Fernando Tatis Jr. blasted a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning, capping the San Diego Padres’ comeback from an eight-run deficit as they stunned the visiting Chicago Cubs 9-8 on Monday.
Jackson Merrill started the San Diego eighth by working a walk from reliever Hector Neris. Neris and closer Adbert Alzolay (1-1) retired the next two hitters before Tatis drilled a hanging slider an estimated 376 feet into the seats in left field for his fourth homer of the year.
The long ball made a winner out of reliever Wandy Peralta (1-0), who pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Robert Suarez worked a 1-2-3 ninth to garner his fourth save of the year, handing Chicago just its second loss in the past eight games.
Cubs starter Javier Assad allowed two runs on three hits and three walks in five-plus innings, whiffing seven. Padres starter Yu Darvish lasted only three innings, permitting four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four.
Reds 10, Brewers 8
Elly De La Cruz drilled a 450-foot home run to center and added an electrifying inside-the-parker to help Cincinnati hold off visiting Milwaukee.
After seeing his 13-game hitting streak dating back to last season come to an end on Sunday, De La Cruz had three hits for his first multi-hit game of the season. His inside-the-park homer in the seventh provided the Reds with a much-needed lift after they watched an 8-0 lead dwindle to one run, 9-8, entering the bottom of the seventh.
Graham Ashcraft (1-1) was dominant over the first four innings, allowing only an infield single. Ashcraft was then tagged for six runs (five earned) on eight hits in his final 1 2/3 innings.
Nationals 8, Giants 1
Trey Lipscomb stole home as part of a three-run second inning, Lane Thomas bombed a two-run home run and visiting Washington spoiled Blake Snell’s Giants debut by beating San Francisco.
Trevor Williams (2-0) and three relievers combined on a six-hitter for the Nationals, who won their second straight in the opener of a nine-game trip.
Snell (0-1), who didn’t pitch in spring training after waiting until March 19 to sign with the Giants, was pulled after three innings, during which he allowed three runs and three hits.
Yankees 7, Marlins 0
Anthony Volpe and Juan Soto hit three-run homers in a six-run fourth inning, Nestor Cortes pitched a career-high-tying eight innings and host New York cruised to a victory over Miami.
After a solar eclipse postponed batting practice, the Yankees improved to 9-2 to match their best 11-game start in team history and are off to their best start since 2020. It is the eighth time in team history New York has opened with nine wins in 11 games. Alex Verdugo added an RBI single for the Yankees, who have scored 24 runs in their three-game winning streak. Cortes (1-1) allowed two singles and pitched eight innings for the third time in his career after posting a 6.30 ERA in his first two starts.
Miami’s Jesus Luzardo (0-2) tied a career worst by allowing seven runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. He also gave up seven runs against the Yankees last August in Miami and tied a career worst by issuing five walks.
Phillies 5, Cardinals 3 (10 innings)
Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott drove in 10th-inning runs as visiting Philadelphia outlasted St. Louis.
Phillies starter Spencer Turnbull allowed two hits in six shutout innings while walking one and striking out six. Jeff Hoffman (1-0) blew his save opportunity by allowing two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but he earned the victory. Gregory Soto tossed a scoreless 10th for his first save. Brandon Marsh (2-for-4, homer, two runs), Trea Turner (3-for-5, RBI) and Johan Rojas (3-for-4, RBI) paced the Philadelphia offense.
Cardinals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas gave up two runs on six hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out three. Ryan Helsley (1-1) allowed two runs, one earned, in the 10th inning to take the loss.
Angels 7, Rays 1
Tyler Anderson threw seven scoreless innings and got offensive support from Mike Trout, Taylor Ward and Anthony Rendon in Los Angeles’ victory over Tampa Bay in Anaheim, Calif.
Anderson (2-0), who threw seven scoreless innings against the Miami Marlins in his previous start, made it a clean sweep of the Florida teams with Monday’s performance. He became the first pitcher in Angels history to begin the season with consecutive starts of seven or more scoreless innings. Ward had three hits — all singles — and three RBIs, while Trout homered, tripled and singled.
Rays starter Zach Eflin (1-2) gave up five runs on nine hits in five innings. He struck out five.
Astros 10, Rangers 5
Yordan Alvarez homered in a three-hit game, Victor Caratini slugged a three-run shot and Houston rallied to earn a split of the four-game series in Arlington, Texas.
Alex Bregman and Alvarez both went 3-for-5 for the Astros. Four Houston relievers threw a combined 8 2/3 scoreless innings after spot starter Blair Henley got just one out in his major league debut. Henley filled in for Framber Valdez, a late scratch due to elbow discomfort.
Texas starter Andrew Heaney (0-2) allowed six runs on four hits over 3 2/3 innings. Corey Seager finished 3-for-5.
Mets 8, Braves 7
DJ Stewart snapped a season-long hitless streak by delivering a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning as New York overcame an early four-run deficit win at Atlanta.
New York’s Brandon Nimmo hit the first of his two game-tying homers, a three-run blast in the fifth inning, before Travis d’Arnaud put the Braves ahead with a run-scoring double in the sixth. Nimmo hit a solo homer to center in the seventh. Nimmo finished 4-for-4 and with a career-high five RBIs.
Stewart, who had been hitless in 19 plate appearances before his homer, allowed Jake Diekman (1-0) to get the win after he gave up one run in one inning of relief.
Blue Jays 5, Mariners 2
Jose Berrios pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings as Toronto won its home opener at the renovated Rogers Centre, defeating Seattle.
Vladimir Guerrero went 2-for-4 with a double and Davis Schneider was 2-for-4 with two RBIs for the Blue Jays, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Berrios (2-0) gave up just four hits.
J.P. Crawford and Cal Raleigh homered and Ty France went 3-for-4 for the Mariners, who dropped their second game in a row. Seattle ace Luis Castillo (0-3) lasted five innings and allowed four runs for the third time in as many starts this season.
Dodgers 4, Twins 2
Shohei Ohtani went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and a home run and Los Angeles rallied for a win over Minnesota in Minneapolis.
James Outman also homered for the Dodgers, who won for the ninth time in 13 games to start the season. Freddie Freeman and Will Smith added one RBI apiece. Los Angeles left-hander James Paxton (2-0) held the Twins to two runs on three hits in six innings.
Manuel Margot hit a two-run home run for Minnesota, which dropped its third straight game. Twins right-hander Jay Jackson (0-1) took the loss after giving up two runs on two hits in one inning of relief.
Guardians 4, White Sox 0
Triston McKenzie threw 5 2/3 shutout innings to help Cleveland Guardians to a win against visiting Chicago in the opener of their three-game series.
McKenzie (1-1) allowed three hits, struck out two and walked four. Jose Ramirez hit a two-run home run and Steven Kwan had three hits and a run for the Guardians.
The White Sox used a string of relief pitchers, starting with left-hander Tanner Banks (0-1), who allowed one run and two hits in 2 1/3 innings. Chicago, which finished with four hits, has lost nine of its first 10.
Pirates 7, Tigers 4
Bryan Reynolds hit his 100th career home run and Mitch Keller picked up his first win of the season as host Pittsburgh won its third straight game, beating Detroit.
Connor Joe and Jared Triolo each had two hits and two RBIs for Pittsburgh, which improved to 9-2, its best start to a season since 1992. Keller (1-1) gave up two runs on five hits over six innings.
Colt Keith and Matt Vierling each had two hits and an RBI for Detroit, which took its third defeat in a row. Reese Olson (0-1) gave up six runs on nine hits over 4 1/3 innings.
Rockies 7, Diamondbacks 5
Charlie Blackmon homered and tripled, Ryan McMahon had three hits and Colorado held off Arizona in Denver.
Peter Lambert (2-0) tossed two scoreless relief innings for Colorado. Nick Mears gave up a run and loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth before Jake Bird entered and retired Eugenio Suarez on a fly ball to right field for his first career save.
Christian Walker and Corbin Carroll had two hits apiece for Arizona, which has dropped five straight to keep manager Torey Lovullo at 499 career wins. Arizona starter Zac Gallen yielded three runs on eight hits, struck out 10 and didn’t walk a batter in five innings.
–Field Level Media