April 5

Chris Davis becomes the fourth player to homer in his team’s first four games of the season, joining Willie Mays, Mark McGwire and Nelson Cruz in elite company. His 8th-inning grand slam off Tyler Robertson propels the Orioles to a 9 – 5 win over the Twins in their home opener. With a sacrifice fly earlier in the game, Davis drives in 5 runs to bring his RBI total to 16 on the season, obliterating the old record of 12 after four games held by three players.

The Giants celebrate their victory in the 2012 World Series by raising the World Championship banner before their home opener at AT&T Park, then celebrate some more by defeating the Cardinals, 1 – 0, behind a great performance by Barry Zito, who gives up only 3 hits over 7 innings. It is the 15th straight time that the Giants have won a game started by Zito, dating back to last season and including the postseason.

Cincinnati drills 6 homers to offer the Nationals their first defeat of the season, 15 – 0. Zack Cozart and Todd Frazier both go deep twice, and Shin-Soo Choo and Xavier Paul, with a pinch-hit grand slam, hit the other two. Homer Bailey is the winner over Dan Haren, whose debut for the Nats is one to forget.

Roy Halladay is his masterful self as he throws 8 shutout innings, allowing only 2 hits, in leading the Phillies to a 1 – 0 Opening Day victory over the Pirates. Jonathan Papelbon records his first save in the National League, while Erik Bedard is the hard-luck loser in his debut for the Bucs. Carlos Ruiz drives in the only run with a sacrifice fly in the 7th.

“In memory of Shannon Stone and dedicated to all fans who love the game.” – Inscription on statue honoring a fan who died last season at the stadium while attending a game last season. Six year-old Cooper Stone helps to unveil the statue depicting him and his dad holding hands and having a conversation wearing their baseball caps in front of a gate at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Bruce Greene’s sculpture pays tribute to his father, who died last season while attending a game with him, as a result of falling twenty feet, onto the concrete behind the scoreboard in left field, after reaching for a ball thrown into the stands by Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton.

Chris Young becomes the first pitcher in New York Mets history to collect two hits in an inning as he defeats the Phillies, 7 – 1, in his first start for his new team. His hitting binge comes in the 3rd inning, which he leads off with a single; he scores the game’s first run, then has a two-out RBI single to bring the score to 6 – 0 and chase losing pitcher Cole Hamels. For good measure, he adds a third single in the 5th. David Wright also partakes in the fun with 4 hits, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI.

Two pitchers making their first major league start show good form as the Rangers defeat the Mariners, 3 – 2, to remain unbeaten this year. Converted reliever Alexi Ogando pitches six scoreless innings for Texas to earn the win, while Michael Pineda, making his major league debut, allows three runs on five hits in six innings to take the loss, but keeps the homer-happy Rangers in the yard and strikes out four.

Panic is starting to set in for Red Sox Nation as the winless team loses its fourth straight game, 3 – 1, to the Indians. Josh Tomlin tames the Sox’s bats for the win. It is Boston’s worst start since 1996.

The Red Sox and their ace, Josh Beckett, come to terms on a $68 million, four-year contract extension. The agreement keeps the team’s Opening Day starter in Boston along with recent free agent acquisition John Lackey, giving the club a potent 1-2 punch in the top of their rotation for the next five years.