The Giants score nine runs by the 3rd inning and young Jeff Tesreau holds on for an 11 – 8 win over the Cardinals. Christy Mathewson relieves in the 9th for New York. In the 7th inning, with a man on third, Tesreau grounds to SS Wally Smith, whose throw to first base hits umpire Brick Owens in the head, knocking him out. Owens’ wife, who is watching from the grandstand, faints. The runner is sent back to third base and Tesreau hits again. Owens is back at work the next day.

The Pittsburgh Filipinos, of the newly formed United States League, open the season at vacant Exposition Park. The team is named after its veteran Deacon Phillippe, former Pirates star. The USL has promised not to sign current major leaguers, but will not last through June. It will form the basis for the following year’s Federal League, though.

At New York, Smokey Joe Wood beats the Highlanders, 4 – 0, in six innings. He gives up just one hit, a single to Ray Caldwell.

The Phillies’ Grover Cleveland Alexander records his first shutout, stopping Brooklyn, 5 – 0, on three hits. Alex fans nine to run his record to 3-1.

Christy Mathewson tosses his second straight shutout, stopping the visiting Pirates, 4 – 0, on four hits. Lefty Leifield takes the loss. First-place New York has now won 10 in a row and holds a slim lead over Chicago.

Frank Pfeffer of the Boston Doves pitches a 6 – 0 no-hitter against the Reds. He will be known as “Big Jeff” until his younger, and bigger, brother Ed “Jeff” Pfeffer becomes a star hurler for Brooklyn in 1913.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Nixey Callahan gets five hits for the third time in his career (also June 29, 1897 and May 18, 1902), but the 11-inning loss to the St. Louis Brownsis the final game he will pitch in the major leagues. He will play other positions until 1913. Nixey is the only pitcher ever to garner five hits three times.

Bill Duggleby, the first league jumper to return to the Phillies, loses 2 – 1, to St. Louis. Returnee Chick Fraser will win his first start on May 23rd, 5 – 2 over Chicago. Harry Wolverton will return after 59 games with the Washington Senators. All others will remain with their new teams. Of all those that the rival Athletics acquired, only Monte Crossstays.

The Chicago Orphans again top the Giants, winning 10 – 4. Chicago manager Frank Selee comments that the distance from the pitcher’s mound to the plate looks short. Horace Fogel, the Giants manager, measures the distance and finds the lane is 15 inches short. New York protests and it is upheld on June 3rd. The two games are ordered replayed.