Cubs rout Pirates 10-0 in home opener after Lester departs

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run homer and Chicago’s beleaguered bullpen stepped up after Jon Lester departed with left hamstring tightness, leading the Cubs over the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-0 in their home opener on Monday.

Brad Brach, Brandon Kintzler, Randy Rosario and Pedro Strop combined for seven innings of four-hit ball after Lester was removed with two on and no outs in the third. Brach (1-0) pitched two innings for his first win with the Cubs.

Pittsburgh had won four in a row, but it hurt itself with four errors, including three by shortstop Kevin Newman. Jameson Taillon (0-2) was charged with six unearned runs and four hits in two innings.

RAYS 5, WHITE SOX 1

Blake Snell (2-1) struck out 11 over six innings, giving up one run and six hits as Tampa Bay improved to 8-3 and kept pace with its best start since 2010.

Avisail Garcia had two hits, including an RBI single in the second that made it 4-0. He also struck out three times against his former team. Tommy Pham scored two runs and extended his club-record on-base streak to 43 games. Hunter Wood, recalled from Triple-A Durham, threw three scoreless for his first big league save.

Carlos Rodón (1-2) gave up four runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings.