LOSING RETURN: Toronto Blue Jays Brett Lawrie throws a line drive to first base in the eighth inning of their American League baseball game against Chicago White Sox, in Toronto on Tuesday. Lawrie, who had been injured, joined the major league line-up for the first time this season. (Reuters)
Reuters/Boston
Mike Napoli belted a pair of doubles and knocked in three runs in the second inning as visiting Boston scored all of their runs in the frame en route to a fourth straight victory.
Jacoby Ellsbury also had an RBI single and Pedro Ciriaco contributed a sacrifice fly in the second for the Red Sox. Boston starter Felix Doubront (1-0) allowed two runs on four hits over five innings and struck out seven to gain the victory.
The teams lined up on the first and third baselines for a moment of silence before the game to honour the victims of Monday’s bombings in Boston, and flags were flown at half-mast.
At Baltimore, Matt Wieters hit a home run and Nick Markakis had two hits and an RBI as the hosts claimed the opener of a three-game series between American League East rivals. Manny Machado and Ryan Flaherty also drove in runs for the Orioles, who have won three of four meetings with Tampa Bay this season. The Rays have lost seven of their last eight games and totaled 14 runs during that stretch.
Robinson Cano hitting a go-ahead three-run homer as hosts New York took the interleague series opener from Arizona. Ivan Nova (1-1) allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings to pick up the win and Mariano Rivera — the last major leaguer to wear the No. 42 on a regular basis — worked a perfect ninth to earn the save as the Yankees celebrated Jackie Robinson Day.
Adeiny Hechavarria hit a three-run homer and Justin Ruggiano also drove in three runs in hosts Miami Marlins’ 8-2 rout of Washington Nationals. Juan Pierre had three hits and Greg Dobbs had two RBIs as the Marlins set a season high for runs scored even though All-Star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton missed his fifth straight game with a shoulder ailment.
Elsewhere, Dayan Viciedo hit the go-ahead RBI double in the ninth inning as visiting Chicago edged Toronto. Reliever Steve Delabar (1-1) walked Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko to open the inning, then struck out Conor Gillaspie before serving up a low fastball that Viciedo smacked into the center-field gap. Alexei Ramirez was intentionally walked and Hector Gimenez greeted Darren Oliver with a sacrifice fly to right that brought home Konerko with a valuable insurance run.