Major League Baseball
Ledee has three home runs, nine RBIs for Phillies Ricky Ledee never hit like this when it counter.
Ledee hit three homers, including a grand slam, and had nine RBIs Thursday to lead the Philadelphia Phillies over the Toronto Blue Jays 13-12 at Clearwater, Fla.
With a chance to hit his fourth home run in the ninth inning, the former New York Yankees’ prospect hit a two-run single. He wound up going 4-for-6 and scored four runs.
“The first three times I wasn’t even thinking about homers,” he said. “I just wanted to hit the ball good.”
The outfielder said he never had a day like this in his professional career.
“Not even in a week,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez left spring training Thursday, returning to Texas for tests on his stiff left shoulder.
Rodriguez complained of stiffness and fatigue in the shoulder after playing the past two days. He was scheduled for a day off Thursday and went back to Dallas for additional tests after an examination by team physician Dr. Drew Dosett.
Rodriguez was expected to return to spring training in Arizona on Thursday night or Friday.
At Fort Myers, Fla., Red Sox pitching coach Tony Cloninger returned to Boston’s spring training camp, two days after tests showed he may have bladder cancer.
“People have always asked me when am I going to retire, and I always say when they tear the uniform off me, and that’s how I feel right now,” Cloninger said. “I’m going to work, and I feel that I will be able to work and do my job through all of this. I may have to miss a day here and there but I don’t foresee any length of time.”
Also in Fort Myers, Kenny Rogers passed his physical, and Minnesota finalized his $2 million, one-year contract.
Rogers threw in the bullpen to All-Star catcher A.J. Pierzynski and got his new uniform dirty while taking fielding practice before Minnesota’s split-squad game against Detroit.
“I’m glad to be in a uniform,” the 38-year-old left-hander said. “I’m just ready to get to work. I’d like to have a little more time than I’ve got, so I’ll just squeeze as much as I can into these next couple of weeks.”
In Phoenix, AL Cy Young winner Barry Zito was picked to start Oakland’s season opener in Japan.
“It’s something that he deserves, and I’m sure he’ll be looking forward to it,” manager Ken Macha said.