Halladay K’s 6 in loss to Pirates

Posted Mar 15, 2010 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 16, 2010 at 05:16 PM

BRADENTON - Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco sprained his right knee during a loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Polanco was injured while trying to catch Delwyn Young’s pop single that landed in the infield. Polanco’s right foot came down hard on the mound as he lost the ball in the sun, and he fell to the ground. Two trainers helped him off the field.

Polanco was examined by the Pirates medical staff, which told him there was a sprain in the back of the knee as well as a slight hyperextension of the upper calf. Polanco said he could return by the end of the week.

Philadelphia ace Roy Halladay gave up his first run in three spring training starts, striking out six and allowing three hits in five innings.

Mets 6, Cardinals 5

PORT ST. LUCIE — Francisco Rodriguez looked like the dominant pitcher he was with the Angels.

K-Rod wore prescription sunglasses in a spring training debut delayed by conjunctivitis, the same look he used to have with the Angels. After Rodriguez retired the side on seven pitches Monday, Angel Pagan hit a two-run, ninth-inning homer off Pete Parise to lift the New York Mets over the St. Louis Cardinals.

St. Louis starter Brad Penny was struck on his right elbow by a line drive off the bat of Jason Bay in the first inning. After a few practice tosses, Penny stayed in. He gave up three runs and six hits in 3 2-3 innings.

Marlins 5, Twins 4

JUPITER — Chris Volstad hurt his chances at solidifying a spot in the Marlins’ rotation, allowing four runs in 2 1-3 innings in Florida’s victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Volstad gave up five hits and four walks. He has yielded eight runs on 11 hits and five walks in his last two outings.

Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez was scratched from the lineup but said he expects to play Tuesday.

Marlins prospect Mike Stanton hit his third homer of the spring, a two-run shot off Francisco Liriano.

Orioles 8, Red Sox 4

FORT MYERS — Mike Lowell made his spring training debut for the Boston Red Sox — at an unfamiliar position.

Lowell, who had surgery Dec. 30 to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, played first base in a loss to the Baltimore Orioles. It was his first appearance at the position since 1998, when he played four games there for the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate.

Boston’s offseason acquisition of third baseman Adrian Beltre will limit Lowell’s time at the position he had manned for the Red Sox since 2006.

Lowell batted second and went 1 for 2.

Tigers 10, Blue Jays 7

LAKELAND — Miguel Cabrera hit his first homer of spring training and Scott Sizemore and Brennan Boesch also homered for the Detroit Tigers against Toronto on a windy day.

Armando Galarraga started for the Tigers and allowed three runs — all earned — in three innings as his spring training ERA jumped to 11.57.

Braves 5, Nationals 2

VIERA — Derek Lowe worked four hitless innings and Atlanta beat winless Washington.

Washington is 0-11, the majors’ only winless team this spring.

Coming off a one-inning stint March 10 in which he was troubled by a blister on his right foot — and gave up three runs and five hits — the right-hander allowed only one baserunner. Washington’s Roger Bernadina reached in the second when first baseman Eric Hinske dropped shortstop Yunel Escobar’s throw. Lowe (1-0) struck out six.

Martin Prado and Joe Thurston homered for the Braves.
-The Associated Press