Vazquez shackles Chicago
Alex Rodriguez was a winner in his home debut at Yankee Stadium, thanks to a fellow New York newcomer.
Javier Vazquez pitched two-hit ball for eight innings in his first game with the Yankees, Jorge Posada homered, and New York won its seventh straight home opener yesterday with a 3-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
Rodriguez chipped in with two walks and scored a run. He went hitless in two at-bats, robbed of a hit by third baseman Joe Crede, who made three fine plays for Chicago.
But mostly A-Rod spent the day soaking in the adulation and applause from 55,290 fans who got their first chance to welcome baseball's best all-around player to the Bronx.
The Yankees also trotted out the rest of their $183 million team, including Vazquez, acquired during the offseason from Montreal.
Wearing David Wells's old No. 33, Vazquez retired his final 13 batters following Paul Konerko's two-out RBI single in the fourth. He struck out five and walked two in the win, an impressive AL debut for New York's No. 3 starter.
Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth for his second save in two days.
Tigers 10, Twins 6 -- Fernando Vina scored the go-ahead run on Brad Thomas's wild pitch in a five-run seventh inning, and the Tigers rallied to beat Minnesota in their home opener. The Tigers trailed, 3-0, before scoring four runs in the sixth and five in the seventh.
Angels 5, Mariners 1 -- Adam Kennedy hit a go-ahead, two-run single during a five-run rally in the ninth inning, leading Anaheim to a three-game sweep at Seattle.
Anaheim, which stumbled to a 77-85 record last year after winning the 2002 World Series, came back after a solid effort by Seattle starter Freddy Garcia. He limited the high-powered Angels to four hits over seven innings, struck out seven, and walked two.
Indians 6, Royals 1 -- Jeff D'Amico pitched seven strong innings and Casey Blake drove in two runs as Cleveland won in Kansas City. Matt Lawton also had two hits for the Indians.
Diamondbacks 6, Rockies 5 -- Richie Sexson hit a two-run home run in the 11th to give Arizona the win over Colorado at Phoenix.
Padres 4, Giants 3 -- Sean Burroughs singled to left to drive in Khalil Greene as San Diego rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the 10th to beat the Giants in the inaugural game at Petco Park.
Braves 10, Mets 8 -- Johnny Estrada had a career-high four RBIs and Atlanta celebrated the 30th anniversary of Hank Aaron's 715th home run with a victory over visiting New York.
Marlins 3, Expos 0 -- Dontrelle Willis pitched five-hit ball into the eighth inning, went 3 for 3, and scored with a headfirst slide to help lift Florida over Montreal at Miami.
Pirates 6, Phillies 2 -- Ryan Vogelsong limited Philadelphia to a run and six hits over seven innings in host Pittsburgh's victory.
Reds 5, Cubs 3 -- Sean Casey had three hits, including a bases-loaded double that drove in two, and Jose Acevedo pitched six solid innings, leading the Reds at Cincinnati.
Brewers 11, Cardinals 5 -- Brady Clark homered in his first two at-bats and Keith Ginter hit a three-run homer as the pair of backups powered Milwaukee at St. Louis.
. . .
In late games Wednesday night, the Anaheim Angels beat the Mariners, 10-7, in Seattle, and the Dodgers nipped San Diego, 2-1, in 11 innings at Los Angeles.
