Spring roundup: CC Sabathia makes pitch for starting role

CC Sabathia, competing for the fifth spot in the New York Yankees' rotation, gave up two runs and three hits in a 5-4 split-squad victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday in a rain-shortened, five-inning game in Tampa, Fla.

The 35-year-old Sabathia is vying with Ivan Nova for a starting job. A decision is expected in the next few days. Meanwhile, Carlos Beltran struck the big blow against the Pirates with a two-run homer during a three-run second inning, and he added a sacrifice fly in a two-run third.

Cubs 9, Athletics 5

Opening Day starter Jake Arrieta gave up one run and two hits in five innings and Chicago defeated beat Oakland 9-5 in Mesa, Ariz. Kyle Schwarber hit a first-pitch home run off A's starter Sonny Gray and Addison Russell added a two-run shot off Gray in the fourth, and Munenori Kawasaki contributed a three-run homer, Matt Szczur a two-run shot and David Ross a solo drive for the Cubs.

Rockies 6, Diamondbacks 1

Nolan Arenado boosted his spring average to a major-league best .580 with two home runs and a single and Charlie Blackmon also homered for Colordo against Arizona in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Angels 1, Indians (ss) 1

Garrett Richards was named the Opening Day starter and then went out and gave up one run and two hits in five innings against a Cleveland split squad in a nine-inning tie in Tempe, Ariz. Trevor Bauer pitched six innings without yielding a run and Jose Ramirez had an RBI for the Indians.

White Sox 6, Rangers 2

Alex Avila had a two-run single, Todd Frazier homered and Chris Sale gave up one run and six hits in 5 1/3 innings for Chicago against Texas in Glendale, Ariz. Adam Eaton homered in the seventh for the White sox, and Josh Altmann and Hanser Alberto hit home runs for the Rangers.

Reds 9, Brewers 2

Adam Duvall's home run and four RBIs carried Cincinnati over Milwaukee in Phoenix. Brewers starter Wily Peralta gave up six hits in four innings and second baseman Colin Walsh committed three errors.

Padres 11, Dodgers 9

Jon Jay hit two home runs and Wil Myers also had a two-run homer to help San Diego down Los Angeles in Peoria, Ariz. Padres starter Colin Rea gave up three runs and five hits in five innings, including a homer to Justin Turner, and the Dodgers added a three-run homer from Joc Pederson.

Marlins 1, Mets 0

Chris Narveson, Paul Clemens, Dustin McGowan, Brad Hand and Cody Ege combined for a two-hitter as Miami beat New York in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Dee Gordon's third-inning single drove in the only run and the Mets were unable to manage another hit after Yoenis Cespedes' bloop single in the third.

Twins 6, Red Sox 2

Brian Dozier homered on the first pitch, Miguel Sano followed with a home run and Kurt Suzuki also hit one for Minnesota against Boston in a rain-shortened, seven-inning game in Fort Myers, Fla. Sano finished with three hits and three RBI, and Dozier and Trever Plouffe each had two hits.

Braves 4, Orioles 4 (10 innings)

Matt Wisler gave up a leadoff home run by Manny Machado in the first inning but pitched into the sixth as Atlanta tied Baltimore in a 10-inning game in Sarasota, Fla. Wisler allowed three runs and three hits, Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez yielded one run and seven hits in five innings and Matt Wieters hit a third-inning homer.

Indians (ss) 4, Mariners 1

Josh Tomlin struck out 10 and didn't issue a walk in six scoreless innings as Cleveland topped Seattle in Goodyear, Ariz. Yan Gomes homered and knocked in three runs for the Indians. Mariners starter Taijuan Walker gave up three runs in five innings.

Royals 16, Giants 10

Kansas City starter Yordano Ventura was rocked for 11 hits and 10 runs in four innings, but the Royals outslugged San Francisco in Surprise, Ariz. Mike Moustakas homered and knocked in five runs, and Salvador Perez added four RBIs for Kansas City. Giants designated hitter Ricky Oropesa hit a home run and drove in four.

Cardinals-Nationals, ppd.

Rain brought an early end to starts by aces Adam Wainwright and Stephen Strasburg in Jupiter, Fla., after St. Louis and Washington were rained out in the top of the fourth inning.

Rays-Blue Jays (ss), pdd.

Logan Forsythe began the afternoon with a home run, but the game between Tampa Bay and a Toronto split squad was canceled after two innings because of rain in Dunedin, Fla.

Tigers-Blue Jays (ss), ppd.

Justin Upton had a single and scored a run before rain came in the third inning and canceled Detroit's game against a Toronto split squad in Lakeland, Fla.

Yankees (ss)-Phillies, ppd.

Masahiro Tanaka gave up seven hits and one run in four innings in a split-squad game against Philadelphia shortened to four innings because lightning in Clearwater, Fla. Dustin Ackley belted a three-run homer and Miguel Andujar also homered to provide offense for the Yankees.