Syndergaard (1-0) was the only pitcher to beat the Royals in the World Series last year, winning Game 3 after intentionally throwing his first pitch above Alcides Escobar’s head, which angered the Royals.
Escobar started this one with a triple, but then Syndergaard struck out the next three batters and retired 12 straight before Kendrys Morales’ double opened the fifth.
Rays 3, Blue Jays 2
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Baseball’s new rule on breaking up double plays gave Logan Forsythe and Tampa Bay a disputed victory over Toronto.
With the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning, Toronto slugger Edwin Encarnacion hit a grounder to third. After taking a throw from Evan Longoria for the force at second, Forsythe made an errant relay to first that appeared to allow the go-ahead run to score for the Blue Jays.
Astros 5, Yankees 3
NEW YORK (AP) — A freezing opening day at Yankee Stadium turned on a play that caused a hot argument.
Carlos Correa reached on an eighth-inning dribbler that Dellin Betances threw over first baseman Mark Teixeira as Jose Altuve scored the tiebreaking run, and Houston beat New York to win four straight openers for the first time in franchise history.
Pirates 6, Cardinals 5
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jordy Mercer singled home Gregory Polanco from second base with one out in the 11th inning to lift Pittsburgh over St. Louis.
Polanco, who agreed to a $35 million, five-year contract earlier in the day, drew a walk from Seth Maness (0- 1) and made it to second on Josh Harrison’s infield single. Mercer slapped a single to right for his fourth career game-ending hit.
Giants 2, Brewer 1
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Johnny Cueto pitched seven solid innings to win his San Francisco debut against Milwaukee.
Tigers 8, Marlins 7
MIAMI (AP) — Ian Kinsler homered and had four RBIs, including a run-scoring single in the 11th inning, and Detroit overcame a ninth-inning meltdown to beat Miami on a wild opening day.
Mariners 10, Rangers 2
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Nelson Cruz hit one of four Seattle homers, fellow former Texas player Leonys Martin had a tiebreaking double and the Mariners bounced back from an opening day loss to beat the Rangers.
Dodgers 3, Padres 0
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Scott Kazmir combined with three relievers on a two-hitter to win his first start with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who shut out San Diego for the second straight game.
Kazmir (1-0) and relievers Pedro Baez, Chris Hatcher and Kenley Jansen combined to retire 26 of the final 27 batters.
Cubs 6, Angels 1
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Jon Lester pitched seven strong innings in his season debut and Chicago got home runs from Anthony Rizzo, Dexter Fowler and Matt Szczur in a victory over Los Angeles.
Lester (1-0) allowed a run and four hits.
White Sox 5, Athletics 4
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Jimmy Rollins hit a tiebreaking homer off Sean Doolittle with two outs in the ninth inning to lift Chicago over Oakland.
Todd Frazier also homered for Chicago, a three-run shot in the fifth. Adam Eaton had three hits.
Nate Jones (1-0) pitched one inning for the win.
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