Yankees with 12th straight
Carlos Rodón allowed two unearned run in six-plus innings, Alex Verdugo homered and the New York Yankees beat the Miami Marlins, 3-2, Tuesday night to match their best 12-game start.
New York won its fourth straight and improved to a major league-best 10-2, equaling the starts of the Yankees in 1922, 1949 and 2003.
Miami dropped to 1-11 for the first time since losing 11 in a row after an opening victory in 1998. The Marlins are the first team to lose 11 of its first 12 since Baltimore in 2010.
Rodón (1-0) allowed four hits in six-plus innings for his fourth win in 12 decisions since signing a $162 million, six-year contract. He is 1-0 with a 1.72 ERA in three starts.
Verdugo admired his first Yankee Stadium homer in pinstripes, dropping to one knee after swinging at A.J. Puk’s 1-0 sweeper. He watched the ball land a few rows back of the short porch in right and raised his arm midway through the home run trot.
Pirates’ Bednar booed
Pirates struggling righthander David Bednar, a hometown kid who developed into a two-time All-Star closer for a team convinced it’s on the rise, was booed by his home fans after he blew his third save in four chances when the Tigers rallied for a 5-3 win.
While the Pirates are off to a 9-3 start, one of their best over the last 30 years, Bednar has struggled. Pittsburgh led, 3-1, heading to the ninth before the Tigers broke loose behind RBI singles from Gio Urshela, pinch hitter Kerry Carpenter, and Jake Rogers.
Acuña stars for Braves
Ronald Acuña Jr. scored three runs and stole three bases, Reynaldo López threw six scoreless innings, and the Braves held off the Mets, 5-4. Atlanta led, 6-0, before Pete Alonso hit a three-run homer off Tyler Matzek in the eighth. Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias gave up two runs in the ninth, including Omar Narváez’s run-scoring double, but earned his second save. Iglesias struck out Alonso with a runner on to end the game.
Martinez still aching
All-Star J.D. Martinez was given a shot to address lower back tightness that has delayed his debut with the Mets. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said the 36-year-old experienced similar soreness following spring training with the Dodgers last season — his first after playing in Boston for five years — and added “he’s feeling it again.” . . . Nationals’ Opening Day starter Josiah Gray went on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow and forearm problem, and another All-Star, Astros lefthander Framber Valdez, was placed on the 15-day injured list because of elbow soreness. Houston manager Joe Espada said he hoped the 30-year-old will miss only a couple of starts . . . Former Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías has been charged with five misdemeanors stemming from his arrest last September on omestic violence.