Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The New York Yankees looked in midseason form. So did the Florida Marlins.
The World Series champions hit nine homers on Friday, including two each by Ricky Ledee, Jorge Posada and Clay Bellinger, as the Marlins received their second straight pounding, falling 19-0 to the Yankees in Melbourne, Florida.
Derek Jeter, Mike Coolbaugh and Rafael Bournigal also homered for the Yankees, who have struggled offensively much of the spring.
The Marlins, who were outhit 18-4, have been outscored 35-0 in their past two games as they deal with an outbreak of mumps that has infected six players.
"I'm not going to erupt in front of you people (the media), I'm not going to embarrass myself or you guys, but maybe later it'll be a different story," said Florida manager John Boles, whose team had the worst record in the NL last season.
Meanwhile, Kerry Wood worked to get back into midseason form, throwing two innings in a minor league game for the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Arizona.
In his second outing of the spring since undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery last April, Wood allowed three runs and five hits to a Triple-A team of the Milwaukee Brewers. But the good news was he hit 94-96 mph on the radar gun.
"I felt like my velocity was where it was last Saturday," Wood said. "I would have liked to have thrown more strikes with the fastball and have more command. Unfortunately I didn't, but I think we got some good accomplished out of it.
"I had a rough one today, but the arm feels good and we got some work done."
Wood, the 1998 NL Rookie of the Year, threw 15 pitches in each inning before the sides changed. He threw 25 fastballs and five changeups.
"At this stage of the rehab, the number of runs he gives up, the number of hits he gives up is irrelevant to his velocity, his mechanics and how he feels physically," GM Ed Lynch said.
In Kissimmee, Florida, Greg Maddux allowed his first run of the spring, pitching six strong innings in the Atlanta Braves' 8-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The four-time Cy Young winner allowed five hits and one run. Maddux has given up eight hits, one run, walked two and struck out 14 in 15 innings as he prepares for the regular season opener on April 3.
"I'm not really worried about the numbers," he said. "Whether my ERA is one or 10, it's not important. What's important is feeling like you can throw all your pitches at any count with confidence."
In other games:
Reds 5, Blue Jays 4 At Sarasota, Florida, Ken Griffey Jr drove in two runs with a double and a single, and Kimera Bartee hit a game-winning single in the ninth.
Dodgers 6, Astros 5 At Vero Beach, Florida, Todd Hollandsworth, competing with Devon White for the starting job in center field, went 3-for-4 with a grand slam.
Twins 2, Expos 1 At Fort Myers, Florida, Brad Radke tuned up for opening day by allowing one run in six innings.
Devil Rays 7, Royals 3 At St Petersburg, Florida, Steve Trachsel allowed two runs in four innings and Herbert Perry went 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
Red Sox 7, Rangers 1 At Fort Myers, Florida, Brian Rose allowed one run in 4 1-3 innings and Jose Offerman drove in three runs.
Cardinals 4, Orioles 1 At Jupiter, Florida, St Louis starter Andy Benes left after 3 1-3 innings with stiffness in his right shoulder. "It's stiff not sore. It's sort of a dead-arm thing that happens in the spring," Benes said.
Giants (ss) 6, Athletics 0 At Phoenix, Livan Hernandez pitched seven scoreless innings to won his first game of the spring and Bobby Estalella hit his fifth home run.
Diamondbacks 7, Rockies 6 At Tucson, Arizona, Damian Miller singled in the tiebreaking run as Arizona defeated Colorado for the fifth straight time this spring.
White Sox 6, Brewers 5 At Phoenix, Jose Valentin tripled, singled and scored twice against his former team as Chicago won its seventh straight game.
Padres 8, Angels 4 At Peoria, Arizona, John Roskos, fighting for a roster spot, tripled, doubled and scored two runs, and Tony Gwynn went 3-for-3 with his first homer of the spring.
Phillies 6, Tigers 3 At Lakeland, Florida, Hideo Nomo, Detroit's opening day starter, was roughed up for six runs in 5 2-3 innings in his next-to-last spring game. Kevin Sefcik hit a grand slam and Pat Burrell had a solo homer.
Giants (ss) 9, Mariners 4 At Scottsdale, Arizona, Jay Canizaro had four hits and drove in two runs and Jeff Kent for San Francisco. Alex Rodriguez hit his fourth home run of the spring for the Mariners.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments