Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Fireworks go off during the national anthem prior to the Arizona Diamondbacks game against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

No Lack of Excitement Around Baseball on Opening Day

Major League Baseball is back and opening day gave baseball fans something to get excited about.

 National League Highlights

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Madison Bumgarner, who started off last season hitting a home run in the first week, decided to launch two homers on opening day for the San Francisco Giants. Bumgarner is the the first pitcher to have two home runs on opening day and now has 16 homers in his career. Bumgarner not only had an impressive showing in the batter’s box but he also struck out 11 and only allowed six hits while scattering three runs in his seven innings of work on Sunday. Bumgarner’s impressive performance was not enough for a win against the Diamonbacks as the Giants loss 6-5.

The Boston Red Sox hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park on Monday. It was a scoreless game by both starting pitchers until the fifth inning when the Red Sox scored five runs against Gerrit Cole. Cole  had his first opening day appearance and took the loss for the Pirates allowing seven hits and five runs in his five innings of work. Rick Porcello earned the win for the Red Sox tossing 6.1 innings striking out five while allowing six hits and only three runs. Pablo Sandoval started off the scoring for the Red Sox reaching on a single, but it was Andrew Benintendi that gave the Red Sox the lead that they would hold on to win the game. The rookie hit a three-run homer over the right field wall in the fifth inning and the Red Sox would go on to win 5-3.

American League Highlights

The Blue Jays and the Orioles game had the most exciting ending on opening day. While the 2016 season ended for Baltimore on a walk-off home run by Toronto, Mark Trumbo lead the Orioles in giving the Blue Jays revenge after hitting a two out walk-off home run. The Orioles won the game 3-2 in the bottom of the 11th inning. After launching the game winner, Mark Trumbo says what his mentality is each time he enters the batter’s box.

The Houston Astros would continue their five-year opening day win streak by defeating the Seattle Mariners on Monday. George Springer started off the game by cranking a homer to give the Astros an early 1-0 lead. Carlos Correa would also hit a home run in the bottom of the fourth to double the Astros lead. Not only did Houston have a good outing from the plate but they also looked impressive on the mound.  Dallas Keuchel tossed seven scoreless innings allowing only two hits and striking out four in his opening day appearance.

This week

The MLB will continue their opening week games with several games tonight hopefully giving fans more walk-off homers and impressive pitching performances to cheer for.

 

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