ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jeremy Hellickson came within one out of a three-hitter on his birthday, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 3-0 Sunday to complete a season-opening sweep and match the best start in club history.

Carlos Pena and Jeff Keppinger homered for Tampa Bay, which also started with three consecutive wins in 2002.

The Yankees are 0-3 for the first time since 1998, when they went on to win 114 games and the World Series.

Celebrating his 25th birthday, Hellickson (1-0) limited the Yankees to doubles by Nick Swisher, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. He was one out from his third career complete game and second shutout when he was replaced by Fernando Rodney after 118 pitches.

ORIOLES 3, TWINS 1: Jason Hammel took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in his Baltimore debut, and the Orioles beat visiting Minnesota for a three-game sweep.

Hammel faced the minimum 21 batters through seven innings, allowing two walks, before Justin Morneau led off the eighth with double off the right-field wall.

ROYALS 7, ANGELS 3: Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler homered and drove in three runs apiece at Anaheim, Calif.

INDIANS 4, BLUE JAYS 3: Carlos Santana hit two home runs on his 26th birthday, Derek Lowe pitched seven strong innings and Cleveland beat visiting Toronto for its first win.

RANGERS 5, WHITE SOX 0: Matt Harrison pitched six scoreless innings, and Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre and David Murphy homered for Texas in a win over visiting Chicago.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

METS 7, BRAVES 5: Jonathon Niese took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and New York completed a season-opening sweep at home.

Niese (1-0) allowed just two balls out of the infield through six innings and retired 15 in a row before walking Dan Uggla on a 10-pitch at-bat leading off the seventh. On the next pitch, Freddie Freeman singled cleanly to right.

DIAMONDBACKS 7, GIANTS 6: Arizona tied a franchise record by rallying from six runs down to beat visiting San Francisco and sweep the season-opening three-game series.

PIRATES 5, PHILLIES 4: Andrew McCutchen singled home pinch-runner Josh Harrison with two outs in the ninth inning to lift Pittsburgh to a win at home.

REDS 6, MARLINS 5: Scott Rolen drove in the winning run in the ninth inning with a sharp infield single that third baseman Hanley Ramirez failed to handle, giving Cincinnati a come-from-behind win over visiting Miami.

CUBS 4, NATIONALS 3: Jeff Samardzija dominated into the ninth inning, outpitching Jordan Zimmermann, and Chicago beat visiting Washington for its first win.

Samardzija allowed four hits and an earned run, and struck out eight without a walk.

CARDINALS 9, BREWERS 3: Lance Lynn pitched two-hit ball into the seventh inning as St. Louis won at Milwaukee.

ASTROS 3, ROCKIES 2: Brian Bogusevic drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning after Jose Altuve scored the tying run on Jordan Pacheco’s throwing error at Houston.

PADRES 8, DODGERS 4: Clayton Richard and two relievers combined on a four-hitter, Chase Headley hit a grand slam, and Andy Parrino had his first big league homer as San Diego avoided a four-game sweep at home.