Toronto delivered a dominant offensive showcase Thursday afternoon, overwhelming a New York Yankees split squad 11-0 in spring training action from Dunedin, Florida.
George Springer provided the highlight with a bases-loaded home run during the fourth inning, capping off a stellar three-hit day at the plate for the Blue Jays outfielder.
The Blue Jays’ power surge began early when Daulton Varsho connected for a solo blast in the opening frame. Varsho matched Springer’s output with three hits as Toronto accumulated 14 total hits in the lopsided victory.
The offensive barrage continued in the fifth inning as Andres Gimenez drove a two-run homer over the fence. On the mound, Cody Ponce dominated Yankees hitters, surrendering only one hit while recording five strikeouts across 5 2/3 innings of work.
New York managed just three hits in the defeat, with Amed Rosario accounting for two of them.
Yankees Split Squad 5, Orioles 4
A different Yankees squad staged a dramatic comeback victory over Baltimore in Tampa, Florida, with Garrett Martin delivering a crucial ninth-inning solo homer before Roderick Arias drove in the winning run on a sacrifice fly.
Giancarlo Stanton contributed both a solo home run and a sacrifice fly for New York’s offense.
Baltimore received strong contributions from Coby Mayo, who launched a two-run homer, while RJ Austin connected for an RBI double and Adley Rutschman added a run-scoring single.
Phillies 8, Rays 2
Philadelphia powered past Tampa Bay in Clearwater, Florida, behind a three-homer attack led by Otto Kemp’s three-run blast.
Bryson Stott added a two-run homer for his third spring training long ball, while Adolis Garcia also went deep for the Phillies.
Tampa Bay’s offense was limited to solo homers from Ryan Vilade and Alfonzo Martinez, both connecting in the fifth inning.
Cardinals 5, Nationals 1
St. Louis controlled their matchup against Washington in Jupiter, Florida, with Dakota Harris driving in two runs during the third inning before scoring on Trey Paige’s two-run homer in the eighth.
Nelson Velazquez contributed an RBI single in the first inning and joined Alec Burleson with two hits each as the Cardinals collected 10 total hits.
Washington’s offense was held to two hits from Brady House, with Luis Garcia Jr. scoring their lone run on a groundout in the second inning.
