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Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman, right, celebrates his two-run homer with Yunel Escobar (5) during the first inning Wednesday against the New York Mets at Nationals Park in Washington.

WASHINGTON — Jordan Zimmermann didn’t quite pick up where he left off in 2014, when he threw a no-hitter to close the regular season, but he only allowed one run in six innings Wednesday night, and Ryan Zimmerman’s two-run homer and pair of nifty defensive plays lifted the Nationals past the Mets 2-1.

After getting the Nationals’ first franchise no-no against the Marlins in September, Zimmermann (1-0) made it until the fifth batter this time before giving up a hit, a single to Daniel Murphy, who eventually scored on Travis d’Arnaud’s single.

New York got five hits off the righty, who struck out four in a game that started 56 minutes late because of the threat of rain. Zimmermann outpitched reigning NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom (0-1), who served up Zimmerman’s shot to left off a 94 mph fastball in the first inning.

Braves 2, Marlins 0

MIAMI — A.J. Pierzynski hit a two-run homer and five pitchers combined on a six-hitter to help the Atlanta Braves complete a three-game sweep by beating the Miami Marlins.

The season-opening sweep was the first for the Braves since 2007. They’re supposedly rebuilding, while the Marlins have playoff hopes, but Atlanta outscored Miami 16-3 in the series.

The 38-year-old Pierzynski, playing in his first game with his newest team, broke up a scoreless tie in the seventh inning against Tom Koehler (0-1).

Cubs 2, Cardinals 0

CHICAGO — Jake Arrieta allowed three hits over seven innings and Starlin Castro had a go-ahead RBI single in a two-run seventh, leading the Chicago Cubs over the St. Louis Cardinals for their first win this season.

Backed by just two hits from Chicago’s offense, Arrieta (1-0) struck out seven and walked three. Phil Coke, Neil Ramirez, Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon combined for hitless relief.

Rendon pitched a perfect ninth for his first save with the Cubs, who lost 3-0 to St. Louis on Sunday night’s opener.

Lance Lynn (0-1) struck out nine in six-plus innings, allowing both runs — one earned — and two hits.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Yankees 4, Blue Jays 3

NEW YORK — Chase Headley hit a tiebreaking single that deflected off the wrist of reliever Brett Cecil, and the New York Yankees rallied for three runs in the eighth inning to beat the Toronto Blue Jays.

Michael Pineda pitched six solid innings for the Yankees on a frigid night, and Jacoby Ellsbury scored twice and reached base safely all four times up. New York took advantage of mistakes by Toronto’s bullpen, fighting back from a two-run deficit for its first victory of the season after knuckleballer R.A. Dickey gave the Blue Jays 6 1-3 effective innings.

Tigers 11, Twins 0

DETROIT — Anibal Sanchez helped Detroit blank Minnesota for the second straight game, Jose Iglesias had four hits and Alex Avila scored four runs.

Ian Kinsler drove in four runs for Detroit, which had beaten Minnesota 4-0 on opening day. Sanchez (1-0) allowed three hits and two walks in 6 2-3 innings while striking out six.

Rays 2, Orioles 0

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jake Odorizzi took a two-hitter into the seventh inning and Tampa Bay coaxed four consecutive walks with two outs to score the go-ahead run during a victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

Odorizzi (1-0) allowed two hits and struck out seven in 6 2-3 innings. Jeff Beliveau, Kevin Jepsen and Brad Boxberger finished the three-hitter as the Rays gave rookie manager Kevin Cash his first victory and avoided being swept in the opening series at Tropicana Field.

Baltimore’s Miguel Gonzalez (0-1) retired the first two batters in the Rays sixth, then walked

INTERLEAGUE

Phillies 4, Red Sox 2

PHILADELPHIA — Jeff Francoeur hit a three-run homer, Aaron Harang took a one-hitter into the seventh inning and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Boston Red Sox.

Making his Red Sox debut after signing an $82.5 million, four-year contract through 2019, Rick Porcello (0-1) allowed three runs and six hits in six innings.

Harang (1-0) gave up two hits, walked one and struck out eight in 6 1-3 innings in his first start for the Phillies. Jonathan Papelbon got four outs against his former team for his first save.

Ricky Nolasco (0-1) gave up six runs and six hits in three-plus innings, walked four and struck out two.