THE SPORTS DESK
BASEBALL NOTES: Harper drives in four runs as Nats beat Marlins
JUPITER, Fla.—Bryce Harper had two hits and drove in four runs to help the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 7–5 Wednesday.
Harper had a two-run double in the third and a two-run single in the fifth, raising his spring batting average to .400 (20 for 50) with 12 RBIs. Chris Young al-lowed two hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out two.
Wade LeBlanc gave up six runs and seven hits in five innings. LeBlanc is among those vying for the Marlins No. 5 starter’s spot.
Washington’s Kurt Suzuki had two hits, including a solo homer off Tom Koehler in the ninth. Jayson Werth had two hits and a sacrifice fly.
Giancarlo Stanton’s RBI double and Rob Brantly’s two-run double highlighted Miami’s four-run sixth off Zach Duke.
Jeter could miss season opener, Cashman says
TAMPA, Fla.—Yankees general manager Brian Cashman says he doesn’t know if injured captain Derek Jeter will be available to play for New York on opening day.
The shortstop received an anti-inflammatory injection in his surgically repaired left ankle and missed his second straight spring game on Wednesday.
“At this stage, I just don’t know, so all I can do is acknowledge it’s a possibility,” Cashman said when asked if Jeter would be ready for opening day.
Cashman says he doesn’t’ know when Jeter would resume playing in spring games.
The shortstop was removed from the lineup against Philadelphia on Tuesday for “precautionary” reasons because his ankle felt stiff.
Astros pick Norris as 1st-game starter
KISSIMMEE, Fla.—Right-hander Bud Norris will start for the Houston Astros in the major league season opener against Texas Rangers on March 31.
The Astros announced Wednesday that Norris will throw the first pitch of the season. The Astros will host Texas in their first game since joining the American League in that Sunday night opener.
Norris was 7–13 last year. He is 2–0 with a 5.52 ERA in four spring training starts.
