Tim Hudson outpitches Roger Clemens, and rookie Ryan Langerhans pinch-hits an inside-the-park home run in the 12th inning off Dan Wheeler, to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 1 – 0 victory over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Manny Ramirez hits a two-run home run and a grand slam to knock in all of Boston’s runs in a 6 – 2 victory against Tampa Bay. Matt Clement wins in his Fenway Park debut. It is Ramirez’s 18th career grand slam, most among active players. The blast ties him for third on the all-time list with Willie McCovey and Robin Ventura, behind only Eddie Murray (19) and Lou Gehrig (23). It is Ramirez’s 40th career multi-homer game (38 two-homer games, two three-homer games).
Reed Johnson of the Toronto Blue Jays ties a major league record by being hit by pitches three times in a game, two with the bases loaded, in the Blue Jays’ 8 – 0 victory over Texas.
The Dodgers, to commemorate the 58th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s first game in the big leagues, wear replicas of the old road uniforms worn by the 1947 team which played in Brooklyn. Right-hander Derek Lowe throws a three-hitter, blanking the Padres in San Diego, 4-0.
A Fenway fan is ejected from the game after taking what appeared to be a swipe at Gary Sheffield as the Yankee outfielder fields a ball hit by Jason Varitek. The right fielder’s response, which includes shoving the fan, making a fist, and exchanging words, will be investigated by major league baseball.
2005 – On a historic night at RFK Stadium, Livan Hernandez and Vinny Castilla are up to the task. Hernandez carries a one-hitter into the 9th inning and Castilla falls a single shy of the cycle as the Washington Nationals post a 5 – 3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first major league game in Washington, D.C. in over 33 years. After beginning their first season in the nation’s capital with a nine-game road trip, the Nationals start the first game at RFK Stadium since the departure of the Washington Senators with former pitcher Joe Grzenda handing a ball to U.S. President George W. Bush, who throws the ceremonial first pitch. Grzenda tossed the final pitch in Senators history against the Yankees on September 30, 1971.
A near-by pedestrian saves eight year-old Patrick McCarthy from getting run down by a truck when the boy starts to run into Boston’s Newbury Street traffic. The hero, who prevents the tragic accident by putting out his arm and saying `Whoa, watch out, buddy,’ turns out to be the boy’s favorite player, Yankee superstar Alex Rodriguez.
Juan Pierre’s consecutive innings played streak comes to an end at 1,700 as his name is not in the starting lineup of the Florida Marlins. His consecutive game streak stays intact at 340 when he enters the contest as an 8th-inning defensive replacement.
2005 – Roger Clemens wins for the 329th time in his career – tying Steve Carlton for ninth on the all-time list – using his bat as well as his arm. Clemens’ infield hit in the sixth scores two for a 3-2 squeaker over the Reds. Luke Scott and Willy Taveras, two rookies making the jump from AA ball, score runs with Scott pounding a triple for his first major league hit – just 16 behind Clemens on the all-time hit list.
Jimmy Carter, who was not invited by the current administration to be part of the American delegation for today’s funeral of Pope John Paul, attends the home opener at Turner Field. The former president and his wife Roslyn, who both stayed for the entire game, enjoy watching the Braves beat the Mets, 3-1.
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