At Detroit’s Comerica Park, Mike Napoli, on the first pitch he sees in his first major league at-bat, hits a home run. The Angels catcher becomes the third player in franchise history to make such a dramatic debut, joining Don Rose (1972) and Dave Machemer (1978), who also accomplished the feat.

ByTom

At Detroit’s Comerica Park, Mike Napoli, on the first pitch he sees in his first major league at-bat, hits a home run. The Angels catcher becomes the third player in franchise history to make such a dramatic debut, joining Don Rose (1972) and Dave Machemer (1978), who also accomplished the feat.

With the team’s new owners looking on, the groundbreaking ceremony takes place for the new ballpark the Washington Nationals hope to play in at the start of the 2008 season. Theodore Lerner, head of the new ownership group chosen by MLB yesterday to buy the team, has already thought of changes for the $611 million neighborhood ballpark.

ByTom

With the team’s new owners looking on, the groundbreaking ceremony takes place for the new ballpark the Washington Nationals hope to play in at the start of the 2008 season. Theodore Lerner, head of the new ownership group chosen by MLB yesterday to buy the team, has already thought of changes for the $611 million neighborhood ballpark.

Jonathan Papelbon of the Boston Red Sox gives up his first run of the season since becoming Boston’s closer, allowing Russ Adams’ tie-breaking double in the 9th inning that gives the Toronto Blue Jays a 7 – 6 victory at Fenway Park. Papelbon was named the American League rookie of the month with 10 saves in 10 tries and a 0.00 ERA in April.

ByBaseball

Jonathan Papelbon of the Boston Red Sox gives up his first run of the season since becoming Boston’s closer, allowing Russ Adams’ tie-breaking double in the 9th inning that gives the Toronto Blue Jays a 7 – 6 victory at Fenway Park. Papelbon was named the American League rookie of the month with 10 saves in 10 tries and a 0.00 ERA in April.

A group led by local real estate magnate Theodore Lerner wins the bidding to own the Washington Nationals, Major League Baseball confirms, ending a long selection process involving eight contenders.

ByBaseball

A group led by local real estate magnate Theodore Lerner wins the bidding to own the Washington Nationals, Major League Baseball confirms, ending a long selection process involving eight contenders.

The Florida Senate approves an amendment that puts the Marlins back in the game for a new ballpark at a site in northwest Miami Dade County.

ByBaseball

The Florida Senate approves an amendment that puts the Marlins back in the game for a new ballpark at a site in northwest Miami Dade County.

At Wrigley Field, Zach Duke of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches a five-hitter for his first complete game and shutout in the Pirates’ 8 – 0 win victory over the Chicago Cubs.

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At Wrigley Field, Zach Duke of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches a five-hitter for his first complete game and shutout in the Pirates’ 8 – 0 win victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Fernando Nieve collects his first win, hit and RBI as a big leaguer, and the Houston Astros rough up Milwaukee ace Ben Sheets in an 8 – 5 victory. Nieve, who retires 14 in a row at one point, gives up four runs and six hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings.

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Fernando Nieve collects his first win, hit and RBI as a big leaguer, and the Houston Astros rough up Milwaukee ace Ben Sheets in an 8 – 5 victory. Nieve, who retires 14 in a row at one point, gives up four runs and six hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings.

With a police escort from the airport, Doug Mirabelli, changing into his uniform in the car, arrives at Fenway Park 13 minutes before the game time. The Red Sox reacquired the popular backstop from the Padres earlier in the day to continue his familiar role as personal catcher to knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, tonight’s starting pitcher against the Yankees.

ByTom

With a police escort from the airport, Doug Mirabelli, changing into his uniform in the car, arrives at Fenway Park 13 minutes before the game time. The Red Sox reacquired the popular backstop from the Padres earlier in the day to continue his familiar role as personal catcher to knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, tonight’s starting pitcher against the Yankees.

Albert Pujols sets a major league record with his 14th home run in April, a tiebreaking shot in the 8th inning that sends the St. Louis Cardinals to a 2 – 1 victory over the visiting Washington Nationals.

ByBaseball

Albert Pujols sets a major league record with his 14th home run in April, a tiebreaking shot in the 8th inning that sends the St. Louis Cardinals to a 2 – 1 victory over the visiting Washington Nationals.

At Comerica Park, Carlos Guillen homers twice and drives in five runs as the Detroit Tigers record their most lopsided win in 13 years with an 18 – 1 hammering of the Minnesota Twins. Magglio Ordóñez and Curtis Granderson also hit home runs for the Tigers, who last won a game by 17 runs in 1993. For Ordóñez, it is his 200th career home run; he will hit his 300th on this day in 2010.

ByBaseball

At Comerica Park, Carlos Guillen homers twice and drives in five runs as the Detroit Tigers record their most lopsided win in 13 years with an 18 – 1 hammering of the Minnesota Twins. Magglio Ordóñez and Curtis Granderson also hit home runs for the Tigers, who last won a game by 17 runs in 1993. For Ordóñez, it is his 200th career home run; he will hit his 300th on this day in 2010.