May 9, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) and catcher Brian McCann (34) celebrate the win against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. New York Yankees won 6-2. Photo Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
NEW YORK — Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman allowed a run in the ninth inning during his season debut, and New York hit five solo home runs, two by Carlos Beltran, in a 6-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.
After completing his 30-day suspension for an offseason domestic-violence incident, Chapman was activated from the restricted list. He began warming up during the bottom of the eighth and heard cheers from the crowd of 41,243 when he entered the game as the scoreboard highlighted his name with a flame-filled graphic to illustrate his ability to throw fastballs 100 mph.
His first two pitches to Omar Infante were strikes clocked at 100 mph. His next two were out of the strike zone and clocked at 101 mph.
Chapman reached a full count when he threw an 88 mph pitch over catcher Brian McCann’s glove but struck out Infante swinging on a 97 mph fastball. The left-hander struck out Cheslor Cuthbert on a 101 mph fastball, then gave up a double to pinch hitter Paulo Orlando and an RBI single to Alcides Escobar.
Nationals 5, Tigers 4
WASHINGTON — Pinch-hitter Clint Robinson hit a solo homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth off Mark Lowe as Washington beat Detroit, sending the Tigers to their seventh loss in a row.
Robinson’s homer came one batter after Danny Espinosa was ejected after he was called out on strikes by home plate umpire Brian Knight.
It may not have been a magical night on the mound for Stephen Strasburg, but Nationals fans may be willing to forgive the right-handed pitcher in the short term. Strasburg, 27, gave up four runs, including two homers, in seven innings to the Tigers on a night that several media outlets reported that he had signed a seven-year contract extension with the team.
Marlins 4, Brewers 1
MIAMI — Jose Fernandez stuck out 11 batters in seven scoreless innings and Miami beat Milwaukee despite a Miami run being taken off the scoreboard when J.T. Realmuto passed teammate Marcell Ozuna on the basepaths after hitting a home run.
Fernandez (4-2) allowed four hits and four walks while improving to 20-1 at home in his 30th start at Marlins Park. The seven innings are a season high.
Derek Dietrich and Adeiny Hechavarria each had three hits and drove in a run for the Marlins, who are 12-3 in their last 15 games.
Reds 3, Pirates 2
CINCINNATI — Joey Votto hit a game-tying home run in the sixth and Tucker Barnhart added a go-ahead solo shot in the seventh as Cincinnati held on for a victory over Pittsburgh in the opener of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park.
Zack Cozart also homered, and Billy Hamilton had three hits for Cincinnati.
Pittsburgh left-hander Jonathon Niese allowed three home runs. The Pirates collected five hits, including two each by Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte.
Orioles-Twins postponed
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota’s quest to snap a five-game losing streak will have to wait another day.
Minnesota’s game against Baltimore at Target Field was postponed due to rain in the Twin Cities. The game will be made up on July 28.
Baltimore will move Monday’s starter, right-hander Tyler Wilson, back to Wednesday. Projected Tuesday starter, righty Kevin Gausman, will start on normal rest.
Cubs-Padres rained out
CHICAGO — Ben Zobrist didn’t get a chance to pad his numbers on Monday as Chicago’s opener of a three-game series with San Diego at Wrigley Field was rained out.
The game will be made up on Wednesday with a split doubleheader. The makeup is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. while the regularly scheduled series finale begins at 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday’s game between Chicago and San Diego will now feature Monday’s scheduled starters. Padres right hander Cesar Vargas (0-1, 1.10 ERA) goes against Cubs left-hander Jon Lester (3-1, 1.58 ERA) at 7:05 p.m.
