Alex Gordon Leads Royals to 9th Straight win; Conor Jackson, Matt Wieters Star for Orioles

Players of the Day for Sunday, March 3, 2013

Grapefruit League

Matt Wieters

Matt Wieters homered and doubled, driving in five runs and Conor Jackson launched a pair and drove in four as the Baltimore Orioles whacked the Phillies, 12-3, in exhibition action.

Conor Jackson

The O's got off fast, scoring four times in the bottom of the first and then added seven more in the fifth. Phillies' starter Kyle Kendrick lasted just two innings, surrendering two homers and four earned runs.

The win put the Orioles atop the Grapefruit League standings with a 7-2 mark. Philadelphia dropped to 4-5.

Jackson, a regular with Arizona from 2005 through 2009, was traded to Oakland in 2010, went to Boston in 2011 and is trying to catch on with the Orioles this Spring. He's a lifetime .271 hitter.

Wieters had his best year as a pro in 2012, hitting .249 with 23 homers and 83 RBI.

Cactus League

Alex Gordon

As often happens during the exhibition season, the Kansas City Royals look like world beaters, winning their ninth straight without a loss in the Cactus League with an 8-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Batting from the leadoff spot, Alex Gordon socked his first home run of the year - a solo shot - singled, stole a base and scored twice for the Royals. He's put up a .500 average thus far, with seven hits in 14 at-bats.

Gordon, who has played all of his major league ball with the Royals, had a solid season in 2012, batting .294 with 14 homers and 72 RBI. He is expected to be the starting left fielder for the Roaysl in 2013.

KC is being hotly pursued by the Seattle Mariners, who have posted a 9-1 record.