Mar 16, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez lowered his Grapefruit League ERA to 1.10 to help the Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 in a spring-training game Tuesday in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz gave the Braves five strong innings before the bullpen was tapped for two runs in the seventh off right-hander Chaz Roe. Braves catcher Tyler Flowers provided a solo homer against Gonzalez in the fourth.
Astros 2, Marlins 1
Mike Fiers fanned five in four scoreless innings and Houston’s offense came from Yulieski Gurriel in the form of an RBI double, and left fielder Derek Fisher’s third-inning home run off of Miami starter Wei-Yin Chen.
Blue Jays 5, Orioles 2
Leadoff man Kevin Pillar had two hits and drove in a pair to lead the Toronto offense, which plated four in the fourth against Ubaldo Jimenez. Jimenez has a 5.94 ERA this spring and allowed five hits and three walks in four innings. Toronto starter Aaron Sanchez was pulled in the fourth inning after his fourth walk but surrendered only one run on Chris Davis’ homer.
Pirates 5, Rays 4
With two outs in the ninth inning, Adam Frazier walked, stole second base and scored on a single to right field by Gift Ngoepe, who has 14 hits in his last 25 at bats. Backup catcher Jacob Stallings tied the game with a home run in the eighth for Pittsburgh. Pirates rookie Jose Osuna continued his push for a roster spot with two more hits to boost his spring average to .436.
Phillies 9, Twins 5
Aaron Altherr’s homer to right field sparked Philadelphia’s six-run rally in the top of the ninth to overcome a 5-3 deficit. Minnesota erupted for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning off of right-hander Alec Asher, who allowed a solo shot to Ehire Adrianza and two-run blast to Travis Harrison in surrendering five earned runs on 26 pitches.
