Spring training roundup: Juan Soto homers in first Mets at-bat

After signing a record $765 million 15-year contract with the New York Mets this offseason, Juan Soto hit a solo shot in his first spring training at-bat, helping the hosts defeat the Houston Astros 6-2 on Saturday in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Soto, who had an RBI on a fielder’s choice in the second, took Houston left-hander Colton Gordon deep on a 2-1 pitch to left-center in the first inning, with the blast estimated at 426 feet.

Mets right-hander Clay Holmes, who like Soto left the New York Yankees after last season, struck out three on 34 pitches in three perfect innings. Mainly a reliever as a big leaguer, Holmes is converting to a starting role.

Gordon gave up four runs (three earned) on four hits in 1 1/3 innings. Brice Matthews and Chase Jaworsky each had an RBI for Houston.

Reds 6, Guardians 3

Elly De La Cruz homered from both sides of the plate, totaling an estimated 859 feet, as Cincinnati defeated Cleveland in Goodyear, Ariz.

In the first, De La Cruz took Guardians starter Triston McKenzie deep while batting left-handed, with the ball landing 450 feet away, per Statcast. From the right side in the fourth, De La Cruz ripped a drive off lefty Logan Allen an estimated 409 feet. Willie Banfield added a three-run shot for the Reds.

Cleveland’s Lane Thomas opened the scoring with a two-run drive in the first off Hunter Greene. McKenzie gave up just the one run in two innings on De La Cruz’s shot, while Greene went two innings and struck out three.

Nationals 6, Astros 3

Robert Hassell III delivered a tiebreaking three-run double in the top of the ninth inning to lift Washington over host Houston in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Nationals reliever Tyler Stuart picked up the win despite blowing the save, allowing two runs in the eighth. Marquis Grissom Jr., son of the former major leaguer, earned the save with a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth.

Astros reliever Joey Mancini was saddled with the loss, giving up the double to Hassell after walking a pair and hitting a batter. Houston was limited to two hits, scoring a sacrifice fly, a groundout and a wild pitch.

Pirates 10, Orioles 5

Matt Gorski homered twice — including a grand slam — and drove in six runs, sparking visiting Pittsburgh to a win over Baltimore in Sarasota, Fla.

D.J. Stewart also went deep and finished with two hits and three RBIs as part of the Pirates’ 12-hit attack. Seven Pittsburgh relievers combined to allow two earned runs.

In his spring debut, Orioles starter Albert Suarez gave up two runs on three hits and walked two in 1 2/3 innings. Emmanuel Rivera belted a two-run shot and scored twice.

Red Sox 6, Rays 4

Tyler Miller belted a tiebreaking two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, lifting Boston over host Tampa Bay in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Ceddanne Rafaela and Trayce Thompson also went deep for Boston, which let a late 4-1 lead slip away before Miller’s blast.

Former Red Sox catcher Danny Jansen homered for the Rays, who got RBI hits from Willy Vazquez and Tres Barerra in a three-run seventh.

Tigers 7, Phillies 6

Justice Bigbie notched a walk-off RBI single and Ben Malgeri went 3-for-3 with four RBIs as Detroit battled back to beat visiting Philadelphia in Lakeland, Fla.

The Tigers’ Eliezer Alfonzo doubled in a pair to help pick up Matt Manning, who gave up three runs on three hits and four walks in 1 1/3 innings.

For the Phillies, Buddy Kennedy belted a two-run homer, Josh Breaux added a solo shot and Max Kepler hit a two-run single. Kepler signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Phillies after 10 seasons with the Minnesota Twins.

Twins 3, Braves 1

Starters Chris Sale and Zebby Matthews each tossed two scoreless innings in a matchup that featured just nine hits in Fort Myers, Fla.

Minnesota’s Luke Keaschall delivered a go-ahead two-run single in the sixth, and Kala’i Rosario added an insurance run in the seventh with a sacrifice fly. Seven relievers held Atlanta to just one run on three hits.

For the Braves, Nick Allen’s RBI single in the third accounted for the visitors’ lone run. Sale retired all six batters he faced in his spring debut.

Blue Jays 6, Yankees 4

Orelvis Martinez hit a solo shot off Brandon Leibrandt as Toronto built a four-run lead before holding on to defeat visiting New York in Dunedin, Fla.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who cut off extension talks before full-squad workouts began, delivered the game’s first run with an RBI single. Alejandro Kirk and Steward Berroa also had RBI hits for Toronto.

In his spring debut, Carlos Rodon was touched up for three runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings, with one walk and one strikeout. Spencer Jones ripped a two-run homer and Alexander Vargas delivered a solo blast for New York.

Marlins 7, Cardinals 6

Heriberto Hernandez notched a three-run double in a five-run seventh as the Marlins rallied from a six-run deficit to upend host St. Louis in Jupiter, Fla.

Joe Mack capped Miami’s comeback with a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth, scoring Jack Winkler, who had tied the game with an RBI double.

In his spring debut, St. Louis starter Erick Fedde allowed two hits but held Miami scoreless in his one inning of work. Jose Barrero hit a two-run single to cap a five-run sixth and give the Cards a 6-0 lead.

Royals 11, Dodgers 10

John Rave delivered a go-ahead two-run triple in the top of the ninth inning as Kansas City edged Los Angeles at Glendale, Ariz.

The Royals’ Maikel Garcia drove in three with a triple and Omar Hernandez added a two-run single to highlight an 11-hit attack.

For Los Angeles, Hunter Feduccia went 3-for-3 with a three-run shot and five RBIs, while Max Muncy also hit a three-run homer and Zyhir Hope added a solo blast.

Giants 6, Rangers 1

Sam Huff and Bryce Eldridge ripped two-run home runs while eight San Francisco pitchers limited Texas to just four hits in Surprise, Ariz.

Grant McCray also homered and Jake Lamb added two hits and a run for San Francisco, which walked only one while recording 10 strikeouts.

Trevor Hauver was the lone bright spot on Texas’ offense, belting a homer off reliever Raymond Burgos.

Cubs 7, White Sox 3

Michael Busch went 2-for-3 with three RBIs as the host Cubs rode a five-run second inning to victory over the White Sox in Mesa, Ariz.

Benjamin Cowles also starred for the victors, finishing 2-for-3 with a solo shot, two RBIs and two runs. In his spring debut, Cubs ace Justin Steele struck out five over two scoreless innings.

For the White Sox, Colson Montgomery drilled a two-run homer and Tim Elko hit a solo shot. Starter Jared Shuster gave up five runs in two innings.

Rockies 9, Diamondbacks 3

Michael Toglia hit a tiebreaking three-run home run in the fifth inning as Colorado beat visiting Arizona in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Zac Veen also went deep for the Rockies with a two-run shot and Cole Carrigg drove in a pair.

Arizona’s Ketel Marte drove in two runs on a deep sacrifice fly to center in the fifth, with a third run scoring on an errant throw.

Padres 10, Athletics 3

Jackson Merrill had two RBIs as part of a 13-hit attack as host San Diego crushed the Athletics in Peoria, Ariz.

Luis Arraez and Oscar Gonzalez notched two hits and an RBI apiece for the Padres, who had nine players drive in at least one run.

For the Athletics, Lawrence Butler went 2-for-3 with a solo shot and two runs, while Tyler Soderstrom hit an RBI single.

Angels 11, Mariners 10

Kyren Paris’ go-ahead two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Los Angeles a walk-off victory over Seattle in Tempe, Ariz.

Yolmer Sanchez and Nelson Rada each drove in a pair for the Angels, who totaled 14 hits. Meanwhile, pitchers Caden Dana and Jack Dashwood gave up three runs apiece.

For Seattle, Hogan Windish ripped a two-run homer in the top of the ninth for a short-lived 10-9 lead. Nick Dunn and Carlos Jimenez also collected two RBIs.

Brewers 8, Reds 7

Vinny Capra played the role of walk-off hero with his second three-run homer of the day, a go-ahead blast to lift Milwaukee over Cincinnati in Phoenix, Ariz.

Capra, who drove in six runs, cranked his first three-run shot in the sixth to get the Brewers on the board. Ernesto Martinez Jr. added a two-run dinger.

In his Cincinnati debut, Gavin Lux finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Santiago Espinal hit a solo home run and TJ Friedl had an RBI hit.

–Field Level Media