By ,
Published March 18, 2016
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) Maikel Franco hit his spring training-leading seventh homer to cap a nine-run fourth inning as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 15-12 Friday.
Franco's three-run shot was one of four homers for the Phillies. Ryan Howard hit a grand slam and Peter Bourjos and Cameron Rupp also homered during a six-run fifth.
Howard, who drove in five runs, and Rupp each had three hits.
Matt Joyce and Pedro Florimon homered early for the Pirates, staking them to a 5-0 lead going into the fourth. Pittsburgh prospect Jose Osuna hit a three-run homer in the ninth.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/franco-hits-7th-spring-homer-phillies-outlast-pirates-15-12