Associated Press
The spring training roundup …JUPITER, Fla. ó Hanley Ramirez returned from the World Baseball Classic and doubled, stole a base and scored a run in the Florida Marlins’ 9-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday.
It was Ramirez’s first game since Dominican team was upset by the Netherlands ó twice.
Marlins right-hander Josh Johnson allowed his first run of the spring on three straight singles in the second inning, the only hits he allowed over three innings. He walked one and struck out three.
Cameron Maybin of T.C. Roberson fame, went 3-for-3 including a bunt single in the third inning.
Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, and third baseman Omar Infante hit a two-run home run.
Dodgers 4, Rangers 3
At Vero Beach, Manny Ramirez had the jitters when he stepped into the batter’s box for the first time this spring ó just not for the same reason as most players.
“I was kind of nervous the first at-bat, Ramirez said, “especially when they are paying me $25 million to get base hits. I think that’s not a good investment, but we’ll see.”
The eccentric slugger was back in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup after agreeing last week to a $45 million, two-year contract ó he can void the deal after one season ó and walked in his first two at-bats of a 4-3 victory over a Texas Rangers split squad Friday.
He also had a single in the fifth.
Astros 2, Nationals 2
At Kissimmee, Fla., Houston’s Mike Hampton had his best outing of the spring, allowing three hits in four scoreless innings while striking out four as the Astros and Washington Nationals played to a 2-2 tie in 10 innings.
The injury-plagued lefty missed all of 2006 and 2007 and was limited to just 13 games last season because of various injuries, but is hoping to revive his career in his return to Houston, where he won 22 games in 1999.
Red Sox 8, Yankees 4
At Fort Myers, Fla., Boston third baseman Mike Lowell played in the field for the first time this spring and homered off Chien-Ming Wang, who gave up seven runs ó one earned ó and six hits in 12/3 innings.
Reds 1, Twins 0
At Fort Myers, Fla., Francisco Liriano surrendered his first home run of the spring, but he struck out five and walked one in 31/3 innings for Minnesota.
Jonny Gomes, a non-roster invitee for the Reds, slugged the homer over the left-field fence in the third inning.
Cardinals 3 (ss), Orioles 1 (ss)
At Jupiter, Fla., Joe Thurston started both ends of a two-city, day-night doubleheader. The St. Louis Cardinals’ prospect was 3-for-5 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., then had an RBI while playing the first five innings in Jupiter.
Diamondbacks 14, Mariners (ss) 6
At Tucson, Ariz., Arizona’s Billy Buckner threw two hitless innings and lowered his spring ERA to 2.25.
Cubs (ss) 8, Mariners (ss) 1
At Mesa, Ariz., Sean Marshall enhanced his bid for the Cubs No. 5 starter. allowing just three hits.
Giants 7, Rockies 3
At Tucson, Ariz., Manuel Corpas pitched another scoreless innings in his bid for the Colorado closer job. .
Angels 8, Cubs (ss) 2
At Tempe, Ariz., Kendry Morales hit a grand slam for his first homer of spring training and went 2-for-3 to up his average to .355.