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Pirates’ Nova Will Start in Opener

FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2018, file photo, Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova throws in the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, in Bradenton, Fla. Nine years into his career, Nova is the ace of a pitching staff. The Pirates Opening Day starter is eager to prove it's not by default. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

BRADENTON, Fla. — Ivan Nova will be the Pirates’ opening-day starting pitcher at Detroit in March 29. It is unclear whether he will remain with Pittsburgh through the entire season.

Following the offseason trades 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen and former 19-game winner Gerrit Cole, Nova is a veteran on a team that has turned toward youth. Nova is owed $8.5 million in each of the next two seasons as part of a $26 million, three-year contract.

“I said it when I signed here, and I still feel this way — this is place I want to be,” Nova explained. “I love playing for the Pirates.”

Acquired from the New York Yankees on July 31, 2016, Nova is 16-16 with a 3.82 ERA in 42 starts with Pittsburgh. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle calls the 31-year-old right-hander “the dean” of the rotation. Nova is four years older than all of the other projected starters, and his 69 wins in eight seasons are 24 more than the combined total of rotation mates Chad Kuhl, Jameson Taillon (13 each), Joe Musgrove (11) and Trevor Williams (eight).

Nova’s first opening-day start will be at Comerica Park, where he made his major league debut with two innings of relief on May 13, 2010.

“It’s a privilege,” Nova said. “Every starting pitcher’s dream is to start the season for a team, be the opening-day guy.”

Nova reported to spring training considerably lighter than he was at the end of last season.

He is hoping that leads to more consistency.

He was 3-2 with a 1.50 ERA in five starts last April while allowing one walk in 36 innings. He was 2-8 with a 5.83 ERA in 13 starts during the second half.

“I worked harder than I ever have in the offseason,” Nova said. “I was upset about the way last season ended. I know I’m a better pitcher than that. I felt like I let team down and I let myself down, too. I don’t want to have another season like that.”

ORIOLES 7, TWINS 5

A day after finalizing a $12 million, one-year deal with Minnesota, Lance Lynn struck out five in three hitless against Baltimore. He walked one.

“I wanted to go somewhere where they had a chance to win no matter what,” Lynn said. “It seemed like the perfect fit, and I look forward to doing what I have to do, which is take the ball when it is my turn.”

Baltimore’s Chris Tillman walked six in two innings, allowing four runs and three hits. Manny Machado had two hits, including a double.

Ryan LaMarre singled and drove in a pair of runs and Miguel Sano doubled.

TIGERS 2, YANKEES 2

Jordan Zimmerman allowed two hits in five scoreless innings and struck out four. Leonys Martin homered in the second off CC Sabathia, and JaCoby Jones had three hits and raised his average to .462. CC Sabathia gave up four hits in four innings. Didi Gregorius homered.

CARDINALS 11, MARLINS 4

Miami starter Jose Urena got just one out, giving up six runs and six hits. Carlos Martinez struck out five in four innings and gave up four hits. Marcel Ozuna had two hits, including his third double of spring training, and raised his batting average to .188. Jose Martinez drove in three runs with a double and a single. Cameron Maybin tripled and drove in two runs.

PHILLIES 6, RAYS 3

Jesmuel Valentin, the 23-year-old son of former major leaguer Jose Valentin, hit his second home run of spring training in the ninth. Drew Hutchison gave up two homers but struck out five in 2 2/3 innings. Maikel Franko connected off Chris Archer for his second homer of spring training. Archer allowed two runs, one hit and three walks in 4 1/3 innings. Daniel Robertson, a first-round draft pick by Oakland in 2012, doubled and homered.

BLUE JAYS 13, BRAVES 6

Blue Jays starter Aaron Sanchez allowed two runs and six hits in 4 1/3 innings, including Ronald Acuna Jr.’s home run. Luke Maile hit a three-run home run and Teoscar Hernandez had two hits, including his third home run. Braves starter Scott Kazmir gave up four runs — three earned — and four hits in 3 2/3 innings. Freddie Freeman homered off John Axford in the fifth.

ASTROS 6, METS (SS) 1

Gerritt Cole struck out seven and allowed one run and four hits in four innings. Carlos Correa and J.D. Davis each had two hits. Mets starter Noah Syndergaard allowed two runs — one earned — four hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings with five strikeouts. Brandon Nimmo homered.

ATHLETICS 9. ROYALS 8

Adalberto Mondesi, a son of Raul Mondesi, had two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. Kendall Graveman gave up four runs and five hits in three innings. Jorge Mateo had two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. Mark Canha and Sheldon Neuse each had three hits. Danny Duffy gave up seven runs and seven hits — including three homers — in 3 2/3 innings.

BREWERS 4, RANGERS 3

Lorenzo Cain had two hits, including a double, raising his average to .481, and Cole Hamels gave up one run and three hits in four innings. Brandon Woodruff allowed one run and two hits in four innings and Matt Albers pitched a perfect sixth. Ji-Man Choi doubled, and Jurickson Profar hit his third double.

PADRES 7. CUBS (SS) 5

Carlos Asuaje had three hits, including a double and a home run, and Jordan Lyles gave up four runs and five hits in three innings. Mike Montgomery allowed two runs and five hits in 3 2/3 innings. Wilson Contreras hit a two-run homer.

ROCKIES 8, MARINERS 7

Bryan Shaw gave up two hits and struck out two in a scoreless ninth. David Dahl homered and drove in two runs. Charlie Blackmon doubled. Taylor Motter had two hits and stole a pair of bases.

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