A look at what's happening all around baseball Sunday:___IT'S HIS SHOShohei Ohtani makes his second start on the mound for the Los Angeles Angels, at home against Oakland. The two-way newcomer from Japan beat the Athletics last weekend in his pitching debut, holding them to three hits in six innings. The 23-year-old Ohtani isn't expected to bat — he's homered in three straight starts as a designated hitter.ARRIETA ARRIVESJake Arrieta debuts for the Phillies, facing Miami at Citizens Bank Park. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner signed a $75 million, three-year deal after becoming a free agent and leaving the Cubs. No doubt Arrieta wouldn't mind having some of the run support Philadelphia produced Saturday night in a 20-1 rout of the Marlins.ROLE REVERSALMatt Harvey and the New York Mets try for their fifth straight win and a sweep at Nationals Park in the Sunday night game. After going 70-92 last year, the Mets are 6-1 under new manager Mickey Callaway. The two-time NL East champion Nats... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Xander Bogaerts hit the first grand slam for Boston since the end of the 2016 season and drove in a career-best six runs to carry the Red Sox to a 10-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday for their seventh straight victory.J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers homered for Boston, and Rick Porcello (2-0) pitched into the eighth inning.This is just the second time in franchise history that the Red Sox have lost their season opener and won the next seven. The other came in 1904 when Boston captured the AL pennant.The Rays have lost seven straight and are off to their worst start ever after rallying for a win at home over the Red Sox on opening day.Bogaerts hit a two-run double in Boston's four-run first. In the second, his second career slam completely left Fenway Park over the Green Monster and came after Jake Faria (0-1) walked the bases full.PHILLIES 20, MARLINS 1PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Maikel Franco and Aaron Altherr each hit a grand slam and Carlos Santana and Jorge Alfaro also... [More]

Steady and sure-handed, Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier is a confident mitt man.But the Gold Glover didn't feel that way this week, standing in the snow globe of PNC Park in Pittsburgh."I always want the ball to hit to me, but that was the one time where I was hoping it wouldn't be hit my way," Dozier said. "It would have been very tough trying to catch a popup in those conditions."From Yankee Stadium to Great American Ball Park to Comerica Park, the big winner so far this season is the wintry mix. Nine games already postponed amid a chilly spring, several others held in frosty settings.It was 27 degrees at Coors Field in Denver on Friday, when snow and sleet caused a one-hour delay and brought out ski masks for the Rockies' home opener against Atlanta.Cleveland also opened in bitter and blustery conditions, beating Kansas City 3-2."I think my lipstick was frozen," longtime Indians fan Rita Hoppert said. "All wins are nice wins. It got really cold."No luck at AT&T Park in... [More]

Steady and sure-handed, Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier is a confident mitt man.But the Gold Glover didn't feel that way this week, standing in the snow globe of PNC Park in Pittsburgh."I always want the ball to hit to me, but that was the one time where I was hoping it wouldn't be hit my way," Dozier said. "It would have been very tough trying to catch a popup in those conditions."From Yankee Stadium to Great American Ball Park to Comerica Park, the big winner so far this season is the wintry mix. Nine games already postponed amid a chilly spring, several others held in frosty settings.It was 27 degrees at Coors Field in Denver on Friday, when snow and sleet caused a one-hour delay in the Rockies' home opener against Atlanta. Cleveland also opened in bitter and blustery conditions.No luck at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Despite a more seasonable climate, the Giants were rained out at home for the first time since 2006.Bundled-up players and fans might not catch a break anytime... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — They've dropped three games in a row by a combined score of 28-9 and their aces, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, took the losses in the last two.Their hot-as-can-be leadoff man, Adam Eaton, hurt his left ankle on an awkward slide. Their cleanup hitter, Ryan Zimmerman, is 3 for 22. Another middle-of-the-lineup batter, Daniel Murphy, is sidelined after offseason knee surgery.If ever a team needed a day off just a week into the season, the Washington Nationals sure seemed to fit the bill on Friday."Last three games, not so good. First four games, really good," rookie manager Dave Martinez said. "They get a day off, they get refreshed, and then there's a whole lot more baseball left."After opening 4-0, the two-time defending NL East champions are 4-3. First, the Nationals were beaten in Atlanta by scores of 13-6 and 7-1 (the latter with two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Scherzer on the mound). Then came an 8-2 drubbing against the New York Mets in Washington's home opener... [More]

Steady and sure-handed, Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier is a confident mitt man.But the Gold Glover didn't feel that way this week, standing in the snow globe of PNC Park in Pittsburgh."I always want the ball to hit to me, but that was the one time where I was hoping it wouldn't be hit my way," Dozier said. "It would have been very tough trying to catch a popup in those conditions."From Yankee Stadium to Great American Ball Park to Comerica Park, the big winner so far this season is the wintry mix. Eight games already postponed amid a chilly spring, several others held in frosty settings.Players and fans might not catch a break anytime soon, either. The weekend forecast in several spots is for weather better suited for throwing snowballs than pitching baseballs.Snow is predicted at Coors Field in Denver, Nationals Park in Washington and the Bronx.At Target Field in Minneapolis, there's an outside chance Seattle and Minnesota could play the coldest game on record in major league... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Robbie Ray worked around five walks over six innings and the bullpen closed out a two-hitter, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks spoil the St. Louis Cardinals' home opener 3-1 on Thursday night.Arizona improved to 6-1 for the second straight season and tied a franchise record for its best seven-game start. The team was also 6-1 in 2000. St. Louis dropped its first home opener since 2015.Ray (2-0) gave up a run and two hits while striking out nine. He was making his first appearance in St. Louis since being knocked out of a game by a line drive off his head on July 28, 2017.David Peralta capped off a two-run second inning with an RBI single. He pushed the lead to 3-0 with a double in the fourth.Brad Boxberger picked up his third save in three chances. Four Arizona relievers were perfect except for an error by first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in the eighth.Adam Wainwright (0-1) came off the 10-day disabled list to make the start for St. Louis. He gave up four hits and three runs... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michael Conforto came off the disabled list to hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer off Stephen Strasburg, Yoenis Cespedes also went deep against the ace, and Jay Bruce tacked on an insurance gland slam, leading the New York Mets to an 8-2 victory Thursday in Washington's chilly home opener.Jacob deGrom (2-0) wiggled out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam to finish is six-inning outing with a flourish. After walking Bryce Harper to fill the bags, deGrom got Ryan Zimmerman to fly out to shallow right and Howie Kendrick to line out to shortstop, before Trea Turner looked at a 94 mph fastball for strike three. Turner argued and was ejected for the first time in the majors.Zimmerman, who only got two at-bats in spring training, went 0 for 4 on Thursday and is 3 for 22 (.136) with six strikeouts this season.The Mets improved to an NL East-leading 5-1, while the two-time reigning division champion Nationals have lost three in a row after a 4-0 start under rookie manager Dave Martinez.Conforto... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michael Conforto came off the disabled list to hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer off Stephen Strasburg, Yoenis Cespedes also went deep against the ace, and Jay Bruce tacked on an insurance gland slam, leading the New York Mets to an 8-2 victory Thursday in Washington's chilly home opener.Jacob deGrom (2-0) wiggled out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam to finish is six-inning outing with a flourish. After walking Bryce Harper to fill the bags, deGrom got Ryan Zimmerman to fly out to shallow right and Howie Kendrick to line out to shortstop, before Trea Turner looked at a 94 mph fastball for strike three. Turner argued and was ejected for the first time in the majors.Zimmerman, who only got two at-bats in spring training, went 0 for 4 on Thursday and is 3 for 22 (.136) with six strikeouts this season.The Mets improved to an NL East-leading 5-1, while the two-time reigning division champion Nationals have lost three in a row after a 4-0 start under rookie manager Dave Martinez.Conforto... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — In nearly a decade as general manager of the Washington Nationals, Mike Rizzo has proved adept at wheeling and dealing, at drafting and developing, to the tune of four NL East titles in the past six years.When it came time to discuss his own contract — talks that resulted in a two-year extension through 2020, announced hours before Thursday's home opener against the New York Mets — Rizzo joked that he wasn't quite as tough at the table as usual."My negotiating skills are much better when I'm negotiating for a trade or with free agents than I was for myself; you don't usually buy a house when you're negotiating a contract. But like I do a lot of times, I made no bones about where I wanted to be and wanted to do," Rizzo said, wearing a three-piece gray suit to mark the occasion. "I came to a deal that I'm very happy with, very satisfied with."And then, lapsing into GM-speak, appropriately, he referred to the average annual value of his own contract the way he would a player's,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals have agreed to a two-year contract extension with general manager Mike Rizzo.The team announced the deal on Thursday, hours before its home opener against the New York Mets.Rizzo had been in the final year of his contract, but now is set to stay with the Nationals through the 2020 season.His status was a big question mark heading into this season, along with 2015 NL MVP Bryce Harper's chance to become a free agent after 2018.The Nationals have won four of the past six NL East titles, but have yet to win a playoff series.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals have agreed to a two-year contract extension with general manager Mike Rizzo.The team announced the deal on Thursday, hours before its home opener against the New York Mets.Rizzo had been in the final year of his contract, but now is set to stay with the Nationals through the 2020 season.His status was a big question mark heading into this season, along with 2015 NL MVP Bryce Harper's chance to become a free agent after 2018.The Nationals have won four of the past six NL East titles, but have yet to win a playoff series.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals have agreed to a two-year contract extension with general manager Mike Rizzo.The team announced the deal on Thursday, hours before its home opener against the New York Mets.Rizzo had been in the final year of his contract, but now is set to stay with the Nationals through the 2020 season.His status was a big question mark heading into this season, along with 2015 NL MVP Bryce Harper's chance to become a free agent after 2018.The Nationals have won four of the past six NL East titles, but have yet to win a playoff series.

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:___FENWAY FESTIVITIESDavid Price gets a new opportunity to win over Boston fans when the Red Sox play their home opener against Tampa Bay. The $217 million left-hander held the Rays scoreless for seven innings when he started the second game of the season. Rookie manager Alex Cora said his mother will be in the crowd to see his first game in Boston. Ceremonies for the 107th opener at Fenway Park will include an F-16 flyover by the 134th Fighter Squadron in Vermont's Air National Guard, known as "The Green Mountain Boys." Clear skies were expected but forecasts called for a strong wind and temperatures in the low 40s. "Opening day is always fun," Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts said, "although it's not fun when it's 40."PAIR OF ACESWashington's home opener against the NL East rival Mets features an outstanding pitching matchup. Stephen Strasburg (1-0) starts for the Nationals vs. Jacob deGrom (1-0). New York is off to a 4-1 start, while... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Charlie Morton pitched six scoreless innings, Marwin Gonzalez homered and the Houston Astros unveiled their World Series banner before defeating the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 on Monday night in their home opener.Morton (1-0) allowed three hits and struck out six. The right-hander picked up where he left off after getting the final 12 outs in Game 7 against the Dodgers to help secure Houston's first championship.Brad Peacock pitched a perfect seventh and Will Harris allowed one hit in the eighth before Collin McHugh took over. The starter-turned-reliever allowed a homer to Trey Mancini and a double to Colby Rasmus before retiring the last three batters.Baltimore has dropped three straight after winning its opener. Orioles starter Chris Tillman (0-1) was tagged for seven hits and four runs in four-plus innings.DIAMONDBACKS 8, DODGERS 7, 15 INNINGSPHOENIX (AP) — Chris Owings hit a three-run homer off All-Star closer Kenley Jansen with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to force... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Charlie Morton pitched six scoreless innings, Marwin Gonzalez homered and the Houston Astros unveiled their World Series banner before defeating the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 on Monday night in their home opener.Morton (1-0) allowed three hits and struck out six. The right-hander picked up where he left off after getting the final 12 outs in Game 7 against the Dodgers to help secure Houston's first championship.Brad Peacock pitched a perfect seventh and Will Harris allowed one hit in the eighth before Collin McHugh took over. The starter-turned-reliever allowed a homer to Trey Mancini and a double to Colby Rasmus before retiring the last three batters.Baltimore has dropped three straight after winning its opener. Orioles starter Chris Tillman (0-1) was tagged for seven hits and four runs in four-plus innings.RED SOX 7, MARLINS 3MIAMI (AP) — Brian Johnson gave the Red Sox their fifth solid start in five games, allowing one run in six innings.All five Boston starters have allowed... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Charlie Morton pitched six scoreless innings, Marwin Gonzalez homered and the Houston Astros unveiled their World Series banner before defeating the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 on Monday night in their home opener.Morton (1-0) allowed three hits and struck out six. The right-hander picked up where he left off after getting the final 12 outs in Game 7 against the Dodgers to help secure Houston's first championship.Brad Peacock pitched a perfect seventh and Will Harris allowed one hit in the eighth before Collin McHugh took over. The starter-turned-reliever allowed a homer to Trey Mancini and a double to Colby Rasmus before retiring the last three batters.Baltimore has dropped three straight after winning its opener. Orioles starter Chris Tillman (0-1) was tagged for seven hits and four runs in four-plus innings.RED SOX 7, MARLINS 3MIAMI (AP) — Brian Johnson gave the Red Sox their fifth solid start in five games, allowing one run in six innings.All five Boston starters have allowed... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his major league pitching debut, throwing three-hit ball over six innings and leading the Los Angeles Angels past the Oakland Athletics 7-4 on Sunday.The two-way star from Japan took the mound three days after he was the designated hitter in the opener. Reaching the upper-90s (mph) with his fastball and showing a nifty splitter, Ohtani struck out six and retired 14 of his final 15 batters.Ohtani didn't hit while pitching. Albert Pujols was the DH and went 0 for 5.Ohtani (1-0) pounded his glove following a 1-2-3 shutdown fifth. He walked one, and the only damage against him came on Matt Chapman's three-run homer in the second.Mike Trout hit a tying double in the fifth and Justin Upton followed with a go-ahead sacrifice fly. Keynan Middleton earned his first save.Daniel Gossett (0-1) allowed four runs in four innings for Oakland.ASTROS 8, RANGERS 2ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Gerrit Cole struck out 11 over seven innings in his Houston debut, and the defending... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Gregory Polanco hit a three-run homer in the 13th inning to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 13-10 victory over Detroit on Friday — about an hour after the Tigers spilled onto the field to celebrate what they thought was a game-winning hit of their own.Nicholas Castellanos was initially called safe at home in the bottom of the 10th for the Tigers, but a replay review took the run away and the teams played on. Polanco's drive to right-center on a 3-0 pitch from Alex Wilson (0-1) finally gave the Pirates a comfortable lead — or as comfortable as could be on a wacky day in which both teams scored four runs in the ninth.Detroit put two men on base in the 13th, but Steven Brault (1-0) was able to hold on and finish his third scoreless inning of relief.By the time the 5-hour, 27-minute game was over, there were only three umpires and one manager left. Plate umpire Mike Everitt exited in the eighth with a concussion after being hit in the mask by a pitch. And Ron Gardenhire — in... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Gregory Polanco hit a three-run homer in the 13th inning to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 13-10 victory over Detroit on Friday — about an hour after the Tigers spilled onto the field to celebrate what they thought was a game-winning hit of their own.Nicholas Castellanos was initially called safe at home in the bottom of the 10th for the Tigers, but a replay review took the run away and the teams played on. Polanco's drive to right-center on a 3-0 pitch from Alex Wilson (0-1) finally gave the Pirates a comfortable lead — or as comfortable as could be on a wacky day in which both teams scored four runs in the ninth.Detroit put two men on base in the 13th, but Steven Brault (1-0) was able to hold on and finish his third scoreless inning of relief.By the time the 5-hour, 27-minute game was over, there were only three umpires and one manager left. Plate umpire Mike Everitt exited in the eighth with a concussion after being hit in the mask by a pitch. And Ron Gardenhire — in... [More]