Baseball

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jackson Merrill hit a two-run homer a few hours after finalizing a $135 million, nine-year contract and the San Diego Padres started 7-0 for the first time in their 57-season history by beating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 on Wednesda

ST. LOUIS (AP) — When Iván Herrera was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals out of Panama, he was excited to join an organization that featured one of his idols, Yadier Molina.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Iván Herrera hit three home runs to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Angels 12-5 on Wednesday.

TORONTO (AP) — Easton Lucas allowed one hit over five scoreless innings in his first major league start, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Washington Nationals 4-2 on Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The only thing that flustered Paul Skenes on Wednesday was getting asked about his photo spread with girlfriend Livvy Dunne in GQ magazine.

TORONTO — Easton Lucas held the Nationals to one hit over five scoreless innings in his first major league start as the Toronto Blue defeated Washington 4-2 in interleague play Wednesday.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brice Turang dropped a perfect bunt to score Oliver Dunn in the 11th inning and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Athletics traded talented base-stealer and outfielder Esteury Ruiz to the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday for minor league right-hander Carlos Duran.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Paul Skenes needed nearly three innings to warm up Wednesday, then struck out six over seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Jack Leiter shut the Cincinnati Reds down for the second game in a row on Wednesday and the Texas Rangers won 1-0 to take the three-game series. The Rangers were outscored 14-5 in the three games but still won the series.