Spring training summary: Rangers dominate White Sox with a 9-run opening inning.

Spring training summary: Rangers dominate White Sox with a 9-run opening inning.

Josh Smith recorded a 2-for-3 performance, contributing an RBI and scoring twice, while Joc Pederson capped a nine-run first inning with a three-run home run to left center, leading the Texas Rangers to an 11-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox in spring training on Monday in Phoenix. Adolis Garcia initiated the scoring by driving in Smith with a single, followed by an RBI sacrifice fly and a bases-loaded walk. Jonathan Ornelas and Smith then added run-scoring singles, setting the stage for Pederson's homer. In the ninth inning, Abimelec Ortiz and Jax Biggers each contributed solo home runs. Jon Gray (1-0) started for Texas, delivering two flawless innings with one strikeout. For the White Sox, starter Shane Smith (0-1) and Chris Rodriguez struggled through a challenging first inning before Smith returned to pitch the second. Andre Lipcius and Oscar Colas each recorded RBI doubles.

In another matchup, the St. Louis Cardinals triumphed over the New York Mets 7-4 in Jupiter, Florida, in the only Grapefruit League game that was not affected by rain. Luken Baker's three-run home run and an RBI sacrifice fly proved pivotal in securing the win. Steven Matz pitched two hitless innings as the Cardinals' starter, while Kyle Leahy (1-0) earned the victory with a scoreless inning of relief. Jose Barrero also contributed with a solo home run. For the Mets, newly re-signed first baseman Pete Alonso hit a two-run double, and both Jose Azocar and Chris Williams added solo homers. Starter Blade Tidwell allowed three runs on four hits over two innings, and Joander Suarez (0-1) permitted Jordan Walker's go-ahead double and Baker's sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.

In a tied game, the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals ended in a 1-1 draw. Luis Urias equalized with a single in the sixth inning, while Cavan Biggio went 2-for-3 and hit a solo home run for the Royals in the fifth before the A's leveled the score.

The Athletics outperformed the Royals with a score of 6-5, driven by Lawrence Butler's two hits. Starting pitchers Osvaldo Bido for the Athletics and Cole Ragans for the Royals each completed two innings of play.

In a tied game, the Rockies and Giants ended at 2-2. Chanteyon Davidson delivered an RBI double in the bottom of the ninth, allowing San Francisco's split squad to equalize against Colorado in Scottsdale, Arizona. Jung Hoo Lee contributed a solo home run for the Giants, while Justin Verlander made his debut for the team, pitching two innings and allowing one run with one strikeout. Michael Toglia hit a home run off Verlander in the first inning and also recorded an RBI single for the Rockies. Starter Chase Dollander struck out three batters and allowed one run on two hits over two innings.

The Reds triumphed over the Dodgers with a score of 8-1. Austin Hays had an outstanding performance, going 3-for-3 with two home runs, a double, and six RBIs, leading Cincinnati to victory in Goodyear, Arizona. Sal Stewart contributed a pinch-hit solo home run in the eighth inning. Brady Singer started for the Reds, striking out four batters and allowing two hits over two innings, before Carson Spiers (1-0) took over for the next two innings, striking out five while yielding one run on two hits. Tyler Glasnow (0-1) allowed three hits, including Hays' two-run double, and recorded two strikeouts in one inning. Eddie Rosario accounted for the Dodgers' only RBI.

The Cubs defeated the Padres 10-5, with Michael Busch's three-run homer highlighting a five-run sixth inning. Parker Chavers contributed an RBI double and a two-run triple for the Cubs, while James Triantos added two RBIs. Brad Keller (1-0) provided two innings of flawless relief. For the Padres, Eguy Rosario hit a two-run home run, and Tirso Ornelas added a solo shot. J.B. Wendelken (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing five runs on four hits and a walk in just two-thirds of an inning.

The Diamondbacks edged the Guardians with a score of 4-3.

The Athletics outperformed the Royals with a score of 6-5, driven by Lawrence Butler's two hits. Starting pitchers Osvaldo Bido for the Athletics and Cole Ragans for the Royals each completed two innings of play.

In a tied game, the Rockies and Giants ended at 2-2. Chanteyon Davidson delivered an RBI double in the bottom of the ninth, allowing San Francisco's split squad to equalize against Colorado in Scottsdale, Arizona. Jung Hoo Lee contributed a solo home run for the Giants, while Justin Verlander made his debut for the team, pitching two innings and allowing one run with one strikeout. Michael Toglia hit a home run off Verlander in the first inning and also recorded an RBI single for the Rockies. Starter Chase Dollander struck out three batters and allowed one run on two hits over two innings.

The Reds triumphed over the Dodgers with a score of 8-1. Austin Hays had an outstanding performance, going 3-for-3 with two home runs, a double, and six RBIs, leading Cincinnati to victory in Goodyear, Arizona. Sal Stewart contributed a pinch-hit solo home run in the eighth inning. Brady Singer started for the Reds, striking out four batters and allowing two hits over two innings, before Carson Spiers (1-0) took over for the next two innings, striking out five while yielding one run on two hits. Tyler Glasnow (0-1) allowed three hits, including Hays' two-run double, and recorded two strikeouts in one inning. Eddie Rosario accounted for the Dodgers' only RBI.

The Cubs defeated the Padres 10-5, with Michael Busch's three-run homer highlighting a five-run sixth inning. Parker Chavers contributed an RBI double and a two-run triple for the Cubs, while James Triantos added two RBIs. Brad Keller (1-0) provided two innings of flawless relief. For the Padres, Eguy Rosario hit a two-run home run, and Tirso Ornelas added a solo shot. J.B. Wendelken (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing five runs on four hits and a walk in just two-thirds of an inning.

The Diamondbacks edged the Guardians with a score of 4-3.