Chicago, IL (My Sportsbook) - Jim Thome finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored, and his eighth-inning three-run home run lifted Chicago past Kansas City, 4-2, in the season-opener for both clubs at U.S. Cellular Field. Josh Fields collected a pair of hits and knocked in the other run for the White Sox, who originally had their scheduled opener on Monday cancelled due to the threat of inclement weather. Octavio Dotel (1-0) struck out three and didn't allow a hit in the eighth inning to claim the victory. Bobby Jenks picked up his first save with a scoreless ninth. Starter Mark Buehrle yielded just two runs and six hits over five innings. Alex Gordon homered and drove in both runs for the Royals, who had won their last two season-opening games. Kyle Farnsworth (0-1) was tagged in the loss for four hits and three runs in that fateful eighth inning. Gil Meche scattered seven hits and one run over seven full frames, fanning six without a walk.
Final Score: Boston 5, Tampa Bay 3
Boston, MA (My Sportsbook) - Josh Beckett had 10 strikeouts in a seven-inning performance to help the Boston Red Sox to a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in the season opener for both squads at Fenway Park. This series was supposed to get underway on Monday, but rain in the Boston area prompted a postponement. Beckett (1-0), who went 12-10 last season, was charged with just one run on two hits along with three walks for the Red Sox, who were upended by Tampa Bay in the American League Championship Series last season in seven games. Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek each hit a solo home run in the win. Evan Longoria drove in two runs while Carl Crawford brought home the other run for the Rays, whose magical run last season was ended by the Philadelphia Phillies in five games in the World Series. James Shields (0-1) had a rough start as he was charged with five runs on nine hits along with three walks and two strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings of work.
Final Score: Toronto 5, Detroit 4
Toronto, ON (My Sportsbook) - Rod Barajas' sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the ninth inning brought in the game-winning run, as Toronto scored five times in the final two frames to slip past Detroit, 5-4, at Rogers Centre. After B.J. Ryan surrendered a game-tying solo homer to Brandon Inge in the top of the ninth, the Jays loaded the bases off Tigers reliever Brandon Lyon in the bottom half. With one out, Barajas skied a 2-2 fastball to deep center, and Jose Bautista trotted across the plate to cap the come-from-behind win. Scott Rolen jump-started the Blue Jays' rally with a leadoff shot in the eighth, and Aaron Hill smacked a three-run blast later in the frame to help the hosts take the first two games off the season for the first time since 2005. Ryan (1-0) was credited with the win, while David Purcey was solid in his seven-inning start, allowing three runs -- two earned -- on five hits and three walks in a no-decision for the victors. Edwin Jackson, who was acquired from Tampa Bay in the offseason in exchange for outfielder Matt Joyce, allowed just two runs -- one earned -- on two hits and a walk in 7 1/3 innings for Detroit. Lyon's (0-1) one-inning effort of three runs surrendered on three hits and two free passes spoiled Jackson's debut with the club. Inge and Miguel Cabrera each had two hits for the Tigers, who were routed in the season opener, 12-5.
Final Score: Minnesota 6, Seattle 5
Minneapolis, MN (My Sportsbook) - One of Seattle's biggest questions marks made an early-season appearance, as Alexi Casilla's two-run, two-out single in the bottom of the ninth capped Minnesota's three-run rally in a 6-5 victory. The Mariners appeared poised to hand Erik Bedard a victory after a big game from Endy Chavez helped the visitors take a 5-3 edge into the ninth. Brandon Morrow (0-1) entered and retired the first two batters before Carlos Gomez, who scored twice, worked an eight-pitch walk. Morrow continued the wildness by offering Jason Kubel a four-pitch walk and pinch-hitter Brian Buscher showed patience by coaxing another free pass to load the bases for Denard Span, who faced Miguel Batista instead of the eventual loser Morrow, who was saddled with the loss despite not allowing a hit. Span's single moved everyone up a base, plating Gomez for a 5-4 game. Casilla then wasted no time with a base hit to center on a first-pitch fastball, scoring pinch- runner Brendan Harris and Buscher with the tying and winning runs. Luis Ayala (1-0) was the recipient of the ninth-inning rally after giving up one run on two hits in one frame. Michael Cuddyer finished 2-for-4 with two runs batted in for the Twins, who got just five frames from starting hurler Nick Blackburn. Blackburn gave up four runs on eight hits with three walks, while his counterpart Bedard surrendered three runs on six hits with eight strikeouts over five frames. Chavez finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI, while Adrian Beltre knocked home a pair in defeat.
Final Score: Oakland 6, LA Angels of Anaheim 4
Anaheim, CA (My Sportsbook) - Jack Cust went 3-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI, and the Oakland Athletics evened up their season-opening four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with a 6-4 decision. Ryan Sweeney and Jason Giambi each had three-hit efforts with Giambi scoring and knocking in a run for the A's, who were shutout by the Angels, 3-0, on Monday, the club's fifth straight Opening Day loss. Trevor Cahill made an effective MLB debut, allowing three runs -- two earned -- on five hits and as many walks in five innings for Oakland. Michael Wuertz (1-0) earned the win, hurling a scoreless sixth inning for the victors. Dustin Moseley, who was 2-4 with a 6.79 ERA in 12 appearances last year, lasted six innings for the Angels, scattering nine hits and three runs in a no-decision. Kevin Jepsen (0-1) was saddled with the loss for allowing two runs in one inning of relief work. Kendry Morales went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Bobby Abreu knocked in a pair in a losing effort.
