The Kansas City Royals became the only unbeaten team in Major League Baseball (MLB) as Danny Duffy pitched into the seventh inning and Kendrys Morales homered in a 12-3 romp over Minnesota, spoiling the Twins’ home opener on Monday.
The defending American League champions improved to 7-0. It is the second-best start in Kansas City’s history, behind the 2003 club that won nine in a row to begin the season.
Detroit, who had been the only other undefeated team in MLB, lost 5-4 at Pittsburgh earlier in the day.
Photo: AFP
Duffy (1-0) went 6-1/3 innings, giving up three runs.
The Twins lost their fourth straight opener. Trevor May (0-1) in the second inning into the upper deck.
DODGERS 6, MARINERS 5, 10 INNS
In Los Angeles, Alex Guerrero hit a bases-loaded single with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, completing the Dodgers comeback from a four-run deficit for a victory over the Mariners.
Nelson Cruz hit two of the Mariners’ four home runs off Brandon McCarthy.
Yasiel Puig homered and Howie Kendrick had a tying RBI single in the fifth for Los Angeles.
Dominic Leone (0-1), working his third inning of relief loaded the bases on Andre Ethier’s double and two walks, one intentional to Adrian Gonzalez.
Tyler Olsons relieved, and after an out, Guerrero lined a 2-2 pitch to right-center to end Seattle’s third straight extra-inning game.
Yimi Garcia (1-0) pitched a perfect inning to get his first MLB victory.
ROCKIES 2, GIANTS 0
In San Francisco, Eddie Butler outdueled fellow rookie Chris Heston as the Colorado Rockies spoiled San Francisco’s latest World Series championship celebration at the Giants’ home opener.
Troy Tulowitzki, back in the lineup after a day off, hit an RBI single in the fourth inning against Heston (1-1).
San Francisco raised their third World Series winning flag in five years before the game.
Butler (1-0) tossed 5-1/3 innings of five-hit ball, walking six.
Rafael Betancourt struck out two in a perfect ninth for his first save since August 2013.
PIRATES 5, TIGERS 4
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Gerrit Cole shut down baseball’s top-hitting team, allowing one run in six-plus innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates handed the Detroit Tigers their first loss of the season.
The Tigers were trying to match the 7-0 start set by the 1984 club that went on to win the World Series.
Cole (1-0) struck out eight and walked two while giving up three hits in the Pirates’ home opener. Josh Harrison, Pedro Alvarez and Corey Hart homered for Pittsburgh.
Anibal Sanchez (1-1) surrendered five runs in 6-1/3 innings. Miguel Cabrera went two-for-four with an RBI double.
RED SOX 9, NATIONALS 4
In Boston, Mookie Betts hit a three-run homer, jumped to take away a home run from Bryce Harper and stole two bases on the same pitch, leading the Boston Red Sox over Washington in their home opener.
Rick Porcello (1-1) won his Fenway Park debut, allowing four hits in eight innings. Ryan Zimmerman and Danny Espinosa homered off Porcello.
The Red Sox rolled to an 8-0 lead after three innings against Jordan Zimmermann (1-1).
Ortiz homered in the sixth.
METS 2, PHILLIES 0
In New York, National League Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom and the New York Mets won their home opener, shutting down Philadelphia.
DeGrom (1-1) gave up seven hits in 6-1/3 innings.
Daniel Murphy doubled in the fourth, advanced on a flyout and scored when Juan Lagares got a hit that Aaron Harang (1-1) knocked down with his glove and could not throw to first in time.
In other MLB action, it was:
‧ Brewers 5, Cardinals 4
‧ Rays 2, Blue Jays 1
‧ Yankees 6, Orioles 5
‧ Athletics 8, Astros 1
‧ Angels 6, Rangers 3
‧ Cubs 7, Reds 6, 10 Inns
‧ Braves 3, Marlins 2
‧ Diamondbacks 8, Padres 4
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