In an astonishing debut, Steven Matz became the only major league pitcher to drive in four runs in his first career game as he led the New York Mets to a 7-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.
Pitching about 80km from home with a huge cheering section on hand, Matz (1-0) got three hits to rejuvenate an anemic offense and help the Mets to a three-game sweep. He was awfully impressive on the mound too, working into the eighth inning after giving up a home run to his first batter.
Matz became the first player — in any position — in franchise history to drive in four runs in his first big league game, including a two-run double off Josh Smith (0-1).
Photo: AP
The team’s latest prized pitching prospect, Matz had to wait an extra three-and-a-half hours to make his much-anticipated debut, because the teams needed 13 innings to first complete Saturday’s game that was suspended by rain. Picking up in the seventh inning, New York won 2-1 with help from two miscues by Reds infielders.
Bobby Parnell (1-0) got the win, while Nate Adcock (0-1) took the loss.
RED SOX 5, RAYS 3
Photo: AFP
In St Petersburg, Florida, David Ortiz, Pablo Sandoval and Alejandro De Aza homered to back the pitching of Justin Masterson and lead the Boston Red Sox over the Tampa Bay Rays.
The victory clinched a series win for the last-place Red Sox and stopped Chris Archer’s career-best six-game winning streak. Ortiz hit a two-run shot off Archer (9-5) in the fourth inning, the slugger’s 31st career homer at Tropicana Field — more than any visiting player.
Sandoval and De Aza, who homered for the third time in four days, went deep in the second inning for a 2-0 lead. Sandoval also drove in a sixth-inning run with a sacrifice fly that made it 5-1.
DODGERS 2, MARLINS 0
In Miami, Zack Greinke pitched 7-2/3 innings for his first victory since May 5 as the Los Angeles Dodgers took the deciding game of their series against the Miami Marlins.
Greinke (6-2) allowed four hits and held the opposition without a run for his third start in a row, extending his scoreless streak to 20-2/3 innings.
Adrian Gonzalez had three hits, including an RBI double. Howie Kendrick had two hits and drove in a run.
Two relievers completed a five-hitter for the Dodgers’ 11th shutout. Kenley Jansen pitched around a leadoff double in the ninth for his 11th save in 12 chances. The Dodgers have allowed 13 runs in their past eight games, and the bullpen has thrown 12-2/3 consecutive scoreless innings in the past five games.
BLUE JAYS 3, RANGERS 2
In Toronto, Josh Donaldson hit his 18th home run and Drew Hutchison won his fifth straight decision as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Texas Rangers.
Donaldson got two hits as the Blue Jays sent Texas to their eighth loss in 10 games.
Hutchison (8-1) allowed one unearned run and four hits in 5-2/3 innings. He improved to 6-1 with a 2.12 ERA in eight home starts. Roberto Osuna got four outs for his second save as the Blue Jays beat the Rangers for the 12th time in 16 meetings.
Rougned Odor doubled to start the ninth, but Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre flied out before Osuna struck out Mitch Moreland on three pitches.
TIGERS 5, WHITE SOX 4
In Detroit, Michigan, James McCann hit a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to complete a dramatic Detroit comeback as the Tigers beat the Chicago White Sox.
Detroit trailed 4-0 before scoring four runs in the eighth off Chicago starter Jeff Samardzija. Victor Martinez tied it with a three-run double.
Joakim Soria (3-0) pitched a perfect top of the ninth, and McCann’s one-out drive off Zach Putnam (1-3) cleared the fence in left field to end the game.
In other results, it was:
Braves 2, Pirates 1
Astros 3, Yankees 1
Brewers 5, Twins 3
Angels 3, Mariners 2
Nationals 3, Phillies 2
Phillies 8, Nationals 5
Orioles 4, Indians 0
Orioles 8, Indians 0
Giants 6, Rockies 3
Royals 5, Athletics 3
Diamondbacks 6, Padres 4
Cardinals 4, Cubs 1
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