By DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Sports Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) For the Minnesota Twins, the memory of that 0-9 start and 59-103 finish last year was still uncomfortably fresh.
They couldn't have asked for a better way to start the new season than this.
Miguel Sano homered and drew the third bases-loaded walk during a dreadful seventh inning for Kansas City's bullpen, as Ervin Santana and the Twins beat the Royals 7-1 on Monday for their first opening victory in nine years.
"We didn't try to overemphasize anything about today other than the fact that we've been on a little bit of a mission in spring training to try to come out and play a little bit better," Twins manager Paul Molitor said.
Santana (1-0) gave up just two hits and two walks while striking out three over seven innings, aided by two diving catches of sinking line drives by center fielder Byron Buxton that highlighted a stellar afternoon of defense by the Twins.
Mike Moustakas homered leading off the fourth for the Royals, but Sano came back in the bottom of the inning with a tying 425-foot drive into the second deck off Danny Duffy. Six straight balls by Santana to start the seventh gave Molitor pause, but he responded to the mound visit with three straight outs to finish the frame.
"I try to get him to stay positive," Sano said. "Let's go. You're the man over there."
After signing a $65 million, five-year contract to assume the role as the ace of the rotation, Duffy's first career opening day start was a dazzler with eight strikeouts over six innings with three hits and three walks.
Then manager Ned Yost turned to Matt Strahm (0-1) for the seventh, and the Royals unraveled while the Twins rallied with two bunts and four walks.
"Just one bad game. We have 161 left," Duffy said. "Our bullpen is great, and I have ultimate confidence in them."
The key play was Max Kepler's hustle to beat out a sacrifice attempt for a single, following a replay reversal of the initial out call. Brian Dozier was intentionally walked to load the bases with no outs, and Robbie Grossman, Joe Mauer and Sano all forced in runs with unintentional walks.
Jason Castro tacked on a two-run single, and Jorge Polanco followed with an RBI single as Molitor's new-look, new-age lineup with Buxton batting third and Mauer in the cleanup spot worked well for the first try.
"Just keep grinding out at-bats," Mauer said. "That was pretty fun out there."
UNFAMILIAR FALTER
After finishing in the top five in the major leagues in relief ERA in each of the last two seasons, using a lights-out bullpen to win the World Series in 2015, Royals relievers had a rather ominous debut. Peter Moylan struck out Buxton with the bases loaded, his only batter, but Strahm and Travis Wood each allowed four runners while retiring only one batter.
"That's not Woody. I didn't anticipate that. He's a strike thrower," Yost said. "He's a veteran strike thrower. He's not a guy that gets frazzled."
FOR STARTERS
The Twins won their first game of the season for the first time since 2008, delighting a sellout crowd announced at 39,615. This was only the second time in eight years since Target Field opened that the schedule put them in Minnesota to start the season.
"There's just something about opening day," Molitor said, "that I think kind of tingles everybody's spine a little bit differently than the rest of the season."
Mauer made his 13th opening day start, tying Harmon Killebrew for the most in Twins history.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Royals: Paulo Orlando was in RF for Jorge Soler, who began his first season with Kansas City on the 10-day DL with a strained left oblique muscle. Soler, who did some light work in the field before the game, is eligible to return on Sunday.
Twins: Santana, who reached 30-plus starts last year for the eighth time in his career, became Minnesota's second two-time opening day starter of the last 10 seasons. Carl Pavano was the other, in 2011-12.
UP NEXT
Royals: After the scheduled off day on Tuesday, RHP Ian Kennedy will take the mound for Kansas City in the middle game on Wednesday afternoon, followed by new RHP Jason Hammel in the series finale.
Twins: LHP Hector Santiago comes up next in the rotation for Minnesota, with Kyle Gibson on tap for Thursday afternoon.
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Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Blistering start: Syndergaard, Mets top Braves 6-0 in opener
By MIKE FITZPATRICK
AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) Noah Syndergaard is off to a blistering start - and that could be a concern for the New York Mets.
The hard-throwing ace pitched six sharp innings before leaving with a blister, Asdrubal Cabrera singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh and the Mets broke through following a pivotal replay reversal to beat the Atlanta Braves 6-0 in their season opener Monday.
Syndergaard struck out seven without a walk in his first opening day assignment, the only blemish a blister on the top of his right middle finger that ended his outing.
"It was just affecting me on all pitches," Syndergaard said. "I haven't had it in a long time. I had it when I was going through the minor leagues with the Blue Jays, but kind of a rare occurrence."
Syndergaard called it "just a little blister" and insisted he's not too worried. Still, manager Terry Collins said the right-hander's next turn will be pushed back a day to Sunday.
"It's not very big. He had it and it popped during the inning," Collins said. "These guys, that's a very common thing. They'll dry it out the next couple days. He'll be ready."
Atlanta starter Julio Teheran throttled the Mets as usual, throwing six scoreless innings before a sellout crowd of 44,384 at Citi Field. But once he was lifted after 96 pitches, New York took advantage of five walks by a shaky Braves bullpen in a six-run bottom of the seventh that lasted 35 minutes.
Curtis Granderson had a sacrifice fly and Lucas Duda added a three-run double off ineffective lefty Eric O'Flaherty.
The Mets stopped a six-game home losing streak against Atlanta - the last-place Braves swept their final two series in Queens last year - and improved baseball's best record on opening day to 36-20.
Rene Rivera began the seventh with a single against Ian Krol (0-1). One out later, Jose Reyes walked and Cabrera singled for his third hit. Gold Glove center fielder Ender Inciarte made a strong peg home, and Wilmer Flores initially was called out.
But replays showed catcher Tyler Flowers was in poor position when he took the throw behind the plate, allowing Flores to touch the front corner with his foot before getting tagged.
"Great slide," Duda said.
From there, the Mets stayed disciplined in the batter's box and built a comfortable lead.
"Yeah, we kind of have a big momentum shift right there and probably turns the game around," Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Hansel Robles (1-0) worked a perfect inning for the win.
Freddie Freeman had three hits for Atlanta, including a one-out triple in the fourth. Syndergaard struck out the other three batters in the inning, and pitched out of trouble against the middle of the lineup again in the sixth.
"That's the reason why he's starting opening day," Freeman said. "He's one of the best pitchers in the game and he worked his way out of it."
BRINGING SEXY BACK
With fans still filing in, Braves pitcher Bartolo Colon received a standing ovation during pregame introductions as he waved and tipped his cap to the crowd. Big Sexy, who turns 44 in May, won 44 games for the Mets over the past three seasons. He signed a $12.5 million, one-year contract with Atlanta in November. "Bartolo had a huge effect on this team," Collins said.
BIRTHDAY GIFTS
In his first big league opening day outside Cincinnati, Mets right fielder Jay Bruce drew three walks on his 30th birthday - one with the bases loaded. "It was great. I was nervous - and that was an awesome feeling. I like being a little nervous," Bruce said.
FOR STARTERS
Syndergaard became the seventh different Mets pitcher to start on opening day over the past seven years, the longest streak in club history. Teheran joined Rick Mahler (1985-88) and Greg Maddux (1993-96) as the lone Atlanta pitchers to start four straight season openers. Felix Hernandez (Mariners) and Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) are the only major league pitchers who have longer streaks with their current teams.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: Snitker said injured reliever Mauricio Cabrera (elbow), who features a fastball clocked at over 100 mph, should begin throwing soon.
Mets: In their comments to reporters, RHP Seth Lugo seemed optimistic about a fairly quick return from the DL, while it appears LHP Steven Matz will be sidelined for some time. Both are out with elbow injuries. ... 3B David Wright (neck surgery) took batting practice with the team on the field. He was in uniform for pregame introductions and received a warm hand. Wright started the previous 12 season openers at third base.
UP NEXT
Braves: Colon will make his Atlanta debut when he starts the second game of the series Wednesday night against his former teammates. "Some of these guys don't know Major League Baseball without him in it," Snitker said.
Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom returns to the mound from Sept. 21 surgery to reposition the ulnar nerve in his right elbow.
AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) Noah Syndergaard is off to a blistering start - and that could be a concern for the New York Mets.
The hard-throwing ace pitched six sharp innings before leaving with a blister, Asdrubal Cabrera singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh and the Mets broke through following a pivotal replay reversal to beat the Atlanta Braves 6-0 in their season opener Monday.
Syndergaard struck out seven without a walk in his first opening day assignment, the only blemish a blister on the top of his right middle finger that ended his outing.
"It was just affecting me on all pitches," Syndergaard said. "I haven't had it in a long time. I had it when I was going through the minor leagues with the Blue Jays, but kind of a rare occurrence."
Syndergaard called it "just a little blister" and insisted he's not too worried. Still, manager Terry Collins said the right-hander's next turn will be pushed back a day to Sunday.
"It's not very big. He had it and it popped during the inning," Collins said. "These guys, that's a very common thing. They'll dry it out the next couple days. He'll be ready."
Atlanta starter Julio Teheran throttled the Mets as usual, throwing six scoreless innings before a sellout crowd of 44,384 at Citi Field. But once he was lifted after 96 pitches, New York took advantage of five walks by a shaky Braves bullpen in a six-run bottom of the seventh that lasted 35 minutes.
Curtis Granderson had a sacrifice fly and Lucas Duda added a three-run double off ineffective lefty Eric O'Flaherty.
The Mets stopped a six-game home losing streak against Atlanta - the last-place Braves swept their final two series in Queens last year - and improved baseball's best record on opening day to 36-20.
Rene Rivera began the seventh with a single against Ian Krol (0-1). One out later, Jose Reyes walked and Cabrera singled for his third hit. Gold Glove center fielder Ender Inciarte made a strong peg home, and Wilmer Flores initially was called out.
But replays showed catcher Tyler Flowers was in poor position when he took the throw behind the plate, allowing Flores to touch the front corner with his foot before getting tagged.
"Great slide," Duda said.
From there, the Mets stayed disciplined in the batter's box and built a comfortable lead.
"Yeah, we kind of have a big momentum shift right there and probably turns the game around," Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Hansel Robles (1-0) worked a perfect inning for the win.
Freddie Freeman had three hits for Atlanta, including a one-out triple in the fourth. Syndergaard struck out the other three batters in the inning, and pitched out of trouble against the middle of the lineup again in the sixth.
"That's the reason why he's starting opening day," Freeman said. "He's one of the best pitchers in the game and he worked his way out of it."
BRINGING SEXY BACK
With fans still filing in, Braves pitcher Bartolo Colon received a standing ovation during pregame introductions as he waved and tipped his cap to the crowd. Big Sexy, who turns 44 in May, won 44 games for the Mets over the past three seasons. He signed a $12.5 million, one-year contract with Atlanta in November. "Bartolo had a huge effect on this team," Collins said.
BIRTHDAY GIFTS
In his first big league opening day outside Cincinnati, Mets right fielder Jay Bruce drew three walks on his 30th birthday - one with the bases loaded. "It was great. I was nervous - and that was an awesome feeling. I like being a little nervous," Bruce said.
FOR STARTERS
Syndergaard became the seventh different Mets pitcher to start on opening day over the past seven years, the longest streak in club history. Teheran joined Rick Mahler (1985-88) and Greg Maddux (1993-96) as the lone Atlanta pitchers to start four straight season openers. Felix Hernandez (Mariners) and Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) are the only major league pitchers who have longer streaks with their current teams.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: Snitker said injured reliever Mauricio Cabrera (elbow), who features a fastball clocked at over 100 mph, should begin throwing soon.
Mets: In their comments to reporters, RHP Seth Lugo seemed optimistic about a fairly quick return from the DL, while it appears LHP Steven Matz will be sidelined for some time. Both are out with elbow injuries. ... 3B David Wright (neck surgery) took batting practice with the team on the field. He was in uniform for pregame introductions and received a warm hand. Wright started the previous 12 season openers at third base.
UP NEXT
Braves: Colon will make his Atlanta debut when he starts the second game of the series Wednesday night against his former teammates. "Some of these guys don't know Major League Baseball without him in it," Snitker said.
Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom returns to the mound from Sept. 21 surgery to reposition the ulnar nerve in his right elbow.
Trumbo's 11th-inning homer lifts Orioles over Blue Jays 3-2
By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
BALTIMORE (AP) Five months later, the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays reprised their winner-take-all postseason showdown.
The stakes weren't as high, yet the drama was palpable and the game was eerily similar.
Mark Trumbo homered with two outs in the 11th inning, and the Orioles beat Toronto 3-2 Monday for their seventh straight opening-day victory.
Trumbo connected off Jason Grilli (0-1) on a 1-2 slider. When he reached the plate, the reigning major league home run king was doused in water by teammates and cheered heartily by those remaining from a sellout crowd of 45,667.
The game was rematch of last year's AL wild card playoff, won by Toronto 5-2 on an 11th-inning home run by Edwin Encarnacion. This time, the Orioles prevailed with a game-ending blast.
"It did seem to have a similar feel," Trumbo said. "I'm glad this one turned out in our favor."
The Orioles didn't place a runner in scoring position after the third inning. But with their power-laden lineup, one swing is all it takes to win a tight game like this.
Trumbo provided it.
"We have a lot of confidence that, if we get enough chances, we'll be able to do some damage," Trumbo said. "I'm just happy to come through and take us home."
The 25th opening day at Camden Yards began in the late afternoon and ended at dusk.
"This is one of those places you don't feel good when they get the last at-bat," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "They are probably the top power hitting team in the game, top to bottom. They can do that at home."
Tyler Wilson (1-0), the fourth Baltimore reliever, pitched one shutout inning.
Grilli threw 15 pitchers, the last of which he lamented the most.
"I just left it fat. It was obviously not a good one," he said. "You make a mistake and you pay for it."
Booed from introductions to his final at-bat, Toronto's Jose Bautista went 0 for 5 with a walk. He grounded into an inning-ending double play in the ninth with the score tied and runners on first and second.
Starting on opening day for the first time, Baltimore's Kevin Gausman gave up two runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Toronto right-hander Marco Estrada also received his first opening day start. The 10-year veteran allowed two runs over six innings and retired his last 10 batters.
Baltimore went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position over the first two innings, wasting doubles by Adam Jones and Welington Castillo.
That trend ended in the third. Newcomer Seth Smith doubled and Jones walked, Chris Davis delivered an RBI single and Trumbo followed with a run-scoring double.
Toronto got a run back in the fifth when Gausman issued three walks, the last to Kendrys Morales with the bases loaded.
The Blue Jays pulled even in the sixth. After Gausman gave up a one-out single to Steve Pearce, Ezequiel Carrera hit an RBI double off Mychal Givens.
WHAT A PLAY
Orioles third baseman Manny Machado thrilled the crowd in the 11th inning, diving near the bag to snare a grounder before throwing a side-armed toss on one knee to retire Devon Travis by a step at first base. He received a standing ovation.
"Who else makes that throw?" Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "Nobody."
FLYING BATS
Toronto center fielder Kevin Pillar lost the grip on his bat on successive swings in the eighth inning, launching it into the stands on the third-base side on both occasions. A fan made a nice catch on the first one, and the second dropped from without evidently hurting anyone.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Blue Jays: Toronto hoped to avoid placing RHP Roberto Osuna (cervical spasm) on the 10-day DL, but relented Sunday. "We expected and he expected for it to improve with him continuing to pitch," GM Ross Atkins said. "It didn't, so we thought it was in his best interest and ours to see if we could get it completely out of there."
Orioles: LHP Wade Miley (respiratory infection) will pitch a simulated game Tuesday. He hopes to come off the DL to start Sunday against the Yankees.
UP NEXT
Blue Jays: J.A. Happ (20-4 in 2016) starts Wednesday night in the finale of the two-game series. He's 4-3 against Baltimore.
Orioles: Dylan Bundy (10-6) makes his 15th career start Wednesday, the first against Toronto.
AP Sports Writer
BALTIMORE (AP) Five months later, the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays reprised their winner-take-all postseason showdown.
The stakes weren't as high, yet the drama was palpable and the game was eerily similar.
Mark Trumbo homered with two outs in the 11th inning, and the Orioles beat Toronto 3-2 Monday for their seventh straight opening-day victory.
Trumbo connected off Jason Grilli (0-1) on a 1-2 slider. When he reached the plate, the reigning major league home run king was doused in water by teammates and cheered heartily by those remaining from a sellout crowd of 45,667.
The game was rematch of last year's AL wild card playoff, won by Toronto 5-2 on an 11th-inning home run by Edwin Encarnacion. This time, the Orioles prevailed with a game-ending blast.
"It did seem to have a similar feel," Trumbo said. "I'm glad this one turned out in our favor."
The Orioles didn't place a runner in scoring position after the third inning. But with their power-laden lineup, one swing is all it takes to win a tight game like this.
Trumbo provided it.
"We have a lot of confidence that, if we get enough chances, we'll be able to do some damage," Trumbo said. "I'm just happy to come through and take us home."
The 25th opening day at Camden Yards began in the late afternoon and ended at dusk.
"This is one of those places you don't feel good when they get the last at-bat," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "They are probably the top power hitting team in the game, top to bottom. They can do that at home."
Tyler Wilson (1-0), the fourth Baltimore reliever, pitched one shutout inning.
Grilli threw 15 pitchers, the last of which he lamented the most.
"I just left it fat. It was obviously not a good one," he said. "You make a mistake and you pay for it."
Booed from introductions to his final at-bat, Toronto's Jose Bautista went 0 for 5 with a walk. He grounded into an inning-ending double play in the ninth with the score tied and runners on first and second.
Starting on opening day for the first time, Baltimore's Kevin Gausman gave up two runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Toronto right-hander Marco Estrada also received his first opening day start. The 10-year veteran allowed two runs over six innings and retired his last 10 batters.
Baltimore went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position over the first two innings, wasting doubles by Adam Jones and Welington Castillo.
That trend ended in the third. Newcomer Seth Smith doubled and Jones walked, Chris Davis delivered an RBI single and Trumbo followed with a run-scoring double.
Toronto got a run back in the fifth when Gausman issued three walks, the last to Kendrys Morales with the bases loaded.
The Blue Jays pulled even in the sixth. After Gausman gave up a one-out single to Steve Pearce, Ezequiel Carrera hit an RBI double off Mychal Givens.
WHAT A PLAY
Orioles third baseman Manny Machado thrilled the crowd in the 11th inning, diving near the bag to snare a grounder before throwing a side-armed toss on one knee to retire Devon Travis by a step at first base. He received a standing ovation.
"Who else makes that throw?" Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "Nobody."
FLYING BATS
Toronto center fielder Kevin Pillar lost the grip on his bat on successive swings in the eighth inning, launching it into the stands on the third-base side on both occasions. A fan made a nice catch on the first one, and the second dropped from without evidently hurting anyone.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Blue Jays: Toronto hoped to avoid placing RHP Roberto Osuna (cervical spasm) on the 10-day DL, but relented Sunday. "We expected and he expected for it to improve with him continuing to pitch," GM Ross Atkins said. "It didn't, so we thought it was in his best interest and ours to see if we could get it completely out of there."
Orioles: LHP Wade Miley (respiratory infection) will pitch a simulated game Tuesday. He hopes to come off the DL to start Sunday against the Yankees.
UP NEXT
Blue Jays: J.A. Happ (20-4 in 2016) starts Wednesday night in the finale of the two-game series. He's 4-3 against Baltimore.
Orioles: Dylan Bundy (10-6) makes his 15th career start Wednesday, the first against Toronto.
Harper, Lind HRs, Treinen save lift Nats over Marlins 4-2
By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP Sports Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) The "1" written in blue ballpoint pen on the baseball protected by a plastic box in Adam Lind's locker represented his first homer of the season - on his first swing as a member of the Washington Nationals, no less.
The "1" on the matching memento in Blake Treinen's possession stood for his first save of 2017 - on his first opportunity as a big league closer, anointed as such by Nationals manager Dusty Baker after earning the job in spring training.
Opening day is always about fresh starts - every team starts with the same record, every player with the same stats - and Washington's 4-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday hinged on elements that have changed for the Nationals: a two-run, go-ahead, pinch-hit homer from new bench player Lind; a 1-2-3 ninth from familiar face but new closer Treinen; a double, two walks, a steal and a run from new center fielder Adam Eaton; a single and a run at the plate, plus steering of the pitchers from behind it, by new catcher Matt Wieters.
Lind turned on a 2-0 fastball from reliever David Phelps (0-1) in the seventh, then was coaxed out of the dugout for a curtain call by the loud sellout crowd of 42,744 on a cloudy afternoon.
"It's the first one I've ever had," the 33-year-old Lind said of the special treatment from spectators. "It couldn't have happened at a better time."
He's such a recent arrival, only signing a free-agent deal after players already were gathering for spring training, that Baker is still trying to master Lind's name.
"That was a big, big hit by Jeremy," Baker said initially, before catching himself. "I keep calling him Jeremy, thinking basketball," - a reference to NBA player Jeremy Lin.
There were, to be sure, also bits of same-old, same-old for the reigning NL East champions: a get-'em-on-the-scoreboard solo shot by Bryce Harper, who has gone deep on opening day five times in his career; a seven-inning, two-run performance from Stephen Strasburg (1-0) in his fourth opening-day start but first thrown entirely from the stretch.
Returning after missing last September and the playoffs with a right elbow injury, Strasburg benefited from some defensive help. A catch in right by Harper, who leaped into the wall, then tumbled onto his backside on the warning track but said afterward he was fine. A diving stop by Trea Turner, the NL Rookie of the Year runner-up last season while learning to play center field but now at his natural position of shortstop.
Another way in which this Washington club is new as it embarks on its quest to finally win a postseason series.
"Good teams have depth, have a bunch of different guys that can do (a) bunch of different things," first baseman Ryan Zimmerman said. "That's what makes those teams so hard to beat, because for nine innings, you have to worry about a lot of people."
SAVING THE DAY
Treinen took on Miami's 4-5-6 hitters, getting Giancarlo Stanton to pop out in foul territory, then striking out Justin Bour and Marcell Ozuna.
"I had a little bit more emotion today than typical," said Treinen, who owned one career save before Monday.
NO LEFTIES
Phelps, a righty, faced lefty batters Harper and Lind because the Marlins have zero left-handed relievers.
"Obviously, you'd like to be set up where you had a couple of them, honestly," manager Don Mattingly said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: 3B Anthony Rendon sat after fouling a ball off his calf during spring training.
UP NEXT
After an off day, Washington RHP Tanner Roark faces Miami newcomer Dan Straily on Wednesday.
AP Sports Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) The "1" written in blue ballpoint pen on the baseball protected by a plastic box in Adam Lind's locker represented his first homer of the season - on his first swing as a member of the Washington Nationals, no less.
The "1" on the matching memento in Blake Treinen's possession stood for his first save of 2017 - on his first opportunity as a big league closer, anointed as such by Nationals manager Dusty Baker after earning the job in spring training.
Opening day is always about fresh starts - every team starts with the same record, every player with the same stats - and Washington's 4-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday hinged on elements that have changed for the Nationals: a two-run, go-ahead, pinch-hit homer from new bench player Lind; a 1-2-3 ninth from familiar face but new closer Treinen; a double, two walks, a steal and a run from new center fielder Adam Eaton; a single and a run at the plate, plus steering of the pitchers from behind it, by new catcher Matt Wieters.
Lind turned on a 2-0 fastball from reliever David Phelps (0-1) in the seventh, then was coaxed out of the dugout for a curtain call by the loud sellout crowd of 42,744 on a cloudy afternoon.
"It's the first one I've ever had," the 33-year-old Lind said of the special treatment from spectators. "It couldn't have happened at a better time."
He's such a recent arrival, only signing a free-agent deal after players already were gathering for spring training, that Baker is still trying to master Lind's name.
"That was a big, big hit by Jeremy," Baker said initially, before catching himself. "I keep calling him Jeremy, thinking basketball," - a reference to NBA player Jeremy Lin.
There were, to be sure, also bits of same-old, same-old for the reigning NL East champions: a get-'em-on-the-scoreboard solo shot by Bryce Harper, who has gone deep on opening day five times in his career; a seven-inning, two-run performance from Stephen Strasburg (1-0) in his fourth opening-day start but first thrown entirely from the stretch.
Returning after missing last September and the playoffs with a right elbow injury, Strasburg benefited from some defensive help. A catch in right by Harper, who leaped into the wall, then tumbled onto his backside on the warning track but said afterward he was fine. A diving stop by Trea Turner, the NL Rookie of the Year runner-up last season while learning to play center field but now at his natural position of shortstop.
Another way in which this Washington club is new as it embarks on its quest to finally win a postseason series.
"Good teams have depth, have a bunch of different guys that can do (a) bunch of different things," first baseman Ryan Zimmerman said. "That's what makes those teams so hard to beat, because for nine innings, you have to worry about a lot of people."
SAVING THE DAY
Treinen took on Miami's 4-5-6 hitters, getting Giancarlo Stanton to pop out in foul territory, then striking out Justin Bour and Marcell Ozuna.
"I had a little bit more emotion today than typical," said Treinen, who owned one career save before Monday.
NO LEFTIES
Phelps, a righty, faced lefty batters Harper and Lind because the Marlins have zero left-handed relievers.
"Obviously, you'd like to be set up where you had a couple of them, honestly," manager Don Mattingly said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: 3B Anthony Rendon sat after fouling a ball off his calf during spring training.
UP NEXT
After an off day, Washington RHP Tanner Roark faces Miami newcomer Dan Straily on Wednesday.
Tigers-White Sox opener in Chicago postponed because of rain
CHICAGO (AP) The Chicago White Sox paraded onto the field in convertible Mustangs with the tops down for the pregame introductions prior to their season opener against the Detroit Tigers on Monday.
There was plenty of pomp and circumstance. There was also too much rain and - because of that - no game.
The White Sox postponed the opener against Detroit because of the downpour, delaying the start of a new era on Chicago's South Side.
The game rescheduled for Tuesday, with the Tigers' Justin Verlander and White Sox's Jose Quintana getting their starts pushed back a day.
"I think everybody was looking forward to starting the season, but obviously there are some things out of our control, and this happens to be one of them," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said.
It had been raining all afternoon. With the field drenched and no break in the forecast, the game was called off 101 minutes after the scheduled start.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus didn't seem too concerned earlier in the day about the possibility of a postponement.
"No contingencies to work out," he said. "If we get rained out, we'll play tomorrow. At some point, we're going to play."
A bigger concern for him: Getting the Tigers back to the postseason.
They missed out for the second straight season after winning four straight AL Central championships. They finished eight games behind Cleveland in the division and just missed the wild card with 86 wins last year.
The White Sox, meanwhile, started rebuilding after a 78-84 finish and their fourth straight losing season.
Gone are ace Chris Sale and outfielder Adam Eaton, both traded as management stocked up on young players. Those weren't the only changes.
There's a new manager, with Renteria replacing Robin Ventura. The ballpark has a new name, too - Guaranteed Rate Field instead of U.S. Cellular Field.
Change is definitely happening, and it's not hard to see why. After all, the White Sox have just one playoff appearance since the 2005 championship season.
While the record probably won't be great, there is at least some intrigue surrounding the team. That's because things are at least different.
Promising players such as second baseman Yoan Moncada, along with hard-throwing pitchers Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez are in the pipeline thanks to the big trades.
Quintana could be the next star player to be traded. Veterans such as third baseman Todd Frazier and closer David Robertson could also be moved.
"Fundamentally, all of us in the front office started off as fans so we have that same default mindset about wanting things to be done quickly, but wanting them also to be done right," general manager Rick Hahn said.
"The trick is, is that we're at least privy to where conversations have been on certain players and can sleep well at night knowing that there really hasn't been anything presented to us that's been turned down that we look back in retrospect and could possibly kick ourselves for turning down. These aren't exact formulas, there's no clear-cut, this is the proper value, but we really haven't been presented with anything in recent months that's even been close to feeling like this is something we should do."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: RF J.D. Martinez (sprained right foot) is expected to begin rehabilitation this week.
White Sox: Hahn said LHP Carlos Rodon (bursitis in his left biceps) has been throwing and will likely begin working from a mound in a week. He will also go on a rehab assignment before returning from the 10-day disabled list. "We're going to take our time on this one," Hahn said.
There was plenty of pomp and circumstance. There was also too much rain and - because of that - no game.
The White Sox postponed the opener against Detroit because of the downpour, delaying the start of a new era on Chicago's South Side.
The game rescheduled for Tuesday, with the Tigers' Justin Verlander and White Sox's Jose Quintana getting their starts pushed back a day.
"I think everybody was looking forward to starting the season, but obviously there are some things out of our control, and this happens to be one of them," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said.
It had been raining all afternoon. With the field drenched and no break in the forecast, the game was called off 101 minutes after the scheduled start.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus didn't seem too concerned earlier in the day about the possibility of a postponement.
"No contingencies to work out," he said. "If we get rained out, we'll play tomorrow. At some point, we're going to play."
A bigger concern for him: Getting the Tigers back to the postseason.
They missed out for the second straight season after winning four straight AL Central championships. They finished eight games behind Cleveland in the division and just missed the wild card with 86 wins last year.
The White Sox, meanwhile, started rebuilding after a 78-84 finish and their fourth straight losing season.
Gone are ace Chris Sale and outfielder Adam Eaton, both traded as management stocked up on young players. Those weren't the only changes.
There's a new manager, with Renteria replacing Robin Ventura. The ballpark has a new name, too - Guaranteed Rate Field instead of U.S. Cellular Field.
Change is definitely happening, and it's not hard to see why. After all, the White Sox have just one playoff appearance since the 2005 championship season.
While the record probably won't be great, there is at least some intrigue surrounding the team. That's because things are at least different.
Promising players such as second baseman Yoan Moncada, along with hard-throwing pitchers Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez are in the pipeline thanks to the big trades.
Quintana could be the next star player to be traded. Veterans such as third baseman Todd Frazier and closer David Robertson could also be moved.
"Fundamentally, all of us in the front office started off as fans so we have that same default mindset about wanting things to be done quickly, but wanting them also to be done right," general manager Rick Hahn said.
"The trick is, is that we're at least privy to where conversations have been on certain players and can sleep well at night knowing that there really hasn't been anything presented to us that's been turned down that we look back in retrospect and could possibly kick ourselves for turning down. These aren't exact formulas, there's no clear-cut, this is the proper value, but we really haven't been presented with anything in recent months that's even been close to feeling like this is something we should do."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: RF J.D. Martinez (sprained right foot) is expected to begin rehabilitation this week.
White Sox: Hahn said LHP Carlos Rodon (bursitis in his left biceps) has been throwing and will likely begin working from a mound in a week. He will also go on a rehab assignment before returning from the 10-day disabled list. "We're going to take our time on this one," Hahn said.
Monday, April 3, 2017
Grichuk, Cardinals top Cubs 4-3 in wild opener
By JAY COHEN
AP Sports Writer
ST. LOUIS (AP) Randal Grichuk smiled as he backed away from a mob of St. Louis Cardinals chasing him around the field. Then he stopped and jumped into the air for a celebratory collision with Dexter Fowler.
It was wet and wild, and far from a masterpiece. But opening day was a ton of fun for Grichuk & Co.
Grichuk hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning and a game-ending RBI single in the ninth, helping the Cardinals top the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday.
"It's just a night I won't forget," Grichuk said.
Jose Martinez sparked the winning rally with a pinch-hit double against Mike Montgomery, who closed out the World Series in November for Chicago's first title since 1908. Yadier Molina then was awarded the first no-pitch intentional walk in major league history, part of baseball's offseason rule changes designed to speed up the game.
With two outs and the bases loaded, Grichuk lined a 1-1 pitch into the gap in left-center for his second career game-ending hit . He was mobbed as he rounded first in the rain, and what was left of a sellout crowd of 47,566 cheered wildly.
"Every win is meaningful, but definitely not making the playoffs last year and seeing them win it put a little sour taste in our mouth," Grichuk said. "So, it's good to get any (win), but definitely opening day against them is a little sweeter."
The Cardinals appeared set for a tidy 3-0 win before the Cubs rallied in the ninth. Ben Zobrist was hit by a pitch from Seung-hwan Oh and Jason Heyward singled before Willson Contreras hit a drive to left for a tying homer.
"A great at-bat," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "The ball really did jump right there."
Before the dramatic finish, the night belonged to Carlos Martinez, who retired 12 in a row and 18 of 19 over one stretch against the defending champions. The ace right-hander struck out 10 and walked none in 7 1/3 innings in his first start on opening day.
Jon Lester kept Chicago in the game with five effective innings despite not having his best stuff. Kyle Schwarber reached three times in his first game as the leadoff hitter since Fowler left the Cubs over the winter for an $82.5 million, five-year contract with the Cardinals.
"Sometimes you've got to tip your hat to the other team, too," Lester said. "They fouled a lot of pitches off."
St. Louis went 86-76 last year and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010, but the additions of Fowler and reliever Brett Cecil ramped up the optimism for this season. The Cardinals got another positive jolt when they announced a new contract for Molina earlier in the day that runs through the 2020 season.
"I'm just glad that we got it done because this is the right place to be," he said.
The crowd at Busch Stadium roared its approval when Molina was introduced before the game, prompting the catcher to doff his cap twice as the cheers continued.
He got another standing ovation when he came to the plate for the first time in the second inning, and there were chants of "Ya-di! Ya-di!" before he grounded a single back up the middle.
Fowler also heard all cheers all night long, and he used his legs to get St. Louis on the board in the third. He reached on an infield single, scampered over to third on Aledmys Diaz's single to center and scored on Matt Carpenter's fly ball to right.
MORE ON MOLINA
Molina made his 13th consecutive start on opening day, third most in franchise history behind Stan Musial (18) and Lou Brock (15), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: LHP Brian Duensing was placed on the 10-day disabled list with lower back spasms. The move was made retroactive to Thursday.
UP NEXT
Following a day off, right-handers Jake Arrieta of the Cubs and Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals get the ball on Tuesday night. Arrieta went 18-8 with a 3.10 ERA in 31 starts last year. Wainwright is looking to bounce back after going 13-9 with a 4.62 ERA last season.
New closer, same result: Giants blow lead, lose to D-backs
By BOB BAUM
AP Sports Writer
PHOENIX (AP) Two big swings from Madison Bumgarner were undone by another bullpen meltdown in a wild opener for the San Francisco Giants that looked an awful lot like last season.
Chris Owings singled home the winning run and the Arizona Diamondbacks scored twice with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning off new San Francisco closer Mark Melancon for a 6-5 victory Sunday.
Derailed by a dreadful relief corps last year, the Giants started this season the same way - even after trying to fix the problem by bringing in Melancon on a $62 million, four-year contract.
Bumgarner retired his first 16 batters and became the first pitcher to hit two home runs on opening day. He struck out 11 with no walks in seven innings - all for naught.
Arizona got a double by Jeff Mathis and three singles after Melancon (0-1) retired his first two batters in the ninth. A.J. Pollock singled in the tying run, and Owings dumped a base hit into right field to end it.
"We never expect anything negative to happen with Mark out there," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "It happened. You are not going to be perfect. We had our chances to put the game away a couple of times and couldn't do it."
The Giants had 32 blown saves last season, including nine in September. In their final playoff game, Bochy went through five relievers in the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco was eliminated from its NL Division Series after allowing four runs for a 6-5 defeat.
That led to an offseason overhaul in the bullpen, headlined by the arrival of Melancon as a free agent. He saved 98 games over the past two seasons, most in the majors.'
"You never really want to start it off this way, especially after a heck of a performance by Madison," Melancon said. "This was one of the more impressive games I have seen by anybody. I really wanted to cap off a good start by him. Obviously, it didn't go that way."
New Diamondbacks closer Fernando Rodney (1-0) gave up a run but escaped a bases-loaded, one-out situation to get the victory.
It was an emotional debut for new Arizona manager Torey Lovullo, the former Boston bench coach who had many family members in the crowd and thought often of his father, television producer Sam Lovullo (Hee Haw), who died earlier this year.
"It couldn't have been scripted any better," Lovullo said. "The walk that we've been walking, the concepts that we've laid on these guys, they went out there an earned every part of that victory."
The Diamondbacks lost 93 games last season.
San Francisco took a 5-4 lead when Joe Panik led off the ninth with a triple and scored on pinch-hitter Conor Gillaspie's sacrifice fly.
Bumgarner's line-drive homer off Zack Greinke put the Giants ahead 2-0 in the fifth. The pitcher's second solo shot, off lefty Andrew Chafin, broke a 3-all tie in the seventh.
"That is obviously pretty special, having the chance to do that and for that to happen," Bumgarner said, "but my job is out there on the mound. That is where my concern is at."
Bumgarner has 17 career home runs, three last season.
Mathis broke up Bumgarner's perfect-game bid with a one-out triple into the left-field corner in the sixth. Mathis scored on Nick Ahmed's pinch-hit single, and Pollock - who missed virtually all of last season with a broken elbow - followed with a two-run homer just over the left-field fence that tied it at 3.
Greinke was limited to five innings due to a high pitch count. He allowed two runs on four hits, striking out four and throwing 92 pitches.
PERFECT START
No pitcher has thrown a perfect game on opening day. Only one has tossed a no-hitter, Hall of Famer Bob Feller for Cleveland in 1940.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Giants: Utilityman Trevor Brown (sprained right ankle) and OF Mac Williamson (strained left quad) opened the season on the 10-day disabled list. Both moves were retroactive to May 30.
Diamondbacks: RHP Jake Barrett, who could be the setup man in the bullpen, opened on the 10-day DL due to right shoulder inflammation. Lovullo said Barrett was making good progress and would throw a bullpen Sunday. LHP Steve Hathaway (left shoulder inflammation) also opened on the 10-day DL.
UP NEXT
Giants: RHP Johnny Cueto starts Tuesday after an outstanding first season with the Giants, when he went 18-5 with a 2.79 ERA.
Diamondbacks: After an off day Monday, the series resumes with LHP Patrick Corbin (5-13, 5.15) starting for Arizona. He finished last season in the bullpen.
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