National League notes

Arizona:

With a two-run homer in first inning Sunday, CF Chris

Young moved out of a tie with former teammate Mark Reynolds for third place in franchise history with 122 homers. Young trails Luis Gonzalez (224) and Steve Finley (153). . . . C Miguel Montero homered in the first two games of the threegame series at Coors Field to continue a hot streak against Colorado. Six of his last nine home runs were against the Rockies.

Atlanta:

3B Chipper Jones returned to the lineup Sunday after missing two games to have fluid drained from his surgically repaired left knee. He hit a three-run homer, giving him two homers and five RBI in three games this year. . . . RHP

Tim Hudson (back surgery in November) is projected to make two more rehab starts, with Class AAA Gwinnett (Lawrenceville, Ga.). If he’s able to pitch five and six innings as planned, he could return to the major league rotation April 27.

Chicago:

SS Starlin Castro committed two throwing errors Saturday, giving him four errors this season. He had 29 last year to lead the National League. . . . LF Alfonso

Soriano was among four regulars not starting Sunday as manager Dale Sveum shook up his lineup.

Cincinnati:

CF Drew Stubbs came off the bench and had a single to lead off the Reds’ three-run 11th inning Sunday. He is hitting .167 with 12 strikeouts in 36 at-bats and was 2-for-16 with seven strikeouts in the series at Washington.

Colorado:

1B Todd Helton’s walk-off home run Saturday, a two-run shot with two outs off Arizona RH closer J.J. Putz, was the seventh game-ending homer of his career and his first since June 20, 2009.

Houston:

RH reliever Rhiner Cruz earned his first major league win Saturday, when he pitched two scoreless innings at Miami. “We made out a special lineup card for him and presented it to him,” man

ager Brad Mills said.

Los Angeles:

Hall of Fame broad

caster Vin Scully returned to the booth Sunday after missing five games because of a cold. Scully, 84, missed his second home opener in 63 years and was happy to return. “In my own private little world, this is my opening day,” he said. “I have

( Clayton) Kershaw. Ain’t no bad crowd to hang around with.”

Miami:

RF Giancarlo Stanton did not start Saturday so he could rest his sore left knee, though he did pinch-hit. He returned to the lineup Sunday.

Milwaukee:

SS Alex Gonzalez missed the last two games of the series at Atlanta to return home to Florida for the birth of a son Sunday. Gonzalez, who was placed on paternity leave, is expected to rejoin the club Tuesday.

New York:

OF Jason Bay was a scratch Sunday after jamming his right ring finger while diving back to first base Saturday. An X-ray showed no structural damage, and Bay (.185 batting average in eight games) hopes to return today. Scott Hairston played left field in his place.

Philadelphia:

CF Shane Victorino has reached base safely in each of the Phillies’ nine games. He’s hitting .294 with a .368 on-base percentage.

Pittsburgh:

3B Pedro Alvarez (1-for-19 with 12 strikeouts) is in no danger of demotion, general manager Neal Huntington said. “It is an awfully short sample,” Huntington said. “He’s working hard to get better, to take what he does in pregame into the game.”

St. Louis:

1B Lance Berkman and 3B David Freese again were out of the lineup Sunday. Berkman missed a fourth consecutive start because of a strained left calf. Freese was out for a second day because of an injured finger on his right hand. X-rays of Freese’s hand, apparently hurt during a swing Friday, showed no structural damage. Both are expected back in the lineup Tuesday.

San Diego:

C Nick Hundley singled in his first at-bat Sunday, ending a 0-for-21 streak to start the season. It was the second-longest season-opening hitless streak in Padres history. SS Ozzie Smith was 0-for-32 in 1979.

San Francisco:

LHP Barry Zito (1-0, 1.13 ERA) has opened the season with two solid outings. After his four-hit shutout in Colorado, Zito gave up three runs in seven innings of his home debut Saturday.

Washington:

CF Rick Ankiel came off the disabled list and went a combined 1-for-8 Saturday and Sunday in his first two games of the season. He had been out because of a

thigh injury. OF Brett Carroll, who was 0-for-2 in five games, was designated for assignment.