New York Yankees hit back with 4-2 win over Boston Red Sox

The New York Yankees are off the mark for the new season after putting a halt to the Boston Red Sox's domination of their series.

After losing twice to Boston to start the campaign, New York beat the Red Sox 4-2 on the back of a stand-out pitching performance from Andy Pettitte and home runs from Brett Gardner and Francisco Cervelli.

Forty-year-old Pettitte gave up just one run in eight innings.

The Oakland Athletics mauled Seattle Mariners newcomer Brandon Maurer as two-run homers from Josh Reddick and Yoenis Cespedes guided the A's to an 8-2 win. Maurer, on his major league debut, allowed eight hits and six runs in six innings.

The Baltimore Orioles overcame the Tampa Bay Rays 6-3, with Chris Davis cracking a two-run homer - going deep for a third successive night.

Elsewhere in American League action, in Chicago the Kansas City Royals beat the White Sox 3-1 to record their first win, while home runs from Josh Willingham and Trevor Plouffe helped the Minnesota Twins to an emphatic 8-2 home success against the Detroit Tigers, and a pair of solo home runs from JP Arencibia nudged the Toronto Blue Jays on their way to a 10-8 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

In the National League, the Washington Nationals sealed a sweep of their home series against the Miami Marlins as Jayson Werth hit a three-run homer in a 6-1 win, earning a third straight win.

Nate Schierholtz struck a two-run homer as the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2, while the Philadelphia Phillies edged the Atlanta Braves 2-0 and the San Diego Padres brought up their first win, toppling the New York Mets 2-1.

In the interleague series, the Cincinnati Reds registered home runs from Shin-Soo Choo, Todd Frazier and Chris Heisey in a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels.