At Houstonâ Claude Osteen allows 4 hits and rookie Bill Bucknerâs homer accounts for all the scoring as the Dodgers beat the Astrosâ 2 â 0. Don Wilson takes the loss. Osteen was 6-0 last year against Houston.
Before 41â121 at Chicagoâ Billy Williams clubs a 10th-inning homer off Bob Gibson to give the Cubs a 2 â 1 win over the Cards. Joe Torreâs homerâ off Fergie Jenkinsâ is the only Cardinal score.
Before 39â712 chilled fans in Pittsburghâ the Pirates win their Openerâ 4 â 2â over the Phils. Dock Ellis is the winnerâ laying down 3 sacrifice buntsâ and getting help with 4 Phillie errors.
The Mets win their first opener ever at Shea Stadiumâ beating the Exposâ 4 â 2â in 5 innings. Heavy rain and wind cuts the contest short. Tom Seaver is the winner over Carl Morton.
At Fenway Parkâ the Red Sox take their second straight Opener against the Yankeesâ winning 3 â 1. Bostonâs Ray Culp allows 5 hits in 9 innings in winning over Stan Bahnsenâ who gives up 2 runs in 7 innings. Reggie Smith has 3 hits and his throw to the plate in the 8th gets the last out.
On April 6, 1971, Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants hits a home run on Opening Day, marking the start of an historic streak. Mays will hit home runs in each of the Giantsâ first four games, setting a major league recordâŠ
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