Derek Jeter's three-run homer capped a five-run rally in the eighth inning and the New York Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 9-7 Tuesday to win their club-record ninth straight home opener.
New York wasted a 4-1 lead and trailed 7-4 in the eighth when it loaded the bases against Andrew Sisco (0-1). Robinson Cano hit an RBI groundout and Bernie Williams punched a run-scoring single to left.
That brought up Johnny Damon, playing his first game in pinstripes. Ambiorix Burgos relieved and struck him out, but Jeter sent the next pitch soaring into the left-field seats.
Scott Proctor (1-1) pitched one inning for the win, and Mariano Rivera finished for his first save.
RED SOX 5, BLUE JAYS 3: At Boston, Josh Beckett held Toronto to three hits in seven innings, Mike Lowell went 4-for-4 with three doubles and Boston beat Toronto in its home opener for its fifth consecutive win.
A year after an epic ceremony to celebrate their first World Series title in 86 years, the Red Sox held a more downscale event. In addition to the usual fighter jet flyover and ceremonial first pitch, the team asked for a moment of silence in memory of longtime broadcaster Curt Gowdy.
INDIANS 9, MARINERS 5: At Cleveland, Jhonny Peralta and Travis Hafner hit consecutive homers in the fifth to back Cliff Lee, and Cleveland won its sixth straight by beating Seattle.
ORIOLES 8, DEVIL RAYS 4: At St. Petersburg, Fla., Kris Benson took a four-hitter into the eighth inning for his first win with Baltimore and Melvin Mora homered in a victory over Tampa Bay. Benson (1-1) gave up two runs and five hits in seven-plus innings.
TWINS 7, ATHLETICS 6: At Minneapolis, Tony Batista woke up Minnesota's offense with a three-run homer, and the Twins started the season's second week in better fashion than the first by beating Oakland in their home opener.
ANGELS 5, RANGERS 4: At Anaheim, Calif., Adam Kennedy's one-out double in the ninth inning drove in Darin Erstad with the tying run, and pinch-runner Maicer Izturis scored the winner on the botched relay from the outfield to rally the Angels.