Mariano Rivera�ties Eric Gagne’s major league mark when he gets his�51st consecutive save at home, working a perfect ninth inning in the Yankees’ 6-4 victory over Chicago.�The Panamanian closer also fans two batters to move ahead of Roger Clemens for 10th on the team’s all-time strikeout list with 1,015.

With more than twenty-five percent of its membership born outside of the United States, the Major League Baseball players’ union issues a statement condemning Arizona’s new law that requires proof of identity be shown to any state or local official who is suspicious of a person’s immigration status. Michael Weiner, the head of the MLBPA, said the organization would consider “additional steps” if the edict is not repealed or modified.

Off-season prize acquisition Cliff Lee finally makes his first start for the Seattle Mariners. He is masterful, giving up no runs on 3 hits while striking out 8 in 7 innings, but the Rangers’ Colby Lewis is just as brilliant as the scoreless tie extends to the 12th inning. Elvis Andrus eventually scores the winning run on a wild pitch by Brandon League, as Texas wins, 2 – 0.

Scott Sizemore and Brennan Boesch both hit their first major league home run in the 4th inning as Detroit beats the Angels, 10 – 6. Another rookie, Austin Jackson, goes 5 for 5 for Detroit. Sizemore’s dinger follows one by Gerald Laird, while Boesch’s is a grand slam during the 8-run inning.

During the Diamondbacks game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, scores of protesters wave signs and chant, “Boycott Arizona! Boycott Arizona!” on the sidewalk outside the ballpark. The demonstration is in response to the state’s recently enacted illegal-immigration law, with organizers hoping the movement will inspire baseball fans to stay away from contests that feature the team from The Grand Canyon State.

Roy Halladay loses his third consecutive complete game, a 1-0 defeat at Boston’s Fenway Park. The hard-luck Blue Jays right-hander is the first pitcher to suffer such an indignity since Randy Johnson lost three straight complete-game decisions in 1999, and becomes the first Toronto hurler since Jim Clancy had a similar streak in 1982.

The Atlanta Braves complete an 0-7 road trip by falling to the St. Louis Cardinals, 10 – 4. David Freese hits his first home run of the year and drives in 6 runs to give Adam Wainwright his 4th win. Atlanta has now lost 9 in a row after a strong start.

Dontrelle Willis’s comeback continues as he pitches his best game since joining the Detroit Tigers before the 2008 season. He gives up only 4 hits and no runs in 7 innings as Detroit blanks Minnesota, 3 – 0. He picks up his first win of the year – which is only his second for the Bengals. In the contest, Magglio Ordonez hits the 300th home run of his career, four years to the day after hitting number 200.

Changes recommended by baseball’s special committee for on-field matters, including the expansion of All-Star rosters to 34 players, including 13 pitchers, will be implemented for this season’s Mid-Summer classic scheduled to be played at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Other new adopted rules include the use of a designated hitter every year, making a pitcher who starts on the final Sunday prior to the break ineligible to play, and allowing re-entry into a game if the last available position player at any position is injured.