Some Great Performances and Big Surprises on Opening Day
April second marked baseball’s opening day for many Major League clubs, and there were some great matchups, some unlikely occurances and even some tears.
The Yankees trampled the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, no surprises there. Jason Giambi knocked in three runs and Alex Rodriguez got his season off to a bang with a two run home run. But the real story here happened before the game got underway. The Yankees paid tribute to Cory Lidle, who died flying his plane in the offseason. Lidle’s family was on hand to throw out the first pitch in a very emotional kick off to the season.
In the National League, the Dodgers, who are picked by many to win the West, were shocked by Milwaukee. Brewers ace Ben Sheets pitched a two hit gem, it was the first opening day complete game in the last decade and a half.
Adam Dunn crushed two homeruns to power the Cincinnati Reds over the new look Cubs.
It took and extra frame, but the Pirates shocked the Houston Astros taking a win by way of Jason Bay’s two run homer in the tenth.
Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling had a rough outing, giving up a bases loaded walk in the first and hitting the showers in the fourth. This was the first time Schilling hasn’t made it to the fifth inning in a decade and the Sox take the loss 7-1.
And the biggest opening day shock of all - The Phils lose to the Braves in ten.
Edgar Renteria quickly became the Phils opening day nemesis as he pounded a Brett Myers fastball into the seats in the eighth inning to tie the game at three. As if that weren’t enough, Edgar came up to the plate in the tenth and after failing to lay down a bunt to advance a baserunner, not once, but twice - Renteria pounded a Ryan Madsen curveball into the stands giving the Braves a lead they wouldn’t give up. Myers pitched well, only giving up four hits and striking out nine over eight innings, he made a few mistakes and the Braves capitalized. Braves take the opener 5-3.
My beloved Philadelphia Phillies are currently tied for last place in the National League East with the Washington Nationals, but mark my words, this will be the one and only time this season that the Phils will occupy the basement!
Baesball opening day, Ben Sheets, Jason Giambi, Alex Rodriguez, Curt Schilling, Edgar Renteria, Brett Myers, Phillies, Braves, Cory Lidle tribute
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