Trailing Atlanta, 10 – 3, in the bottom of the 7th inning, the Phillies score 8 runs off four pitchers on their way to a 12 – 11 win. Eight consecutive batters drive in a run – four on bases-loaded walks – during the fateful inning. For the Braves, Jordan Schafer and Brian McCann both hit two-run homers and Matt Diaz adds a solo shot in the 9th, but it is not enough to stop Brad Lidge’s streak of 52 consecutive successful save opportunities, dating back to 2007.

ByBaseball

Trailing Atlanta, 10 – 3, in the bottom of the 7th inning, the Phillies score 8 runs off four pitchers on their way to a 12 – 11 win. Eight consecutive batters drive in a run – four on bases-loaded walks – during the fateful inning. For the Braves, Jordan Schafer and Brian McCann both hit two-run homers and Matt Diaz adds a solo shot in the 9th, but it is not enough to stop Brad Lidge’s streak of 52 consecutive successful save opportunities, dating back to 2007.

Nick Adenhart of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches six scoreless innings against Oakland in his first start of the season; he will be tragically killed in a car crash a few hours after the game.

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Nick Adenhart of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches six scoreless innings against Oakland in his first start of the season; he will be tragically killed in a car crash a few hours after the game.

After going 4,044 1/3 innings in the major leagues (a fair portion in the American League, it should be noted), Randy Johnson finally allows a home run to an opposing pitcher. Yovani Gallardo connects for the three-run shot as the Brewers edge Johnson’s Giants, 4 – 2.

ByBaseball

After going 4,044 1/3 innings in the major leagues (a fair portion in the American League, it should be noted), Randy Johnson finally allows a home run to an opposing pitcher. Yovani Gallardo connects for the three-run shot as the Brewers edge Johnson’s Giants, 4 – 2.

Ninety-seven years after his grandfather, Boston mayor John ‘Honey Fitz’ Fitzgerald, threw out the first pitch at the first major league game played at Fenway Park, U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy also tosses the ceremonial first pitch for the Red Sox at a season opener. The sell-out crowd enthusiastically cheers the 77 year-old long-time Massachusetts law maker, who was diagnosed last spring with a malignant brain tumor, when he tosses the ball from in front of the mound to a nearby Jim Rice, a newly elected member of the Hall of Fame.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Ninety-seven years after his grandfather, Boston mayor John ‘Honey Fitz’ Fitzgerald, threw out the first pitch at the first major league game played at Fenway Park, U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy also tosses the ceremonial first pitch for the Red Sox at a season opener. The sell-out crowd enthusiastically cheers the 77 year-old long-time Massachusetts law maker, who was diagnosed last spring with a malignant brain tumor, when he tosses the ball from in front of the mound to a nearby Jim Rice, a newly elected member of the Hall of Fame.

Vladimir Guerrero drives in a run in a 3 – 0 Angels win over the A’s. It is his 19th RBI on Opening Day, breaking the record he shared with Jeff Kent and Frank Robinson.

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Vladimir Guerrero drives in a run in a 3 – 0 Angels win over the A’s. It is his 19th RBI on Opening Day, breaking the record he shared with Jeff Kent and Frank Robinson.

In front of a sold-out crowd at the Metrodome, Ken Griffey, Jr. hits a record-tying eighth Opening Day home run in his first game back with the Mariners since being traded before the start of the 2000 season. The “Kid’s” historic home run, a sixth-inning blast off Francisco Liriano, ties him with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who established the mark playing for the Indians in 1975 during his first at-bat as major league baseball’s first black manager.

In front of a sold-out crowd at the Metrodome, Ken Griffey, Jr. hits a record-tying eighth Opening Day home run in his first game back with the Mariners since being traded before the start of the 2000 season. The “Kid’s” historic home run, a sixth-inning blast off Francisco Liriano, ties him with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who established the mark playing for the Indians in 1975 during his first at-bat as major league baseball’s first black manager.

ByTom

In front of a sold-out crowd at the Metrodome, Ken Griffey, Jr. hits a record-tying eighth Opening Day home run in his first game back with the Mariners since being traded before the start of the 2000 season. The “Kid’s” historic home run, a sixth-inning blast off Francisco Liriano, ties him with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who established the mark playing for the Indians in 1975 during his first at-bat as major league baseball’s first black manager.

In Florida’s 12-6 victory over the Nationals at Dolphin Stadium, Emilio Bonifacio hits an inside-the-park home run, the first on Opening Day since Red Sox outfielder Carl Yastrzemski accomplished the feat in 1968. The round-tripper, one of four hits for the Marlins’ third baseman, is the first big league homer of his career.

ByTom

In Florida’s 12-6 victory over the Nationals at Dolphin Stadium, Emilio Bonifacio hits an inside-the-park home run, the first on Opening Day since Red Sox outfielder Carl Yastrzemski accomplished the feat in 1968. The round-tripper, one of four hits for the Marlins’ third baseman, is the first big league homer of his career.

Arizona switch-hitter Felipe Lopez becomes the first player to homer from both sides of the plate on Opening Day when he goes deep in the top of the fourth inning off Glendon Rusch, after connecting off Colorado starter Aaron Cook to lead off the game. An inning later, the Diamondback second baseman’s unique feat is matched by Tony Clark, making the pair the first set of teammates to homer from both sides of the plate on the first day of the season.

ByTom

Arizona switch-hitter Felipe Lopez becomes the first player to homer from both sides of the plate on Opening Day when he goes deep in the top of the fourth inning off Glendon Rusch, after connecting off Colorado starter Aaron Cook to lead off the game. An inning later, the Diamondback second baseman’s unique feat is matched by Tony Clark, making the pair the first set of teammates to homer from both sides of the plate on the first day of the season.

Marquee free agent signees CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira have a rough time in their debut for the New York Yankees. Sabathia gives up 6 runs on 8 hits in 4 1/3 innings and Teixeira goes 0 for 4 as the Orioles defeat the Yanks, 10 – 5, at Camden Yards. Cesar Izturis hits a two-run homer and Aubrey Huff a two-run double for the Birds as Jeremy Guthrie picks up the win.

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Marquee free agent signees CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira have a rough time in their debut for the New York Yankees. Sabathia gives up 6 runs on 8 hits in 4 1/3 innings and Teixeira goes 0 for 4 as the Orioles defeat the Yanks, 10 – 5, at Camden Yards. Cesar Izturis hits a two-run homer and Aubrey Huff a two-run double for the Birds as Jeremy Guthrie picks up the win.

In Toronto, Adam Lind drives in 6 runs, including a three-run homer in the 4th, as the Blue Jays defeat Detroit, 12 – 5, on opening day. Rookie Travis Snider adds a home run off Justin Verlander for the Jays, while Curtis Granderson and Brandon Inge, the latter with a three-run shot, go deep for the Tigers off winning pitcher Roy Halladay.

ByBaseball

In Toronto, Adam Lind drives in 6 runs, including a three-run homer in the 4th, as the Blue Jays defeat Detroit, 12 – 5, on opening day. Rookie Travis Snider adds a home run off Justin Verlander for the Jays, while Curtis Granderson and Brandon Inge, the latter with a three-run shot, go deep for the Tigers off winning pitcher Roy Halladay.