Sabathia Strong As Yankees Hold Off Cardinals
(Bronx, NY) — CC Sabathia and two relievers combined on a five-hitter as the Yankees held off the Cardinals 3-2 in the Bronx. Sabathia struck out six while allowing just three hits and one run in seven-and-a-third innings for his second win. Tyler Clippard gave up a home run to Stephen Piscotty in the ninth, but also struck out the side to earn his first save. Carlos Martinez fell to 0-and-2 for St. Louis. Jedd Gyorko also homered for the Cards.
Twins, Santana Stifle White Sox
(Minneapolis, MN) — Ervin Santana pitched a complete-game, one-hitter as the Twins shut out the White Sox 6-0 at Target Field. He struck out eight and walked one to improve to 3-and-0, allowing only a third-inning single to Omar Narvaez. Max Kepler had a two-run triple to cap a five-run first inning for Minnesota. Jose Quintana was tagged for five runs in five-and-two-thirds frames to fall to 0-and-3. The White Sox had their three-game winning streak snapped.
McCutchen Homer Rallies Pirates Past Cubs
(Chicago, IL) — Andrew McCutchen launched a three-run homer in the seventh inning to put the Pirates ahead for good in an 8-7 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Francisco Cervelli, Starling Marte and Josh Harrison also homered for Pittsburgh, which overcame a 6-2 deficit. Trevor Williams got the win and Tony Watson his fourth save. Pedro Strope took the loss for Chicago. Kris Bryant hit his first two home runs of the season for the Cubs.
Ramirez, Indians Crush Tigers
(Cleveland, OH) — Jose Ramirez came alive at the plate as the Indians crushed the Tigers, 13-6, in Cleveland. Ramirez finished 4-for-4 with a pair of three-run homers for the Tribe. Carlos Santana and Lonnie Chisenhall added two-run dingers as Cleveland racked up 19 hits. Corey Kluber came away with the win as the Indians tied the three-game series. Justin Verlander got tagged for 11 hits and nine runs to take the loss for Detroit. Justin Upton plated three runs and homered in defeat.
Royals Clip Angels
(Kansas City, MO) — Mike Moustakas launched the game-winning home run in the eighth inning as the Royals slipped past the Angels 3-2 in Kansas City. Brandon Moss also went deep in the winning effort. Nathan Karns tossed six innings of one-run ball but took a no-decision as Joakim Soria picked up the win in relief. The Royals have won three-straight and will look for the series sweep on Sunday. Ben Revere had two hits, an RBI, and run scored for Los Angeles. Jose Alvarez was pegged with the loss. L.A. has lost four-in-a-row.
Rockies Blank Giants Behind Chatwood
(San Francisco, CA) — Tyler Chatwood fired a complete-game, two-hitter as the Rockies shut out the Giants 5-0 at AT&T Park. He struck out four and walked one to earn his first win of the season. Nolan Arenado went 3-for-5 with a home run and Charlie Blackmon had a two-run single for the Rockies. Matt Moore allowed 10 hits and all five runs in five-and-two-thirds innings to fall to 1-and-2. Joe Panik and Chris Marrero had hits for San Francisco.
Reds Outslug Brewers
(Cincinnati, OH) — Jesse Winker snapped a 4-all tie with a pinch-hit, two-run double in the sixth to put the Reds in front for good in a 7-5 win over the Brewers in Cincinnati. Scooter Gennett had two hits and two RBI, and Scott Schebler homered for the Reds. Raisel Iglesias got the win and Michael Lorenzen earned his first save. Carlos Torres took the loss for Milwaukee, which had won four straight. Eric Thames homered twice and Hernan Perez also went deep in defeat
Cavaliers Hold Off Pacers In Game One
(Cleveland, OH) — C.J. Miles missed a jumper just before the buzzer as the Cavaliers held on for a 109-108 win over the Pacers in their playoff opener in Cleveland. LeBron James had 32 points, 13 assists and six rebounds for the Cavs, who led by nine with just under seven minutes to play. Kyrie Irving added 23 points in the win. Paul George scored 29 points for Indiana, which lost three-of-four to the Cavs during the regular season. Cleveland hosts Game Two on Monday.
Bucks Bounce Raptors, Steal Game One
(Toronto, Ontario) — Giannis Antetokounmpo led the charge as the Bucks bounced the Raptors, 97-83, in Toronto. “The Greek Freak” finished with 28 points and eight rebounds as Milwaukee stole Game One of the playoff series on the road. Greg Monroe posted 14 points and 15 rebounds as the Bucks limited Toronto to just 32 points in the second half. DeMar DeRozan keyed the Raptors with 27 points. Serge Ibaka was the only other Toronto player in double figures with 19 points and 14 boards.
Spurs Destroy Grizzlies In Game One
(San Antonio, TX) — The Spurs came alive in the second quarter and proceeded to destroy the Grizzlies, 111-82, in San Antonio. The Spurs trailed by five after one, but allowed 52 points over the rest of the game. Kawhi Leonard posted 32 points, and LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 for the Spurs. Game Two is Monday in San Antonio. Marc Gasol was a bright spot for Memphis, finishing with 32 points. His big brother Pau scored six for the Spurs. Mike Conley had 13 points and seven assists.
Jazz Sneak Past Clippers At Buzzer
(Los Angeles, CA) — Joe Johnson sank the game-winner at the buzzer to lift the Jazz past the Clippers 97-95 at the Staples Center. Johnson finished with team-high 21 points as Utah took Game One of their Western Conference first-round matchup. Gordon Hayward notched 19 points and 10 boards for the Jazz. Utah center Rudy Gobert left 20-seconds into the game with knee injury. Chris Paul’s driving layup tied the game with 13 second left. Paul finished with 25 points and Blake Griffin scored 26 for LA. Game Two is on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Ducks Down Flames, Take 2-0 Series Lead
(Anaheim, CA) — The Ducks took a two-goal lead 6:44 into the game and held on to down the Flames, 3-2, in Anaheim. Jacob Silfverberg and Rickard Rakell notched early goals for the Ducks before Ryan Getzlaf notched the game-winner in the third period. John Gibson stopped 35 of 37 shots sent his way as Anaheim took a 2-0 series lead over the Flames. Game Three is Monday in Calgary. Mikael Backlund and Sean Monahan lit the lamp for the Flames. Brian Elliott made 26 saves in defeat.
Predators Shred Blackhawks
(Chicago, IL) — Pekka Rinne recorded his second-straight shutout and notched two assists as the Predators cruised past the Blackhawks, 5-0, in Game Two of their first round series in Chicago. Ryan Johansen had a goal and a pair of helpers as the Preds’ took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven set. Harry Zolnierczyk and Colton Sissons netted goals in the second period. Ryan Ellis and Kevin Fiala also lit the lamp. Corey Crawford surrendered the five-goals on 29 shots in defeat. The Blackhawks will look to get back into the series as it shifts to Nashville for Game Three on Monday.
Senators Rally To Beat Bruins In OT
(Ottawa, Ontario) — Dion Phaneuf scored the game-winner 1:59 into overtime as the Senators beat the Bruins 4-3 in Game Two of their first-round series in Ottawa. Chris Wideman and Derick Brassard scored in the third as the Sens rallied from a 3-1 deficit to even the best-of-seven series at a game apiece. Drew Stafford, Tim Schaller and Patrice Bergeron all had second-period goals for Boston, which will host Game Three on Monday.
Kapanen, Maple Leafs Drop Capitals.
(Washington, DC) — Kasperi Kapanen scored twice, including the game-winning goal in overtime as the Maple Leafs dropped the Capitals, 4-3, in overtime. Morgan Rielly and James van Riemsdyk also lit the lamp as Toronto tied the seven-game series at one win apiece. Frederik Anderson racked up 47 saves in the win. Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson scored in the second period for Washington, and Nicklas Backstrom scored in the third. Braden Holtby added 47 saves. The series now head to Toronto for Monday’s Game Three.