Around the Horn

Around the Horn

Monday’s other MLB games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Yankees 8, Rays 1

NEW YORK

Michael Pineda retired his first 20 batters before Evan Longoria lined a double down the left-field line, and he wound up pitching two-hit ball over 72/3 innings in New York’s home opener, a win over Tampa Bay. Pineda (1-1) dominated like the pitcher the Yankees have always hoped he would become. He struck out 11, walked none and threw 67 of 93 pitches for strikes. Tampa Bay’s Logan Morrison homered with one out in the eighth, a ball that hit off the top of the wall in right-center and deflected off a fan before bouncing back onto the field.

Tigers 2, Red Sox 1

DETROIT

Justin Verlander and Chris Sale dominated in a matchup of ace pitchers before Nicholas Castellanos singled in the go-ahead run off Sale in the eighth inning, lifting Detroit over Boston. Verlander gave up an unearned run, three hits and two walks while striking out four over seven innings. Justin Wilson (1-0) struck out one and walked one in the eighth and Francisco Rodriguez struck out two and allowed a hit in the ninth, earning his second save in three chances. Sale (0-1) struck out 10 and gave up two runs and five hits over 72/3 innings.

Atheltics 2, Royals 0

KANSAS CITY, MO.

Khris Davis hit a two-run homer, Jharel Cotton shut down Kansas City’s anemic offense and Oakland held on to spoil the Royals’ home opener. Cotton (1-1) gave up a single in the first and another in the sixth, but otherwise befuddled a Royals lineup that hasn’t shown much punch. He walked three and struck out six over seven innings. Santiago Casilla struck out the side in the eighth before Sean Doolittle ran into trouble in the ninth, putting runners on the corners with two outs.

Mariners 6, Astros 0

SEATTLE

James Paxton shut down Houston for the second time in a week, pitching seven innings of four-hit ball and leading Seattle to a win over the Astros. The Mariners rebounded nicely from Sunday’s ugly ninth-inning meltdown against the Angels when they gave up seven runs and lost 10-9. Paxton (1-0) was a big reason why, keeping Houston’s offense silent long enough for Seattle’s bats to wake up and finally convert with runners in scoring position. Paxton struck out eight and walked two while pitching in Seattle’s home opener for the second time in his career.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Giants 4, Diamondbacks 1

SAN FRANCISCO

Giants catcher Buster Posey was doing well after being struck in the helmet by a 94 mph fastball in the first inning and forced out of the game, a frightening moment in San Francisco’s victory against Arizona in its home opener. Posey will be re-evaluated Tuesday but, “He’s doing good, he’s doing fine,” manager Bruce Bochy said. Taijuan Walker’s 0-1 fastball with two out in the first inning sent the Gold Glove catcher immediately to ground. Athletic trainer Dave Groeschner sprinted toward the plate and manager Bruce Bochy was right behind.

Mets 4, Phillies 3

PHILADELPHIA

Jay Bruce homered twice, including the tiebreaking shot in a testy eighth inning to lead New York over Philadelphia. Recently bumped up to the cleanup spot, Bruce put the Mets in front 4-2 with a towering, two-run drive off his own digital image on the videoboard in right field on a 1-2 pitch from Joely Rodriguez. Tempers flared two batters earlier when Phillies reliever Edubray Ramos threw a first-pitch fastball over Asdrubal Cabrera’s head — perhaps seeking revenge for Cabrera’s two-handed bat flip after hitting a game-winning homer against Ramos last Sept. 22.

Nationals 14, Cardinals 6

WASHINGTON

Bryce Harper tied a career high with four hits and reached base in all six plate appearances as Washington routed St. Louis. Harper drove in three runs during his first four-hit game since April 17, 2013. Stephen Drew, Adam Eaton and Ryan Zimmerman each had three of Washington’s 19 hits, and the Nationals overcame four errors by breaking open the game in a seven-run eighth inning. Tanner Roark (2-0) allowed five runs — three earned — over five innings. The right-hander worked around three errors committed behind him. Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright (0-2) gave up six runs and 11 hits over four-plus innings.

Associated Press