Murphy Powers Nats Past Cardinals
(Washington, DC) — Daniel Murphy went 4-for-5 with a homer and five RBI as the Nationals crushed the Cardinals 8-3 in DC. Jayson Werth and Matt Wieters also went deep for the Nats, who will go for a three-game sweep Wednesday. Gio Gonzalez allowed two runs, one earned, over seven strong innings for his first win. Aledmys Diaz and Randal Grichuk homered for St. Louis, which dropped to 2-and-6. Lance Lynn yielded six runs, four of which were earned, in five frames to fall to 0-and-1.
Tigers Trim Twins
(Detroit, MI) — James McCann’s two-run homer in the fifth inning held up as the Tigers trimmed the Twins 2-1 in the opener of a three-game series at Comerica Park. Matt Boyd took a no-hitter into the sixth. He struck out six while giving up just one hit and two walks over six scoreless innings for his first win. Francisco Rodriguez gave up a RBI single to Jason Castro in the ninth but held on for his third save. Hector Santiago allowed two runs in six-and-a-third innings to fall to 1-and-1 for Minnesota. Both teams are 5-and-2.
Brantley Lifts Tribe Past White Sox In 10
(Cleveland, OH) — Michael Brantley doubled home the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Indians a 2-1 victory over the White Sox in the home opener at Progressive Field. Francisco Lindor homered in the first inning for Cleveland, which snapped a three-game losing streak. Bryan Shaw got the win in relief. Todd Frazier homered for Chicago’s only run to tie the game at one in the fifth. Tommy Kahnle was saddled with the loss.
Mets Launch Seven Homers Against Phillies
(Philadelphia, PA) — Yoenis Cespedes blasted three of the Mets’ seven home runs in a 14-4 demolition of the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. He hit a three-run homer in the first and solo shots in the fourth and fifth. Lucas Duda went deep twice and Asdrubal Cabrera and Travis d’Arnaud also reached the seats for New York, which had 20 hits in all. Matt Harvey pitched five-and-two-thirds innings of two-run ball for his second win before leaving with hamstring tightness. Clay Buchholz was battered for eight hits and six runs in less than three innings to take the loss. Maikel Franco homered for the Phils.
Cubs Host Dodgers Tonight, Receive World Series Rings
(Chicago, IL) — After an off-day, the Cubs and Dodgers resume their three-game series at Wrigley Field tonight. Chicago won Monday’s opener in dramatic fashion, with Anthony Rizzo singling in the winning run in the ninth. The Cubs also raised their championship banner. The ring ceremony is tonight.
Blues Being Playoffs At Minnesota Tonight
(St. Paul, MN) — The Blues begin the Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight on the road at Minnesota. Faceoff at Xcel Energy Center is at 8:30 p.m. The Wild will also host Game Two on Friday before the best-of-seven series shifts to St. Louis. The Blues took three of the five meetings during the regular season.
Blackhawks Host Predators
(Chicago, IL) — The Blackhawks square off with the Predators in Game One of their opening-round series in Chicago tomorrow. The ‘Hawks will also host Game Two of the best-of-seven set on Saturday. Chicago won four of the five meetings between the teams during the regular season.
Bulls Host Nets
(Chicago, IL) — It’s win and in for the Bulls tonight as they host the Nets in the season finale at the United Center. Chicago can clinch one of the two final playoff spots in the East with a victory. Brook Lopez, Trevor Booker and Jeremy Lin are all sitting out for Brooklyn.