Orioles’ Maikel Franco posts big day against former Phillies teammate

Former Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco posted a strong offensive performance on Sunday afternoon at Camden Yards, which included his first home run as a Baltimore Oriole.

The 28-year-old went 2-for-4 with four RBIs and a walk in Baltimore’s 14-9 loss to the Boston Red Sox. Both hits and each of Franco’s RBIs came against former Phillies teammate Nick Pivetta.

Franco blasted a sixth-inning slider from Pivetta for a three-run home run to left-center field. He previously drove in Ryan Mountcastle with an RBI single in the fourth inning to plate the Orioles’ first run of the game.

Maikel Franco with a home run off Nick Pivetta. Time is a flat circle. #RingTheBell | @drewmsmith pic.twitter.com/zKQA2FubJK

— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) April 11, 2021

Despite surrendering four runs at the hands of his former teammate, Pivetta, who was traded to Boston during the 2020 season, allowed no further damage in six innings pitched. He earned the win for the Red Sox, as designated hitter J.D. Martinez carried the load for them offensively with three home runs.

In addition to Franco, another former Phillies infielder saw some success against Pivetta in the game. Shortstop Freddy Galvis also had a hit against him, singling in the third inning.

Franco and Galvis both signed one-year deals to take over the left side of Baltimore’s infield ahead of this season. Franco spent last season with the Kansas City Royals after playing the prior six seasons in Philadelphia. Galvis had previously been with the Cincinnati Reds for two years; he played for the Phillies from 2012-2017.

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