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White Sox, Cardinals Win Wednesday, Suspend Thursday Home Openers; Cubs Lose

>>Sox Slam Indians; Postpone Home Opener

 

Jose Abreu drove in three runs, Leury Garcia had four hits and Chicago knocked around Kluber for a change, beating Cleveland's ace and the Indians 8-3 on Wednesday.

 

Abreu's two-run double in the fourth inning chased Kluber (0-2), who had won nine straight decisions over Chicago dating four seasons. The two-time AL Cy Young winner has owned the White Sox, going 4-0 against them last season and 13-4 in his career.

 

But starting with Garcia's single on the game's first pitch, Kluber was in trouble and lasted only 3 1/3 innings while losing to Chicago for the first time since July 24, 2015.

 

Carlos Rodon (1-1) made plenty of good pitches while limiting the Indians to an unearned run and two hits over six innings. The left-hander settled down after a bumpy first and retired 12 straight and 14 of 15 before Jose Ramirez reached on an error in the sixth - one of three miscues for the White Sox.

 

Chicago's Yoan Mocada hit a two-run homer in the eighth.

 

Hanley Ramirez connected for a two-run shot in the ninth. He has both of Cleveland's homers this season.

 

At about the same time they were scoring three times off Kluber in the first, the White Sox announced that Thursday's home opener against Seattle is being pushed to Friday because of a nasty weather forecast in Chicago.

 

Reynaldo Lopez will start the delayed home opener for Chicago against the Mariners.

 

>>Cardinals Outlast Pirates in Extras; Postpone Home Opener

 

Tyler O'Neill capped another rally by driving in Kolten Wong for the go-ahead run in the 10th inning as St. Louis surged past the Pirates 5-4 on Wednesday night. Two days after coming back from four runs down to spoil Pittsburgh's home opener, St. Louis took advantage of another shaky performance by Pirate relievers.

Harrison Bader hit a two-run homer off Keone Kela in the eighth to tie the game at 3. Wong led off the 10th with a triple against Nick Burdi (0-1) and scored when O'Neill followed two batters later with a sharp single to right. Bader pushed the lead two when he scored on a wild pitch by Francisco Liriano.

 

John Gant (2-0) worked a scoreless ninth to pick up the win. Dakota Hudson collected his first major league save when he stranded the tying run at third. Paul DeJong added a solo home run for St. Louis, which finished 3-3 on a season-opening six-game road trip.

 

Adam Frazier had three hits and drove in a run for the Pirates. Jung Ho Kang hit his first home run in 2 1/2 years for Pittsburgh. The Pirates went 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base.

 

Jameson Taillon dominated the Cardinals for seven innings, allowing one run on three hits with five strikeouts and spent 87 pitches keeping the Cardinals off balance. 

 

Marcell Ozuna will have an MRI on Thursday after being scratched due to discomfort in his right side. Jose Martinez filled in and went 0 for 5.

 

Head home for the first time this season and welcome San Diego for a three-game series at Busch Stadium starting Friday. The game was originally scheduled for Thursday before being pushed back due to weather concerns. Jack Flaherty (0-0, 8.31 ERA) starts for the Cardinals against Nick Margevicius (0-1, 1.80).

 

>>Early Struggles Continue in Atlanta for Cubs

 

Johan Camargo hit a go-ahead, three-run double as the Braves took advantage of five walks by Cubs relievers in the eighth inning to beat Chicago 6-4 on Wednesday night.

Willson Contreras gave Chicago the lead with a long, two-run homer in the sixth. But the Cubs' much-criticized bullpen went wild in the eighth and blew a 4-2 lead - it was Chicago's third blown save this season and third loss by a relief pitcher in five games.

 

The Cubs (1-4) have lost four straight. The Braves have a needed confidence boost with two straight wins after being swept in three games at Philadelphia.

 

Steve Cishek (0-1) walked Atlanta's first three batters in the eighth before manager Joe Maddon brought in left-hander Randy Rosario. After taking a ball, Camargo lined the three-run double over Albert Almora Jr. in center field for a 5-4 lead. Camargo scored from third on Dansby Swanson's sacrifice fly for a two-run lead.

 

Luke Jackson (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth for Atlanta. Arodys Vizcaino walked Anthony Rizzo with one out in the ninth before striking out Javier Baez and Kyle Schwarber for his first save.

Swanson and Albies hit third-inning homers off Lester, who allowed two runs on six hits in six innings.

 

Contreras connected off Jonny Venters, giving the Cubs a 3-2 lead. The ball traveled 452 feet, according to Statcast, before landing on the second tier of landscaping behind the centerfield wall.

Braves starter Julio Teheran allowed one run on six hits and three walks in five innings and left with a 2-1 lead. Venters didn't record an out before blowing the lead. Venters walked Schwarber before Contreras delivered the go-ahead homer.

 

Lester reached base three times, on a second-inning single that drove in Contreras and two walks.

Yu Darvish will be closely watched in Thursday night's final game of the series. Darvish walked a career-high seven batters while allowing three runs in only 2 2/3 innings in an 8-6 loss at Texas in his first start of the season on Saturday.

 

Max Fried will make his first start of the season for Atlanta as he tries to show he belongs in the rotation. He has pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief this season.

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