Mets beat Marlins 3-2 on disputed call
NEW YORK — Jeff McNeil launched a tying homer in the bottom of the ninth inning on his 29th birthday and the New York Mets were handed the winning run on a disputed hit by pitch for a bizarre 3-2 victory over the Miami Marlins in their home opener Thursday.
With the bases loaded and one out, a scu±ing Michael Conforto appeared to stick out his right elbow pad just enough to get it grazed by a 1-2 breaking ball from closer Anthony Bass that looked to be in the strike zone.
Plate umpire and crew chief Ron Kulpa at first signaled strike, then quickly ruled Conforto was hit by the pitch.
ANGELS 7, BLUE JAYS 5, 11 INNINGS
In Denedin, Fla., David Fletcher had a two-run single in the 11th inning and Los Angeles beat Toronto in the first regular-season game played at the Blue Jays’ spring training ballpark.
Fletcher’s hit to center came on the first pitch from Rafael Dolis.
ASTROS 6, ATHLETICS 2
In Houston, Carlos Correa, Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve homered and the Astros kept up its hot start by treating the home crowd to a win over Oakland in the first game with fans at Minute Maid Park since 2019.
CUBS 4, PIRATES 2
In Pittsburgh, Jayy Baez hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning in Chicago’s victory over Pittsburgh.
Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo also homered as the Cubs pounded out a season-high 11 hits against Tyler Anderson (0-2) and four relievers. Baez, Rizzo, Bryant and Jake Marisnick had two hits each to help Chicago raise its major league-worst batting average from .143 to .157.
WHITE SOX 6, ROYALS 0
In Chicago, Lance Lynn pitched a five-hitter for the first complete game and shutout in the major leagues this season, and the White Sox beat Kansas City.
Yermín Mercedes kept up his scorching start with a 485-foot homer. Yoán Moncada went deep, and the White Sox gave manager Tony La Russa the win in his first home game on the South Side in 35 years
ROCKIES 7, DIAMONDBACKS 3
In Denver, Jon Gray took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and got his first win of the season, pitching Colorado past Arizona.
Gray (1-0) allowed three runners through six innings, helped in the sixth when third baseman Ryan McMahon made a barehanded grab of Tim Locastro’s grounder.
RED SOX 7, ORIOLES 4
In Baltimore, Eduardo Rodríguez won in his return from heart inflammation that caused him to miss the 2020 season, allowing three runs over five innings help Boston spoil Baltimore’s home opener.
Rafael Devers and Kiké Hernández homered for the Red Sox, who have won four consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 14-18, 2019.
CARDINALS 3, BREWERS 1
In St. Louis, Nolan Arenado hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning of his home debut with the Cardinals, lifting the Cardinals over Milwaukee as fans returned to Busch Stadium for the first time since 2019.
Arenado, a five-time All-Star acquired from Colorado on Feb. 1 after eight seasons with the Rockies, followed a walk to Austin Dean with the score 1-1.
TWINS 10, MARINERS 2
In Minneapolis, Mitch Garver, Byron Buxton and Luis Arraez hit home runs to back another strong start by José Berríos, providing the Minnesota fans plenty to cheer for in their return to Target Field as the Twins beat the Seattle Mariners 10-2.
Berríos (2-0), who no-hit Milwaukee over six innings in his first turn, threw two more hitless innings before surrendering his first run of the season in the third.