Cardinals Drop Rubber Match, Cubs Avoid Sweep

Cardinals Drop Rubber Match To Bucs

(Pittsburgh, PA) -- Adam Wainwright tossed seven innings of two-run ball but the Cardinals fell 2-1 to the Pirates in the rubber match of a three-game set yesterday from Pittsburgh. "Waino" struck out seven but fell to 1-1. Jon Jay knocked in the lone run for the Redbirds, who fell to 3-3.

It's Opening Day at Busch Stadium this afternoon. The Cardinals send Michael Wacha to the hill for the home opener as he goes up against the Reds. Cincinnati counters with Tony Cingrani, who gave up two hits in seven innings in his first outing. First pitch is scheduled for 3:15.

Major League Baseball is reviewing an incident between Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams and a fan from Thursday's game in Cincinnati.  Adams approached a foul ball near the seats that was caught by the fan. He then placed his glove on the fan's chest and pushed to regain balance.

Cubs Avoid Sweep To Phils

(Chicago, IL) -- Carlos Villanueva tossed five innings of one-run ball to help the Cubs avoid a sweep in an 8-3 win over the Phillies Sunday at Wrigley Field. Villanueva improved to 1-2 while Ryan Kalish went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs. Anthony Rizzo was also 2-for-3 with an RBI in the victory.

The Cubs will have today off but be back in action Tuesday night at Wrigley Field, playing host to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubbies lost two of three to the Bucs last week in Pittsburgh. Edwin Jackson will start the first of the three-game set. The Pirates counter with Charlie Morton.

Sale Powers White Sox Past Royals

(Kansas City, MO) -- Chris Sale tossed eight innings of four-hit ball as the White Sox downed the Royals 5-1 to avoid a sweep in Kansas City. Sale walked one and struck out six while improving to 2-0. Alexei Ramirez and Tyler Flowers each knocked in two as Chicago improved to 3-3.

The White Sox are off to Denver where they start a three-game interleague series with the Colorado Rockies tonight at Coors Field. Chicago sends Felipe Paulino to the hill in the opener. Colorado counters with Jordan Lyles. First pitch is set for 7:40.

Reds Clip Mets

(Flushing, NY)  --  Ryan Ludwick singled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning as the Reds clipped the Mets 2-1 to avoid a three-game sweep at Citi Field.  Joey Votto's sac-fly tied the game in the sixth for Cincinnati, which improved to 2-and-4.  Alfredo Simon struck out six over seven inning of one-run ball for the win.  Manny Parra tossed two scoreless innings for his first save.  Juan Lagares drove in the lone run in the second inning for the Mets, who fell to 2-and-4.  Jon Niese allowed both runs on six hits over five-and-two-thirds innings to suffer the loss.

Nationals Nip Braves

(Washington, DC) -- Ian Desmond's solo homer in the seventh inning lifted the Nationals to a 2-1 win over the Braves in the finale of a three-game series at Nationals Park. Anthony Rendon scored the other run for Washington on a first inning error by Dan Uggla. Jerry Blevins picked up the win in relief, while Rafael Soriano closed it out for his first save. The Nats avoided the sweep and improved to 4-2 on the season. Uggla plated the lone run on a sac-fly in the sixth inning for Atlanta, which had won its previous four. Alex Wood allowed two runs on four hits in seven frames as he fell to 1-1.

D'backs Avoid Sweep In Colorado

(Denver, CO) -- Mark Trumbo homered for the fourth straight game as the Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 5-3 to avoid a three-game sweep at Coors Field.  Starting pitcher Wade Miley went 3-for-4 with an RBI while also tossing eight innings of two-run ball for his second win. Addison Reed closed it out for his second save. The D'backs snapped a four-game skid to improve to 2-and-7 on the year. Drew Stubbs and Nolan Arenado each plated runs for the Rockies, who fell behind 5-0 and never recovered to dip to 3-4. Brett Anderson allowed all five runs on 10 hits and three walks in six frames to fall to 0-2.

Kemp, Ramirez Power Dodgers Past Giants

(Los Angeles, CA) -- Matt Kemp and Hanley Ramirez each homered twice as the Dodgers notched a 6-2 win over the Giants from Chavez Ravine. Kemp finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs while Ramirez went 3-for-4 while knocking in two with three runs. Zack Greinke struck out eight over six innings of two-run ball to improve to 2-0 for Los Angeles, which is now 5-3 on the young season. Matt Cain was tagged for five runs in six innings for San Francisco and lost his first decision of the year. Brandon Belt and Hunter Pence homered in the sixth for the Giants, who are now 5-2.

Twins Outslug Indians

(Cleveland, OH) -- Chris Colabello knocked in four runs as the Twins outslugged the Indians 10-7 in the rubber match of a three-game series at Progressive Field. Trevor Plouffe [drove in a run and scored twice, and Joe Mauer finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored as Minnesota evened its record at 3-3. Anthony Swarzak picked up the win in relief.  Glen Perkins pitched a perfect ninth for his second save. Yan Gomes hit a two-run homer and Jason Kipnis knocked in three runs for the Indians, who fell to 3-3. Blake Wood suffered the loss.

Yankees Beat Jays In Rubber Match

(Toronto, Ontario) -- Brett Gardner clubbed a two-run homer as the Yankees beat the Blue Jays 6-4 in the rubber match of a weekend series at Rogers Centre.  Kelly Johnson doubled in two in a three-run first inning for New York, which built a 6-1 lead and hung on to even its record at 3-3. CC Sabathia gave up four runs on seven hits in six innings for his first win.  David Robertson pitched the ninth to notch his second save. Melky Cabrera homered and Erik Kratz knocked in two for the Jays, who fell to 3-4. Drew Hutchison was tagged for all six runs in three-and-a-third frames to slip to 1-1 with the loss.

O's Hand Tigers First Loss

(Detroit, MI) -- Adam Jones drove in the go-ahead run with a sac-fly in the eighth inning as the Orioles topped the Tigers 3-1 to avoid a three-game sweep at Comerica Park. Matt Wieters homered in the ninth and Nelson Cruz doubled in a run in the sixth for the O's, who improved to 2-4. Chris Tillman tossed eight-and-a-third innings of one-run ball for his first win. Tommy Hunter recorded the final two outs for his second save. Torii Hunter homered in the fourth for the Tigers, who fell to 4-1. Justin Verlander gave up two runs and five hits in eight frames to suffer the loss.

Rangers Blank Rays In Darvish's Season Debut

(St. Petersburg, FL) -- Yu Darvish fired seven shutout innings and Elvis Andrus hit a two-run homer in the eighth as the Rangers beat the Rays 3-0 at Tropicana Field. Darvish struck out six while scattering seven hits and a walk to get the win in his season debut. Three relievers followed, with Joakim Soria posting his first save.  Donnie Murphy plated an insurance run for Texas with an infield single in the ninth. Alex Cobb allowed just three hits over seven shutout frames in a no-decision for Tampa Bay. Joel Peralta served up the homer to Andrus in the eighth and took the loss.

Astros Hit Five Homers To Bury Weaver, Angels

(Houston, TX) -- Houston hit five home runs, including four off Jered Weaver, as the Astros beat the Angels 7-4 at Minute Maid Park.  Jason Castro connected for a two-run shot in the first and Matt Dominguez, Jesus Guzman and Alex Presley added solo shots off the Angels' ace. Jonathan Villar tacked on a two-run blast off Matt Shoemaker in the seventh to stake Houston to a 7-1 lead. Raul Ibanez singled in two and Erick Aybar also had a run-scoring single in the ninth for Los Angeles. Scott Feldman pitched seven innings of one-run ball for his second win. Chad Qualls posted his fist save. Weaver fell to 0-2 with the loss.

A's Double Up M's

(Oakland, CA) -- Brandon Moss clubbed a three-run homer and Yoenis Cespedes added a solo shot as the A's doubled up the Mariners 6-3 at O.co Coliseum. Josh Donaldson and Jed Lowrie both plated a run and scored for the A's, who took two-of-three in the rain-shortened series. Sonny Gray gave up three runs, but just one earned, in six innings for his first win. Jim Johnson closed it out for his first save.  Abraham Almonte, Brad Miller and Justin Smoak drove in runs for Seattle, which slipped to 4-2. Erasmo Ramirez was touched for five runs in four-plus frames to fall to 1-1.

Brewers Sweep Red Sox In Boston

(Boston, MA) -- Yovani Gallardo and two relievers combined for the shutout as the Brewers blanked the Red Sox 4-0 to sweep a three-game series at Fenway Park. Gallardo scattered seven hits over six-and-two-thirds innings for his second win. Aramis Ramirez and Mark Reynolds plated a run each for Milwaukee, which upped its mark to 4-2. Jon Lester gave up four runs, including two earned, in seven-and-a-third frames to slip to 0-2 with the loss. The defending champs are 2-4.
 

Sunday, April 6 Scoreboard

MLB NL

Cincinnati Reds 2, New York Mets 1

San Diego Padres 4, Miami Marlins 2

Washington Nationals 2, Atlanta Braves 1

Pittsburgh Pirates 2, St. Louis Cardinals 1

Chicago Cubs 8, Philadelphia Phillies 3

Arizona Diamondbacks 5, Colorado Rockies 3

Los Angeles Dodgers 6, San Francisco Giants 2

MLB AL

Minnesota Twins 10, Cleveland Indians 7

New York Yankees 6, Toronto Blue Jays 4

Baltimore Orioles 3, Detroit Tigers 1

Texas Rangers 3, Tampa Bay Rays 0

Houston Astros 7, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 4

Chicago White Sox 5, Kansas City Royals 1

Oakland Athletics 6, Seattle Mariners 3

MLB Interleague

Milwaukee Brewers 4, Boston Red Sox 0

Monday, April 7 Schedule (All Times Central)

MLB NL

3:15 p.m. - Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals

MLB AL

12:05 p.m. - Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees

1:10 p.m. - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Houston Astros

3:10 p.m. - Oakland Athletics at Minnesota Twins

6:10 p.m. - Texas Rangers at Boston Red Sox

7:10 p.m. - Tampa Bay Rays at Kansas City Royals

MLB Interleague

6:05 p.m. - San Diego Padres at Cleveland Indians

7:40 p.m. - Chicago White Sox at Colorado Rockies