NEW YORK (AP) — Austin Wells became the first catcher to hit a leadoff homer on opening day, Anthony Volpe also went deep and the New York Yankees began their AL pennant defense with a 4-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Carlos Rodón, starting because of ace Gerrit Cole’s season-ending elbow injury, allowed one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. Devin Williams, facing his former team for the first time since he was traded in December, held on for the save. Vinny Capra hit his first big league homer in the third for Milwaukee.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Lars Nootbaar homered and Sonny Gray pitched five solid innings to help the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-3 win over the Minnesota Twins. Nolan Arenado also went deep for the Cardinals late in their rain-delayed opener. Harrison Bader hit a two-run shot for Minnesota against his former team. Nootbaar slammed a two-run drive off Pablo Lopez in the second inning to stake the Cardinals to a 4-0 lead. Gray allowed two runs and four hits, striking out six. The right-hander pitched for the Twins from 2022-23. Ryan Helsley earned the save.
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks will be without Jalen Brunson and both primary backups on Friday at Milwaukee, leaving them without their top three point guards in the potential playoff preview. Deuce McBride (left groin) and Cam Payne (sprained right ankle) were ruled out Thursday by the Knicks, who will be without Brunson for an 11th straight game because of his sprained right ankle. McBride has missed the last three games with his injury. Payne started Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, but hurt his ankle in the first half. He remained in the game and scored 15 points in the first half, but didn’t return after halftime.
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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Matt Boldy had the go-ahead goal in the second period for the Minnesota Wild in a 4-2 victory over the Washington Capitals. Frederick Gaudreau had two goals and Jon Merrill also scored for the Wild. They are the only NHL team this season that hasn’t lost when leading after two periods at 28-0. Matt Roy and Brandon Duhaime scored for the league-leading Capitals who lost their second straight after a 9-1 stretch. Minnesota got a big boost for its playoff push having entered with a five-point cushion above the cut for the last West wild-card spot.