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 visiting Cleveland Guardians 5-2 on Wednesday.

Fernando Tatis Jr. raced home on the back end of a double steal to start the scoring in the four-run third inning for the Padres, whose previous best start was 4-0 in 1984, when they went to their first World Series.

The Padres’ hot start includes sweeping playoff teams from last year. Before taking three from the Guardians, the Padres swept a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves.

Dylan Cease (1-0) held the Guardians to one run and four hits in 6 1/3 innings, struck out seven and walked one.

Cubs 10, Athletics 2 >> Seiya Suzuki homered twice and drove in five runs as Chicago beat the A’s to complete a three-game sweep in West Sacramento.

Matt Shaw added two RBI singles for the Cubs, who outscored the A’s 35-9 in the first major league series played at Sutter Health Park.

Suzuki hit a three-run homer in the second inning.

Jacob Wilson had three of the A’s five hits and Brent Rooker hit a two-run homer against Jameson Taillon (1-1) as the hosts lost their fourth straight game.

Diamondbacks 4, Yankees 3 >> Zac Gallen tied his career high with 13 strikeouts and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a two-run homer in the first off Carlos Rodón that started Arizona to a road win over New York.

Gallen (1-1) gave up three hits with no walks.

A.J. Puk allowed Anthony Volpe’s opposite-field three-run homer in the ninth.

Aaron Judge had three of the Yankees’ 16 strikeouts.

Cardinals 12, Angels 5 >> Iván Herrera hit three home runs to help St. Louis snap visiting Los Angeles’ four-game winning streak.

Herrera hit his third home run off Brock Burke to cap a seven-run eighth.

Willson Contreras drew a bases-loaded walk off Burke to break a 5-5 tie after Ian Anderson (0-1) allowed three straight hits to open the bottom of the eighth inning.

Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe hit a grand slam off Sonny Gray in the top of the seventh.

Mariners 3, Tigers 2 >> Victor Robles hit a two-RBI double, Dylan Moore homered and host Seattle edged Detroit and American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.

Luis Castillo (1-1) went seven innings, giving up two runs on five hits.

Skubal (0-2) left with two outs in the fifth after giving up three runs, six hits and three walks while striking out eight.

Red Sox 3, Orioles 0 >> Garrett Crochet pitched eight outstanding innings and visiting Boston blanked Baltimore.

Trevor Story homered for the Red Sox and Rafael Devers finally broke through with his first two hits of the season, including an RBI double in the fifth.

Crochet allowed four hits and a walk with eight strikeouts.

Phillies 5, Rockies 1 >> Zack Wheeler struck out 10 in seven innings and Trea Turner had three hits and an RBI in his return to the starting lineup as Philadelphia defeated visiting Colorado.

Wheeler (1-0) allowed just one run and three hits.