mlb roundup | Monday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Orioles 2. Red Sox 1

BALTIMORE

Nelson Cruz celebrated his Baltimore debut by hitting a tiebreaking homer in the seventh off Jon Lester (0-1), sending World Series champion Boston to an opening loss. After missing two seasons recovering from knee surgery, Boston center fielder Grady Sizemore marked his return from a 922-day absence with a second-inning single for his first hit since September 2011. The three-time All-Star for Cleveland later homered.

Tigers 4, Royals 3

DETROIT

Alex Gonzalez drove in the winning run in his Detroit debut, lining a single to left off Greg Holland in the ninth. Joe Nathan (1-0) pitched a scoreless ninth in his first appearance for the Tigers. Wade Davis (0-1) allowed a one-out walk to Alex Avila and a single to Nick Castellanos in the ninth.

Rays 9, Blue Jays 2

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.

David Price (1-0) allowed two runs and six hits over 7 1/3 innings to beat R.A. Dickey in a matchup of 2012 Cy Young Award winners. Matt Joyce drove in three runs for the Rays with a sacrifice fly and two-run double off Dickey (0-1).

White Sox 5, Twins 3

CHICAGO

Alejandro De Aza hit two homers, and Jose Abreu had two hits in his major league debut. Chicago’s Paul Konerko got a loud ovation before what was likely his final opener, although he wasn’t in the lineup. The White Sox are coming off a 63-99 season, their poorest record since 1970. Chris Sale (1-0) allowed three runs and five hits in 7 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts to beat Ricky Nolasco (0-1), who gave up five runs and 10 hits in six innings in his Twins debut

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Brewers 2, Braves 0

MILWAUKEE

Brewers star Ryan Braun drew a standing ovation in his return from a drug suspension, then was ruled out in the first call overturned under baseball’s expanded replay system. Braun went 1 for 4 and stole a base in the fourth inning that helped set up a two-run double by Aramis Ramirez. A smattering of boos during Braun’s first at-bat was easily drowned out by the overwhelming applause. The former MVP was suspended for the final 65 games last year in the Biogenesis doping scandal.

Yovani Gallardo (1-0) tossed six shutout innings for the win.

Cardinals 1, Reds 0

CINCINNATI

Yadier Molina’s homer broke a seventh-inning tie. Adam Wainwright (1-0) used his refined sinker to finally get the best of the Reds, who have hit him like no other team. Wainwright allowed three hits in seven innings, fanning nine. St. Louis escaped a threat in the eighth. Trevor Rosenthal retired all three batters in the ninth, finishing a three-hitter for the defending National League champions.

Nationals 9, Mets 7 10 innings

NEW YORK

Anthony Rendon hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning and drove in a career-high four runs, twice rallying the Nationals against the Mets’ suspect bullpen for an opening-day victory. Denard Span hit a tying double with two outs in the ninth off closer Bobby Parnell, and Ian Desmond put the Nationals in front for the first time with a sacrifice fly in the 10th. Rendon connected two batters later against former Washington pitcher John Lannan, securing a win for Matt Williams in his first game as a major league manager. Stephen Strasburg struck out 10 over six innings in his third straight opening-day start.

Juan Lagares and Andrew Brown both homered for New York after they were surprise additions to the lineup.

INTERLEAGUE

Phillies 14, Rangers 10

ARLINGTON, TEXAS

Jimmy Rollins hit a grand slam and pinch-hitter John Mayberry Jr. had a two-run double that put the Philadelphia ahead to stay. Marlon Byrd and Cody Asche also homered for the Phillies, who scored their most runs in an opener since beating the Boston Beaneaters 19-17 in 1900. Cliff Lee (1-0) matched his career high by allowing eight runs and struck out only one, but the left-hander made it through five innings. Tanner Scheppers, the first pitcher since Fernando Valenzuela for the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers to make his first big league start on opening day, gave up seven runs over four innings, including the slam by Rollins that made it 6-0 in the second. Mayberry had his tiebreaking hit in the fifth off Pedro Figueroa (0-1) for a 9-7 lead.

Associated Press