Sammy Sosa is finding a groove in his comeback with the Texas Rangers.

Sosa homered for the second time in spring training, going 2-for-3 Wednesday in the Rangers’ 9-8 victory over the Diamondbacks at Surprise, Ariz.

The 38-year-old Sosa hit a three-run homer that capped a six-run third off former World Series MVP Livan Hernandez.

“The more games I play, the better I feel,” Sosa said. “The confidence is here, and I know I can hit. I believe in myself, and just keep working every day.”

At Tampa, Fla., Andy Pettitte had a well-known friend watch his second spring training start.

With former Houston and Yankees’ teammate Roger Clemens in attendance, Pettitte allowed three hits over three scoreless innings in New York’s 1-1, 10-inning tie with the Reds.

Pettitte got hit on the ring finger of his pitching hand by the barrel of Chris Denorfia’s broken bat in the first. The bat caused a small cut on the finger.

Clemens again said he hasn’t decided if he will return for a 24th major-league season.

At Peoria, Ariz., Barry Bonds made a rare spring training trip.

He went 1-for-2 with a double and a strikeout in a Giants split squad’s 5-4 win over Seattle.

At Port St. Lucie, Fla., New York Mets ace Pedro Martinez threw a baseball for the first time since rotator cuff surgery last October.

At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kris Benson said he was experiencing increased soreness in his right shoulder.

In other games:

Red Sox 9, Mets 5

At Fort Myers, Fla., Chan Ho Park started after getting his visa.

Braves 4, Tigers 4 (11)

At Lakeland, Fla., Atlanta starter John Smoltz was hit on the chest by Curtis Granderson’s drive in the third.

Astros 5, Nationals 2

At Kissimmee, Fla., Roy Oswalt allowed four hits in three innings.

Marlins (ss) 2, Orioles 2

At Jupiter, Fla., Dontrelle Willis allowed one runner in three innings.

Cardinals 11, Dodgers (ss) 1

The Rangers' Sammy Sosa hits a three-run home run off Arizona pitcher Livan Hernandez in the third inning of Texas' 9-8 victory. Sosa hit his second home run of the spring Wednesday in Surprise, Ariz.

At Vero Beach, Fla., Dodgers closer Takashi Saito made his spring debut.

Phillies 6, Blue Jays 3 (10)

At Clearwater, Fla., Brennan King, Pat Burrell and Wes Helms homered.

Pirates 5, Twins 2

At Fort Myers, Jason Bay went 0-for-3 as the designated hitter.

Indians 10, Devil Rays 2

At St. Petersburg, Fla., non-roster invitee Luis Rivas had three hits.

Dodgers (ss) 10, Marlins 0 (ss)

At Jupiter, Fla., the Marlins committed five errors, allowed three home runs and managed only six hits in falling to 1-7-1.

Cubs 9, Athletics 8

At Mesa, Ariz., Alfonso Soriano led off the first with his first home run of spring training.

Angels 6, Padres 4

At Tempe, Ariz., Howie Kendrick tripled, doubled, drove in one run and scored.

Brewers (ss) 8, Rockies 2

At Tucson, Ariz., Byung-Hung Kim gave up four runs, four hits and four walks in 21â3 innings.

Giants (ss) 15, Brewers (ss) 6

At Phoenix, Tim Lincecum gave three runs in two innings.