YANKEES WIN SERIES, SET TO OPEN AT HOME
toronto With an 0-2 start now firmly in the rearview mirror, the Yankees are looking forward to heading home for what’s likely to be a memorable opener in the Bronx.
CC Sabathia pitched six innings for his first victory of the season, Brett Gardner hit a two-run home run and the Yankees beat the Blue Jays 6-4 on Sunday afternoon, winning their first series of the season and evening their record at 3-3.
NewYork opens its home schedule Monday afternoon against Baltimore, with former pitchers Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera scheduled to throw ceremonial first pitches to current shortstop Derek Jeter and retired catcher Jorge Posada.
Jeter had two hits, moving into sole possession of eighth place on baseball’s career list. Jeter’s single to right in the fourth was the 3,320th hit of his career, breaking a tie with PaulMolitor.
“It’s special,” Jeter said. “I grew up watching Paul, I played against him briefly and I have a lot of respect for him and his career.” Next on the list is Carl Yastrzemski, with 3,419.
SUNDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
Yu Darvish allowed seven hits over seven innings in his season debut, Elvis Andrus hit a two-run homer, and the Rangers avoided a three-game sweep by beating the Rays 3-0. Darvish got his 500th career strikeout, coming in 401M innings, by fanning David DeJesus and Wil Myers in the first. It is the fewest innings for a starter to reach 500 strikeouts in majorleague history. … Matt Kemp hit his first two home runs at Dodger Stadium since late in 2012 and Hanley Ramirez slugged his first two homers this season, helping the Dodgers beat the Giants 6-2. … Chris Sale gave up four singles in eight scoreless innings as the White Sox defeated the Royals 5-1. … Chris Tillman outpitched Justin Verlander, allowing one run while working into the ninth and the Orioles beat the Tigers 3-1. … Yovani Gallardo made his second straight scoreless start and the Brewers completed a three-game sweep of the Red Sox with a 4-0 victory. TheWorld Series champion Red Sox, who never had a losing record last year, fell to 2-4 and matched their longest skid of 2013. … Scott Feldman threw seven strong innings and five Astros homered in a 7-4 victory over the Angels. … Ian Desmond led off the seventh inning with a home run to break a 1-1 tie and the Nationals beat the Braves 2-1. … Tony Sanchez hit a tiebreaking RBI double in the seventh inning and the Pirates edged the Cardinals 2-1. Sanchez’s double to deep center field with two outs came off Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright (1-1) and snapped a 1-1 tie. … Alfredo Simon pitched seven impressive innings in his first start in more than two years and began the go-ahead rally with his second career hit, helping the Reds beat the Mets 2-1. … Ryan Kalish hit a two-run double and an RBI triple and the Cubs beat the Phillies 8-3. The Cubs scored eight runs and were 4-for-40 with runners in scoring position in their previous five games. … Pinch-hitter Alexi Amarista celebrated his 25th birthday by delivering a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh inning to lift the Padres to a 4-2 win over the Marlins. … Chris Colabello drove in four runs, Brian Dozier scored three times and the Twins outslugged the Indians 10-7. … Jim Johnson struck out two batters and closed it out this time after losing back-to-back outings to begin with his new team, sealing the Athletics’ 6-3 victory over the Mariners. The Associated Press