Edwin Jackson’s pitches were buzzing from the outset, his slider was biting and he had his control. That’s how he was able to strike out a career-high 13 and keep the Rays winless through six games, pitching the White Sox to a 5-1 victory in their home opener in Chicago.
The defending AL East champion Rays extended the worst start in team history — they haven’t even held a lead yet this year. Tampa Bay has scored exactly one run in five of its defeats.
Jackson (2-0) lost his shut out bid in the eighth when pinch-hitter Felipe Lopez doubled and Reid Brignac singled. Johnny Damon flied out to deep right to end the in ning.
At 0-6, the Rays have totaled only eight runs and 27 hits this season. They are tied for baseball’s worst record with the only other winless team in the majors, the division rival Red Sox.
With a foggy start and a 39-degree temperature at the first pitch, the White Sox reached Rays starter David Price (0-2) for two first-inning runs and finished with 12 hits.
“Nobody cares about how much money you make,” Price said. “If you lose, you’re not having fun. This isn’t fun for us right now. It’s terrible.”
Orioles 9, Tigers 5
In Baltimore, Adam Jones homered and drove in three runs, Mark Reynolds also had three RBIs, and the Orioles used a five-run seventh inning to beat the Tigers.
Vladimir Guerrero hit his first home run with the Orioles, who rebounded from deficits of 2-0, 4-2 and 5-4 and are now alone into first place in the AL East.
A’s 2, Blue Jays 1
In Toronto, Trevor Cahill pitched eight strong innings for his first victory of the season, Conor Jackson singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Athletics edged the Blue Jays.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Brewers 4, Braves 2
In Milwaukee, Nyjer Morgan jarred the ball loose in a collision at home to give Milwaukee the lead in the second inning, Ryan Braun hit his third home run of the season and the Brewers went on to beat the Braves for their third straight win.
Nationals 5, Marlins 2 (11 inn.)
In Miami, Adam LaRoche snapped a 3-for-23 slump with a two-run homer in the 11th inning off Edward Mujica, and the Nationals beat the Marlins to salvage the final game of their series.
Astros 3, Reds 2
In Cincinnati, Matt Downs doubled home the tiebreaking run with two outs in the ninth inning and the Astros held on for their first win of the season, topping the previously unbeaten Reds, who werer stymied for six-plus innings by Houston starter Brett Myers.
Rockies 7, Pirates 1
In Pittsburgh, Esmil Rogers allowed four singles while pitching into the eighth inning, Troy Tulowitzki homered and drove in three runs, and the Rockies wrecked the Pirates’ home opener under new manager Clint Hurdle.
