Leon homers twice as Red Sox beat Orioles

SARASOTA — One week removed from Opening Day, Sandy Leon showed signs of the offensive potential he displayed at times during last season.

Leon, who will split catching duties with Christian Vazquez to start the year, homered twice as the Red Sox beat the Orioles 11-9 to begin the final week of Spring Training.

The Sox will play three more games in Florida, then travel to Washington to play the Nationals on Friday. The Nats and Red Sox will wrap up the preseason action with an exhibition game at the US Naval Adademy Saturday afternoon.

While Leon looked solid at the plate in the slugfest, there was a setback in the recovery of pitcher Tyler Thornburg, who was expected to pitch today.

Thornburg, who has experienced shoulder fatigue, did not take the mound and after the game, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters it's likely Thornburg will begin the season on the disabled list, but that determination will not be made until Tuesday.

Eduardo Rodriguez pitched six innings, allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out three.

Cox Media Group