Cardinals Edge Nationals, Cubs Lose, White Sox Win

Max Scherzer looked amply ready to start on opening day for Washington, striking out nine in six shutout innings during the Nationals' 1-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. Nationals manager Matt Williams recently announced that the newly acquired Scherzer would make his first career start in an opener. Washington begins at home against the New York Mets on April 6.

Making his fifth start of the spring, the former AL Cy Young Award winner allowed only three hits. He didn't walk anyone and threw 59 of 82 pitches for strikes.

Scherzer also hit Matt Carpenter with a pitch. The Cardinals said he had a bruise on his right quadriceps.

Mariners 3, Cubs 2

Taijuan Walker extended his flawless spring to 18 scoreless innings, and Mike Zunino homered for the Seattle Mariners in a 3-2 victory Wednesday night over the Chicago Cubs. The 22-year-old Walker, looking to lock up a rotation spot, struck out six and walked one in six more shutout innings. He gave up two hits.

"I feel like each start, everything starts to get better," Walker said. "My fastball location gets better each start, my off-speed does, too. I'm just trying to go out there and attack."

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon stopped short of putting Walker in the regular-season rotation, though.

White Sox 6, Royals 0

Carlos Rodon struck out nine in four dazzling innings Wednesday night, making his latest impressive bid to join the White Sox rotation, and Chicago cruised to a 6-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Rodon, the third player selected in last year's draft, walked none and allowed four singles, throwing 47 strikes in 67 pitches. Rodon has fanned 19 batters this spring, tying for the Cactus League lead, in 12 1/3 innings.

"I'm glad no walks," he said. "That's the best part of the day."

The left-hander faced a lineup that included eight regular starters for the AL champion Royals, no doubt making it difficult for Chicago to send him back to the minors.

Wednesday, March 25 Scoreboard

Toronto 5, at Baltimore 2

Detroit 8, Miami 4

Tampa Bay 2, at Minnesota 1

NY Mets 7, at NY Yankees 2

Houston 7, at Philadelphia 1

St. Louis 1, Washington 0

Milwaukee 9, Oakland 9

LA Dodgers 9, San Diego 5

LA Angels 4, Cleveland 3

Colorado 5, San Francisco 2

Chicago White Sox 6, at Kansas City 0

Seattle 3, Chicago Cubs 2

Cincinnati 5, Texas 0

Thursday, March 26 Schedule (All Times Central)

Minnesota at Boston, 12:05, p.m.

Baltimore at Detroit, 12:05, p.m.

Atlanta at Pittsburgh, 12:05, p.m.

Miami at St. Louis, 12:05 p.m.

NY Yankees at Tampa Bay 12:05 p.m.

Philadelphia at Toronto, 12:07 p.m.

LA Dodgers at Chicago White Sox, 3;05 p.m.

Cincinnati at Cleveland, 3:05 p.m.

Seattle at Milwaukee, 3:05 p.m.

Kansas City at Seattle, 3:05 p.m.

San Diego at Arizona, 3:10 p.m.

NY Mets at Washington, 4;05 p.m.

LA Angels at Chicago Cubs, 6 p.m.

Colorado at Texas, 8:05 p.m.

Oakland at San Francisco, 9:05 p.m.