Clayton Kershaw turns in a great all-around performance on Opening Day, pitching a four-hit shutout and homering off George Kontos in the 8th to break a scoreless tie as the Dodgers defeat the Giants, 4 – 0. Don Drysdale, back in 1965, was the last major league pitcher to pitch a shutout and homer on opening day, also for the Dodgers.

The legend of Bryce Harper keeps growing. He homers off Miami’s Ricky Nolasco in his first two at-bats of the season and accounts for all of the Nationals’ runs in a 2 – 0 Opening Day win at home. Harper, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, is the youngest player to homer twice on Opening Day. Stephen Strasburg gets the win, giving up three hits and no walks in seven innings.

For the first time since the New York Mets started play in 1962, both New York teams open the season at home on the same day. The Mets improve their Opening Day record to a major league best 34-18 by crushing the Padres, 11 – 2, behind the pitching of Jon Niese and a double and grand slam from new CF Collin Cowgill. Things aren’t so good for the Yankees, who lose to the Red Sox, 8 – 2.

Rockies reliever Adam Ottavino, who will end the day with an 0-1 record when he gives up a walk-off sac fly in an Opening Day loss to Milwaukee, becomes the first big league pitcher to wear the number 0, joining position players Oddibe McDowell (1985-88), Junior Ortiz (1989-2004), and Al Oliver (1978-85). Several players, including hurlers including Bobo Newsome (1943), Curtis Leskanic (2000-01), Rick White (2005-06), and Brian Wilson (2003-14), have donned a double-zero.

Bryce Harper, providing all of the offense the Nationals will need, becomes the youngest player to homer twice on Opening Day. The 20 year-old outfielder, playing in his first Opening Day as a major leaguer, hits solo shots in the first and fourth frame in Washington’s 2-0 victory over Miami.