APRIL 6th

Expos (0-0) @ Pirates (0-0)
CANDY MAN WHIFFS 10
If not for Al Oliver's RBI-double in the top of the 9th, this would have been a glittering shutout for Candelaria. Pittsburgh manager Chuck Tanner, who'd stated before the game that he wasn't sure he was going to start his lefty because it was a bit on the cool side, was happy with the outcome. "Whenever you start the season off at home, against a team that should have went to the World Series the year before, you have to be happy."

WP - Candelaria (1-0)
LP - Rogers (0-1)
Final Score : Pirates 3, Expos 1

Indians (0-0) @ Brewers (0-0)
TRIBE HAMMERS BREWER HURLERS
Cleveland mounted a dramatic 6th inning comeback, scoring 6 runs thanks in large part to Brewer starter Pete Vuckovich's 4 consecutive walks surrendered. Indians starting pitcher, Bert Blyleven, left the with stiffness in his throwing elbow, an injury he picked up this past off-season, and it was announced after the game that he would miss his next start. Rick Sutcliffe's 4 and 1/3 innings of superlative relief shows that he belongs in the Cleveland rotation, not in long relief like manager Dave Garcia thinks. A surprise start for the Tribe in right field was super-prospect Von Hayes, a forgotten man this past spring and it *was* said that Bake McBride would be the starter.

WP - Sutcliffe (1-0)
LP - Vuckovich (0-1)
Final Score : Cleveland 10, Brewers 6

Blue Jays (0-0) @ Tigers (0-0)
MORRIS STRONG IN SEASON DEBUT
Braving near zero degrees celsius temperatures, both teams shivered their way to a super ballgame. Jim Clancy showed that he continues to be vulnerable to the longball, surrendering two of them in the 2nd inning to Hebner and Brookens. Tiger ace, Jack Morris, was strong, going the distance and showing the Jay lineup just how this new split-finger pitch of his works.

WP - Morris (1-0)
LP - Clancy (0-1)
Final Score : Detroit 4, Blue Jays 1


Rangers (0-0) @ Yankees (0-0)
WINFIELD BLASTS PROVIDE FUEL FOR WIN
It was thanks, in large part, to Dave Winfield's pair of home runs (and four RBIs), that New York wins their home opener. The Big Man himself, Mr. George, was very happy after the game, "I really like the feel of this team. The addition of Griffey and Collins is going to put this lineup over the top." On the other hand, it is going to be a very long season for Don Zimmer's Rangers, who's pitching staff and lineup is patchwork.

WP - Guidry (1-0)
LP - Honeycutt (0-1)
Final Score : Yankees 7, Rangers 2

Red Sox (0-0) @ White Sox (0-0)
ECKERSLEY NOT SHARP IN COMISKEY OPENER
It's said that this season is the season that Eckersley gets back to his pre-1980 form, now that his sore back is a thing of the past. But, today's game didn't give too many Boston Red Sox fans positive feelings. Eckersley, was hit hard today serving up 5 earned runs on 9 hits over 4 and 2/3 innings of work. One of the finest young lefthanders in the game today, Britt Burns, put in some solid moundwork lasting almost 8 full innings and allowing only a pair of earned runs. A very concerning situation for the Chisox occurred in the 8th inning. With Dave Stapleton at the plate, little Salome Barojas was brought in by manager LaRussa to secure the win. On Barojas' 2nd pitch to Stapleton, the tiny Mexican reliever winced in pain and hopped down off the mound, holding his throwing arm. Chicago trainers came out and he was immediately removed from the game, replaced by Chico Escarrega. After the game, it was announced that White Sox trainers are still looking at the current state of Barojas' arm and are trying to determine if this is going to be a long-term injury that is in need of further investigation.

WP - Burns (1-0)
SV - Escarrega (1)
LP - Eckersley (0-1)
Final Score : White Sox 6, Red Sox 4


New York (0-0) @ Philadelphia (0-0)
SWAN OUTDUELS CARLTON
Lefty Carlton was quite hittable today, giving up 12 hits, yet still fanning 8 batters while walking none. But, this wasn't enough as the recently re-tooled Philadelphia lineup couldn't get it done against Mets starter Craig Swan. Neil Allen was brought in to the game in the 9th inning to secure the win with runners on first and second, getting DeJesus and then pinch-hitter George Vukovich to fly out.

WP - Swan (1-0)
SV - Allen (1)
LP - Carlton (0-1)
Final Score : New York 3, Phillies 2

Cardinals (0-0) @ Astros (0-0)
HOUSTON BLOW GAME IN 7TH
Astro reliever Dave Smith, normally one of the best arms on this Houston staff, let this win get away from him today, serving up an ill-timed 3-run home run to George Hendrick. This iced the 6-5 win for St. Louis, capping off a strange game that saw Nolan Ryan walk 10 batters and fan 8, yet still be in a position to get the win.

WP - B. Forsch (1-0)
SV - Sutter (1)
LP - Smith (0-1)
Final Score : Cardinals 6, Astros 5

Mariners (0-0) @ Twins (0-0)
TWINS WIN IN METRODOME OPENER
All of the officials from the City of Minneapolis/St. Paul were on hand to open the brand new Hubert H. Humphery Metrodome. The Twins jumped out to the early lead on Floyd Bannister, and never surrendered it. Gary Gaetti opened the scoring with solo shot in the 2nd, and then added another solo shot later in the 6th inning. Meanwhile, Twins starter Roger Erickson was his usual efficient self allowing only 2 earned runs on 7 hits, while striking out 3 and walking none.

WP - Erickson (1-0)
LP - Bannister (0-1)
Final Score : Twins 3, Mariners 2


San Francisco (0-0) @ Dodgers (0-0)
VALENZUELA WHIFFS 11 IN 4-HIT SHUTOUT
Fernandomania continues !
Baseball's rookie phenom picked up where he left off last season, even despite the scare he put into all Dodger fans with his very recent off-season holdout. He was absolutely dominating against a Giant lineup that looked like schoolboys trying to catch up with his screwball today.

WP - Valenzuela (1-0)
LP - Holland (0-1)
Final Score : Dodgers 3, Giants 0

Braves (0-0) @ Padres (0-0)
MAHLER TWIRLS SHUT-OUT IN PADRES HOME OPENER
Junk-balling Rick Mahler, arguably the National League's ugliest man, surprised the heck out of everyone throwing a handy shutout over the hometown Padres.

WP - Mahler (1-0)
LP - Eichelberger (0-1)
Final Score : Braves 2, Padres 0

Angels (0-0) @ Athletics(0-0)
GRICH 3-RUN HOME PROVES TO BE WINNING BLOW
A 3-run Bobby Grich home run is the difference-maker in California's spoiling of Billyball's '82 opening. It all came down to Oakland bats sputtering out with men on base and/or in scoring position.

WP - K. Forsch (1-0)
SV - Sanchez (1)
LP - Langford (0-1)
Final Score : Angels 4, Athletics 3