Spring training roundup
Opening day starters strong as camps wind down Randy Johnson and Jason Schmidt were among the half dozen opening day pitchers who put together strong starts Friday with the regular season a little more than a week away.
Johnson allowed one run and five hits in 6 1-3 innings in the New York Yankees’ 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins. The left-hander struck out six and didn’t walk a batter.
“For me, these are meaningful games,” Johnson said in Fort Myers, Fla. “They prepare me for getting ready for even more meaningful games.
“I’ve had miserable spring trainings before. But you know what, we all want to go out and do well.”
Twins first baseman Terry Tiffee hit a home run in the fourth inning to account for the Twins’ only run against Johnson, who struck out Tiffee in the seventh.
“He was throwing gas,” said Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, who went 0-for-3 and struck out twice against the 6-foot-10, Johnson.
Schmidt pitched seven innings of five-hit ball in the San Francisco Giants’ 6-4 win over Colorado in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The right-hander gave up just two infield hits in the first five innings before Colorado rallied for two runs – just one earned – in the sixth. After battling injuries throughout last season, he improved to 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA this spring.
Giants closer Armando Benitez also worked a perfect inning in his first major league action since aggravating his sore knee on March 11.
At Peoria, Ariz., Seattle starter Jamie Moyer prepared for his opening day start with a near-flawless performance.
Moyer held the defending champion Chicago White Sox to one hit in six shutout innings to lead the Mariners to a 4-3 win.
“I was throwing mostly fastballs and had pretty good location,” said Moyer, who struck out three and walked two. “I was able to keep the ball down and work quickly.”
Milwaukee’s Doug Davis and Kansas City’s Scott Elarton also had solid outings.
Davis blanked the Arizona Diamondbacks until Alex Frazier’s three-run home run in the fifth. The left-hander gave up three runs on four hits in five innings. He struck out three and walked two.
The Brewers beat the Diamondbacks 16-5.
“That’s the best I’ve felt all spring,” Davis said in Tucson, Ariz., “the best command I’ve had.”
Elarton limited the Los Angeles Angels to one run in six strong innings to lead the Royals to a 5-1 win in Tempe, Ariz.
Elarton improved to 3-0 this spring, scattering nine hits and allowing one run. He struck out one and walked one. He extended the Royals’ consecutive shutout innings streak to 18 before Adam Kennedy drove in the Angels’ run in the fourth.
In Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Baltimore right-hander Rodrigo Lopez tossed six shutout innings in the Orioles’ 2-0 win over Boston. He allowed two singles, walked four and struck out three.
“With two outs left for me before opening day, it gives me a lot of confidence,” Lopez said.
At Fort Myers, Fla., Red Sox closer Keith Foulke struck out the side in a perfect inning in a minor league game. The right-hander is working his way back from surgery on both knees.
“I feel great,” he said. “With another week of refinement, I’m going to be just fine.”
Red Sox ace Curt Schilling allowed five runs and eight hits in seven innings but struck out 10 in the Pawtucket Red Sox’ 7-6 Triple-A win over the Ottawa Lynx.