ARLINGTON Dave Concepcion Jersey , Texas (AP) — Javier Baez had a slight smile on his face when he was asked how different he felt playing shortstop and hitting cleanup for the Chicago Cubs.Two big swings on opening day indicate he’s picking up where he left off last season.“Uh, the same. I feel more confident at the plate, being smarter with a plan,” Baez said. “About the lineup, you can really put me anywhere. We’ve got guys here who can hit leadoff, third, fourth, last. It doesn’t matter.”Baez homered twice, Jon Lester won for the first time in his last five opening day starts and the Cubs began the season with a 12-4 victory Thursday at Texas, spoiling the debut of new Rangers manager Chris Woodward in the 26th and final opener in their current ballpark.While batting everywhere in the lineup except ninth, Baez hit 34 homers and led the National League with 111 RBIs last season, when he finished second in MVP voting and was the starting second baseman in the All-Star Game.“We all kind of saw him grow up before our eyes last year,” Lester said. “He’s done it, so I don’t think the questions are there as far as can he. … Let Javy do Javy, and I think good things will happen.”With Addison Russell completing his 40-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy, Baez opened this season as the starting shortstop. Barring no postponements, Russell could be eligible to return in early May.Kris Bryant added a two-run shot for the Cubs, opening their fifth season under manager Joe Maddon after four playoff appearances in a row that included the 2016 World Series title.Elvis Andrus and Nomar Mazara each hit a two-run homer for Texas http://www.redsfanproshop.com/authentic-cliff-pennington-jersey , which matched its most lopsided loss in a season opener.The Cubs led 7-2 in the fifth after Baez greeted reliever Jesse Chavez with a three-run homer on the right-hander’s first pitch. That was an inning after Baez hit a solo shot, when he reached out almost one-handed to pull an 82 mph 0-2 breaking pitch from Mike Minor (0-1) into the left-field seats.“Last year at this time (Baez) was hitting really low in the batting order. There wasn’t that same kind of vibe coming out of him like you’re seeing right now,” Maddon said. “Right now, he cannot be more confident.”Lester (1-0) limited Texas to two runs over six innings to win his first opening day start since 2013 with the Red Sox. The lefty lost Boston’s 2014 opener, and dropped his debut with the Cubs in 2015 before no-decisions the last two years.Minor, the only holdover from last season’s Rangers rotation, made his first career opening day start. He permitted six runs and five hits over 4 2/3 innings.Woodward, the 42-year-old former utility infielder who played 12 big league seasons, was the third base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers the past three seasons — and last two World Series.Minor and six Rangers relievers, including two making their big league debuts, combined to allow 13 hits and eight walks.“We’re going to have days like this. It’s pretty obvious the reason why,” Woodward said. “Weird things happen first game. … Maybe it’s the nerves. It was pretty windy out there. A lot of guys were saying the ball was moving way more than normal.”RANGERS DINGERSAndrus, the 30-year-old shortstop and the longest-tenured Rangers player starting his 11th season, homered in the third and had three of the four hits allowed by Lester. Mazara’s drive with two outs in the ninth that went in the upper deck in right field was projected at 482 feet.SLICK PLAYAsdrubal Cabrera is the starting third baseman for the Rangers with Adrian Beltre now retired. The two-time All-Star shortstop, who signed a one-year deal before spring training, had a defensive gem in the second inning when he backhanded a chopper near the line, then spun and made a strong throw to get David Bote out at first.TRAINER’S ROOMCubs: RHP Yu Darvish, after throwing a bullpen Ken Griffey Jersey , said the blister on his ring finger is healing and he will be ready for his first start of the season Saturday.Rangers: LHP Yohander Mendez (strained elbow ligament) was put on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to March 25. The 24-year-old rookie is expected to miss the first half of the season.UP NEXTCubs: Darvish, who started his major league career with Texas in 2012 after seven pro seasons in Japan, pitches against the Rangers for the first time since they traded him in 2017.Rangers: Lance Lynn’s only previous appearance at the Rangers’ home ballpark was as a rookie with St. Louis in the 2011 World Series. The right-hander on Saturday makes his first start for Texas since signing a $30 million, three-year deal as a free agent in December. CLEVELAND (AP) — Francisco Lindor connected for a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning as the Cleveland Indians again moved 10 games ahead of Minnesota in the AL Central with a 5-2 win over the Twins on Wednesday night.Lindor, who struck out with the winning run at second base in the ninth in a loss on Tuesday, drove the first pitch from Trevor Hildenberger (2-3) over the wall in right to trigger a wild celebration.Jason Kipnis singled with one out in the ninth before Twins right fielder Max Kepler robbed Yan Gomes of extra bases with a leaping catch before crashing into the wall. Brandon Guyer followed with a single to bring up Lindor, who capped a wild ninth inning with his 29th homer.The All-Star shortstop skipped around the bases before being mobbed at home plate by his teammates.Down 2-1, Minnesota tied it in the ninth on Miguel Sano’s leadoff homer against Cody Allen (4-4), who wound up with a blown save and win.DIAMONDBACKS 6, PHILLIES 0PHOENIX — Patrick Corbin struck out nine in a combined four-hitter, David Peralta had four hits and two RBIs, and the Arizona Diamondbacks rolled over the Philadelphia Phillies 6-0 on Wednesday.Corbin (10-4) had the Phillies guessing most of the game, allowing four hits in 7 1/3 innings while reaching a career-high 183 strikeouts this season. The left-hander did not give up a home run for the ninth straight start, the longest stretch by an Arizoba Diamondbacks pitcher since Brandon Webb in 2003.Peralta hit a two-run triple off Vince Velasquez (8-9) in the third inning, sending the Phillies right-hander to his first loss since June 25.Peralta had his fourth four-hit game of the homestand and tied the franchise record with 10 hits in the three-game series. He is 18 for 31 since taking two days off with shoulder tightness last week.Eduardo Escobar had three RBIs for the NL West-leading Diamondbacks.BRAVES 8, NATIONALS 3WASHINGTON — Ronald Acuna Jr. hit one of Atlanta’s three homers, then took away a long ball from Washington to back Mike Foltynewicz (9-7).Charlie Culberson and Tyler Flowers also went deep for the Braves. Culberson hit a three-run drive off Tommy Milone (1-1) in the second inning Tony Perez Jersey , and it was 7-1 by the fourth. Culberson has homered in three straight games.Acuna also made a sensational catch in the fourth inning to rob Matt Adams of a home run. Acuna raced to the center-field wall, leaped and snagged the ball with his outstretched glove before sprawling on the warning track.Bryce Harper hit his 28th home run for the Nationals, who showed their frustration in the sixth inning when rookie Juan Soto and hitting coach Kevin Long were ejected by home plate umpire Greg Gibson.ATHLETICS 3, DODGERS 2OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Newly acquired Mike Fiers pitched 5 1/3 strong innings and the Athletics beat the Dodgers.The A’s broke a 2-2 in the eighth inning when Khris Davis hit a fielder’s choice grounder off Dodgers reliever J.T. Chargois (2-3), scoring Marcus Semien from third.Dodgers third baseman Manny Machado fielded Davis’ bouncer and fired home to catcher Yasmani Grandal, but Grandal never had control of the ball when he swipe-tagged Semien. Grandal was charged with an error on the play.Semien singled leading off the inning. He almost got doubled off first on Matt Chapman’s fly ball to Cody Bellinger in center. His throw was off-line throw back to first. Jed Lowrie followed with a hit that sent Semien to third.Jeurys Familia (3-0) pitched a scoreless eighth for the win and Blake Treinen worked the ninth for his 29th save in 33 chances.METS 8, REDS 0NEW YORK (AP) — Jacob deGrom struck out 10 in six innings, received rare significant run support and earned his first win in nearly two months as New York beat Cincinnati.DeGrom (6-7) ended a seven-start winless streak, allowing four hits in a 100-pitch outing and lowering his major league-leading ERA to 1.77. He won for the first time since June 18 at Colorado.Brandon Nimmo tied a team record with three doubles and drove in three runs to help the Mets win for the 22nd time in their last 66 games. Austin Jackson drove in two runs with a double in the second and a single in the fifth as the Mets built a 5-0 lead. Nimmo hit an RBI double in the fifth and scored on a sacrifice fly by Amed Rosario in the fourth. Nimmo had a two-run double in the eighth.Robert Stephenson (0-1) was the loser.CARDINALS 7, MARLINS 1MIAMI (AP) — Matt Carpenter hit a tiebreaking homer for the second consecutive night, and St. Louis won its fourth series in a row by beating Miami.Carpenter put St. Louis ahead with a home run leading off the sixth inning, his NL-leading 31st. The Cardinals’ Yadier Molina hit his 15th homer in the first and doubled home two runs in the ninth. Marcell Ozuna doubled home a run in the sixth and went 6 for 11 in the series against his former team.John Gant (4-4) pitched six innings and allowed one run, which scored in part because of a defensive lapse. He and three relievers combined to retire 21 batters in a row.Trevor Richards (3-7) allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings for the last-place Marlins.RANGERS 11, MARINERS 7ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Joey Gallo homered twice and drove in four runs, Yovani Gallardo won his fourth straight start and Texas held off Seattle.Gallardo (7-1) leads the majors with seven wins since June 23. He allowed three hits, two runs and three walks while striking out two in six innings.Gallo has hit 10 of his 31 homers in his past 19 games. He went 3 for 5 to raise his batting average above .200 for the first time since June 16.Seattle starter Marco Gonzales (12-7) gave up career highs of 12 hits and seven runs in five innings.Gallo’s homers against Gonzales gave him 12 against left-handers this season http://www.redsfanproshop.com/authentic-cliff-pennington-jersey , the most by a Texas left-handed batter since Rafael Palmeiro hit 15 in 2003.Mike Zunino hit two homers for the Mariners.BREWERS 8, PADRES 4MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jesus Aguilar, Travis Shaw and Eric Thames hit consecutive first-inning homers to spoil the debut of San Diego’s Brett Kennedy.Kennedy (0-1), who was 10-0 in 16 starts at Triple-A El Paso before being called up Monday, was tagged for six runs on 11 hits in four innings.Orlando Arcia and Christian Yelich also homered for Milwaukee, while Hunter Renfroe had a two-run shot for San Diego.Jhoulys Chacin (11-4) allowed three runs on six hits in six innings to win for the fifth time in six decisions.RED SOX 10, BLUE JAYS 5TORONTO (AP) — Rafael Devers returned from the disabled list and hit a two-run home run, Brian Johnson pitched a season-high seven innings to win his second straight start and Boston extended its winning streak to six games.J.D. Martinez had three hits and Xander Bogaerts had three RBIs for the AL East-leading Red Sox.Johnson (3-3) allowed five runs and six hits to earn his first career win over the Blue Jays. He walked two and struck out six.Boston chased Blue Jays starter Mike Hauschild (1-1) with a four-run third inning.YANKEES 7, WHITE SOX 3CHICAGO (AP) — Luis Severino pitched seven effective innings in his first win in a month, Giancarlo Stanton hit his first grand slam in four years and New York finished a sweep of Chicago.Aaron Hicks also homered as wild card-leading New York closed out a 3-4 trip with its third consecutive win. Gleyber Torres reached three times on a single and two walks.Severino (15-5) retired 11 in a row after the White Sox used three straight hits to open a 2-0 lead in the first.White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito (7-9) was tagged for seven runs and six hits in five innings in his first loss in a month.PIRATES 4, ROCKIES 3DENVER (AP) — Adam Frazier had three hits and made a run-saving play in the field in Pittsburgh’s victory over Colorado.Frazier had two doubles and a single, but made what might have been his biggest contribution in the field. With runners on the corners and two outs in the eighth inning, pinch-hitter Chris Iannetta hit a sharp grounder to the hole at second. Frazier made a diving stop and threw out Iannetta to end the inning and preserve the one-run lead.Chris Archer (4-5) allowed two runs and five hits in five innings in his second start since being acquired from Tampa Bay. Jan Vazquez got four out for his 26th save.German Marquez (9-9) tied a career high with 10 strikeouts, and David Dahl homered for the Rockies.ANGELS 6, TIGERS 0ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Justin Upton and Albert Pujols hit back-to-back homers in the fifth inning, and Los Angeles completed a three-game sweep of Detroit.Kole Calhoun hit a leadoff homer and rookie Jaime Barria (7-7) pitched five-hit ball into the sixth. Los Angeles was in a 1-6 skid before getting back to .500 in the series with the struggling Tigers.Upton connected on a full-count changeup from Blaine Hardy (4-4) for a two-run homer shortly before Pujols added his 632nd career homer.Mike Trout missed his seventh consecutive game with a sore right wrist, but the Angels are hopeful the two-time AL MVP can return against Oakland this weekend.ROYALS 9 http://www.whitesoxfanproshop.com/authentic-paul-konerko-jersey , CUBS 0KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Heath Fillmyer allowed three singles over seven innings for his first major league win, Adalberto Mondesi and Drew Butera each drove in three, and Kansas City beat Chicago.Anthony Rizzo drilled Fillmyer (1-1) with a line drive on the left foot on his third pitch, but Fillmyer stuck around and didn’t allow another hit until David Bote and Tommy La Stella singled with one out in the seventh inning.Jose Quintana (10-8) dropped to 3-10 in 25 starts against the Royals. He was removed after Mondesi’s homer, giving up five runs on six hits and two walks.ORIOLES 5, RAYS 4ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Trey Mancini hit a go-ahead two-run double in the ninth inning, and Baltimore beat Tampa Bay despite committing five errors.It was the first time the Orioles committed five errors in a victory since June 9, 1983.Sergio Romo (2-3) allowed consecutive hits to Mark Trumbo, Danny Valencia and Mancini in the ninth, the only three batters he faced. It was Romo’s seventh blown save. Tampa Bay has played five straight one-run games and lost four of them.Mike Wright Jr. (3-0) got two outs in relief, and Mychal Givens pitched the ninth for his third save.