DirtyKash's Blog

Let's review the Opening Day action with two quips about each game.


Mariners/A's:
- Not to be confused with the failed Buffalo Bills quarterback, the Seattle Mariners catcher Rob Johnson launched a monster home run off Ben Sheets and went 1-for-2.
- The A's cut their home run leader for the last three seasons, Jack Cust, so that... Eric Chavez?!?! could start at DH? What! Chavez goes 0-for-4 with a strikeout.


Twins/Angels:
- Kendry Morales will be a beast this season and started off the season right going 2-for-4 with a solo home run and 2 RBI.
- Pat Neshek throws a shutout inning of relief in his first action after returning from Tommy John surgery.


Giants/Astros:
- Maybe it's just me, but I've never seen Aaron Rowand as a leadoff hitter. 0-for-5 with 2 strikeouts.
- Mark DeRosa: 1-for-3 with his first home run as a Giant.


Padres/Diamondbacks:
- Crazy bounce + fast runner + slow Kyle Blanks = inside-the-park home run for Stephen Drew
- Matt Stairs 0-for-1 in a pinch-hitting situation, but he becomes the first position player in the modern era to play for 12 different teams. The Pride of Fredericton.


Cubs/Braves:
- Yunel Escobar: 2-for-5 with 5 RBI. Not too shabby.
- You've seen it many times by now, but Carlos Zambrano: 1.1 innings, 6 hits, 8 runs, 2 home runs. I think Zambrano just gave up another run just now.


Tigers/Royals:
- Rick Ankiel is possibly the worst cleanup hitter in baseball. He's up there hacking away and his swings aren't even close to making contact. 0-for-4 with 2 strikeouts.
- The Royals bullpen: 6 runs in 3 innings. Blown save + loss.


Rockies/Brewers:
- Carlos Gonzalez: 4-for-5 out of the leadoff spot. People are loving this kid.
- Carlos Gomez: 4-for-5 with a home run and a stolen base. This year's Emilio Bonifacio?


Indians/White Sox:
- Alex Rios with a meaningless solo home run with his team up 5-0 in the 8th inning. Love it.
- Mark Buehrle's play is still quite amazing and overshadowed a dominant pitching performance. 7 shutout innings. Two years ago on Opening Day, Buehrle also started against the Indians and gave up 7 runs in less than 2 innings.


Blue Jays/Rangers:
- Shaun Marcum was solid. No-hitter through 6 1/3 innings, in line for the win. But it was not to be.
- Nelson Cruz hit a three-run HR after Vladimir Guerrero broke up the no-hitter. 2-for-4 with 4 RBI for the first round pick Cruz.


Dodgers/Pirates:
- With the Pirates having the bases loaded up 4-2 in the 5th and looking to break the game wide open, newest Pirate Ryan Church strolled up to the plate and delivered a bases-clearing double. Don't sleep on the Pirates!
- Ryan Doumit: 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk and 3 RBI. Primed for a big season. Don't sleep on the Pirates!


Cardinals/Reds:
- Yadier Molina, usually known for his defense: 2-for-4 with a grand slam. As if Pujols needed the help.
- Not only did he have a big day at the plate, but Colby Rasmus made a nice Spider-Man over-the-wall catch in center field to take away a home run. Check it out on the highlights.


Marlins/Mets:
- Not known for their defense, the Marlins committed three errors. The culprits: Gaby Sanchez, Clay Hensley, and Dan Meyer.
- Fernando Nieve: 2 scoreless innings of relief for the Mets.


Phillies/Natinals:
- Barack Obama's first pitch was covered in weak sauce. Did anyone see that embarrassment? Where's Dubya when you need him?
- Placido Polanco's return to the Phillies: 3-for-5 with 6 RBI. Then again, it was against the Natinals.