MLB roundup: Controversial walk-off win for Mets
Apr 8, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil (6) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a game tying solo home run against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning of an opening day game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Conforto drew a hit by pitch with the bases loaded Thursday afternoon to cap a two-run ninth inning comeback by the New York Mets, who won their home opener by edging the Miami Marlins 3-2.
Plate umpire Ron Kulpa later admitted that he erred in his call that gave the Mets the walk-off victory. In the bottom of the ninth with the game tied 2-2, Kulpa began to call Conforto out on strikes but instead awarded him first base after ruling the ball grazed Conforto’s arm on a pitch from the Marlins’ Anthony Bass. The Marlins argued the call, but to no avail.
Article continues after this advertisementCorey Dickerson and Jesus Aguilar had RBI hits in the sixth for the Marlins off Mets starter Taijuan Walker. Dickerson finished 2-for-4.
A sellout crowd of 8,492 — 20 percent of capacity — turned out for the Mets’ first game in front of fans at Citi Field since Sept. 29, 2019, and the first home game under new owner Steve Cohen.
White Sox 6, Royals 0
Lance Lynn hurled a complete game, the first in the majors this season, and notched his second career shutout as Chicago won its home opener at the expense of Kansas City.
Article continues after this advertisementLynn (1-0) has yet to allow an earned run in two starts, covering 13 2/3 innings. He allowed five singles with 11 strikeouts and no walks vs. the Royals. Only two Kansas City runners reached second base.
Brad Keller (0-1) took the loss after yielding four runs on six hits in 3 1/3 innings.
Angels 7, Blue Jays 5 (11 innings)
David Fletcher hit a two-run single with two outs in the 11th inning to give Los Angeles a victory in Toronto’s home opener at Dunedin, Fla.
Fletcher had three RBIs, and Mike Trout hit a solo home run for the Angels. Junior Guerra (2-0) pitched a perfect bottom of the 10th to get the win. Raisel Iglesias struck out the side in the bottom of the 11th to earn his second save.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a home run and three RBIs and Cavan Biggio hit a solo home run for the Blue Jays.
Twins 10, Mariners 2
Mitch Garver, Byron Buxton and Luis Arraez homered as Minnesota pounded out 16 hits in a victory over Seattle in its home opener at Minneapolis.
Buxton also doubled and singled, and Garver added a double while driving in three runs. Arraez contributed three RBIs, and Andrelton Simmons went 3-for-5 with two doubles for Minnesota, which won its second consecutive game. Jose Berrios (2-0) gave up two runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Jose Marmolejos homered, Torrens had three hits including a double and Ty France added two hits for Seattle. Marco Gonzales (0-1) allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings.
Cubs 4, Pirates 2
Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez each homered and had two hits to break Chicago out of its early hitting slump in a victory over host Pittsburgh.
The Cubs, who had only 21 hits in their first six games, collected 11 on Thursday to back up another solid start from Jake Arrieta. The right-hander picked up his second win in as many starts to begin his return stint with Chicago. Both victories have come against the Pirates.
Arrieta tossed six innings, allowed two runs on seven hits, struck out four and walked three on 89 pitches.
Red Sox 7, Orioles 3
Boston scored five runs from the sixth inning on to spoil Baltimore’s home opener.
Orioles starter Matt Harvey (0-1) was charged with four earned runs on seven hits in five-plus innings. Harvey was pulled in the sixth after Rafael Devers and Christian Vazquez (3-for-5, run) led off with singles.
Boston ended up scoring twice in the inning — one off a groundout by Christian Arroyo and another off a Franchy Cordero single — to take the lead. The Red Sox added two runs in the seventh and another in the eighth on a home run from Enrique Hernandez.
Rockies 7, Diamondbacks 3
Jon Gray didn’t allow a hit through six innings, Dom Nunez homered and Colorado beat Arizona in Denver.
Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon had two hits apiece for the Rockies, and Daniel Bard got the last two outs for his second save.
David Peralta had a triple to break up the no-hitter, Eduardo Escobar homered and Pavin Smith had two hits for the Diamondbacks.
Cardinals 3, Brewers 1
In his first home opener for St. Louis, Nolan Arenado hit the game-winning, two-run home run to deliver a victory over Milwaukee.
Arenado’s eighth-inning blast off Drew Rasmussen (0-1) broke a 1-1 tie and extended the Cardinals’ winning streak to four games. Reliever Giovanny Gallegos (2-0) earned the victory and Alex Reyes posted his third save.
Adam Wainwright made his sixth home-opening start for the Cardinals, tying Bob Gibson for the team record. He struck out six batters and allowed one earned run in five innings. Brewers starter Corbin Burnes struck out nine batters in six shutout innings.
Astros 6, A’s 2
Carlos Correa and Yordan Alvarez homered and had multi-hit games as Houston bashed its way to a victory in its home opener against Oakland.
Jose Altuve also went deep for the Astros, crushing a 426-foot shot to left-center field leading off the seventh inning to cap the barrage. Houston leads the majors with 15 home runs. The Astros have beaten the Athletics in all five of their meetings, outscoring them 41-11.
Houston right-hander Cristian Javier (1-0) allowed three hits and two walks while striking out seven in five scoreless innings.
