Cards lose but land Holland
Yoenis Cespedes drove in three runs, Adrian Gonzalez hit a go- ahead double in a five- run fifth inning and Noah Syndergaard struck out 10 in six innings to fuel the Mets to a 9- 4 victory Thursday against the visiting Cardinals.
Syndergaard, who threw his first three pitches 99 mph, looked strong after missing most of last season with a torn lat muscle. Leadoff man Brandon Nimmo reached safely four times and scored twice as the Mets made Mickey Callaway a winner in his first game as a manager.
Yadier Molina hit a two- run home run and Jose Martinez a solo shot for the Cardinals, but losing pitcher Carlos Martinez allowed five runs, four hits and six walks in 4„ innings.
Before the game, the Cardinals and free- agent closer Greg Holland agreed to terms on a one- year, $ 14 million contract, pending a physical. Holland led the National League with 41 saves last season for the Rockies.
Brewers 2, Padres 1
Orlando Arcia singled home Ji- Man Choi with two outs in the 12th inning to lift the Brewers past the host Padres, who couldn’t push across a run despite loading the bases with one out in the 11th.
Arcia’s hit came against sidearmer Adam Cimber, who was making his major- league debut. With two outs, Cimber allowed a pinch- hit double to Choi before Arcia followed with his tiebreaking single.
Yankees 6, Blue Jays 1
Giancarlo Stanton hit two homers — a 426- footer in the first inning and a 434- footer in the ninth — and drove in four runs in his debut with the visiting Yankees to power them past the Blue Jays.
Stanton was the NL’s most valuable player and led the majors with 59 homers last season with the Marlins. The Yankees got him in a trade Dec. 11 for Starlin Castro and two prospects.
News and notes
The Phillies assigned former Cubs right- hander Jake Arrieta to Class A Clearwater as he continues to work toward his first start of the season April 8. The Phillies signed Arrieta to a three- year, $ 75 million contract March 12.
Angels two- way star Shohei Ohtani singled in his first majorleague at- bat and finished 1- for- 5 as the designated hitter in a 6- 5, 11- inning loss to the host Athletics. He is expected to be the Angels’ starting pitcher Sunday.
The Blue Jays put shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on the 60- day disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday, because of bone spurs on the heels of both feet. He suffered a season- ending ankle injury last July and hasn’t played since.
The Giants put closer Mark Melancon on the 10- day disabled list with a strained flexor in his right elbow. Manager Bruce Bochy said Hunter Strickland will serve as the closer until Melancon returns.