Twin strikes out four in inning
Twins reliever Zach Duke performed a baseball rarity, striking out four in an inning against the Orioles in Baltimore.
Unfortunately, he yielded two runs in the process.
Duke entered in the seventh inning of a scoreless game and promptly struck out Trey Mancini, who reached when the third strike got past catcher Jason Castro.
Duke also struck out Tim Beckham, Craig Gentry and Chris Davis. Between those K’s, however, Caleb Joseph hit a two-run triple.
Phillies: Pitcher Jake Arrieta has been assigned to Class A Clearwater while working into shape for his Phillies debut. Since the 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner got a late start in spring training, finalizing a $75 million, threeyear deal March 12, he will stay in Florida to pitch simulated games before making his first start for Philadelphia on April 8.
Astros: First baseman Yuli Gurriel started the season on the restricted list to serve his five-game suspension from the World Series rather than on the disabled list after hand surgery last month. Gurriel was suspended after making an inappropriate gesture during Game 3 of the World Series. Gurriel said then that he didn’t intend to offend Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish when he pulled on the corners of his eyes after homering against the pitcher from Japan.
Giants: Closer Mark Melancon was put on the 10-day disabled list with a right elbow flexor strain before Thursday’s opener. Manager Bruce Bochy said Hunter Strickland will serve as the closer until Melancon returns, which Bochy hopes is in a couple of weeks.
Braves: Catcher Tyler Flowers left the game during his first at-bat of the season after fouling off a pitch in the second inning against the Phillies. Flowers winced in pain and headed straight to the clubhouse with what was described as left oblique discomfort. Kurt Suzuki finished Flowers’ at-bat and took over behind the plate.
Orioles: Designated hitter Mark Trumbo and pitcher Gabriel Ynoa were placed on the 10-day disabled list. Both moves were made Thursday and are retroactive to March 26. Trumbo has a right quadriceps strain and Ynoa has a shin injury.