Elsewhere around the league:
- The Chicago White Sox defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 6–0 behind three-run home runs from Oliver Dunn and Jarred Kelenic.
- The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Diamondbacks’ split squad 6–2 thanks to Mike Boeve’s two-run homer in the seventh inning.
- The Atlanta Braves topped the Minnesota Twins 4–1 behind a four-run fourth inning sparked by DaShawn Keirsey Jr.
- The New York Yankees shut out the Tampa Bay Rays 3–0 as their pitching staff combined for 18 strikeouts.
- The Miami Marlins blanked the New York Mets 2–0 on solo home runs from Connor Norby and Heriberto Hernandez.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers cruised past the Kansas City Royals 6–0 behind three RBIs from Freddie Freeman.
- The San Diego Padres defeated the Chicago Cubs 3–0 with a combined 14-strikeout shutout effort from their pitching staff.
With Opening Day approaching, spring training is entering its most competitive stretch. Veterans are sharpening their form, prospects are pushing for roster spots, and teams are beginning to finalize decisions that will shape the start of the 2026 season.
Leave a Reply