Weaver helps Angels beat Rays
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver throws in the second inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays. (April 5, 2011) Credit: AP
Jered Weaver won his second consecutive start, Torii Hunter and Alberto Callaspo each had two RBIs and the visiting Los Angeles Angels beat the winless Tampa Bay Rays, 5-3, Tuesday night.
Weaver (2-0), the Angels' Opening Day starter, allowed one run and three hits in 6 2/3 innings. It is the first time since his rookie season in 2006 that he has started a year with consecutive victories.
The defending AL East champion Rays fell to 0-4. Manny Ramirez was hitless in four at-bats with three strikeouts and is 1-for-16 overall, while Johnny Damon returned after missing a game with a sore right calf and singled, making him 1-for-11 this year.
Padres 3, Giants 1: Aaron Harang pitched six strong innings in his debut with his hometown San Diego in its home opener.
The defending World Series champion San Francisco, which eliminated the Padres from playoff contention on the last day of the 2010 season, has lost four of five.
Harang (1-0) held the Giants to one run and six hits in six innings, struck out six and walked two. Nick Hundley had three hits for the Padres.
San Francisco closer Brian Wilson, who's on the DL with a strained muscle in his left side, played catch. Manager Bruce Bochy said the Giants are leaning toward activating Wilson.
Padres skipper Bud Black said ace Mat Latos, on the DL with a sore right shoulder, was fine after Monday's simulated game. Latos is scheduled to throw two bullpens this week and Black said there's a good chance he'll be back in the rotation for a series against the Reds that starts Monday night.
Trevor Hoffman, who retired in the offseason, jogged in from the bullpen accompanied by AC/DC's "Hells Bells" and threw the ceremonial first pitch to brother Glenn, the Padres' third-base coach.
Cubs 6, Diamondbacks 5: James Russell allowed two inherited runners to score in the seventh but shut down Arizona in the eighth inning to help host Chicago. Russell (1-0) worked 1 2/3 innings and gave up two hits, and Sean Marshall pitched the ninth for his first save.
Russell entered in the seventh and struck out pinch hitter Russell Branyan, then gave up a single to leadoff batter Willie Bloomquist that scored two and tied the score at 4.
After the Cubs went ahead 6-4 in the bottom half, Russell shut down the Diamondbacks in the eighth, coaxing Miguel Montero into a double play and ended the inning by striking out Chris Young.-- AP
