AROUND THE HORN
Blue Jays:
Pinch-hitter Santiago Espinal doubled home the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, Bo Bichette hit a solo home run and the Blue Jays knocked off the Rangers 4-3. George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. each had two hits, and Bichette scored twice as the Blue Jays improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2016. Facing left-hander Brett Martin, Espinal hit for Cavan Biggio with a runner at first and two out. Speedy Raimel Tapia scored without a play at the plate on Espinal’s double to left-center.
Cardinals: Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol missed Saturday’s game against the Pirates after being diagnosed with the flu. Marmol, who was at the ballpark prior to the game and met with the media, tested negative for COVID-19. Bench coach Skip Schumaker, in his first season with the Cardinals as part of the coaching staff after four seasons with the Padres, assumed managerial duties. Marmol, 35, is in his first season managing the Cardinals after Mike Shildt was fired. He is the youngest active manager in Major League Baseball.
Mariners: Ty France had three hits and drove in two runs, including a go-ahead single in the ninth inning that lifted the Mariners over the Twins 4-3 on Saturday. Byron Buxton had given the Twins a 3-2 lead with a two-run homer in eighth against Andrés Muñoz (1-0), who got his first big league decision since 2019 with the Padres. Julio Rodríguez, a 21-year-old rookie, doubled opening the ninth off Tyler Duffey (0-1) for his first major league hit. He scored on a two-out double by Adam Frazier, who came around on France’s single. “I think there’s no panic with this team,” France said. “One through nine, we can get it done and trust each and every guy, whoever it is stepping up to the plate. Julio, he hasn’t had a hit yet. It’s in the ninth inning, he just goes out and does it. Anyone in this lineup can get it done.” 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.
Guardians: Outfielder Myles Straw and the Guardians agreed Saturday to a $25 million, five-year contract that includes two option years that could take the deal to $39.5 million over seven seasons. The agreement was the club’s third long-term commitment this week. Straw was acquired in a July trade with the Astros. He has made a quick impact for Cleveland at the top of the order and in center field. His deal includes club options for 2027 and 2028. “Ever since the day I got (to Cleveland) last year these guys have been nothing but great to myself and my family, and they really do take care of my family and that means a lot to me,” said the 27-year-old Straw. “I love the city. This team has been amazing, from the front office, the staff, the teammates, the fans; all of the above. It’s been great. If I didn’t enjoy those things I wouldn’t have done something like this.”
Rockies: Rockies are bringing back retired first baseman Todd Helton to
serve as a special assistant to general manager Bill Schmidt. Helton’s new role includes pitching in with some draft preparation and scouting but mostly focusing on assisting at the minorleague level. Helton spent 17 seasons with the organization that selected him out of the University of Tennessee in the 1995 draft.