Scherzer, Harper power Nats to 9-1 mark
PHILADELPHIA — Max Scherzer threw seven impressive innings and hit a two-run double, Bryce Harper hit another homer and the Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-1 Saturday night. The Nationals are off to a 9-1 start, best in franchise history.
GIANTS 4, DODGERS 3: Johnny Cueto pitched 71⁄3 sharp innings, and visiting San Fran got run-scoring hits from Joe Panik, Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt.
TIGERS 5, ASTROS 3: Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a goahead two-run homer in the sixth inning and visiting Detroit rallied for the win.
RANGERS 8, ORIOLES 4: Mitch Moreland’s go-ahead double off the right-field fence and Rougned Odor’s two-run single highlighted a six-run seventh inning, leading host Texas.
CUBS 6, ROCKIES 2: Jake Arrieta (3-0) threw eight scoreless innings and Chicago hit three home runs at Wrigley.Arrieta, the reigning NL Cy Young winner, struck out eight and allowed five hits in his home debut.
PIRATES 5, BREWERS 0: Andrew McCutchen hit his first home run of the season and Jon Niese combined with two relievers on a three-hitter for host Pittsburgh, which ended its fourgame losing streak. Niese (2-1) won his second straight start, giving up all three hits while walking three and striking out three in seven innings.
BRAVES 6, MARLINS 4: Nick Markakis drove in three runs with three hits and visiting Atlanta won for the second consecutive night after losing their first nine games. RAYS 7, WHITE SOX 2: Brandon Guyer homered, Brad Miller added a two-run shot and the host Rays stopped Chicago’s five-game winning streak.
REDS 9, CARDINALS 8: Brandon Phillips, Zack Cozart and Jay Bruce had two RBI USA TODAY
UNSUNG HERO
Neil Walker hit a solo home run in the eighth, his second in as many games.
NEXT GAME
Today, 1:10 p.m. at Cleveland, LHP Steven Matz (0-1, 37.80) vs. RHP Corey Kluber (0-2, 4.85); SNY apiece for visiting Cincinnati, which erased an early fourrun deficit against St. Louis ace Adam Wainwright.
TWINS 6, ANGELS 4: Oswaldo Arcia and Byung Ho Park homered in the eighth inning to lift host Minnesota to its second consecutive comeback victory after opening the season with nine straight losses.
RED SOX 4, BLUE JAYS 2: David Price rebounded from a rough start in Boston’s home opener with seven solid innings, and Xander Bogaerts hit a threerun home run at Fenway.
A’S 5, ROYALS 3: Josh Reddick and Stephen Vogt homered to back Sonny Gray’s solid effort as host Oakland ended its fourgame losing streak.