Dontrelle Willis pitches six solid innings in his return to the major leagues as the Tigers beat Kansas City, 7 – 3. Willis went on the disabled list after pitching poorly last June and was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Miguel Cabrera goes 4 for 5 with a homer for Detroit.

ByBaseball

Dontrelle Willis pitches six solid innings in his return to the major leagues as the Tigers beat Kansas City, 7 – 3. Willis went on the disabled list after pitching poorly last June and was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Miguel Cabrera goes 4 for 5 with a homer for Detroit.

The Brewers sign pitcher Yovani Gallardo to a five-year contract extension worth $30.1 million. The 24-year-old was the Brewers’ best pitcher in 2009, going 13-12, 3.73 and topping 200 strikeouts, as well as being their opening day starter this year.

ByBaseball

The Brewers sign pitcher Yovani Gallardo to a five-year contract extension worth $30.1 million. The 24-year-old was the Brewers’ best pitcher in 2009, going 13-12, 3.73 and topping 200 strikeouts, as well as being their opening day starter this year.

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.

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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.

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Bill Buckner returned to Fenway Park for opening day and received a standing ovation

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 8, 2008, former Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner returned to Fenway Park for opening day and received a standing ovation. Buckner’s error in Game Six of the 1986 World Series, which helped lead to the Mets miraculous comeback, had been vilified by many, including the press. An emotional Buckner tossed out the first pitch after the Sox 2007 World Series flag was unfurled.

Chase Utley ties a major league record by being hit by pitch three times in a game as the Phillies top the Mets, 5 – 2. Utley is hit by an Oliver Perez pitch in the 1st inning and is again plunked by Perez in the 4th. In the 7th, he is hit by Scott Schoeneweis to tie the record.

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Chase Utley ties a major league record by being hit by pitch three times in a game as the Phillies top the Mets, 5 – 2. Utley is hit by an Oliver Perez pitch in the 1st inning and is again plunked by Perez in the 4th. In the 7th, he is hit by Scott Schoeneweis to tie the record.

Top Atlanta Braves prospect Jordan Schafer, who was named the best prospect in the Carolina League in 2007, is suspended 50 games for using Human Growth Hormone. Schafer had hit only .240 in 2006 before leading the affiliated minor leagues in hits last year. He almost won the Braves’ centerfield job in spring training.

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Top Atlanta Braves prospect Jordan Schafer, who was named the best prospect in the Carolina League in 2007, is suspended 50 games for using Human Growth Hormone. Schafer had hit only .240 in 2006 before leading the affiliated minor leagues in hits last year. He almost won the Braves’ centerfield job in spring training.

Reds rookie Johnny Cueto strikes out eight and walks none; this gives him 18 strikeouts and no walks in his first two major league games. No pitcher has done that since 1900.

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Reds rookie Johnny Cueto strikes out eight and walks none; this gives him 18 strikeouts and no walks in his first two major league games. No pitcher has done that since 1900.