Snyder's boost for Arizona

Chris Snyder hit a three-run homer and Dan Haren tossed two scoreless innings as the Arizona Diamondbacks cruised to a 9-1 win over the Chicago Cubs in Cactus League action as preparation for the new MLB season next month continues. Elsewhere, Jim Thome hit a three-run homer and Josh Fields doubled twice, but the Chicago White Sox failed to muster much more offence in a 5-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia drove in three runs and David Murphy had two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Texas Rangers to an 8-7 win over the Cleveland Indians. Jeff Mathis had two home runs and John Lackey tossed two perfect innings as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pounded the Colorado Rockies 12-3. Prospects Chris Lubanski and John Suomi made their cases for roster spots as the Kansas City Royals easily despatched the San Francisco Giants 14-5, while Emil Brown hit a three-run homer and Travis Denker doubled in a run to lead the San Diego Padres to a 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Meanwhile in the Grapefruit League, Ryan Howard hit his second home run of the spring in a six-run sixth inning as the Philadelphia Phillies outslugged the Toronto Blue Jays 12-7. Chien-Ming Wang pitched two scoreless innings as the New York Yankees and Houston Astros played to a 5-5 tie. Zach Duke and six relievers combined to allow only five hits as the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Cincinnati Reds, 2-1.

Starter Brad Bergesen pitched three scoreless innings as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Boston Red Sox, 5-3, while Edwin Jackson tossed three scoreless innings in his second spring appearance as the Detroit Tigers comfortably defeated Florida Southern 7-1. * With agencies