PITTSBURGH (AP) — Juan Nicasio pitched six dominant innings in his Pittsburgh debut and Francisco Cevelli hit a two-run double as the 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 during spring training with 24 strikeouts.
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.
Leake allowed four runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.
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.
Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte had two hits each for the Pirates (3-0).
Orioles 4, Twins 2
BALTIMORE (AP) — Chris Davis hasn’t wasted any time in providing the Baltimore Orioles a positive return on their $161 million investment.
Davis homered to back an effective pitching performance by Yovani Gallardo in his Orioles debut, and Baltimore beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 Wednesday night at chilly Camden Yards.
Davis hit a solo shot to deep center off Kyle Gibson (0-1) in the third inning to put the Orioles ahead for good.
Gallardo (1-0) allowed one run and two hits in five innings, striking out four and walking three.
Zach Britton struck out the side in the ninth for his first save.