Pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets’ tying homer kicked off a four-run rally in the seventh inning, Jackson Merrill drove in four runs, and the Padres celebrated an opening-day 7-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday in San Diego.

Fernando Tatís Jr. had three hits, while Luis Arraez and Manny Machado added seventh-inning RBIs in a rematch of last season’s wild-card playoff series won by the Padres.

Ozzie Albies hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs for the Braves. Austin Riley also homered.

Chris Sale yielded three runs and six hits over five innings for Atlanta, striking out seven in his sixth opening day start. Last year’s Cy Young Award and pitching triple crown winner couldn’t face San Diego in the playoffs due to back spasms.

Michael King couldn’t escape the third inning for the Padres, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks.

Jurickson Profar, spent parts of the past five seasons with San Diego, and he had the best year of his career in 2024, got a standing ovation before his leadoff single for Atlanta.

Wandy Peralta (1-0) threw one pitch for San Diego. Robert Suarez allowed two baserunners before securing the save.

Yankees 4, Brewers 2: Austin Wells became the first catcher to hit a leadoff homer on opening day, Anthony Volpe also went deep as New York began its AL pennant defense with a win at Yankee Stadium. Carlos Rodón (1-0) got 13 swing and misses, including nine on sliders.

Phillies 7, Nationals 3: Alec Bohm hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the 10th inning, and J.T. Realmuto added a two-run triple, lifting Philadelphia at Washington. Nationals’ starter MacKenzie Gore recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts and allowed one hit in six shutout innings.

Giants 6, Reds 4: Wilmer Flores hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, as San Francisco rallied to win in Cincinnati. The Giants scored four runs in the ninth off Ian Gibaut (0-1).

Astros 3, Mets 1: Framber Valdez pitched seven scoreless innings and Josh Hader struck out Juan Soto with two on to save the opening-day win in Houston. After loading the bases with nobody out in the ninth, Hader fanned backup catcher Hayden Senger in his first major league at-bat. Francisco Lindor’s sacrifice fly made it 3-1, and with runners on first and third, Hader got Soto to swing at a full-count slider wide of the zone. Soto singled and walked twice in his Mets debut after signing a record $765 million, 15-year contract in the offseason.

Red Sox 5, Rangers 2: Wilyer Abreu hit a three-run shot in the ninth inning for his second homer of the opener, powering Boston at Arlington, Texas. Pitcher Garrett Crochet, 25, is Boston’s youngest left-handed starter on opening day since Babe Ruth in 1918.

Orioles 12, Blue Jays 2: Tyler O’Neill hit a three-run home run, extending his major league record by homering for a sixth straight opening day, and Baltimore hit a franchise record six opening day home runs in the rout in Toronto. Adley Rutschman and Cedric Mullins both homered twice and Jordan Westburg also connected in Baltimore’s biggest ever opening day power display.

Guardians 7, Royals 4: Kyle Manzardo had a two-run double in the 10th inning to tie the club record for most RBIs on opening day as Cleveland won in Kansas City. Manzardo joined Tris Speaker (1925) and Leon Wagner (1964) with four RBIs on opening day. Manzardo also become the third MLB player with a double, triple and homer on opening day, joining Don Baylor (1973), Gee Walker (1937).

AROUND THE MAJORS

The Colorado Rockies added recent Angels’ castoff Mickey Moniak on a one-year $1.25 million deal.

The Dodgers acquired pitcher Noah Davis from the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations on Thursday. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers transferred pitcher Emmet Sheehan to the 60-day injured list.