2011 NL Opening Days

April 1 2011 around the National League reviews by baseball historian

Phillies defeat Astros 5-4 … Marlins 6 Mets 2 … Pirates 6 Cubs 3 … Diamondbacks 7 Rockies 6

National League Opening Day Games 2011

Philadelphia Phillies tip the Houston Astros 6-5 before 45,237 in Philadelphia. Phils’ pinch-hitter John Mayberry lined the winning hit over the head of Astros centerfielder Michael Bourn in the bottom of the 9^th capping a 3 run come from behind victory. Astros closer Brandon Lyon (20 saves in ’10) surrendered 6 hits, 3 runs and retired just one of 7 batters he faced.

Astros starter Brett Myers pitched 7 solid innings, allowing 3 hits, 2 runs, only 1 earned. Reliever Wilton Lopez gave up 1 hit while pitching the 8^th.

Phils shortstop Jimmy Rollins was 2 for 4 and scored twice. First baseman Ryan Howard was 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI. Phillies starter Roy Holladay yielded 5 hits, 1 run, 6 SO in 6 innings. Baez, Philadelphia’s 5^th pitcher was credited with the win. He allowed 1 hit, 1 walk in 1 inning. J. Romero, Herndon and Ryan Madison also pitched.

Florida Marlins 7 Mets 2 – Florida catcher John Buck belted a 4^th grand slam homer in the bottom of the 4^th breaking a scoreless tie and later teammate Logan Morrison lined a bases empty home run. Marlins starter Josh Johnson was the winning pitcher, 3 hits, 2 runs, 2 W, 3 SO in 6.2 innings. New York starter Mike Peltry was the losing pitcher, 4 hits, 5 runs in 4.1 innings. Attendance 41, 237 in Florida.

Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez had 2 hits in 4 at bats including a double, 1 R, 1 RBI. The Mets were limited to 4 hits. Leftfielder Harris had 2 of those hits, one of them was a double. He scored a run.

 Pittsburgh Pirates 6 Chicago Cubs 3 – Pirates second baseman Neil Walker hit a grand slam home run off Cubs starter Ryan Dempster in the 5^th inning to give Pittsburgh a 4-2 lead. Teammate and standout centerfielder Andrew McCutchen doubled and also lined a 2-run homer in the 7^th. Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro had 3 singels in 5 at bats and scored twice.

Pirates starter Kevin Correia allowed 7 hits 2 ER in 6 innings. Closer Joel Hanrahan pick up a save – 1 hit 1 w, 2 SO in 1 inning. Attendance in Chicago 41,358.

Arizona Diamondbacks 7 Colorado Rockies 6 – Home runs by rightfielder Justin Upton and catcher Miguel Montero paced the visiting D’backs to a 11^th inning 7-6 victory over the Rockies. Ian Kennedy started the game for Arizona and pitched 6 innings, 6 hits 3 ER. Reliever Demel pitched the 10^th allowing 1 hit 0 runs and picked up the win. J.J. Putz collected the save by pitching the 11^th.  Colorado first baseman Carlos Gonzalez had 3 singles in 6 at bats, and scored once.

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