Schwarber HRs lift Cubs to win
Kyle Schwarber hit two of Chicago’s four solo home runs and the Cubs defeated the Indians, 10-3, last night in Cleveland during the first meeting between the teams since their classic 2016 World Series.
The Cubs won Game 7 of that Series in Cleveland for their first championship since 1908, a game that was delayed by rain in the 10th inning shortly before Chicago took the lead. This matchup was played in a steady rain that began before the first pitch.
The Cubs won three games in Cleveland’s ballpark during the 2016 Series and continued the trend against Josh Tomlin (03), who allowed all four homers. Schwarber connected leading off the second and fourth. Willson Contreras went deep in the third and Ian Happ homered in the fourth.
Tyler Chatwood (1-3) won for the first time with the Cubs, allowing one run in six-plus innings. He was pulled after a leadoff single in the seventh.
Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant was out of the lineup two days after being hit in the head by a pitch. Chicago manager Joe Maddon said before the game that the 2016 NL MVP has a cut above his left eye but no concussion after being drilled Sunday by Colorado’s German Marquez.
Schwarber is batting .500 (15-for-30) with three homers and eight RBI in seven career games at Progressive Field, including the postseason.
In other news, the Indians signed Melky Cabrera to a minor league deal.
Tigers-Pirates, ppd. — Pittsburgh and visiting Detroit postponed the opener of a three-game interleague series. The teams will make up the game with a straight doubleheader today starting at 4:05 p.m.
American League
Yankees 8, Twins 3 — Didi Gregorius had another big game at Yankee Stadium with a two-run homer and three RBI, and Gary Sanchez homered twice to help CC Sabathia as New York romped past visiting Minnesota again.
Aaron Judge hit his seventh home run as the Yankees went deep four times for the second straight night. Gleyber Torres had a pair of hits and his first RBI for New York, which extended its winning streak to four for the first time under new manager Aaron Boone and sent the Twins to their season-worst fifth consecutive loss.
Mariners 1, White Sox 0 — Marco Gonzales and four relievers combined on a five-hitter, Mitch Haniger singled home the only run and Seattle edged host Chicago.
At 5-15, the rebuilding White Sox are off to their worst start since 1950, when they opened 5-20 en route to a 60-94 finish.
Gonzales (2-2) was in control almost from the start, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out eight in six-plus innings.
Rays-Orioles, ppd. — Tampa Bay and host Baltimore were postponed for rain. The game will be made up in a single-admission doubleheader on May 12.
National League
Reds 9, Braves 7 — Tyler Mahle lost his no-hit bid on Freddie Freeman’s homer in the seventh, and host Cincinnati blew a big late lead before Scooter Gennett connected in the 12th inning for a victory over Atlanta.
Off to their worst start since the Great Depression, the 5-18 Reds rallied for their first set of back-to-back wins since last September.
Diamondbacks 8, Phillies 4 — Alex Avila homered among his three hits and drove in two runs, Robbie Ray struck out 11 while pitching into the fifth inning and visiting Arizona beat Philadelphia.
Elsewhere in baseball — The San Diego Padres placed first baseman Eric Hosmer on the family medical leave list . . . .
The Colorado Rockies optioned righty Scott Oberg of Tewksbury to Albuquerque. Oberg has appeared in 10 games this season for Colorado with a 1-0 record and a 6.55 ERA.