The Blue Jays’ Shaun Marcum, getting the opening day starting nod after missing all of 2009 recovering from Tommy John surgery, holds the Texas Rangers hitless into the 7th inning as the Jays stake an early lead on homers by Vernon Wells and Adam Lind. Nelson Cruz ties the game with a three-run homer in the 7th, but after the Jays retake the lead, new Toronto closer Jason Frasor blows the save opportunity, giving up two runs in the 9th for a 5 – 4 Texas win. Jarrod Saltalamacchia hits the game-winning single.

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The Blue Jays’ Shaun Marcum, getting the opening day starting nod after missing all of 2009 recovering from Tommy John surgery, holds the Texas Rangers hitless into the 7th inning as the Jays stake an early lead on homers by Vernon Wells and Adam Lind. Nelson Cruz ties the game with a three-run homer in the 7th, but after the Jays retake the lead, new Toronto closer Jason Frasor blows the save opportunity, giving up two runs in the 9th for a 5 – 4 Texas win. Jarrod Saltalamacchia hits the game-winning single.

Albert Pujols, the 2009 National League MVP, starts off the year where he left off last season, banging two homers to lead the Cardinals to an 11 – 6 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

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Albert Pujols, the 2009 National League MVP, starts off the year where he left off last season, banging two homers to lead the Cardinals to an 11 – 6 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox stage a classic battle to open the major league season at Fenway Park, with the Red Sox winning, 9 – 7, after trailing 5 – 1 and 7 – 5. Jorge Posada and Curtis Granderson hit back-to-back homers in the 2nd and Brett Gardner steals home as the Yanks build an early lead against Josh Beckett, but a homer by Dustin Pedroia and three extra-base hits by Kevin Youkilis highlight the Sox’s comeback. Chan Ho Park takes the loss in his Yankee debut, while Hideki Okajima is the winner.

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The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox stage a classic battle to open the major league season at Fenway Park, with the Red Sox winning, 9 – 7, after trailing 5 – 1 and 7 – 5. Jorge Posada and Curtis Granderson hit back-to-back homers in the 2nd and Brett Gardner steals home as the Yanks build an early lead against Josh Beckett, but a homer by Dustin Pedroia and three extra-base hits by Kevin Youkilis highlight the Sox’s comeback. Chan Ho Park takes the loss in his Yankee debut, while Hideki Okajima is the winner.

Adam Lind (.305, 35, 114) and the Blue Jays agreed to an $18 million, four-year contract that includes three additional years with a club option. The 26 year-old outfielder, flanked by several teammates, announces the deal at a press conference held before an exhibition game in Houston.

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Adam Lind (.305, 35, 114) and the Blue Jays agreed to an $18 million, four-year contract that includes three additional years with a club option. The 26 year-old outfielder, flanked by several teammates, announces the deal at a press conference held before an exhibition game in Houston.

The injury-ravaged New York Mets round out their roster by making six cuts, sending Ps Nelson Figueroa, Kiko Calero, Bobby Parnell and Elmer Dessens, along with IF Russ Adams and OF Chris Carter, major league veterans all, down to AAA Buffalo. Among those that make it through the day are veteran Frank Catalanotto, a spring training invitee, and 20-year-old P Jenrry Mejia.

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The injury-ravaged New York Mets round out their roster by making six cuts, sending Ps Nelson Figueroa, Kiko Calero, Bobby Parnell and Elmer Dessens, along with IF Russ Adams and OF Chris Carter, major league veterans all, down to AAA Buffalo. Among those that make it through the day are veteran Frank Catalanotto, a spring training invitee, and 20-year-old P Jenrry Mejia.

The Minnesota Twins inaugurate their new ballpark, Target Field, with an 8 – 4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in an exhibition game. The new outdoor venue receives rave reviews from players.

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The Minnesota Twins inaugurate their new ballpark, Target Field, with an 8 – 4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in an exhibition game. The new outdoor venue receives rave reviews from players.

The Phillies are thin on the mound going into the season, as they place starter Joe Blanton on the disabled list, where he joins teammates and bullpen mainstays Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero.

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The Phillies are thin on the mound going into the season, as they place starter Joe Blanton on the disabled list, where he joins teammates and bullpen mainstays Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero.

3B Edwin Encarnacion is discharged from a hospital in Miami, FL, one day after being admitted to treat facial burns received when a firecracker exploded near him in a New Year’s Day celebration in his native La Romana, in the Dominican Republic. Encarnacion suffers some burns, but no fractures and should be ready for the start of spring training.

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On January 2, 2010 3B Edwin Encarnacion is discharged from a hospital in Miami, FL, one day after being admitted to treat facial burns received when a firecracker exploded near him in a New Year’s Day celebration in his native La Romana, in the Dominican Republic. Encarnacion suffers some burns, but no fractures and should be ready for the start…

Tim Lincecum becomes the eighth hurler in baseball history, joining Sandy Koufax, Denny McLain, Jim Palmer, Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, and Randy Johnson, to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards. The Giants right-hander, receiving fewer first-place votes than the third runner-up Adam Wainwright, outpoints the Cardinals righty as well as runner-up Chris Carpenter, also a Redbird starter.

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Tim Lincecum becomes the eighth hurler in baseball history, joining Sandy Koufax, Denny McLain, Jim Palmer, Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, and Randy Johnson, to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards. The Giants right-hander, receiving fewer first-place votes than the third runner-up Adam Wainwright, outpoints the Cardinals righty as well as runner-up Chris Carpenter, also a Redbird starter.