5 best/worst performances from 1st day of spring training
Spring training, where the standings don't matter, but it's nice to have baseball back after what appeared to be a longer and colder winter than normal.
With the first day of games officially in the books, here's a look at the best and worst performers on the diamond from Monday.
5 best performances
Pedro Alvarez (Pirates): 2-for-3, HR, 2B, 4RBI
The Pirates new first baseman smacked a three-run home run in the first inning off Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez and followed up with a double four innings later. Alvarez is making the transition across the diamond after spending his first five seasons at third base.
Aaron Civale (Northeastern University): 2IP, 0H, 0ER, 0R, 2BB, 4K
The Boston Red Sox's impressive new offense was no match for Northeastern University right-hander Aaron Civale. The sophomore tossed two no-hit innings while striking out David Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez, Mike Napoli and Xander Bogaerts. The Red Sox may have found their ace.
Yoenis Cespedes (Tigers): 1-for-3, HR, 4RBI
Cespedes clubbed a grand slam off Orioles minor-leaguer Oliver Drake in the fourth inning of the Tigers' 15-2 smashing of Baltimore. The Tigers' lineup owns an absurd amount of power with Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martiez, J.D. Martinez and Cespedes rolling 3-through-6.
Marcus Semien (Athletics): 3-for-3, 2HR, 4RBI
Semien did his part to ender himself amongst his new teammates by hitting a pair of home runs in a 9-4 win over the Giants. Acquired from the White Sox in the offseason, the infielder has just eight home runs in 85 career games. The 24-year-old homered off Madison Bumgarner in the first inning and took Cody Hall deep in the fifth.
Jung-ho Kang (Pirates): 1-for-2, HR, RBI
After blasting 40 home runs in the Korean league last season, Pirates infielder Jung-ho Kang cleared the fence in his second at-bat of the spring in the Pirates' 8-7 win over Toronto.
5 worst performances
Ubaldo Jimenez (Orioles): 1 1/3 IP, 2H, 6R, 5ER, 2BB, 2SO
Hoping to put a disappointing season behind him, Jimenez was shelled in his first start of 2015. The right-hander allowed six runs (five earned) in 1 1/3 innings but said following the game he's not concerned. Only three-years, $40 million remain on his contract Orioles' fans.
Madison Bumgarner (Giants): 1 2/3 IP, 5H, 4R, 4ER, 0BB, 2K
Almost unhittable last October, Bumgarner was tagged for four runs off five hits in 1 2/3 innings against the Oakland Athletics. The World Series MVP also said he's not worried about the result and it's safe to say there's less concern with him than Jimenez.
Aaron Sanchez (Blue Jays): 1 1/3 IP, 4H, 5R, 2ER, BB, HR
Questions remain whether or not Sanchez will be used in the rotation or the bullpen this season, but the promising 22-year-old didn't do himself any favors after getting roughed up in 1 1/3 innings of work against the Pirates. It wasn't all his fault, however, as a two-out error by Josh Donaldson preceded a three-run home run from Pedro Alvarez. The right-hander, who allowed just one home run in 33 innings last season, almost had his head taken off as well.
David Ortiz (Red Sox): 0-for-2 , 2SO
Ortiz whiffed on a pair of at-bats against pitchers almost half his age, leaving a pair of runners on during the Red Sox's 2-1 win over Northeastern University. Spring struggles are nothing new for Big Papi, who went 2-for-37 during last year's exhibition circuit.
Tim Lincecum (Giants): 1IP, 1H, 1ER, 2SO, 2WP
While short haired Lincecum's performance wasn't terrible, the right-hander did manage to allow a run and uncork two wild pitches in just an inning of work. The 30-year-old is set to rejoin the rotation this season after being relegated to the bullpen to finish off last year.
(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)