Schwarber homer delivers Nats’ win
Kyle Schwarber hit a gameending homer in the ninth inning, helping the Washington Nationals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 1-0 on Friday night after Max Scherzer passed Cy Young on baseball’s career strikeouts list.
The lefty-batting Schwarber connected on a 2-1 pitch from left-hander Alex Young (0-3), sending a drive to right that traveled an estimated 463 feet for his first homer for Washington.
Brad Hand (1-0) worked a scoreless ninth for the win. The Nationals allowed just three hits.
Braves 5, Cubs 2: Kyle Wright plunked four Cubs batters but still left with the lead after a last-minute call-up, Will Smith stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning and Atlanta escaped with a bizarre win over Chicago.
Phillies 9, Cardinals 2: Zach Eflin pitched into the eighth inning, J.T. Realmuto hit a two-run homer and Philadelphia beat St. Louis.
Reds 10, Indians 3: Joey Votto hit a two-run homer to cap a seven-run third inning and Cincinnati cruised to a rout.
Marlins 4, Giants 1: Starling Marte snapped a tie in the eighth inning with a three-run home run and Miami defeated San Francisco.
Orioles 5, Rangers 2: Rio Ruiz and D.J. Stewart homered while Jorge Lopez struck out eight in five innings, leading Baltimore over Texas.
Pirates 6, Brewers 1: JT Brubaker struck out eight in six impressive innings and Pittsburgh extended their recent surge by beating Milwaukee.
Hall of Fame: Tim Mead is quitting as president of Baseball’s Hall of Fame after two years. The Hall said Friday the move takes effect in mid-may. Mead was announced as Hall president on April 30, 2019, and took over that June 24 from Jeff Idelson, who had held the job since 2008.
Notes: The Red Sox postponed Friday night’s game against the White Sox because of snow and rain. The series opener will be rescheduled as part of a day-night doubleheader on Sunday . ... The Blue Jays and Royals postponed Friday night’s game because of rain and will make it up Saturday as part of a day-night doubleheader before concluding their four-game series Sunday. ... The average major league salary dropped 4.8% to just under $4.17 million on opening day from the start of the previous full season in 2019. The average has fallen 6.4% since the start of the 2017 season, when it peaked at $4.45 million, according to a study of major league contracts by The Associated Press . ... Padres star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday . ... Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger has a hairline fracture in his left fibula. There is no timetable for his return . ... The Braves scratched starter Drew Smyly and placed him on the 10-day injured list before Friday’s series opener against the Cubs due to pain in his throwing arm.