Sanchez homers in Yanks’ 1st win
NEW YORK — Gary Sanchez joined Elston Howard in 1963 as the only Yankees catchers to homer in each of the first two games in New York’s 5-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.
Corey Kluberpitched around control problems to allow one earned run over four innings in his Yankees debut.
Toronto’s Ross Stripling, a former Texas A&M pitcher, allowed three runs, seven hits and two walks in 31⁄3 innings with five strikeouts.
CUBS 5, PIRATES 1: Jake Arrieta pitched six solid innings in a triumphant return, Kris Bryant and Jason Heyward homered, and hos Chicago beat Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh’s Ke’Bryan Hayes left the game in the first inning because of discomfort in his left wrist.
PHILLIES 4, BRAVES 0: Zack Wheeler allowed only one hit and struck out 10 in seven innings while going 2 for 3 with two RBIs, leading host Philadelphia to a win over Atlanta.
The All-Star Game patch that appeared on the right sleeve of the Braves’ jerseys during opening day was sewn over on Saturday. The logo was gone from their hats, too.
REDS 9, CARDINALS 6: Nick Castellanos stood over, flexed and jawed at visiting St. Louis pitcher
Jake Woodford after scoring, setting off a series of scuffles that included relievers shoving in the outfield.
Castellanos was the only player ejected. Aristides Aquino replaced Castellanos and led off the sixth inning with a home run.
TIGERS 5, INDIANS 2: Julio Teheran pitched through trouble in his Detroit debut, a win over visiting Cleveland.
ORIOLES 4, RED SOX 2: Maikel Franco drove in two runs after another Boston error, Pedro Severino had his second two-hit game in a row and Matt Harvey made his debut for visiting Baltimore.
ROYALS 11, RANGERS 4: Michael A. Taylor homered and drove in three runs for the second straight game, leading host Kansas City over Texas. Whit Merrifield also homered for the second game in a row.
MARLINS 12, RAYS 7: After seven straight losses to Tamps, host Miami broke loose with 14 hits, getting the better of their in-state rivals for the first time in three years. It also was Miami’s first win this season.
Elieser Hernandez left with inflammation in his right biceps tendon.
TWINS 2, BRAVES 0: Jose Berrios and three relievers combined on a one-hitter with 17 strikeouts, and visiting Minnesota beat Milwaukee.
PADRES 7, DIAMONDBACKS 0: Joe Musgrove was brilliant in his debut for his hometown team Manny Machado homered for his first hit of 2021, and Wil Myers drove in three runs on two doubles as host San Diego beat Arizona to open the season 3-0.
DODGERS 6, ROCKIES 5: Zach McKinstry hustled for a go-ahead, inside-the-park homer in the eighth inning, and visiting Los Angeles beat Colorado.
ANGELS 5, WHITE SOX 3: Justin Upton hit a goahead two-run home run in the eighth, and host Los Angeles beat Chicago.
MARINERS 4, GIANTS 0: Ty France and Mitch Haninger homered as host Seattle shut out San Francisco.