ANAHEIM (AP) — Jered Weaver struck out 10 in eight dominant innings of four-hit ball, Peter Bourjos' bases-loaded infield single broke open a scoreless game in the eighth inning, and the Los Angeles Angels won Albert Pujols' hitless debut, 5-0 over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.
Erick Aybar put a bases-loaded triple down the right field line moments after two Kansas City infielders couldn't handle Bourjos' chopper, giving a comfortable lead to the Angels after a tense start to Pujols' tenure.
The feared slugger went 0 for 3 with an eighth-inning intentional walk after getting several raucous pregame ovations from a crowd that still can't quite believe he's wearing a halo cap.
Pujols, who left St. Louis for a 10-year, $240 million deal with the Angels, lined into a first-inning double play before popping out in the third and striking out in the seventh.
In his fourth opening-day start for the Angels, Weaver (1-0) retired 13 straight after allowing back-to-back singles in the third inning, finished with double-digit strikeouts for the 12th time in his career, and didn't walk a batter.
All-Star reliever Aaron Crow (0-1) took the loss.
RAYS 7, YANKEES 6
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Carlos Pena hit a grand slam off CC Sabathia in the first and added an RBI single off Mariano Rivera in the ninth to lift Tampa Bay over New York.
Rivera (0-1) had been 60 of 61 in save chances against the Rays. But after Desmond Jennings opened the ninth with a single against Rivera, Ben Zobrist tripled home the tying run.
The 42-year-old Yankees closer intentionally walked the next two batters to load the bases and struck out Sean Rodriguez. Pena, who came in 0 for 11 in his career against Rivera, won it by driving a 1-2 pitch off the base of the wall in left-center for his fifth RBI of the game.
Evan Longoria homered and Fernando Rodney (1-0) worked a perfect ninth for the win.
RANGERS 3, WHITE SOX 2
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Colby Lewis struck out nine in his first opening day start, Ian Kinsler homered and Texas spoiled the debut of new Chicago manager Robin Ventura.
Kinsler had a leadoff double in the first and scored on a sacrifice fly by Josh Hamilton. Kinsler added a solo homer in the third.
Lewis (1-0) walked only one over six innings, throwing 70 of 100 pitches for strikes, and Joe Nathan worked a perfect ninth for the save.
John Danks (0-1) gave up three runs on six hits over six innings for the White Sox. He struck out six and issued no walks. Adam Dunn homered for Chicago.
ORIOLES 4, TWINS 2
BALTIMORE (AP) — Jake Arrieta pitched seven scoreless innings, Nick Markakis homered and drove in three runs, and Baltimore beat Minnesota to mark the 20th anniversary of the opening of Camden Yards.
Arrieta (1-0) allowed two hits, struck out four and walked two in a 97-pitch performance. Markakis hit a two-run homer in the first inning and added an RBI triple in the sixth. He also walked and scored twice. Jim Johnson got two outs in the ninth for the save.
Carl Pavano (0-1) allowed four runs and five hits over seven innings for the Twins in his third career opening day start. He issued two walks, and both runners eventually scored.
