The Cleveland Indians spoil the opening of New Yankee Stadium with a 10 – 2 win over the New York Yankees. Jhonny Peralta hits a two-run double off Jose Veras to break a 1 – 1 tie, then Grady Sizemore delivers the KO with a grand slam off Damaso Marte. Jorge Posada is the first batter to homer in the Yankees’ new ballpark with a solo shot off winning pitcher Cliff Lee in the 5th. New York had won 16 of their final 17 home openers at the old Yankee Stadium.

The Washington Nationals finally enter the win column, defeating the Phillies, 8 – 2, at home. Shairon Martis benefits from four home runs to get the win, which comes after the Nats lost seven straight to open the season.

The Mariners fall, 5 – 1, to the Angels but Ichiro Suzuki makes history in the losing effort. He collects the 3,086th hit of his pro career, breaking the Japanese record held for decades by Isao Harimoto.

Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers goes 6 for 6 and hits for the cycle in a 19 – 6 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Kinsler scores 5 times, Marlon Byrd goes 5 for 6 and Nelson Cruz hits a grand slam off Radhames Liz in the rout. It had been 119 years since Farmer Weaver had been the last big leaguer to go 6 for 6 and hit for the cycle in a 9-inning game.

Every player in Major League Baseball wears number 42 today on Jackie Robinson Day, in honor of the anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color line. The practice will be repeated in future years.

On a night of milestones in Seattle, Ken Griffey hits his 400th home run as a Mariner – the 613th long ball of his career – and Ichiro Suzuki hits a grand slam off Jason Bulger for his 3085th hit as a professional, tying the Japanese record held by Isao Harimoto. Seattle defeats the Angels, 11 – 3, as Jarrod Washburn picks up the 100th win of his career. Harimoto is present at Safeco Field to witness Ichiro’s historic hit.

2009 – In a 6 – 1 Reds win over the Brewers, David Weathers retires both batters he faces. It is his 900th game in the majors, the 20th player to reach the milestone.

In Los Angeles, Orlando Hudson hits for the cycle and Andre Ethier belts two home runs and drives in four runs as the Dodgers defeat the Giants, 11 – 1. Randy Johnson gives up 7 runs in 3 2/3 innings for the losers.

San Diego beats the Mets, 6 – 5, in the first game to be played at Citi Field in New York. The first batter of the game, Jody Gerut, hits a home run off Mike Pelfrey as the Padres jump to an early 5 – 1 lead. New York ties it on a three-run home run by David Wright, but the winning run scores when Luis Rodríguez reaches on a three-base error by RF Ryan Church and crosses the plate when Pedro Feliciano commits a balk.