Zimmerman lifts Nationals over Phillies
Ryan Zimmerman drove in the tiebreaking run off new Philadelphia reliever and former Met Nelson Figueroa with a blooper to shallow right that landed inches fair, and the Washington Nationals edged the Phillies, 6-5, yesterday to avoid a season-opening three-game sweep.
Willie Harris hit a two-run homer for the Nationals and Tyler Clippard (1-0) earned the victory with 1 2/3 innings of relief. Matt Capps earned the save.
Cubs 2, Braves 0
Randy Wells pitched six scoreless innings, Carlos Marmol stranded two baserunners in the ninth and visiting Chicago avoided a three-game sweep. Rookie Tyler Colvin and Marlon Byrd homered for Chicago.
Reds 2, Cardinals 1
Jonny Gomes hit a solo homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth to lift host Cincinnati. Francisco Cordero (1-0) pitched a perfect ninth in relief of Bronson Arroyo, who went eight innings and had an RBI single.
Dodgers 10, Pirates 2
Ronnie Belliard homered among three extra-base hits and drove in four runs for visiting Los Angeles. Pittsburgh was attempting to sweep the Dodgers in a three-game series for the first time in 10 years. L.A. was without Andre Ethier (left ankle) and Manny Ramirez (day off) but had 16 hits.
Orioles 5, Rays 4
Brian Matusz allowed two runs in five innings as visiting Baltimore avoided a three-game sweep. Matusz won his fifth straight decision, striking out seven. Rays starter Jeff Niemann left with one out in the second due to a bruised right shoulder after he was hit by a line drive.
Vernon Wells hit his fourth homer in three games and visiting Toronto rallied for three runs in the ninth against Texas closer Frank Francisco. Wells became the first Blue Jay to homer in each of the first three games of a season.
Earlier yesterday, the Rangers placed No. 1 catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia on the 15-day disabled list because of left upper back stiffness.
Tigers 7, Royals 3
Miguel Cabrera homered and drove in four runs and Dontrelle Willis turned in six solid innings in his first regular-season start in almost 10 months for visiting Detroit.
A's 6, Mariners 2
Brett Anderson pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and Daric Barton drove in a career-high four runs for host Oakland.
Gallardo gets 5-year deal
Pitcher Yovani Gallardo, 24, and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a five-year, $30.1-million contract, a deal that could be worth $42.5 million over six seasons. The agreement covers the righthander's arbitration-eligible years and the first season after he would have become eligible for free agency.- AP
