Mets' deGrom excels in his return to the mound

Jacob deGrom dazzled in his first major league start in more than a year, allowing one run on three hits and striking out six in five innings before a bullpen meltdown cost the New York Mets in a 5-1 loss to the Washington Nationals.

Sidelined for the second half of last season by an elbow injury and shut down late in spring training because of a stress reaction in his right scapula, deGrom delivered a 99 mph fastball on his first meaningful pitch since July 7, 2021. He threw 46 of 59 for strikes before coming out of the game.

FMets reliever Stephen Nogosek (0-1) took the loss after allowing a two-run homer to Luis Garcia and a solo shot to Yadiel Hernandez in the sixth. Yoan López also gave up a homer in the seventh.

PADRES 13, ROCKIES 5 » San Diego Padres rallied to beat Colorado in the first game of a doubleheader. The Padres fell behind 3-0 early, but bounced back. Jurickson Profar had a career-high five hits and drove in two runs, Kim Ha-seong had a career-high four hits and two RBIs, and Jake Cronenworth added a two-run homer. MARINERS 8, YANKEES 6 » Pinchhitter Sam Haggerty opened the seventh inning with a go-ahead homer, Andrés Muñoz escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth and Seattle hung on for a victory over New York after blowing a four-run lead.

CARDINALS 6, CUBS 0 » Adam Wainwright pitched seven spotless innings with longtime catcher Yadier Molina back behind the plate, and St. Louis beat Chicago. Wainwright and Molina made their 317th career start as batterymates, passing the Boston/Milwaukee Braves duo of Warren Spahn and Del Crandall for sole possession of second place in major league history since 1901. The only pair in front is Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan (324) of the Detroit Tigers (1963-75).