Bronson Arroyo, who hit no home runs in his first six major league seasons, hits his second in six days off Glendon Rusch in the Cincinnati Reds’ 9 – 2 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Arroyo, acquired by Cincinnati in a March 20th trade with the Boston Red Sox, also pitches seven shutout innings, beating Chicago for the second time in two starts. His solo shot six days ago against Rusch at Great American Ball Park was his first homer since high school and first major league hit since 2001.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Bronson Arroyo, who hit no home runs in his first six major league seasons, hits his second in six days off Glendon Rusch in the Cincinnati Reds’ 9 – 2 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Arroyo, acquired by Cincinnati in a March 20th trade with the Boston Red Sox, also pitches seven shutout innings, beating Chicago for the second time in two starts. His solo shot six days ago against Rusch at Great American Ball Park was his first homer since high school and first major league hit since 2001.

At the home opener at RFK Stadium prior to the hometown team’s 7-1 loss to the Mets, Dick Cheney, wearing a red-and-blue Nationals jacket, becomes the eighth sitting vice president to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. After the the veep is greeted with a chorus of loud boos, he bounces the pitch in front of home plate, throwing the ball from directly in front of the pitching mound.

ByTom

At the home opener at RFK Stadium prior to the hometown team’s 7-1 loss to the Mets, Dick Cheney, wearing a red-and-blue Nationals jacket, becomes the eighth sitting vice president to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. After the the veep is greeted with a chorus of loud boos, he bounces the pitch in front of home plate, throwing the ball from directly in front of the pitching mound.

Bob Sheppard misses his first Yankee Stadium home opener since 1951 after sustaining a hip injury at his home yesterday. The long-time public address announcer will return to the microphone during the team’s next homestand.

ByTom

Bob Sheppard misses his first Yankee Stadium home opener since 1951 after sustaining a hip injury at his home yesterday. The long-time public address announcer will return to the microphone during the team’s next homestand.

Minor league pitchers Waner Mateo (Mets), Ryan Rafferty (Royals), Ramón Ramirez and Justin Mallett (Reds), are suspended 50 games each by the Commissioner’s office for violating baseball’s minor league drug program, the first penalties since the sport toughened its rules during the offseason.

ByTom

Minor league pitchers Waner Mateo (Mets), Ryan Rafferty (Royals), Ramón Ramirez and Justin Mallett (Reds), are suspended 50 games each by the Commissioner’s office for violating baseball’s minor league drug program, the first penalties since the sport toughened its rules during the offseason.

2002 – The Baltimore Orioles pound the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 15 – 6, scoring a franchise-high 12 runs in the 6th inning. Baltimore also collects a club-high 11 hits in 16 at bats during the frame.

ByTom

2002 – The Baltimore Orioles pound the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 15 – 6, scoring a franchise-high 12 runs in the 6th inning. Baltimore also collects a club-high 11 hits in 16 at bats during the frame.

2001 – Greg Maddux of the Atlanta Braves is almost flawless for seven innings, combining with a pair of relievers to pitch a one-hitter in a 2 – 0 victory over the New York Mets. The Mets wind up with only one runner against Maddux, Mike Remlinger and John Rocker, when Todd Zeile lines a single about a foot beyond second baseman Quilvio Veras’s glove with one out in the 2nd inning.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2001 – Greg Maddux of the Atlanta Braves is almost flawless for seven innings, combining with a pair of relievers to pitch a one-hitter in a 2 – 0 victory over the New York Mets. The Mets wind up with only one runner against Maddux, Mike Remlinger and John Rocker, when Todd Zeile lines a single about a foot beyond second baseman Quilvio Veras’s glove with one out in the 2nd inning.

2000 – The Giants inaugurate Pac Bell Park with a 6 – 5 loss to the Dodgers. Los Angeles SS Kevin Elster hits three homers in the game; the next batter to have a three-homer game in the ballpark will be Pablo Sandoval in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series.

ByTom

2000 – The Giants inaugurate Pac Bell Park with a 6 – 5 loss to the Dodgers. Los Angeles SS Kevin Elster hits three homers in the game; the next batter to have a three-homer game in the ballpark will be Pablo Sandoval in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series.

1997 – To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the integration of baseball, Sharon Robinson, Jackie Robinson’s daughter, and Pumpsie Green each throw out the first pitch at Fenway Park. In 1959, Green became the first black player to appear in a Boston Red Sox uniform, making the Red Sox the last team to integrate in the major leagues.

ByTom

1997 – To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the integration of baseball, Sharon Robinson, Jackie Robinson’s daughter, and Pumpsie Green each throw out the first pitch at Fenway Park. In 1959, Green became the first black player to appear in a Boston Red Sox uniform, making the Red Sox the last team to integrate in the major leagues.

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1996 – Atlanta Braves pitcher Greg Maddux ends his major league record for consecutive road victories with a 2 – 1 loss to San Diego. Maddux had been 18-0 with an 0.99 ERA in 20 regular-season road starts since losing at Montreal on June 27, 1994.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1996 – Atlanta Braves pitcher Greg Maddux ends his major league record for consecutive road victories with a 2 – 1 loss to San Diego. Maddux had been 18-0 with an 0.99 ERA in 20 regular-season road starts since losing at Montreal on June 27, 1994.