Thursday, March 20, 2003
C.C. Sabathia worked five shutout innngs before allowing a run in the sixth.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Jim Parque pitched five strong innings, aiding his case to make Tampa Bay's starting rotation, and the Devil Rays beat the Cleveland Indians 3-2 Sunday.
Parque gave up a two-run home run to Brandon Phillips in the second inning, but escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fourth. The left-hander walked three and struck out one.
C.C. Sabathia, the Indians' opening day starter, worked five shutout innings before allowing an RBI double by Damian Rolls in the sixth.
Rocco Baldelli put the Devil Rays ahead with his third homer this spring, a two-run shot off Aaron Myette (0-1) in the eighth.
Jorge Sosa (1-1) pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the win.
Pirates 10, Red Sox 4
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Less than two years after having surgery to repair his right elbow, Kris Benson got the call as Pittsburgh's opening day starter. Benson entered spring training as the Pirates' No. 1 pitcher, but manager Lloyd McClendon didn't make it official until after Sunday's game.
Jason Kendall and Kevin Young each had two hits and two RBIs for Pittsburgh, which scored six runs off Boston starter Casey Fossum before he was lifted after 21/3 innings.
Manny Ramirez went 3-for-3 for the Red Sox, improving his average this spring to .581.
Benson gave up doubles to Ramirez and David Ortiz in a two-run first, but the only other blemish was a solo home run by Kevin Millar in the fourth.
Pittsburgh broke the game open in the sixth on Kendall's two-run double. Pokey Reese and Adam Hyzdu also had two hits for the Pirates.