Zach Duke, Pirates stymie Astros

at Pittsburgh 7, Houston 0: Zach Duke (2-0) limited the Astros to four hits in his third career shutout, Adam LaRoche hit a home run during a five-run third inning and the Pirates won their home opener for the first time since 2004. Duke’s shutout was the first by a Pirates pitcher in a home opener since John Candelaria beat the Chicago Cubs, 1-0, on April 7, 1978.

Philadelphia 9, at Washington 8: Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez and Shane Victorino each hit a home run for the Phillies, who also took advantage of three errors to score three unearned runs and keep the Nationals (0-7) winless. Ryan Zimmerman hit a two-run home run for the Nationals.

San Diego 6, at New York 5: Jody Gerut hit a leadoff home run, Adrian Gonzalez also connected and the Padres spoiled the Mets’ first regular-season game in its new ballpark. Pedro Feliciano balked in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning.

Cincinnati 7, at Milwaukee 6: Edwin Encarnacion hit a towering grand slam to cap a six-run rally with two outs in the third inning and the Reds roughed up Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo.

St. Louis 2, at Arizona 1: Brian Barden ended a tie with his first career home run and Albert Pujols also homered for the Cardinals, who won their fifth game in a row. The Diamondbacks put right-hander Brandon Webb on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 7, because of tightness in his pitching shoulder.

at Dodgers 11, San Francisco 1: Orlando Hudson hit for the cycle and Andre Ethier drove in four runs with two home runs.