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Mar 16, 2026 4:41 pm

Spring training roundup: Chris Sale completes six innings as Braves rout Rays

chris sale
Photo by: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Chris Sale pounded the strike zone and completed six innings as the host Atlanta Braves routed the Tampa Bay Rays, 11-2, on Monday in North Port, Fla.

The rangy southpaw, who just signed a contract extension through 2027, allowed five hits, did not walk a batter and fanned three. Sale threw 53 of his 75 pitches for strikes and only permitted one run, a solo homer by Nick Fortes with one out in the sixth.

The Braves scored four runs in the second and led 8-0 after five innings. Eli White, who hit a career-best 10 home runs in 2025, connected for a two-run blast in the fourth after singling in the second. He is hitting .414 this spring. Mike Yastrzemski went 3-for-4 with two runs and raised his batting average to .448, while Drake Baldwin slugged a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth.

Rays starting pitcher Nick Martinez, who was signed to a one-year, $13 million deal last month, was hit hard, allowing seven runs and 10 hits in four innings. The versatile 35-year old now has a 9.90 ERA this spring.

Blue Jays 5, Marlins 4 (6)

George Springer led off the game with a home run and Toronto tacked on four runs in the third inning to edge host Miami in a rain-shortened game called in the bottom of the sixth in Jupiter, Fla.

Daulton Varsho keyed the four-run outburst with a two-run double down the right-field line. It was the fifth double of the spring for the veteran outfielder, who is hitting .432 in Florida.

Two Marlins went deep — Otto Lopez hit a solo homer in the first and Daniel Johnson connected for a solo shot in the fifth. Janson Junk, who emerged as a reliable starter for Miami in 2025, allowed four runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts in two innings.

Twins 5, Pirates 1

In only his second start of the spring, likely Opening Day starter Joe Ryan completed four innings as Minnesota defeated visiting in Fort Myers, Fla.

Ryan gave up one run on five hits and one walk, but fanned six Pirates in a 68-pitch effort. Luke Keaschall broke a 1-1 tie with a three-run home run in the third inning and, two batters later, Victor Caratini blasted a solo shot.

Pirates starter Noah Davis, who pitched four games with Boston in 2025, allowed all five Twins’ runs in four innings. Henry Davis contributed a run-scoring single in the top of the third for Pittsburgh.

Tigers 13, Phillies 6

Top prospect Kevin McGonigle blasted a three-run home run to highlight a seven-run Detroit first inning and the hosts cruised to victory over Philadelphia in Lakeland, Fla.

Spencer Torkelson hit a solo shot in the second inning and Jahmai Jones (2-for-4, 5 RBIs) added a bases-clearing double in the third. Starter Jack Flaherty allowed five runs and five hits in five innings.

Phillies’ minor leaguer Charles King was touched up for 10 earned runs in 1 2/3 innings. Felix Reyes and Otto Kemp hit three-run homers for all of the Philadelphia offense.

Red Sox, Orioles, cancelled

The scheduled evening game between Boston and Baltimore was cancelled due to impending weather in Sarasota, Fla. There will be no make-up date.

–Field Level Media

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