Moyer sharp in quest for rotation bid

Posted Mar 26, 2010 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 27, 2010 at 04:26 PM

TAMPA — Jamie Moyer bolstered his bid to win Philadelphia’s fifth starter spot by giving up one hit over 6 2-3 innings as the Philadelphia Phillies blanked the New Yor Yankees, 3-0.

The 47-year-old left-hander is competing with Kyle Kendrick, who has a 1.37 ERA in 19 2-3 innings over five games. Moyer struck out six and hit one batter with a pitch.

Phil Hughes, one day after becoming the Yankees’ No. 5 starter, allowed one run and two hits in three-plus innings. The 23-year-old struck out five and walked four during a 71-pitch outing.

Yankees star Alex Rodriguez went 0 for 3, all against Moyer. His meeting Friday with federal investigators probing a Canadian doctor was delayed, and the third baseman remained at spring training rather than traveling to Buffalo.

Twins 4, Orioles 3

SARASOTA — Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts tested his ailing back in a game for the first time this spring. Although he showed no sign of injury, his swing still apparently needs some work.

Roberts went 0 for 3 with three strikeouts in Baltimore’s loss. Roberts spent the previous six weeks at camp receiving treatment and doing exercises to ease the pain of a herniated disk in his lower back.

After leaving in the sixth inning, the two-time All-Star said his body “felt pretty good” and he expects to be ready to play in Baltimore’s opener against Tampa Bay on April 6.

Scott Baker, who will pitch for Minnesota on opening day, retired the first 13 batters. He gave up two runs in 5 1-3 innings.

Astros 6, Pirates 4

KISSIMMEE — Astros ace Roy Oswalt was headed back to Houston to be examined by a team doctor after the right-hander departed his start against Pittsburgh with a slight left hamstring strain.

Oswalt allowed one run and three hits in four innings before he was pulled as a precaution. He struck out six and walked none.

General manager Ed Wade said Oswalt will be examined by Dr. David Lintner on Friday night or Saturday morning. The right-hander insisted it was “nothing major.”

Zach Duke was masterful in his fourth start for the Pirates, throwing 6 2-3 scoreless innings.

Red Sox 3, Blue Jays (ss) 2

FORT MYERS — Jon Lester pitched six strong innings in his fifth spring start, helping the Red Sox to the win.

Lester allowed two unearned runs and six hits, struck out five and walked two. Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima and Ramon Ramirez finished up with a scoreless inning apiece.

Brett Cecil tossed five scoreless innings for Toronto in his first spring start. He yielded two hits, struck out four and walked one.

Boston scored three runs in the ninth inning.

Rays 14, Blue Jays (ss) 10

DUNEDIN — Shaun Marcum, Toronto’s scheduled opening-day starter, allowed nine runs and nine hits over five innings.

Blue Jays first baseman Lyle Overbay departed with a bruised left knee after he got tangled up with Carl Crawford on a close play in the first inning. Overbay is day to day.

Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton homered for Tampa Bay. Upton and Kelly Shoppach each had two hits and three RBIs.

Kyle Phillips had three hits and four RBIs for Toronto’s split-squad.

Braves 5, Tigers 3

KISSIMMEE — Derek Lowe tossed six effective innings to lead Atlanta to the victory.

Lowe allowed two runs, one earned, and eight hits. Atlanta’s scheduled opening-day starter struck out four and walked none.

Brian McCann raised his average to .500 by going 2 for 3 for the Braves. Top prospect Jason Heyward went 2 for 4 on the same day Atlanta manager Bobby Cox said he would be the opening-day right fielder.

Justin Verlander, slated to start on opening day for Detroit, gave up three runs and six hits in 5 2-3 innings.

Brandon Inge and Gerald Laird each had two hits for the Tigers.

Mets 8, Marlins 8, 10 innings, tie

JUPITER — David Wright homered and drove in three runs, continuing his solid spring training for the Mets.

Wright hit a solo drive in the third inning for his fourth homer as the Mets and Marlins played to a tie, calling it off after neither team scored in the 10th.

Nelson Figueroa had his worst outing of the spring for New York, allowing seven runs and eight hits in 2 2-3 innings.

Wright’s shot made it 5-0 but Florida scored eight runs in the bottom half of the third.

Marlins right-hander Hayden Penn allowed five runs in three innings while subbing for Josh Johnson, who was scratched with flulike symptoms that have sickened several of his teammates this spring.

Nationals 7, Cardinals 4

VIERA — Ivan Rodriguez hit a two-run shot off Adam Wainwright for his first homer of the spring, and Willie Harris had three hits for the Nationals.

After Washington scored three in the first two innings, Wainwright retired 11 of 12 batters. But in the sixth, Josh Willingham singled, and Rodriguez followed with a drive to straightaway center to make it 5-4.

Wainwright went six innings, giving up five runs — four earned — and eight hits. He threw 84 pitches, with eight strikeouts and no walks.

Washington’s John Lannan gave up three runs, three hits and two walks in the first inning, including Matt Holliday’s RBI ground-rule double. But he quickly settled down, going 5 2-3 innings, with eight hits and four runs.
-The Associated Press