NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez listened to the cheers and waved his cap. He worked out an eight-pitch walk, lined an opposite-field single into right field and flied out.
After all the huffing and puffing, a grievance, multiple lawsuits and public threats, followed by the inevitable apology, seemingly scripted contrition and never-ending genuflection, A-Rod was back with the Yankees, in pinstripes, in front of the not-quite adoring but forever-forgiving fans on a sunny opening day.
Back from an unprecedented season-long drug suspension, Rodriguez received a loud ovation and, for a designated hitter, a rare shout-out from the Bleacher Creatures. He was dropped to seventh in the batting order during the regular season for the first time in 19 years and he went 1 for 2 Monday in a 6-1 loss to Toronto.
"It means the world to me," he said during a string of saccharine postgame comments. "I don't think I ever took it for granted, but I can guarantee you I won't take this year for granted" (see full recap).
Errors help Mets top Nationals
WASHINGTON -- There was a lot going on for Max Scherzer on Monday. His first opening-day start in the majors, his first game for the Washington Nationals, his first chance to begin earning that $210 million contract.
"My adrenaline was flowing," Scherzer acknowledged. "Let's just say that."
Pitching "as advertised," to use Nationals manager Matt Williams' phrasing, Scherzer took a no-hitter into the sixth inning but was unable to overcome two costly errors by shortstop Ian Desmond, and the Nationals lost 3-1 to the New York Mets.
MLB
At 41 the oldest opening-day starter in the majors since 2006, Bartolo Colon (1-0) pitched six clean innings for the Mets, the only damage being Bryce Harper's homer that made it 1-0 in the fourth. Lucas Duda's two-run single with two outs in the sixth off a 98 mph pitch from Scherzer put New York ahead with its first hit of the season.
"That," Scherzer said, "was my best fastball of the day."
Duda's take?
"We're lucky we caught a break right there," he said (see full recap).
Rain plays part in Marlins' loss to Braves
MIAMI -- Even before Dee Gordon went face down leaving the batter's box, the Miami Marlins looked like a flop in their season opener against the Atlanta Braves.
The sellout crowd's mood soured in the second inning when the game was halted for 16 minutes because of rain -- a first at 3-year-old Marlins Park, which has a retractable roof. The resulting wet track subsequently cost the Marlins at least twice on the bases, and they lost to Atlanta 2-1.
Marlins president David Samson took the blame for leaving the roof open too long, saying the rain was unexpected.
"This will be my last game with the Marlins," Samson said jokingly. "I've enjoyed my 14 seasons here."
Two Atlanta relievers combined to escape a bases-loaded, none-out jam in the seventh, and new closer Jason Grilli pitched a perfect ninth for the rebuilding Braves. They traded All-Star closer Craig Kimbel in their latest deal to San Diego on Sunday (see full recap).