Veteran Pitcher Scherzer Dominates in Spring Training Return with Blue Jays

41-year-old Max Scherzer threw four no-hit innings in his first spring training appearance for Toronto. The Blue Jays defeated Philadelphia 1-0 in a pitcher's duel in Florida.

Veteran pitcher Max Scherzer delivered an impressive performance in his first spring training outing, throwing four no-hit innings as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0 in Clearwater, Florida on Saturday.

The 41-year-old right-hander recorded one strikeout and issued one walk during his spring debut. Four Toronto relievers – Chase Lee, Josh Fleming, Lazaro Estrada and Connor Seabold – finished the two-hit shutout, combining for five strikeouts and one walk.

Toronto scored the game’s only run in the ninth inning when Jonatan Clase brought home the winning run on a fielder’s choice after Philadelphia failed to turn a game-ending double play.

Philadelphia’s highly regarded prospect Andrew Painter threw three shutout innings, allowing just one hit and one walk. Relievers Jose Alvarado and Jhoan Duran each pitched one inning and struck out two batters while giving up one hit each.

Astros 5, Marlins 4

Houston defeated Miami on a walk-off hit in West Palm Beach, Florida, as Collin Price delivered a game-winning single that scored Pascanel Ferreras.

Walker Janek connected on a two-run home run in the sixth inning off Cade Gibson, while Joey Loperfido collected two hits and stole a base. Houston starter Jason Alexander pitched three shutout innings, allowing two hits and two walks.

Miami’s Chris Paddack also threw three scoreless frames, striking out two and giving up two hits. Outfielders Matthew Etzel and Brendan Jones each had two hits, with Etzel driving in two runs.

Orioles (ss) 2, Braves 2

Baltimore mounted a dramatic ninth-inning comeback to tie Atlanta in Venice, Florida, scoring twice in the final frame. Jordan Sanchez delivered an RBI triple and 19-year-old Jaiden Lo Re followed with an RBI single to even the score.

Atlanta took the lead in the sixth when Austin Riley and Mike Yastrzemski hit consecutive solo home runs. Braves starter Grant Holmes pitched 2⅔ scoreless innings with three strikeouts, three walks and two hits allowed.

Baltimore reliever Cameron Weston struck out four batters over three shutout innings, allowing only one hit and one walk. Reed Trimble went 2-for-4 and started the ninth-inning rally with a leadoff double.

Orioles (ss) 3, Twins 2

Heston Kjerstad launched a two-run home run in the sixth inning to help Baltimore’s home team defeat Minnesota in Sarasota, Florida.

Baltimore starter Cade Povich worked 3⅔ innings, giving up one run and one hit while striking out one and walking one. Coby Mayo provided the decisive blow with an RBI double in the seventh inning.

Minnesota’s Mick Abel pitched four scoreless innings, allowing two singles and striking out two. James Outman went 1-for-3 with an RBI and two stolen bases, while Brooks Lee contributed two hits.

Red Sox 2, Rays 0 (6 innings)

Johan Oviedo teamed with three relievers to shut out Tampa Bay in a shortened contest in Fort Myers, Florida, as Boston claimed a three-hit shutout victory.

Oviedo struck out four batters and allowed two hits over 3⅓ innings. Relief pitchers Wyatt Olds, Aroldis Chapman and Zack Kelly combined to strike out one and allow one hit. Justin Gonzales drove in Caleb Durbin for Boston’s only RBI.

Tampa Bay starter Ty Johnson surrendered one run in 2⅓ innings while recording three strikeouts and two walks. Narciso Polanco hit a double for the game’s only extra-base hit.

Pirates 5, Tigers 3

Tom Harrington pitched four scoreless relief innings to secure the save as Pittsburgh maintained its lead throughout against Detroit in Lakeland, Florida.

Mitch Jebb came off the bench to hit a triple and score a run for Pittsburgh. Top prospect Konnor Griffin went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts, raising his spring batting average to .200. Starter Hunter Barco allowed three runs and three hits in three innings.

Detroit’s Casey Mize gave up four hits and three runs (two earned) during his 3⅓-inning appearance. Austin Slater hit a two-run double from the leadoff position while Kerry Carpenter added a triple.

Mets 3, Cardinals 2

Wyatt Young’s two-out RBI single in the eighth inning propelled New York past St. Louis in Jupiter, Florida.

St. Louis reliever Kyle Leahy threw four perfect innings with five strikeouts. Joshua Baez and Miguel Ugueto gave the Cardinals a 2-0 advantage with solo home runs, while Alec Burleson finished 3-for-3.

New York starter Kodai Senga allowed both home runs during his 2⅔-inning outing that featured two strikeouts and one additional hit. Brett Baty went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and Mike Tauchman added an RBI double.