Rays off to MLB’s best start since ’03

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays extended Major League Baseball's best start in 20 years behind Jeffrey Springs' seven innings of three-hit ball and Randy Arozarena's four RBIs, routing the Oakland Athletics 11-0 on Saturday for an 8-0 record.

Tampa Bay is the first big league team to open 8-0 since the 2003 Kansas City Royals won their first nine games. The Rays have outscored opponents 64-18 and are the first team to win its first eight games by four or more runs since the 1884 St. Louis Maroons of the Union Association did it in their first 13.

Cubs 10, Rangers 3: Justin Steele pitched six strong innings and Patrick Wisdom homered for Chicago.

Mariners 3, Guardians 2: Eugenio Suárez drove in two runs and Seattle got to Cal Quantrill early before handing him his first home loss since 2019.

Angels 9, Blue Jays 5: Mike Trout hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning, and Los Angeles roared back from a four-run deficit at home.

Yankees 4, Orioles 1: Giancarlo Stanton homered to cap New York's three-run fifth inning, and rookie Jhony Brito earned his second win.

Mets 5, Marlins 2: Kodai Senga won his fantastic Citi Field debut and New York got home runs from Pete Alonso and slumping Eduardo Escobar.

Red Sox 14, Tigers 5: Rafael Devers homered twice, including his fifth career grand slam, and drove in five runs for visiting Boston.

Royals 6, Giants 5: Salvador Pérez hit a tying, three-run homer in the eighth and Nate Eaton scored on a wild pitch in the ninth to cap the comeback.

Phillies 3, Reds 2: Bryon Stott capped a three-run rally in the ninth inning with a game-winning single.

White Sox 11, Pirates 5: Yasmani Grandal, Luis Robert Jr., Oscar Colás had two hits and drove in two runs each to lead visiting Chicago past Pittsburgh.

Cardinals 6, Brewers 0: Nolan Arenado hit his 300th career homer, and visiting St. Louis ended Milwaukee's six-game winning streak.

Padres 4, Braves 1: Josh Hader struck out Orlando Arcia swinging with two runners on in the bottom of the ninth for his third save of the season.

Nationals 7, Rockies 6: Stone Garrett had four hits and five RBIs, including his first home run of the year.

Diamondbacks 12, Dodgers 8: Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo each hit two-run homers, and Alek Thomas had four hits for host Arizona.