Advertisement

Spring training roundup: Franco leads Phils over Rays

Feb 21, 2019; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) fields a ground ball during spring training at Spectrum Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia third baseman Maikel Franco homered as the Phillies beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in both teams' spring training openers on Friday afternoon at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla. Shaking off an offseason of trade rumors and uncertainly as his team publicly courted free agent infielder Manny Machado, who signed with the San Diego Padres this week, Franco knocked in two runs for the Phillies. Tommy Pham double twice in three at-bats for the Rays. Mariners 8, A's 1 Mitch Haniger slugged a first-inning home run and drove in two runs as Seattle officially opened its spring schedule by routing Oakland. Kyle Seager went 2-for-2 with a double, and minor-leaguer Tim Lopes had three hits for Seattle. Sean Murphy homered for the A's. The two teams were rained out Thursday in what was to be their spring opener. --Field Level Media