Pesky Mariners come back to beat Twins
Seattle opens season with back-to-back wins for first time since ’19
Ty France had three hits and drove in two runs, including a go-ahead single in the ninth inning that lifted the Seattle Mariners over the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Saturday.
Byron Buxton had given the Twins a 3-2 lead with a two-run homer in eighth against Andres Munoz (1-0), who got his first big league decision since 2019 with San Diego.
Julio Rodriguez, a 21-year-old rookie, doubled opening the ninth off Tyler Duffey (0-1) for his first major league hit. He scored on a double by Adam Frazier, who came around on France’s single.
Diego Castillo struck out two in a perfect ninth for his first save, and the Mariners opened the season with back-to-back wins for the first time since 2019.
Phillies 4, Athletics 2: Kyle Gibson struck out 10 and tossed two-hit ball over seven shutout innings to lead Philadelphia to a win over Oakland. Nick Castellanos hit his first home run for the Phillies, and Rhys Hoskins and Jean Segura hit back-to-back homers to support Gibson.
Cubs 9, Brewers 0: Seiya Suzuki drove in three runs for his first big league RBIs and Chicago beat Milwaukee for a testy win during which five batters were hit by pitches and the benches cleared.
Rays 5, Orioles 3: Francisco Mejia homered and drove in three runs, helping Tampa Bay beat Baltimore for its 14th straight win over the Orioles.
Blue Jays 4, Rangers 3: Pinchhitter Santiago Espinal doubled home the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, Bo Bichette hit a solo home run and Toronto beat Texas.
Marlins 2, Giants 1: Jesus Sanchez hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning, and Miami held on to beat San Francisco despite a strong outing from starter Carlos Rodon in his Giants debut. The All-Star left-hander struck out 12 and allowed one run in five innings. His Ks are the most by a Giants pitcher through five innings since at least 1974.
Braves 2, Reds 1: Kyle Wright picked up a World Series ring along with many of his Atlanta teammates, then pitched two-hit ball over six scoreless innings to lead the Braves over Cincinnati.
Cardinals 6, Pirates 2: Nolan Arenado hit three doubles and a single, Paul DeJong homered and St. Louis, minus its rookie manager, beat Pittsburgh. Oliver Marmol, a winner in his debut Thursday as a major league manager, was at Busch Stadium before the game and diagnosed with the flu. He tested negative for COVID-19 and left the ballpark, and bench coach Skip Schumaker filled in.
White Sox 5, Tigers 2: Dylan Cease remained unbeaten in 10 career starts against Detroit and Yasmani Grandal hit a two-run homer that led Chicago over the Tigers.
Royals 1, Guardians 0 (10): Prized rookie Bobby Witt Jr. made an eyepopping play at third base to nail a runner at the plate in the top of the 10th inning, then Adalberto Mondesi’s RBI single in the bottom half lifted Kansas City over Cleveland.
Padres 5, Diamondbacks 2: Eric Hosmer hit a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth, Manny Machado added an RBI double and San Diego beat Arizona.
Rockies 3, Dodgers 2: Connor Joe drove in two runs, including a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth inning, and closer Daniel Bard struck out the side in the ninth to help Colorado beat Los Angeles.
Notes: The Guardians signed outfielder Myles Straw to a five-year contract extension . ... White Sox ace Lucas Giolito will be placed on the 10-day injured list due to a lower abdominal strain . ... The Rockies are bringing back retired first baseman Todd Helton to serve as a special assistant to general manager Bill Schmidt.