Associated Press
The spring training roundup …
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. ó Livan Hernandez strengthened his grip on the No. 5 spot in the New York Mets’ rotation with five strong innings Wednesday in a 7-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Hernandez scattered five hits and allowed just one run, striking out three.
A pair of prospects led the Braves. Jordan Schafer went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run, while starting pitcher Tommy Hanson allowed three hits and two unearned runs in four innings to lower his spring ERA to 2.45.
Giants 8, Cubs 6
At Mesa, Ariz., NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum gave up four runs and seven hits, including a first-pitch homer to Alfonso Soriano, in 32/3 innings.
Rangers 9, Padres 4
At Peoria, Ariz., Josh Hamilton went 3-for-3 including a bunt single with a runner on base during a four-run first inning. Hamilton is hitting .439 with 15 RBIs in 14 spring training games. Brandon McCarthy threw four hitless innings to keep the Padres winless against AL teams this spring (0-8-2).
Angels 4, White Sox 1
At Phoenix, Dustin Moseley shut down Chicago, allowing four hits and striking out four in five innings.
Blue Jays 7, Phillies 7
At Clearwater, Fla., Jayson Werth hit a 400-foot, three-run homer off Toronto’s Scott Richmond.
Brewers 4, Diamondbacks 1
At Tucson, Ariz., Yovani Gallardo held Arizona hitless through five innings. Gallardo, who missed virtually all of last season with knee injuries, struck out three and walked three.
Arizona’s Doug Davis cruised in his return to the mound after missing a start with tightness in his biceps. He held the Brewers without a hit in 21/3 scoreless innings.
Rays 7, Reds 3
At Port Charlotte, Fla., Jason Hammel, competing with Jeff Niemann and David Price for the No. 5 spot in Tampa Bay’s rotation, allowed three runs and five hits, including Edwin Encarnacion’s homer, in four innings.
Cardinals 3, Orioles 2
At Jupiter, Fla., Chris Carpenter, who missed most of the past two seasons with arm and shoulder trouble, pitched six scoreless innings and has not given up a run in 14 innings this spring.
Yankees 4, Astros 1
At Kissimmee, Fla., Mike Hampton pitched five scoreless innings and hasn’t allowed a run in nine innings over his past two starts. Hampton allowed four hits, struck out two and has a 3.38 ERA this spring.