BASEBALL: Spring training roundup - Early HRs off Justin Verlander lead Yanks past Tigers

Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander gave up back-to-back home runs to Jasson Dominguez and J.C. Escarra in the first inning, as the New York Yankees took a 4-3 victory in Lakeland, Florida.

In his second start of spring, the 43-year-old Verlander allowed three solo home runs over 3 1/3 innings (61 pitches) while recording five strikeouts. Since returning to Detroit after stints with the Houston Astros, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants, Verlander has allowed five runs with nine strikeouts in 6 1/3 spring innings.

Yankees right-hander Will Warren allowed two runs on two hits over six innings with no walks. He gave up a home run to Tigers' Zach McKinstry in the fifth, narrowing New York’s lead to 3-2. Detroit tied it in the eighth on a Jude Warwick sacrifice fly, but a bases-loaded walk to Yankees minor leaguer Joshua Moylan drove in the game-winning run in the ninth. Seth Brown also homered off Verlander in the second inning.

St. Louis Cardinals 3, New York Mets 1

Nelson Velazquez hit a two-run homer off Mets starter Sean Manaea in the first inning to give St. Louis the lead in Jupiter, Florida.

Mets infielder Jorge Polanco responded with a solo home run off Cardinals starter Michael McGreevey, the only run McGreevey allowed in five innings. St. Louis first baseman Alec Burleson added an RBI single in the second. Nolan Gorman doubled and tripled off Manaea but was stranded both times.

Philadelphia Phillies 8, Toronto Blue Jays 5 (8 innings)

Philadelphia scored eight runs in the first three innings to defeat Toronto in Clearwater, Florida. Trea Turner drove in two with a double in the second, while Alec Bohm blasted a solo homer in a four-run third inning. Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo allowed three runs over 3 2/3 innings, giving up a first-inning homer to Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman.

Minnesota Twins 8, Boston Red Sox 5

Rayne Doncon’s three-run triple in the eighth broke a 5-5 tie, leading the Twins past the Red Sox in Fort Myers, Florida. Orlando Arcia hit a two-run homer for Minnesota in the sixth, but Boston scored twice in the eighth to retake the lead. Twins’ starter Bailey Ober allowed one run in 2 1/3 innings.

Chicago Cubs 7, Seattle Mariners 3

Michael Busch and BJ Murray each had two hits, while Chas McCormick homered in a four-run seventh, helping the Cubs defeat the Mariners in Mesa, Arizona. Cubs starter Edward Cabrera gave up one run in 3 2/3 innings, with four relievers throwing scoreless innings.

Texas Rangers 7, Oakland Athletics 6

Wyatt Langford’s three-run homer in a six-run second helped Texas hold off Oakland in Surprise, Arizona. Jack Leiter allowed two runs in five innings, while Willie MacIver added a three-run double.

Colorado Rockies 13, Arizona Diamondbacks 2

TJ Rumfield and Adael Amador each had two-run singles in an eight-run sixth inning as Colorado routed Arizona in Scottsdale, Arizona. Rumfield also added RBI singles in the fourth and fifth innings.

Washington Nationals 3, Houston Astros 2

Trey Lipscomb’s ninth-inning single tied the game, and Brady House scored on an error to give Washington a win in West Palm Beach, Florida. Andres Chaparro homered for the Nationals, while Yordan Alvarez went 3-for-3 for Houston.

Pittsburgh Pirates 5, Atlanta Braves 2

Alika Williams’ go-ahead two-run single highlighted Pittsburgh’s five-run eighth in Bradenton, Florida. Pirates starter Bubba Chandler allowed one run in five innings with eight strikeouts. Braves starter Grant Holmes threw five hitless innings.

Cleveland Guardians 1, Milwaukee Brewers 0

Kyle Manzardo’s first-inning RBI single was the game-winner as Cleveland pitchers limited Milwaukee to three hits in Goodyear, Arizona. Guardians starter Slade Cecconi struck out six over four innings.

Los Angeles Dodgers 9, Cincinnati Reds 5

Teoscar Hernandez hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs to lead Los Angeles past Cincinnati in Phoenix. Max Muncy and Kyle Nevin also homered. Reds starter Nick Lodolo allowed six runs over four innings.

Chicago White Sox 3, San Francisco Giants 3

Jerar Encarnacion’s ninth-inning sacrifice fly lifted the Giants and White Sox to a tie in Scottsdale, Arizona. Will Brennan and Matt Chapman contributed RBI singles for San Francisco, while Lenyn Sosa and Derek Hill homered for Chicago.

Kansas City Royals 10, San Diego Padres 1

Dustin Dickerson capped a six-run first inning with an RBI single as Kansas City dominated San Diego in Peoria, Arizona. Kris Bubic tossed three scoreless innings for the Royals. Padres starter German Marquez allowed six runs in 1 2/3 innings.

—Field Level Media/Reuters