Spring training roundup: Teams honor slain Florida students
Spring training got off to a solemn start as MLB teams wore hats to honor Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were fatally shot nine days ago.
Stoneman Douglas baseball coach Todd Fitz-Gerald and his two sons were guests of the Houston Astros for their spring opener against the Washington Nationals. Members of the school's baseball and softball teams were guests of the Marlins and mingled on the field with players, coaches and CEO Derek Jeter.
Teams had the option of wearing he caps, which are black with ''SD'' in block letters, during the games or only during warmups. Both the Astros and Nationals wore them during Friday's games.
MLB ordered more than 2,500 of the caps from New Era, league spokesman Steven Arrocho said. Many teams will have players sign them, and they will be auctioned to benefit the victims and families affected by the shooting.
Fitz-Gerald said it was a ''relief'' to get back to the sport he loves and to stop thinking, at least for a moment, about the tragedy that befell his school. Fourteen students and three teachers were killed, and more than a dozen others were wounded. A former student is in custody on 17 counts of murder.
AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUES
ASTROS 3, NATIONALS 2
Mike Hauschild struck out three over the final two innings to give the defending world champions a win in their spring debut. Max Stassi homered off Jaron Long for Houston. Brady Dragmire took the loss for Washington after surrendering two earned runs in two innings of relief.
New Yankees manager Aaron Boone was a winner in his spring opener. Lefty Ryan Carpenter, signed to compete for the fifth starter spot, got the start for the Tigers, giving up a hit and issuing an eight-pitch walk to Giancarlo Stanton in two innings of work.
Yonny Chirinos worked two innings in his start and earned the win. Mike Wright got the start for the Orioles and took the loss. Manny Machado made his spring training debut at shortstop for the Orioles. Chance Sisko hit a three-run homer for Baltimore.
Fernando Rodriguez worked two innings to get the win in relief of starter Hector Velazquez. Blake Swihart and Jeremy Barfield each doubled for Boston. Aaron Slegers worked two innings in the start for the Twins, striking out two. Ryan LaMarre drove in three runs for the Twins.
Alex Wimmers picked up the win in relief and Javy Guerra worked the ninth for the save. Scott Van Slyke homered twice and drove in five runs for the Marlins. Jack Flaherty started for the Cards and struck out two over two innings. Kolton Wong doubled.
RAYS (SS) 6, PIRATES 3
Austin Pruitt worked an inning and a third in relief and earned the win, and Edwin Fiero gave up a hit in the ninth and earned the save. Kevin Kiermaier singled to drive in two runs and Brad Miller doubled home two more for the Rays. Austin Meadows doubled twice and singled to drive in two runs for the Pirates.
Curtis Granderson homered to right in his first at-bat as the Blue Jays' leadoff hitter, taking starter Nick Pivetta deep. Joe Biagini started for Toronto and gave up one hit and striking out two over two innings, and seven relievers scattered five hits and struck out eight. Pivetta gave up four hits and walked one in his two innings, striking out three. Mark Leiter worked two innings, striking out two and surrendering two hits. Danny Ortiz belted an eighth-inning homer.
Zach Wheeler started and worked an inning in the Mets opener, striking out two and giving up a hit after new manager Mickey Callaway told reporters he would treat the right-hander as a starter. Hansel Robles worked a solid inning, striking out two and giving up a hit and Tyler Bashlor got the win in relief despite walking two and giving up a run in an inning of work. Matt Wisler started and worked two innings for the Braves, giving up two hits and striking out one.
Sal Romano got the start and the win in the Reds' opener, giving up a second-inning home run to Yonder Alonso in his debut after signing as a free agent with the Indians. Tucker Barnhart homered for the Reds. Mike Clevinger and Ryan Merritt each worked a clean inning to start the game for the Indians.
Corbin Burnes worked a scoreless fourth inning, striking out two, to earn the win. Nick Ramirez got the save. Christian Yelich, obtained in a trade with the Marlins, singled and struck out twice in his debut. Michael Roth struck out a pair in his two-inning start.
Raul Alcantara got the win by pitching a hitless ninth. Matt Olson homered with a man on in the first off Nick Tropeano. Brandon Pinder pitched a third of an inning and took the loss. Colin Walsh hit a three-run homer in the eighth.
C.C. Lee gave up three earned runs in an inning of relief but still came away with the win. Justin Turner, Enrique Hernandez, Matt Kemp and Logan Forsythe each homered. Kemp's shot came with two men on and two out in the third. Dylan Covey got the start and surrendered a home run to Turner in the first. Tim Anderson homered.
BREWERS (SS) 6, GIANTS 5
Tristan Archer got the win after an inning of relief, striking out two. Lorenzo Cain had two hits in his first start back in a Brewers uniform. Ty Blach struck out two in his two-inning start. Andrew McCutchen made his debut in a Giants uniform and was hitless in two at-bats. Nick Hundley and Pablo Sandoval each homered.
Ariel Miranda started the opener and got the win after two innings of work. Dan Altavilla struck out the side in the ninth for the save. Dee Gordon, acquired from the Marlins in December, made his debut in center field and doubled in the first inning. Brett Kennedy started and took the loss after giving up three hits in an inning of work. Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., the 19-year-old son of a former major league third baseman, belted a solo home run to right field in his second at-bat.
DIAMONDBACKS 7, ROCKIES 6, 10 INNINGS
Matt Koch got the start and didn't make it out of the second inning after giving up two runs on two hits and a walk. Jeremy Hazelbaker homered in the third and Michael Perez hit a two-run homer to center in the seventh. Jeff Hoffman worked two innings, walking two, in the start. Ryan McMahon hit a two-run single in the second and Raimel Tapia lined a home run to left center in the third.