East: MVP Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves sustained a bone spur and chip in his elbow in the off-season and says he has aggravated the injury several times this spring. He says anti-inflammatory pills help, but “I can’t imagine playing 160 games with this kind of elbow.” Dr. Joe Chandler, the team orthopedist, said he’s optimistic Jones can play through the pain. . . . Javier Vazquez allowed two runs in five innings as the Montreal Expos (15-8) beat Baltimore 8-4 to assure them of their best spring record since they won 20 in 1992.
Central: Mark McGwire hit two home runs, including a rare opposite-field shot, to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 15-11 win over the Cleveland Indians. “It doesn’t go on your bubble gum card,” said McGwire. Steve Parris pitched 72/3 innings and Ken Griffey Jr. had a single and a sacrifice fly as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 4-2.
West: Gary Sheffield, back from a finger injury, hit two homers as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Florida 5-3.
