Associated Press
The spring training roundup …
JUPITER, Fla. ó The Atlanta Braves’ big-ticket Japanese import scuffled for the first time, while the Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright enjoyed his best outing by far.
Kenshin Kawakami, signed to a three-year, $23 million deal in January, was disappointed after giving up seven hits and both runs in 4 2-3 innings of a 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. He entered as the only NL pitcher in the Grapefruit League with two wins and a 0.00 ERA, although he minimized the damage when the Cardinals had four hits in the second but left the bases loaded.
“I felt like I could have done better pitching from the stretch,” Kawakami said through a translator. “It was kind of a shame.”
Wainwright allowed a run and six hits in five innings with four strikeouts and no walks.
Albert Pujols fouled out twice against Kawakami before hitting an RBI single in the fifth for the game’s final run.
Jeff Francoeur had his third straight two-hit game for the Braves, raising his spring training average to .333 after a 3-for-20 start.
In other Red Sox news, shortstop Julio Lugo had an MRI on his balky right knee.
Yankees (ss) 3, Astros (ss) 1
At Tampa, Fla., New York’s A.J. Burnett threw four perfect innings and has allowed one hit over six shutout innings in two spring training starts.
Yankees (ss) 13, Pirates 10
At Bradenton, Fla., Pittsburgh’s Ross Ohlendorf pitched four flawless innings against his former team.
Orioles 9, Red Sox 8
At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Felix Pie had a two-run homer and three RBIs for Baltimore. Nick Markakis and Donnie Murphy also connected.
Nationals 6, Mets 2
At Port St. Lucie, Fla., Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey is back on track after missing a turn in the rotation because of a muscle strain in his lower left leg. Pelfrey pitched four scoreless innings in his first game since March 4.
Phillies 5, Astros (ss) 2
At Kissimmee, Fla., Jayson Werth homered and drove in two runs for Philadelphia.
Tigers 10, Blue Jays 4
At Lakeland, Fla., Nate Robertson allowed one hit in three scoreless innings of relief to bolster his case for the final spot in Detroit’s rotation.
There could be two openings because Jeremy Bonderman has a sore shoulder, but he threw 30 pitches Saturday against Tigers minor leaguers and reported no pain. Bonderman will start Thursday against Atlanta.
Rays 3, Reds 1
At Sarasota, Fla., Scott Kazmir allowed one run and five hits in four solid innings for Tampa Bay.
Indians 8, Padres 6 (ss)
At Peoria, Ariz., Fausto Carmona threw four scoreless innings and Jhonny Peralta continued his impressive spring with a two-run single for Cleveland. Peralta is hitting .565 with two homers and nine RBIs.
Padres (ss) 8, Giants (ss) 4
At Scottsdale, Ariz., Chase Headley and Nick Hundley each hit a two-run double for San Diego.
Angels 6, Cubs 4
At Mesa, Ariz., Joe Saunders pitched four shutout innings in his second spring start for Los Angeles, giving up three hits.
Dodgers 7, Brewers 3
At Phoenix, Russell Martin, Delwyn Young and Valentino Pascucci homered for the Dodgers.
Marlins 9, Twins 5
At Fort Myers, Fla., Kevin Slowey tossed four shutout innings and Michael Cuddyer hit a solo drive for Minnesota.
White Sox 8, Rangers 4
At Phoenix, Brian Anderson hit two home runs, including a game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Athletics 8, Giants (ss) 3
At Phoenix, Orlando Cabrera made his Oakland debut and Jason Giambi hit his first homer of the spring.
Diamondbacks 11, Royals 3
At Surprise, Ariz., Jon Garland tossed four scoreless innings and Tony Clark went 4-for-4 for Arizona.
Mariners 10, Rockies 5
At Tucson, Ariz., Colorado outfielder Brad Hawpe struck out twice in his first action in nearly two weeks. Hawpe needed four stitches in his left pinkie after being spiked while running back to second base Feb. 27 against the Los Angeles Angels.
METS NOTE
The New York Mets shut down right-hander Tim Redding, citing soreness and a lack of strength in his pitching shoulder. They said it is unlikely he will make the opening-day roster.