Michael Brantley delivers in first game of season for Cleveland

Michael Brantley has perfected the comeback season. Now he has to master completing one.

Brantley singled home two runs on the first pitch of his first at-bat this season, and Carlos Carrasco worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 victory in their chilly home opener over the Kansas City Royals on Friday.

Brantley missed Cleveland's first six games while on the disabled list recovering from offseason ankle surgery. But just hours after being activated, the two-time All-Star delivered in the first inning off Danny Duffy.

It was an ideal start to the season for the 30-year-old outfielder, who means as much to the Indians as any player on their roster.

"He's the heart and soul of our team," manager Terry Francona said.

Following devastating, disappointing finishes the past two postseasons, the Indians are hoping this is the year they end a 70-year World Series title drought, baseball's longest. Brantley is a major part of those plans, but he needs to stay healthy after being limited to 101 games the past two seasons.

Brantley has learned one major lesson from his injuries. "Be patient," he said. "Understand that I'm listening to my body and understand exactly what's going on."

The Yankees saw four players make early exits. Starter CC Sabathia left because of hip soreness, catcher Gary Sanchez limped off because of a possible leg cramp right before Alvarez struck, third baseman Brandon Drury was lifted for a migraine and second baseman Tyler Wade was removed because of flu-like symptoms.

Los Angeles 12, Oakland 9: Shohei Ohtani homered in his third consecutive game for the host Angels, launching a drive estimated at 449 feet, and Justin Upton hit a go-ahead three-run blast in the seventh inning vs. the Athletics, who blew a 6-0 lead.

Toronto 8, Texas 5: Russell Martin homered and hit two RBI singles to back six innings from Marco Estrada, and the Blue Jays defeated the host Rangers.

Atlanta 8, Colorado 3: Brandon McCarthy pitched six solid innings and delivered a two-run double that chased German Marquez in the fifth inning of the Braves' victory over the host Rockies in the second-coldest game in Coors Field history.

It was 27 degrees when the Rockies' home opener began after an hour-long delay caused by sleet and snow. That was just 4 degrees warmer than when these teams met in Denver on April 23, 2013, in the coldest first-pitch temperature in major league history.

Pittsburgh 14, Cincinnati 3: Rookie Colin Moran had four hits and three RBI, and Starling Marte hit a bases-loaded triple as the host Pirates beat the Reds and improved to 6-1.

San Diego 4, Houston 1: Jose Pirela had three hits, including a tiebreaking, two-run double in the fifth inning that helped the Padres beat the host Astros, who were held to four hits.