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The Main League Baseball common season formally begins Thursday with seven video games on faucet after two had been postponed prematurely resulting from climate.
The Chicago Cubs host the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Discipline within the first recreation of the day at 2:20 p.m. ET with the Houston Astros-Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres-Arizona Diamondbacks matchups the final to start after 9:30 p.m. ET.
In Atlanta, the Braves kick off their World Collection protection towards the Cincinnati Reds at 8:08 p.m. ET.
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Preserve it right here all day Thursday for updates from across the league:
Yu Darvish holds D’backs hitless via six
Padres right-hander Yu Darvish held the Arizona Diamondbacks hitless via six innings with 4 walks and three strikeouts – however his night time got here to an finish after 92 pitches.
Tim Hill relieved Darvish and gave up a leadoff single to Pavin Smith within the backside of the seventh, ending the bid for a crew no-no.
Joe Musgrove threw a no-hitter for San Diego in 2021, the primary in franchise historical past.
Shohei Ohtani dazzles in 2022 debut
Reigning AL MVP Shohei Ohtani bought the Opening Day begin for the Angels and racked up 9 strikeouts in 4 ⅔ innings towards the Astros, giving up one earned run. Ohtani struck Houston second baseman Jose Altuve out 3 times however left the sport trailing 1-0.
Due to MLB’s new Shohei Ohtani Rule, Ohtani was capable of keep within the recreation because the designated hitter after his night time ended on the mound.
Reds spoil Braves’ World Collection celebration
It was imagined to be a celebration for the sold-out crowd of 40,545 at Truist Park. It was an opportunity to recollect Atlanta’s unlikely run to a title final yr and a coronation for one of many Nationwide League’s prime contenders this season. New addition Matt Olson acquired a standing ovation in his first at-bat.
Tyler Mahle and the Reds had totally different plans. Mahle didn’t enable an earned run throughout 5 innings, hanging out seven, and he helped spoil the celebration in a 6-3 victory over the defending World Collection champions. Brandon Drury hit a three-run homer within the sixth inning because the Reds totaled 10 hits.
– Bobby Nightengale
Bobby Witt Jr.’s first hit wins it for the Royals
Making his big-league debut Thursday, Bobby Witt Jr. hit a go-ahead double within the eighth inning to raise Kansas Metropolis to a 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians.
Witt, one of many prime prospects in baseball, began at third base for the Royals and had gone hitless in his first three at-bats till his extra-base hit towards Triston McKenzie.
“You couldn’t have scripted that any higher,” Royals supervisor Mike Matheny mentioned after the sport. “This isn’t one he’s going to overlook, and I in all probability received’t, both.”
Scott Barlow labored round hassle within the ninth inning to complete off the Royals’ win.
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Tyler O’Neill homers for St. Louis
Cardinals left fielder Tyler O’Neill’s first residence run of the season was a three-run shot within the second inning of the opener towards the Pittsburgh Pirates. The homer gave St. Louis a 4-0 lead an inning after O’Neill had opened the scoring with an RBI single
O’Neill completed eighth in NL MVP voting and received his second Gold Glove in 2021, hitting 34 homers with 15 steals and a .912 OPS.
Nico Hoerner places Cubs forward
Chicago shortstop Nico Hoerner hit a two-run residence run within the fifth inning towards reigning NL Cy Younger winner Corbin Burnes, giving the Cubs a 3-1 lead of their season opener.
Milwaukee scored the primary run of the 2022 season within the fourth, on an RBI groundout by Lorenzo Cain. Hoerner’s go-ahead homer got here after Patrick Knowledge’s sac fly tied it up.
Albert Pujols will get a standing ovation in Cardinals return
Taking part in his first recreation for the Cardinals since 2011, Albert Pujols bought a standing ovation from the gang in St. Louis on Opening Day. Pujols, 42, was the beginning designated hitter, batting fifth for the Cardinals.
Seiya Suzuki will get first big-league hit
The Cubs inked Japanese star Seiya Suzuki to a five-year, $85 million contract in March and the 27-year-old made his debut Thursday, beginning in proper discipline and batting sixth for Chicago.
Suzuki drew a stroll in his first big-league plate look (second inning) after which singled main off the underside of the fifth towards Corbin Burnes.
Xander Bogaerts, Purple Sox could not get extension completed
Boston shortstop Xander Bogaerts can decide out of his contract after this season and mentioned Thursday that he and the crew weren’t going to get an extension completed earlier than Opening Day.
Bogaerts is getting into the third yr of a six-year, $120 million contract that he signed with the Purple Sox initially of 2019. If he opts out, the 29-year-old can be one of many prime gamers out there on the free agent market.
Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pirates agree on huge extension
The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to concern the biggest contract in franchise historical past, agreeing to an eight-year, $70 million extension with third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes forward of the 2022 season opener.
Jason Kendall’s six-year, $60 million deal signed in 2000(!) had been Pittsburgh’s greatest contract thus far.
Hayes burst onto the scene in 2020, batting .376 in 24 video games to earn Rookie of the Yr votes, however wrist accidents restricted him to 96 video games final season.
Opening Day tickets straightforward to seek out; rain delays different video games
Of the seven openers on Thursday, simply two – Astros-Angels at Anaheim and Pirates-Cardinals at St. Louis – are bought out. The Atlanta Braves, the defending World Collection champions, have standing room solely tickets out there for each Thursday’s opener and Friday and Saturday’s video games towards Cincinnati.
The climate additionally hasn’t cooperated, with wet situations already booting the Purple Sox-Yankees opener within the Bronx and the Twins’ recreation towards Seattle to Friday. Happily for all groups concerned, these video games had been often scheduled residence openers and can make the most of Friday rain dates to get the video games in – although that also did not assure a full home.
– Gabe Lacques
Padres, Twins make opening day commerce
The Minnesota Twins acquired right-handed pitchers Chris Paddack and Emilio Pagán from the San Diego Padres for All-Star left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers and outfielder Brent Rooker.
The Twins additionally will obtain a participant to be named later and the Padres will get $6.6 million in money underneath phrases of the deal introduced Thursday.
– Related Press
After ugly winter, Rob Manfred is ‘thrilled’ to get 2022 began
Main League Baseball gamers brazenly chastised him. Pissed off followers solely blamed him. He was a dwelling piñata for the media.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred might need been essentially the most hated man in all of sports activities throughout the 99-day lockout.
Right here we’re, with Opening Day arriving per week late on Thursday, and a day even later for the newest chapter of the New York Yankees-Boston Purple Sox rivalry. Their season-opener, with Manfred scheduled to be in attendance, was postponed till Friday at Yankee Stadium.
“I’ve by no means anticipated a season as a lot as this one,’’ Manfred advised USA TODAY Sports activities in a wide-ranging interview. “I believe given the final two seasons, the thought of getting regular, unrestricted followers within the ballpark is a extremely thrilling factor for me.
“I can’t anticipate this one to get going.’’
– Bob Nightengale
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