At Jack Murphy Stadium, the San Diego Padres set a major league record when the first three batters in the bottom of the 1st inning hit home runs off San Francisco Giants starter Roger Mason in their home opener. The Padres, trailing 2 – 0, get homers from Marvell Wynne, Tony Gwynn and John Kruk. The feat will be matched by Rafael Furcal, Mark DeRosa, and Gary Sheffield of the Atlanta Braves against Jeff Austin of the Cincinnati Reds on May 28, 2003.

ByThis Day in Baseball

At Jack Murphy Stadium, the San Diego Padres set a major league record when the first three batters in the bottom of the 1st inning hit home runs off San Francisco Giants starter Roger Mason in their home opener. The Padres, trailing 2 – 0, get homers from Marvell Wynne, Tony Gwynn and John Kruk. The feat will be matched by Rafael Furcal, Mark DeRosa, and Gary Sheffield of the Atlanta Braves against Jeff Austin of the Cincinnati Reds on May 28, 2003.

Gary Carter drives in his 1,000th career run with an 8th-inning single that scores Lenny Dykstra as the Mets defeat Pittsburgh, 4 – 2.

ByBaseball

Gary Carter drives in his 1,000th career run with an 8th-inning single that scores Lenny Dykstra as the Mets defeat Pittsburgh, 4 – 2.

Cleveland Indians pitchers Phil Niekro and Steve Carlton combine to beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 14 – 3, making it the first time in major league history that two 300-game winners pitch for the same team in the same game. Niekro goes six innings to get his 312th career win and Carlton blanks Toronto for three innings.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Cleveland Indians pitchers Phil Niekro and Steve Carlton combine to beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 14 – 3, making it the first time in major league history that two 300-game winners pitch for the same team in the same game. Niekro goes six innings to get his 312th career win and Carlton blanks Toronto for three innings.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Rick Mahler ties a National League record by throwing his third Opening Day shutout. Mahler beats the Phillies, 6 – 0, on three hits.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Rick Mahler ties a National League record by throwing his third Opening Day shutout. Mahler beats the Phillies, 6 – 0, on three hits.

ByTom

1987 – Atlanta Braves pitcher Rick Mahler ties a National League record by throwing his third Opening Day shutout. Mahler beats the Phillies, 6 – 0, on three hits.

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Jose Cruz homers off the Dodgers’ Orel Hershiser to lead the defending N.L. West champion Astros to a 4-3 season-opening triumph

ByTom

1987 – Jose Cruz homers off the Dodgers’ Orel Hershiser to lead the defending N.L. West champion Astros to a 4-3 season-opening triumph. Alan Ashby contributes a two-run single. Dave Smith pitches the last two innings to seal the win for Mike Scott. 

Chicago Cubs trade seemingly over-the-hill pitcher Dennis Eckersley to the Oakland

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 3, 1987, the Chicago Cubs trade seemingly over-the-hill pitcher Dennis Eckersley to the Oakland A’s for three minor leaguers. Eckersley will emerge as the game’s dominant closer, saving 291 games over the next eight seasons, and earning election to the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Tony Pena

The Pirates trade Tony Pena, three-time Gold Glove catcher, to the Cardinals in exchange for three players

Bypittsburgh

The Pirates trade Tony Pena, three-time Gold Glove catcher, to the Cardinals in exchange for three youngsters, Mike LaValliere, Mike Dunne, and Andy Van Slyke, who thinks the deal is an April Fool’s Day joke. The former Pittsburgh backstop cries at a news conference with Bucs’ skipper Jim Leyland announces the swap with the Redbirds.

Dwight Gooden records most strikeouts

Mets phenom pitcher Dwight ‘Doc’ Gooden avoids suspension for substance abuse by agreeing to enter a drug rehab facility

ByBaseball

Mets phenom pitcher Dwight ‘Doc’ Gooden avoids suspension for substance abuse by agreeing to enter a drug rehab facility. The talented 22 year-old right-hander will make his first start on June 5 and will win 15 games for the team despite missing the first two months of the season.