In his first plate appearance of the season, the Cardinals’ Nick Stavinoha hits a two-run pinch homer off all-time save leader Trevor Hoffman of the Brewers for a 5 – 4 win.

Colby Lewis, who spent the last two seasons in Japan, picks up his first major league win since 2004, when he holds the Seattle Mariners to one run over seven innings in a 6 – 2 Rangers victory.

Randy Wells, one of the National League’s top rookie pitchers in 2009, picks up where he left off, pitching six shutout innings in leading the Cubs to their first win of the season, a 2 – 0 blanking of the Braves and fellow sophomore Tommy Hanson. Tyler Colvin and Marlon Byrd hit solo homers for the game’s only runs.

Dontrelle Willis pitches six solid innings in his return to the major leagues as the Tigers beat Kansas City, 7 – 3. Willis went on the disabled list after pitching poorly last June and was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Miguel Cabrera goes 4 for 5 with a homer for Detroit.

The Brewers sign pitcher Yovani Gallardo to a five-year contract extension worth $30.1 million. The 24-year-old was the Brewers’ best pitcher in 2009, going 13-12, 3.73 and topping 200 strikeouts, as well as being their opening day starter this year.

According to its annual report, Forbes Magazine estimates the value of the Yankees to be worth approximately $1.6 billion, nearly twice as much as any other major league franchise. The World Champs, who moved into a new ballpark last season, made $441 million in net revenue after adjustments were made for its payment to baseball’s revenue-sharing program and the costs of financing its new stadium.

New Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson quickly makes his presence felt with the Bronx Bombers. After homering in his first at-bat for the team on Opening day, April 4th, he hits a game-winning long ball off Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon in the 10th inning of today’s game, which started as a pitching duel between Andy Pettitte and John Lackey, giving the Yankees a 3 – 1 victory. Chan Ho Park redeems his poor opening day performance with three innings of one-hit ball in relief to earn his first win in pinstripes, while Mariano Rivera picks up his second save in as many days.

The Padres’ Chris Young makes a successful comeback from shoulder surgery last year, pitching San Diego to 6 – 3 win over the Diamondbacks. Everth Cabrera drives in four runs for San Diego, as Edwin Jackson is charged with the loss in his first start for Arizona.

The Angels enter the Guinness Book of World Records by asking 43,510 fans to don free Hideki Matsui fleece blankets, shattering the record of 17,758 people wearing fleece blankets at an event (set during a NBA gimmick by the Cleveland Cavaliers).

The Tampa Bay Rays open their season with a walk-off win against the Baltimore Orioles. Trailing 3 – 2 heading into the bottom of the 9th inning, the Rays rally against O’s closer Mike Gonzalez. Sean Rodriguez starts the frame with a single, pinch hitter Kelly Shoppach doubles, and Jason Bartlett is walked intentionally to load the bases. Carl Crawford then sends 36,973 fans home happy with a two-run double to right field. Solo homers by Adam Jones, Luke Scott and Matt Wieters off James Shields account for all the Orioles’ runs.