SARASOTA, Fla. -- Maikel Franco grabbed the Major League lead in home runs and RBIs this spring, but the Orioles rallied for an 8-7 victory over the Phillies on Monday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium.
Franco, who smacked 14 homers in 80 games as a rookie last year, went deep in each of his first two at-bats on Monday, against Orioles right-hander Yovani Gallardo. The 23-year-old ripped a solo blast over the left-field seats in the first inning, then launched a three-run shot in the same direction two frames later. He now has six homers and 14 RBIs in 11 Grapefruit League games.