The Charlotte Observer from Charlotte, North Carolina • A14

14A CHARLOTTE OBSERVER SATURDAY APRIL 9 2022 Framber Valdez out- pitched Shohei Ohtani with 6 innings of two- hit ball, and Houston tied the longest opening day winning streak in major league history with a vic- tory over the host Angels. Valdez (1-0) was dom- inant in his first April start, striking out six and yielding one early walk. Ohtani (0-1) struck out nine while pitching one- run ball into the fifth. Games Cardinals 9, Pirates 0: Adam Wainwright (1-0) pitched six scoreless in- nings and Tyler hit a three-run homer and drove in five to help the host Cardinals celebrate Albert return. Mets 5, Nationals Canha and Starling Marte drove in runs to back five shutout innings from Ty- lor Megill, and the visitors won manager Buck Show- debut.

Reds 6, Braves 3: Tyler Mahle allowed only an unearned run in five in- nings to outpitch Max Fried and Brandon Drury hit a three-run homer for the visitors. Royals 3, Guardians 1: Bobby Witt Jr. capped his highly anticipated big league debut with his first hit, a go-ahead double with two outs in the eighth inning in Kansas City. Cubs 5, Brewers 4: In Chicago, Ian Happ had three hits, including a tiebreaking two-run dou- ble in the seventh inning. Diamondbacks 4, Padres 2: Seth Beer launched a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth.

Notebook Mariners: Seattle signed Gold Glove shortstop J.P. Crawford, 27, to a five- year extension on Friday. Rangers: Texas placed right-hander Garrett Rich- ards on the 10-day injured list Thursday, and put former closer Jose Leclerc on the 60-day IL. White Sox: Chicago ex- pects 3B Yoan Moncada to miss the first three weeks of the season because of a strained right oblique. Yankees: New York said it failed to reach an agree- ment with Aaron Judge before his deadline to reach a long-term deal.

Mets: Jacob deGrom went on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a stress reaction on his right shoulder blade. Nationals: Stephen Stras- burg went on the 10-day IL Thursday as the 2019 World Series MVP contin- ues his return from thorac- ic outlet surgery. Pirates: A person with knowledge of the agree- ment told the AP the Pi- rates and 3B Hayes have come to terms on a new eight-year, $70 million deal. ASSOCIATED PRESS MLB Valdez bests Ohtani, Astros top Angels ASHLEY LANDIS AP Astros starter Framber Valdez pitches against the host Angels on Thursday. BONUS: Subscribers will find coverage of MLB games in the eEdition at charlotteobserver.com/eedition/xtrasports.

the session, but the de- fense began finding its identity during the back half of the practices. OFFENSE PICKING UP WHERE IT LEFT OFF offense has the tools to be one of the most dynamic in the na- tion. Highlighted by the return of sixth-year quar- terback Chris Reynolds and wideout Victor Tuck- er, Charlotte is bringing back nearly 90 percent of its offensive production from last season. a special place. been a part of a lot of firsts here, and thankful for those oppor- tunities.

But a lot more out there for Reynolds said after the spring game. a bunch of veteran lead- ership. The whole offense is pretty much back and continuing to grow as a team. The sky is the limit for The receiving corps of Tucker, Grant DuBose the leader in re- ceiving yards last season (892) and Elijah Spencer Conference Fresh- man of the Year has the potential to be one of the best in the country. Offensive coordinator Mark Carney is back for his third season in the role, and his play-calling and execution took a step forward from 2020 to 2021.

The spring session showed more of the same for the offense, and Char- lotte will continue to spread the field and oper- ate out of the shotgun with a plethora of weapons on the perimeter and in the backfield. Nine offensive starters from the 2021 season will return, including four of the five starters on the offensive line. Left tackle Jaxon Hughes and tight end Taylor Thompson are both recovering from injury but are slated to be available for the season- opener on August 27 against Florida Atlantic. It all starts up front, and the talent and depth on coach Pete offensive line is a major step up from 2020. The likely starting group at this point is Jaxon Hughes (LT), Emmanuel (LG), Ashton Gist (C), Panda Askew (RG) and TJ Moore (RT).

offensive line battled the injury bug last season, which opened the door for underclass- men B.J. Ragland, Arabee Muslim and Johnny King to see early action. Rag- land has served as the left tackle in absence. Watch for tackle Jon Ja- return following ACL tears in both knees over the past two years. With so many returning starters, there many snaps up for grabs.

But there are multiple newcom- ers and potential impact players to watch on the offense including Austin Peay transfer Eugene Min- ter Jr. (TE), Quinton Patton (TE), Jairus Mack (WR) and Henry Rutledge (RB). Mack and Rutledge both saw the field last season, and while they are buried in extreme- ly talented rooms, both have a chance at making a significant impact in their rotational roles. BACKUP QUARTERBACK BATTLE One area of concern on the offensive side is the backup quarterback. Fol- lowing the spring session, it is safe to say that sopho- more Xavier Williams is closer to Texas transfer James Foster than Foster is to Reynolds in the quarterback battle.

Reynolds was automatic throughout the spring, connecting on the deep ball with regularity and extending plays with his legs when necessary. The offense has another gear when Reynolds is at the helm, and no doubt that he will lead the team in his final season. There is, however, in- consistency and a level of uncertainty when he exits- and Williams im- proved through the spring, with the latter entering the conversation midway through March. Foster has the biggest arm on the roster, but his accuracy 15-plus yards down the field is inconsistent. His game has seen improve- ment with working through his progressions and seeing the entire field.

Foster split reps with the first and second groups, while Williams split be- tween the second and third for much of the spring. Trexler Ivey is also in the mix, seeing the majority of his reps with the third team. As Wil- liams continues to grow, expect this battle to con- tinue into the season. Reynolds battled in- juries through 2020 (torn labrum, but miss a game) and 2021 (ligament damage in throwing hand, one game missed), but has been able to stay on the field for the most part. While this a press- ing matter this spring, Foster or Williams will likely take the first snaps in 2023, the pro- first year in the American Athletic Confer- ence.

Offseason notes: A Running backs coach Sean Dawkins moved on from the program, taking the same role at Memphis. Cordae Hankton was added to the staff as the new running backs coach this week. Hankton served as the senior offensive analyst under Steve Sarkisian at Texas in 2021 following two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant under Mel Tucker at Michigan State A Kicker Jonathan Cruz entered the transfer portal following the spring session, finishing his career at Charlotte connecting on 69.5% of his kicks, of his extra points and a career-long of 56-yards. A Incoming freshman Braden McAlister is expected to push for the starting role. He will battle returning kicker Aiden Laros during fall camp.

A Defensive tackle Isiah Potts tore his ACL during the offseason and will not be available until late October. A Quarterback Dominique Shoffner entered the transfer portal. A Linebacker Jaylon Sharpe also entered the portal. Charlotte has just six linebackers on the roster. A Safety Marcus Robitaille missed much of spring practice with an injury but will be available for fall camp.

FROM PAGE 8A 49ERS ATLANTA The Cincinnati Reds watched with admiration as the Atlanta Braves cele- brated their championship. Then the Reds launched a new season by outplaying the champions. Tyler Mahle allowed only an unearned run in five innings to outpitch Max Fried, Brandon Drury hit a three-run homer and the Reds beat Atlanta 6-3 on Thursday night to spoil the World Series celebration. The Braves unveiled their World Series pennant in right field in a pregame ceremony after two para- chutists landed in the out- field carrying champion- ship banners. was Reds manager David Bell said.

was fun to be part of that atmosphere, Fried, the winning pitch- er in theWorld Series- clinching Game 6 win over Houston, repeat that success in his opening day start. Fried (0-1) allowed five runs on eight hits in 5 innings. He left the game with two runners on base before homer off Collin McHugh, making his Braves debut, landed in the bullpen behind the left field wall. Austin Riley hit a two- run homer for Atlanta off right-hander Dauri Moreta in the eighth. Mahle (1-0) was sharp in his first opening day start, allowing only three hits with two walks and seven strike- outs.

Mahle said he distracted by the pregame ceremony. really watch any of it, Mahle said. kind of heard it, but I was doing my own Bell said he was im- pressed perfect fifth inning. seen him do it a lot where he gets stronger during the game, but today said a lot about him be- cause he really got that deep in a game in spring Bell said. Tony Santillan pitched a perfect ninth to earn his first career save.

Kyle second- inning single drove in Tyler Stephenson, who was hit on his foot by a pitch from Fried, for a 1-0 lead. Fried was faced with the first bases-loaded, no-out situation of his career in the third. Joey single drove in Jonathan India. Aristides Aquino scored on lineout to right field for a 3-0 lead. TRAINER'S ROOM Reds: The rotation could lookmuch different by the end of themonth.

LHP MikeMinor (left shoulder soreness) will throw a sim- ulated game in Atlanta on Friday. RHP Luis Castillo (right shoulder soreness) played catch on Thursday andwill throw in the bull- pen this weekend. Bell said Minor is ahead of Castillo and both could come off the 10-day injured list this month. IF Dono- van Solano (left hamstring strain) will have at-bats in the simulated game. Braves: Throwing fast- balls timed at 100mph, rookie right-hander Spen- cer Strider recorded five strikeouts in two perfect innings.

Hall of Famer Chipper Jones threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The celebration continues on Sunday, when players will be presented their World Series rings. SPLIT VOTES ONWRIST BAND Bell says his players enthusiastically support new PitchCom wristbands. The tech- nology made available this year allows catchers to call pitches by punching a button on the wristband instead of flashing signs which can be stolen. into this, every one of our pitchers and catchers are going to use Bell said, adding loved it.

I was Braves manager Brian Snitker says his players warm up to and be using the new technology. think at some point it might become a reality but our guys embrace it very Snitker said. seem too eager to try it. And not to say we When asked why his players like the PitchComwristbands, Snitker said CAREER FIRST FOR VOTTO Votto, 38, entered the fifth inning with 6,724 career at-bats and had never popped out to the pitcher. Votto experienced that career first when he ended the fifth with his popout to Fried.

Votto did an interview with the ESPN broadcast teamwhile playing first base in the fourth inning, provid- ing insight on his position- ing and strategy, and re- flecting on his 15-year ca- reer between pitches. He also joked about combatting his mid-life crisis with a gold or diamond tooth. GAME STATS Subscribers can find up-to-date standings and statistics from the previous day's games in our eEdi- tion by using the section list to jump to in our app or online at charlotteobserver.com/ eedition. Mahle shines as Reds spoil celebration BY CHARLES ODUM Associated Press JOHN BAZEMORE AP The Atlanta Austin Riley runs by Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning Thursday in Atlanta. Lakers: LeBron James will miss the final two games of the season with a sprained left ankle, almost certainly preventing him from winning his second NBA scoring title.

Heat: The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Miami will be without veteran power forward P.J. Tucker (calf) for the final two games of the regular season and potentially longer. Nets: Brooklyn waived veteran forward James Johnson on Thursday. signed guard Rayjon Tucker after a big season with the League. Games Bucks 127, Celtics 121: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday each scored 29 points to help the hosts take over second place in the Eastern Con- ference.

Warriors 128, Lakers 112: Klay Thompson scored 33 points with six 3-pointers and the hosts won their third straight after drop- ping four in a row. Raptors 119, 76ers 114: In Toronto, Pascal Siakam had 37 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds for his third career triple-double. Nuggets 122, Grizzlies 109: Nikola Jokic scored 35 points and Aaron Gor- don had 22 to help the hosts wrap up a playoff spot. Timberwolves 127, Spurs 121: Anthony Edwards set a career high with 49 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 13 rebounds in Minneapo- lis. Hornets 128, Magic 101: LaMelo Ball had 26 points, nine assists and eight rebounds to help the hosts rout short-handed Orlando.

The Hornets had already locked up a spot in the play-in tournament. Pelicans 127, Trail Blazers 94: In New Orleans, CJ McCollum scored 23 points in 29 minutes against his former team. ASSOCIATED PRESS NBA.