MLB scores and more: Kershaw deal on hold?, Kuroda leaves start, Marcum suffers setback

Wednesday's Scores

Royals 2, White Sox 5 - Ervin Santana is really good at giving up home runs. He led the AL last year with 39 dingers allowed, and got off to a fast start Wednesday, serving up three long balls to the White Sox in six frames.

Rangers 4, Astros 0 - The Astros struck out 15 times on Wednesday, giving them an MLB-record 43 Ks through three games. They're on pace to whiff 2,322 times this year, which would break the current record by a mere 793 (!).

Tigers 2, Twins 3 - The Twins got their first win (and first walk-off) of the season, though Eduardo Escobar's game-winning double really should have been caught. Closer-by-committee chairman Phil Coke took the loss.

Red Sox 7, Yankees 4 - Clay Buchholz shut down the Yankees, holding them to one run in seven innings. Jackie Bradley Jr. recorded his first big-league hit. Hiroki Kuroda left the game in the second after liner glanced off his hand.

Cubs 0, Pirates 3 - Wandy Rodriguez and the Pirates' bullpen teamed up to two-hit the Cubs on Wednesday, besting a solid start from Edwin Jackson. Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte delivered RBI knocks for the Bucs.

Marlins 0, Nats 3 - The Nats shut out the Marlins for the second straight game, this time with Gio Gonzalez on the hill. Gio went six strong innings and also helped himself at the plate, hitting his second career home run. Rafael Soriano recorded his second save in as many games.

Indians 3, Blue Jays 2 (F. 11) - Jose Bautista's first long ball of the year tied the game up in the bottom of the ninth, but Toronto couldn't capitalize in extras. Mark Reynolds hit the go-ahead blast for the Tribe in the 11th.

Angels 4, Reds 5 - The Halos worked their way back from a 4-0 deficit to tie the game in the eighth, but couldn't get past Joey Votto in the ninth. The Reds first baseman delivered a walk-off single to even the series at one.

Orioles 7, Rays 8 - Baltimore and Tampa combined for 15 runs and 25 hits on Wednesday. Chris Davis hit his second three-run blast in as many days, but Matt Joyce played the hero, hitting a walk-off solo shot in the ninth.

Phillies 2, Braves 9 - Roy Halladay struck out nine batters Wednesday, but still couldn't make it through the fourth. He needed 95 pitches to get through just 3⅓, allowing five runs and walking three. Is it time to worry about the Doc?

Padres 4, Mets 8 - Young right-hander Matt Harvey struck out 10 in seven scoreless innings, leading the Mets to a 2-0 start. A trio of homers from Lucas Duda, John Buck, and Ike Davis powered New York's offense.

Rockies 7, Brewers 3 - John Axford is not having a great start to 2013. After blowing a save Monday night, Axford failed to keep the game close Wednesday, serving up home runs in the ninth to Michael Cuddyer and Dexter Fowler.

Cardinals 9, D'Backs 10 (F. 16) - The fourth and final walk-off win of the day came off the bat of new D'Back Cliff Pennington. Arizona's shortstop ended the longest game in Chase Field history with an RBI single in the 16th.

Mariners 2, A's 6 - Oakland's offense finally came to life Wednesday, racking up 11 hits on the day. Jed Lowrie and Chris Young came up big for the A's, hitting two doubles and a two solo blasts for four RBI between them.

Giants 5, Dodgers 3 - Tim Lincecum's control problems continued Wednesday. The Freak allowed seven free passes in five innings of work but managed to hold the Dodgers to two runs. Pablo Sandoval and Hunter Pence went deep for the Giants.

The Big Three

1. While Justin Verlander's mega-extension last week led to speculation -- and actual discussion -- about a similar deal for Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, at the moment no extension is forthcoming. Given Kershaw's incredible performance Monday afternoon, you have to wonder at least a little bit about what's keeping the two sides from striking was is sure to be a record-breaking deal. Yes, the Dodgers have plenty of time to negotiate with the southpaw, but the longer they wait (i.e. the further they get from his hip injury) the more expensive he's going to be to lock up. Kershaw had expressed earlier in the spring that he didn't want to discuss a contract extension during the season, so maybe the Dodgers have missed their window this time around. If they have, it's likely to be costly.

2. Scary moment for the Yankees faithful last night, as right-hander Hiroki Kuroda had a line drive ricochet off the fingers of his pitching hand in the second inning. Kuroda was looked at by trainers and briefly remained in the game, but was pulled four batters later after beaning two guys and walking another. The good news is that the X-rays on Kuroda's hand were negative, and he is now listed as day-to-day with bruising on his middle finger. The bad news (or better news, if you're a Red Sox fan) is that the Yankees are still 0-2 and have looked pretty terrible thus far.

3. The Mets already lost Johan Santana forever, so a setback in Shaun Marcum's recovery from his myriad ailments is definitely not what the doctor ordered. The right-hander was pulled from his simulated start on Tuesday before he could even make a pitch, citing more pain his neck. Marcum is officially on the DL with biceps tendinitis, but he's also been dealing with a shoulder impingement and bouts of neck pain, which may very well be related. There's no way that he will make his scheduled start on Sunday, and if he's out much longer the Mets may have to look outside the organization for some pitching help. Southpaw Aaron Laffey will take Marcum's spot in the rotation for now.

In Other News...

1. Some good news for the Red Sox... both David Ortiz and Stephen Drew are expected to begin rehab assignments next week. Drew should be back in Boston in time for Monday's home opener, while Ortiz is hoping to be activated by the middle of the month.

2. The team bonus pools for the 2013 amateur draft have been announced, and the Astros are on top for the second consecutive year. The overall slot values have increased 8.2 percent this year, meaning there's a bit more cash for teams to spend in the first 10 rounds this year.

3. Scott Kazmir's return to the bigs has briefly been put on hold. The veteran southpaw is dealing with some soreness in his right side and has been scratched from his Saturday start. He's in Cleveland getting tests done.