Spring Training: 3/25

Quick note: Madison JV Baseball beat Marshall 21-0, scoring all 21 runs in the first four innings until a slaughter rule was enacted in the fifth. Of the 18 batsmen our pitchers faced, 13 struck out aside from two walks, a hit, a groundout and a flyout.

Quote of the Day

"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer".  ~Ted Williams

News

Royals closer Joakim Soria and Reds closer Ryan Madson will both have season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain seriously dislocated his ankle and is unlikely to play this season.

Nationals signed Xavier Nady (4 HR, 35 RBI, .248 AVG, 2 SB, 2012 age: 33) to a minor league deal.

Orioles signed Dontrelle Willis (1-6, 5.00 ERA, .271 BAA, 2012 age: 30) to a minor league deal shortly after he was released by the Phillies.

Nationals outfielder Michael Morse is rehabbing a strained lat muscle and is aiming to be ready for Opening Day.

Nationals closer Drew Storen is dealing with elbow irritation and is unlikely for Opening Day. An MRI revealed no structural damage, so Tommy John surgery is not foreseeable. 

Game Scores

Orioles (9-9) beat the Nationals (5-13) 12-3.

Phillies (10-11) beat the Red Sox (split squad, 10-9) 10-5.

Red Sox (10-9) beat the Marlins (7-10) 4-1.

Yankees (13-9) beat the Tigers (14-4) 4-2.

Twins (13-10) beat the Rays (6-13) 19-4.

Blue Jays (18-4) beat the Braves (7-14) 9-0.

Padres (split squad, 14-9) beat the Cubs (10-13) 5-1.

Dodgers (11-7) beat the Indians (6-13) 5-4.

Top scorer: Twins beat the Rays 19-4.

Standings

Grapefruit League: Top: Blue Jays (18-4, .818 WPCT).  Bottom: Nationals and Mets (5-13, .278).

Cactus League: Top: A's (14-5, .737).  Bottom: Rangers (6-15, .286).

League Leaders

Offensive: AVG: Lorenzo Cain (Royals), .488 (20-41). Home runs: Ryan Raburn (Tigers), 6. RBI: Delmon Young (Tigers), 19.  Stolen bases: Gregor Blanco (Giants), 9.

Pitching: Wins: Luis Mendoza (Royals), 4.  K's: Francisco Liriano (Twins), 23.  ERA: Adam Wainwright (Cardinals), 0.00 (14 shutout innings).  Saves: Greg Holland (Royals) and Danny Otero (Giants), 3.

Top Performers

Offensive: Matt Wieters (4-4, home run (2), 6 RBI, run, AVG up .100 points from .129 to .229.

Pitching: Henderson Alvarez (Blue Jays): Win (2-0), 5 shutout innings, 1 hit, no walks, 4 K's, ERA drop: 1.36 runs from 3.00 to 1.64.

Worst Pitching Performance: Jeremy Hellickson (Rays): 3 innings, 10 earned runs, 11 hits, 2 walks, 1 K (6), ERA jump: 6.30 runs from 9.00 to 15.30.

-- 

Zack Silverman