PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed one run over six innings in his bid to become the Mets’ fifth starter, helping New York beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 Monday. ADVERTISING PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Daisuke Matsuzaka
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed one run over six innings in his bid to become the Mets’ fifth starter, helping New York beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 Monday.
Competing with Jenrry Mejia, Dice-K allowed three runs and three walks, striking out five. Matsuzaka hit Stephen Piscotty on the back of the helmet with a changeup opening the seventh and was replaced by Vic Black.
Daniel Murphy went 2 for 3, including a two-run double in the third off Shelby Miller.
Miller gave up three runs and three hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked three.
Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong, a former University of Hawaii standout, did not play in Monday’s game against the Mets.
Angels 11, Giants 4
TEMPE, Ariz. — Tyler Skaggs pitched into the sixth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the San Francisco Giants 11-4.
Josh Hamilton had two hits and Chris Iannetta hit his third spring homer for Los Angeles.
Skaggs, who is trying to win a spot in the Angels’ rotation, allowed seven hits and two runs in 5 1-3 innings.
Giants starter Ryan Vogelsong allowed eight hits and four runs in four innings in his sixth appearance of the spring.
Los Angeles took the lead in the third when Hamilton doubled with one out and scored on Raul Ibanez’s single. J.B. Shuck doubled in two runs.
Hamilton doubled in a run in the fifth.
Tyler Colvin homered in the eighth for San Francisco.
Rangers 6, Athletics 2
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Mitch Moreland returned to the Texas lineup from a side injury and singled home two runs during a five-run sixth as the Rangers defeated the Oakland Athletics 6-2.
Moreland had two hits and drew a walk. He had not played since straining his left oblique March 18.
“It’s significant that he’s had good at-bats against everybody,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “It is big that he’s handled left-handers. It looks like the new approach he has, not stepping in the bucket that he’s staying in there pretty good.”
Alex Rios and Robinson Chirinos also contributed RBI singles in the Rangers’ big inning.
Alberto Callaspo went 3 for 3 for the A’s and is 12 for 28 (.429) in his past 10 games. John Jaso singled home a run, giving him eight RBIs in his past eight games.
Rangers right-hander Ryan Feierabend gave up four hits in four scoreless innings.
A’s minor leaguer Sean Murphy limited the Rangers to one single over 4 1-3 scoreless innings in his debut against big league hitters.
“It was definitely nerve-wracking,” Murphy said. “That first inning I was so nervous. When you see a lineup like that, who wouldn’t get a little nervous?”
“It was a blast. I can’t even put it into words. I’m just super pumped right now. Getting big names out is definitely a key, so I’m definitely proud of that. That lineup is super tough,” he said.
White Sox 7
Mariners 6
PEORIA, Ariz. — Paul Konerko and Marcus Semien homered for the Chicago White Sox, who overcame Robinson Cano’s four RBIs in a 7-6 win over the Seattle Mariners.
Semien hit a three-run drive as part of a five-run second inning. Konerko added a two-run shot to back Erik Johnson, who allowed three runs and four hits over six innings in his final start of the spring. Johnson struck out four and walked three.
Cano went 2 for 4 with a three-run double in the seventh. After bolting the Yankees for a $240 million, 10-year contract with Seattle, the All-Star second baseman is batting .465 this spring.
Semien, who showed promise during a September call-up last season, likely has a major league roster spot clinched. He could start the season opener at second base if Gordon Beckham isn’t ready due to injury.
Nationals 4, Marlins 1
JUPITER, Fla. — Nate McLouth hit an RBI double in the first inning and his second spring-training home run in the sixth, helping the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 4-1 Monday.
“His swing is coming,” Nationals manager Matt Williams about. “He’s getting to the point that he’s getting the bat head on those heaters. He’s right where he needs to be.”
In a game played in constant drizzle, Nationals starter Taylor Jordan allowed one run and five hits in 5 2-3 innings.
“He’s pitched well the whole spring for us,” Williams said. “He’s been using the sinker more. He’s just pounded the strike zone in his last couple of outings.”
Miami starter Tom Koehler gave up two runs and five hits in six innings.
