Cubs to host Cards in big league opener

The Chicago Cubs will host the St. Louis Cardinals in the Sunday night major league opener on April 5.

Originally scheduled for April 6, the game was moved up to become ESPN’s opening national telecast of the season.

BASEBALL

The Tigers have finalized a $68 million, four-year deal to keep AL MVP runner-up Victor Martinez in Detroit. The 35-year-old Martinez had perhaps his best season in 2014, hitting .335 with 32 home runs and 103 RBI and helping Detroit to its fourth straight AL Central title. He was second to Mike Trout in the MVP vote. ... Right-hander A. J. Burnett agreed Friday to an $8.5 million, one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

GOLF

At Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Michael Putnam birdied five of the first eight holes Friday and finished with a 7-under 64 to take the lead in the PGA Tour’s OHL Classic. Putnam had a 12-under 130 total, playing the first 36 holes without a bogey on Mayakoba’s El Camaleon course. Shawn Stefani and Jason Bohn were a stroke back. They each shot 65. ... Christina Kim shot a 3-under 69 to maintain a one-stroke lead in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational at Mexico City. She had a 10-under 134 total. Paula Creamer was second after a 65, the best round of the day. ... In the Turkish Airlines Open at Belek, Turkey, Ian Poulter picked up five shots through 14 holes of the second round to move into the lead before play was halted because of the weather. Poulter is 13 under, three ahead of Brendon De Jonge.

SOCCER

Teofilo “Teo” Gutierrez headed in a goal in the 87th minute as Colombia came from behind to beat the United States 2-1 in a friendly in London on Friday. Jozy Altidore had put the U.S. in front from the penalty spot in the 10th minute at Fulham’s west London stadium, but Colombia’s Carlos Bacca tied it.