FORT MYERS, Fla. — Boston’s first three hitters – Mookie Betts, Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts – combined for seven hits, three runs and two RBI to lead the Red Sox to a 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.

Bogaerts had a solo home run, his second of the spring, and No. 9 hitter Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a two-run homer, his third.

“He’s in a good place right now and I think he firmly believes he’s a major league player, and that’s more than half the battle to go along with the talent that he has,” Red Sox Manager John Farrell said of Bradley.

Odubel Herrera, who returned to the lineup Saturday for the first time in 13 days after injuring his left middle finger while sliding headfirst into home, went 3 for 3 and scored the Phillies’ run.

“He’s a freak,” Phillies Manager Pete Mackanin said. “This guy can hit. He’s just a real different kind of hitter. He’s got such great hand-eye coordination, it doesn’t take him long to get on track.”

Maikel Franco, who leads all major leaguers with eight home runs this spring, drove in Herrera with a first-inning double high off the replica Green Monster in center field. His drive just missed going out and was reviewed by the umpires, who let the call stand.

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Red Sox knuckleballer Steven Wright went 52/3 innings, giving up one run on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts. He is competing for a spot in the rotation.

“He certainly helped his cause today with a solid outing,” Farrell said. “I thought he did a nice job with his fastball and his curveball in the early innings to get back into some counts, and then he got a better feel for his knuckleball as the game went along.”

MARINERS: Robinson Cano had three home runs and seven RBI to help Seattle outlast the Chicago Cubs 12-9 in a game that was delayed for several minutes by a swarm of bees in center field.

INDIANS: Manager Terry Francona says reliever Joba Chamberlain has made the team as a non-roster invitee.

Francona also said All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley will not begin the season as a starter, as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery in November.

The Indians also released outfielder Will Venable and reliever Joe Thatcher, and informed left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny that he won’t make the team.

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CARDINALS: Third-base coach Jose Oquendo is taking a medical leave of absence.

Oquendo missed several days earlier this spring when he traveled to St. Louis for knee surgery. He returned to camp on March 20, walking with the aid of crutches, but hasn’t returned to the coach’s box since the surgery.

First-base coach Bill Maloney will handle third-base duties while Oquendo recovers, and assistant hitting coach Bill Mueller will coach first base.

TRADES: The Atlanta Braves acquired infielder/outfielder Tyler Moore from the Washington Nationals for minor-league first baseman Nate Freiman.

The Braves also added left-handed reliever Eric O’Flaherty from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations.


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