Pirates Down Cardinals, MLB Scores

Juan Nicasio had such an outstanding spring that he found no reason to make any changes in his first regular-season start.

Nicasio pitched six dominant innings and Francisco Cevelli hit a two-run double as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 Wednesday night to sweep an opening three-game series between the teams with the best regular-season records in the major leagues last year.

Nicasio gave up one run and two hits while striking out seven and walking none. Signed to a $3 million, one-year contract as a free agent in the offseason, Nicasio pitched 15 scoreless innings in exhibition games with 24 strikeouts.

"I'm just coming to the field and doing everything I can to help my team win," Nicasio said. "I'm not thinking too much. I'm just trying to take it batter-by-batter, pitch-by-pitch, trying to get each hitter out.

"All I want to do is just give my team a chance to win every fifth day. It feels good that I was able to do that in my first time out."

Cervelli's two-run double capped a three-run fourth inning that pushed the Pirates' lead to 4-0 and ended the Cardinals' debut of Mike Leake (0-1), who signed an $80 million, five-year contract. He allowed four runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.

"I couldn't hit my spots," Leake said. "I couldn't throw strikes. I was just erratic."

Mark Melancon retired the only batter he faced for his first save, getting Kolten Wong to hit into a forceout with runners on first and second.

Wednesday, April 6 Scoreboard

Tampa Bay 5, Toronto 3

MIL 4, San Francisco 3

Seattle 9, Texas 5

Colorado 4, Arizona 3

Detroit 7, Miami 3

Cleveland 7, Boston 6
     
Cincinnati 3, Philadelphia 2
    
Baltimore 4, Minnesota 2
     
New York Yankees 16, Houston 6
    
Pittsburgh 5, St. Louis 1

Washington 3, Atlanta 1

Los Angeles Dodgers 7, San Diego 0
    
Oakland 2, Chicago White Sox 1

Thursday, April 7 Schedule (All Times Central)

Philadelphia at Cincinnati, 10:35 a.m.

Chicago White Sox at Oakland, 1:35 p.m.

Houston at New York Yankees, 2:05 p.m.

Miami at Washington, 2:05 p.m.

Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco, 2:35 p.m.

Boston at Cleveland, 4:10 p.m.

Minnesota at Baltimore, 5:05 p.m.

Chicago Cubs at Arizona, 7:40 p.m.

Texas at Los Angeles Angels, 8:05 p.m.