FORT MYERS, Fla. — Miguel Gonzalez got through five innings in his final spring start, giving up four runs as the split-squad Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4 on Wednesday.

Gonzalez allowed seven hits, including back-to-back home runs by Xander Bogaerts and Will Middlebrooks leading off the fourth.

Middlebrooks hit his fourth homer and singled, raising his average to .341.

Baltimore’s Nick Markakis also is hitting .341. He doubled, scored a run and drove in one.

Steve Clevenger hit his second homer for the Orioles and Ryan Flaherty, a Portland native, had two hits.

Dustin Pedroia had two hits for Boston.

Advertisement

Starting in place of Jon Lester, right-hander Allen Webster went 52/3 innings, giving up five runs on 11 hits. He struck out three and walked two.

To avoid facing the team he will see on opening day, Lester pitched in a minor league game. Throwing for high Class A Salem against a Twins squad, he went six innings, giving up one run on three hits with three walks and seven strikeouts. 

WHITE SOX: Chicago claimed right-handed pitcher Javy Guerra off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

ROYALS: Catcher Salvador Perez was hit in the helmet by a pitch and left the game against San Diego.

The Royals said Perez didn’t sustain a concussion. Perez relayed through the club that he’s “fine.” 

INDIANS: Carlos Carrasco earned a spot in the starting rotation and will pitch April 5 against Minnesota. 

Advertisement

RANGERS: Texas said ace Yu Darvish has no structural damage in his stiff neck but will likely begin the season on the disabled list. 

ANGELS: Los Angeles granted right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton his unconditional release but will still have to pay him $8.5 million. 

BLUE JAYS: Drew Hutchison and Dustin McGowan won spots in Toronto’s rotation.

They join R.A. Dickey, Mark Buehrle and Brandon Morrow. 

ROYALS: Reliever Louis Coleman probably will start the season on the disabled list because of a bone bruise on his right middle finger. 

DODGERS: Clayton Kershaw will miss his scheduled start against the San Diego Padres because of an inflamed muscle in his back. 

GIANTS: Second baseman Marco Scutaro said he will begin the season on the disabled list with back problems.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.