around the horn

around the horn

Tuesday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Rays 3, Blue Jays 2

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.

Baseball’s new rule on breaking up double plays gave Logan Forsythe and Tampa Bay a disputed victory over Toronto. With the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning, Toronto slugger Edwin Encarnacion hit a grounder to third. After taking a throw from Evan Longoria for the force at second, Forsythe made an errant relay to first that appeared to allow the go-ahead run to score for the Blue Jays. Rays manager Kevin Cash asked for a replay review, claiming Jose Bautista violated the new “Chase Utley Rule” governing slides on potential double plays. Replay umpires in New York ruled Bautista’s slide was not directly into the bag and it illegally hindered Forsythe. The call was changed to a game-ending double play that preserved Tampa Bay’s victory.

Astros 5, Yankees 3

NEW YORK

A freezing opening day at Yankee Stadium turned on a play that caused a hot argument. Carlos Correa reached on an eighth-inning dribbler that Dellin Betances threw over first baseman Mark Teixeira as Jose Altuve scored the tiebreaking run, and Houston beat New York to win four straight openers for the first time in franchise history. Yankees manager Joe Girardi argued with plate umpire Dana DeMuth that Correa should have been called out for running on the fair side of the foul line, causing Betances (0-1) to throw the ball over Teixeira for an error.

Rangers 3, Mariners 2

ARLINGTON, TEXAS

Cole Hamels handed Felix Hernandez his first opening day loss and the Rangers managed to win with just one hit. Prince Fielder blooped an RBI single off Hernandez during a three-run fifth inning that included three walks and two errors. Seattle had a chance to join the Boston Beaneaters (1887-96) as the only major league clubs to win 10 straight openers. Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager homered early for the Mariners, but the midgame mistakes cost them the lead in the debut of manager Scott Servais. Hernandez fell to 6-1 in nine opening day starts.

INTERLEAGUE

Mets 2, Royals 0

KANSAS CITY, MO.

Noah Syndergaard pitched six dominant innings, Neil Walker hit his first homer with the Mets and New York beat Kansas City after the Royals were given their 2015 World Series rings. Syndergaard (1-0) was the only pitcher to beat the Royals in the World Series last year, winning Game 3 after intentionally throwing his first pitch above Alcides Escobar’s head, which angered the Royals.

Tigers 8, Marlins 7, 11 innings

MIAMI

Ian Kinsler had four RBIs, including a run-scoring single in the 11th inning, and the Detroit Tigers overcame a ninth-inning meltdown Tuesday night to beat the Miami Marlins 8-7 on a wild opening day. The Tigers led 5-0 and Justin Verlander didn’t allow a hit until the sixth inning, but new closer Francisco Rodriguez gave up three runs in the ninth, including two-out RBI doubles to pinch-hitter Derek Dietrich and Dee Gordon.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Giants 2, Brewers 1

MILWAUKEE

Johnny Cueto pitched seven solid innings to win his San Francisco debut against Milwaukee. Cueto (1-0) was the centerpiece of the Giants’ offseason rotation overhaul when he signed a $130 million, six-year deal after winning a championship with Kansas City. The right-hander scattered six hits and struck out four. Brandon Crawford homered for the Giants and saved a run with a sharp defensive play at shortstop.

Associated Press