Game Recap

Monday night at the Ballpark in Arlington, the Rangers handed the Mariners a 6-4 loss to remain undefeated in this young 2011 MLB season.

A decent outing for Derek Holland, as he pitched six innings en route to his first win of the season. He allowed three runs and seven hits with five strikeouts and one walk.

Few experiences can top Opening Day in Cincinnati, Ohio. The parade, sold-out stadium and increased number of media members are just a few things that cause the first baseball game of the year to sometimes take a backseat to the pageantry that surrounds it.

Not this time.

The curse of the Yankees continues.

The Minnesota Twins began a four game death march in Yankee Stadium Monday by getting handed their third loss of the season. Yankees pitcher Ivan Nova went three scoreless innings before Jim Thome doubled to center scoring Justin Morneau and Delmon Young. Nova gave up a third run in the fifth when the Twins new import Tsuyoshi Niskioka also doubled to deep centerfield scoring Alexi Casilla.

This afternoon, to our dismay, we saw the Mariners revert back to last year's style of play: low run production, a shaky bullpen and carelessness at the plate.

We should probably admit to ourselves that this is the way the season will progress, but it's easier just to make legitimate excuses that could possibly explain the woes of the Mariners.

We can attribute today's loss to a couple of things. One, an unfavorable pitching matchup. Two, an improvement in the A's' play.

The New York Mets opened their season on a positive note, taking two of three from the division rival Florida Marlins.

Things didn't start out too well as Mike Pelfrey wasn't on his game Friday night, but the Mets played stellar baseball over the next two games.

After not winning a road series in 2010 until the middle of June, they did so to open the 2011 season and won the rubber game in convincing fashion. Their pitching was fabulous and their hitting looked potent.

The Cubs were looking hot, and it looked like they were going to actually pull out a victory and take two of three from the Pirates to start the 2011 season. 

Then they hit the top of the ninth.

If the Milwaukee Brewers are the chief contenders for the Reds’ crown, all looks good in the Queen City. The Reds just finished sweeping the Brew Crew at Great American Ballpark with a 12-3 pasting, powered by 19 hits.

Catcher Ryan Hanigan led the way with a 4-for-4 outing with two home runs, three runs and four RBI. Brandon Phillips added three hits including a two-run homer.

Off to a rip roaring start for the Texas Rangers.

Not only did it start off with Ian Kinsler hitting a home run in the leadoff spot on Friday, but he did it again on Saturday, becoming the first man in MLB history to accomplish that feat. 

Nelson Cruz and Kinsler have hit a home run in all three of the games so far this season.

Adrian Beltre belted out a “Grand Salami” on Saturday as well.

Phil Hughes Final Line: 4IP, 5H,  5R, 5ER, 2BB, 1K .333 GB/FB ratio

If you were waiting for the Twins' bats to come alive and Minnesota to finally look like the team they can be, your wait is over.

The Twins finished off their opening series against the Blue Jays of Toronto with a 4-3 win. It was a Danny Valencia homer in the third and a Denard Span homer in the ninth that propelled the Twins to their first win of the season.