KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Roy Oswalt threw two rocky, yet scoreless innings in his spring debut and the Houston Astros beat the Atlanta Braves 3-0 Saturday.
Oswalt walked three and loaded the bases in the first. He allowed just one hit and struck out two while throwing 44 pitches.
Outfield prospect Jason Heyward singled in the fifth inning and has reached base at least once in all five of the Braves' spring games. He's now 4 for 10 with four walks.
Carlos Lee doubled and scored in his spring debut for the Astros and Lance Berkman made his first start of the spring at first base, going 0 for 1.
Braves starter Kris Medlen gave up one hit and two walks in two scoreless innings.
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Rangers held down by Royals: SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Aaron Crow, a 2009 first-round draft pick, pitched two scoreless innings and struck out three in his Kansas City debut, and the Royals beat the Texas Rangers 2-1 Saturday.
Crow allowed only a double to Chris Davis in the fourth, but retired Toby Hall on a fly and struck out Matt Brown to end the inning.
Royals right-hander Gil Meche, who was limited to 23 starts last season because of a bad back, threw two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk to pick up the victory.
The Rangers committed four errors that led to both Royals runs. Brian Anderson had an RBI single in the seventh for the second run.
Rangers right-hander Tommy Hunter gave up an unearned run in the second inning.
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Twins' Nathan leaves game: FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan left Saturday's game with a right elbow problem before Tug Hulett's three-run homer helped a Boston Red Sox split squad to a 9-3 win.
Nathan, who had surgery on the elbow in October after finishing second in the majors with 47 saves, is to be re-evaluated Sunday. He was removed in the third inning for precautionary reasons when he felt soreness and tightness in the elbow after walking two of his three batters.
John Lackey pitched two perfect innings in his first appearance for Boston since leaving the Angels as a free agent.
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Tigers' Verlander looks strong, Orioles' Millwood doesn't: LAKELAND, Fla. -- Detroit's Justin Verlander pitched three innings and says he feels as if he's in midseason form after allowing a hit and a run in three innings.
Orioles starter Kevin Millwood didn't make it through the first inning, allowing seven hits and six earned runs while getting just two outs. Millwood said he wasn't concerned and that he was working on a new changeup.
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Blue Jays' Marcum has successful return vs. Yanks: TAMPA, Fla. -- Shaun Marcum threw two scoreless innings in his first game against big leaguers since hurting his right elbow two years ago.
Yankees backup catcher Francisco Cervelli, who was in the lineup as designated hitter, left in the third with a concussion after being hit in the helmet by pitch from Zech Zinicola. Cervelli was able to walk off the field and was taken to a hospital for a CT scan, which was normal.
Marcum missed last season while recovering from elbow ligament replacement surgery on Sept. 30, 2008.
New York starter A.J. Burnett gave up two runs and five hits in 1 2/3 innings.
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Mets' Pelfrey shows off splitter against Nats: VIERA, Fla. -- Mike Pelfrey unveiled an effective split-finger fastball in his first spring start and Fernando Martinez had four hits and homered twice for the Mets.
Pelfrey allowed four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits in the first two innings he worked, finishing with a 1-2-3 third.
Left-hander John Lannan, the Nationals' likely opening day starter April 5, gave up two runs, two hits and a walk in two innings of his first spring outing. He struck out two.
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New Diamondback Jackson looks good vs. S.F.: SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Edwin Jackson pitched two innings of two-hit ball in his first start since being acquired in an offseason trade.
John Bowkers sparked the Giants' nine-run fifth inning with a three-run home run. Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez, who pitched a no-hitter against San Diego on July 10, 2009, pitched two shutout innings, giving up three hits and walking three.
Center fielder Chris Young homered and hit a two-run double for Arizona.
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