KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA Ivan Rodriguez hit his first home run of the spring and Geoff Blum drove in three runs as the Houston Astros blanked the New York Mets, 8-0.
Wandy Rodriguez limited the Mets to just two hits and two walks over four innings while striking out a pair.
New York starter Mike Pelfrey had his worst outing of the spring, surrendering six runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Other games:
At Jupiter, Florida – Kevin Slowey pitched five effective innings, allowing one run and two hits while adding two hits and three RBI to lead the Minnesota Twins to an 8-1 over the Florida Marlins.
At Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Shairon Martis pitched six scoreless innings and Roger Bernadina scored a run and drove in another, helping the Washington Nationals to a 3-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
At Dunedin, Florida – Chase Utley blasted his first home run of the spring and Rich Thompson capped a three-run ninth inning with an RBI single to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 7-6 triumph over the Toronto Blue Jays.
At Lake Buena Vista, Florida – Ross Ohlendorf struck out three and allowed five hits in six scoreless innings and Ryan Doumit drove in a run as the Pittsburgh Pirates topped the Atlanta Braves, 5-2.
At Tampa, Florida – Top prospect Austin Jackson hit a grand slam to highlight a six-run eighth inning and lead the New York Yankees past the Boston Red Sox, 7-1.
