Werth’s blast powers Phillies past Yankees

Posted Mar 18, 2010 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 18, 2010 at 11:58 AM

CLEARWATER — Jayson Werth hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning to break open a tie game, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Yankees 6-2 on Wednesday.

Werth, Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard all finished 2 for 3 and combined for three runs and four RBIs.

Right-hander Joe Blanton lowered his spring ERA to 4.09 by holding the Yankees to two earned runs in five innings. Blanton struck out three and walked none.

Andy Pettitte, making his Grapefruit League debut, surrendered two runs on five hits in four innings. Rollins doubled off Pettitte to begin the first inning and came around to score on a two-out, opposite field single from Howard.

Mets 4, Red Sox 2

FORT MYERS — John Lackey gave up two hits in four innings before New York rallied with four runs in the eighth inning.

Lackey struck out two and walked none. In nine combined innings this spring, Lackey has not allowed a run — earned or unearned — or issued a walk. He has given up just five hits.

Mike Pelfrey gave up one run on four hits over four innings with two strikeouts, and Fernando Martinez hit a three-run homer for the Mets.

Braves 4, Marlins 2

JUPITER — Tommy Hanson allowed one run on six hits in five innings, the longest outing of the spring for Atlanta’s projected No. 3 starter.

Hanson gave up a leadoff single in the first inning to Chris Coghlan, who was bunted to second before scoring on Hanley Ramirez’s single. Hanson has given up two runs in 9 1-3 innings with one walk and 10 strikeouts in three games this spring.

Rays 5, Twins 2

PORT CHARLOTTE — Sean Rodriguez had two hits and scored twice, and Justin Ruggiano hit a two-run triple for Tampa Bay.

Luke Hughes, who had three straight extra-base hits for the Twins, homered in the fifth inning off Rays starter James Shields. It was the only run in five innings off Shields, who has been named Tampa Bay’s Opening Day starter.

Blue Jays 4, Orioles 1

SARASOTA — Brian Tallet tossed four scoreless, allowing only a leadoff single to Cesar Izturis in the first inning before retiring the next 12 batters he faced.

Orioles starter Jason Berken allowed three runs in the third inning. Alex Gonzalez singled and scored when right fielder Nick Markakis overran the ball on Jeremy Reed’s single. Brian Dopirak lifted a sacrifice fly, and Brad Emaus added an RBI single.

Travis Snider homered off Orioles reliever Kam Mickolio in the fifth.

Astros 11, Nationals 2

KISSIMMEE — Jason Marquis allowed eight runs on eight hits and walked four over 3 1-3 innings in his second start of the spring for Washington.

Wandy Rodriguez had a solid third outing for the Astros, allowing two runs while striking out seven over four innings.

The top three in Houston’s lineup — Michael Bourn, Kaz Matsui and Hunter Pence — combined to go 5 for 6 with six runs scored, three walks and two RBI.

Tigers 6, Pirates 3

BRADENTON — Kevin Hart walked six of the 12 batters he faced, failing to make it out of the second inning against Detroit.

Hart threw 53 pitches, only 19 for strikes, and reached three-ball counts on nine batters — even hitting Ramon Santiago with a 3-0 pitch. In four outings this spring, Hart has pitched 4 2-3 innings and walked 13 of the 30 batters he’s faced.

Tigers left-hander Nate Robertson worked four innings and allowed two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out three.
-The Associated Press