Newcomer’s no-hitter is a big deal for Padres
third base, and Eugenio Suarez shifted from third to shortstop.
“I’m confident out here,” India said. “No nerves. I’m just playing the game I know how to play. This is my dream. It’s everything I expected and more.”
❚ The Reds set a franchise high by scoring 56 runs in their first six games. The previous best was 51 in 1976, a lineup that had four Hall of Famers and won the World Series.
Milwaukee Brewers
OF Avisail Garcia showed he could be a big contributor this season when he went 2for-4 with a double, a home run and five RBI on April 9 against the Cardinals at St. Louis, then hit another homer the next day.
Garcia hit .238 last year in his first season with the Brewers after being signed to a two-year, $20 million contract.
“You just got to keep working, and don’t lose your energy, your focus,” he said. “Don’t be frustrated, because it’s a hard game.”
❚ IF Jace Peterson likely will get the majority of starts while 2B Kolten Wong is on the injured list because of a strained muscle in his left side. The Brewers signed Wong as a free agent in the offseason.
Pittsburgh Pirates
RHP David Bednar made a good early impression on his hometown team after being acquired from the San Diego Padres in an offseason trade for RHP Joe Musgrove.
The rookie relief pitcher did not allow a run and had 18 strikeouts in 8 2⁄3 spring training innings. And while he was touched for two runs in 3 1⁄3 innings over his first four regularseason appearances, he allowed just two runs and no walks.
The native of Valencia, Pennsylvania, also retired the only batter he faced in the home opener against the Chicago Cubs. “It was a dream come true,” said Bednar, who attended the first game at PNC Park in 2001 when he was 6 years old.
❚ A moment of silence was held at PNC Park for Phil Coyne, who died at 102. He spent 80 years as an usher at Forbes Field, Three Rivers Stadium and PNC Park until retiring in 2019.
St. Louis Cardinals
RHP Kwang Hyun Kim was getting closer to making his season debut after beginning the year on the injured list because of a strained back. Kim threw 90 pitches in his second simulated game and was expected to join the Cardinals on April 16.
The Cardinals signed the former Korean Baseball Organization star as a free agent before last season. He got the save on opening day, moved into the rotation and made seven starts, finishing 3-0 with a 1.62 ERA.
❚ 3B Nolan Arenado had a hit in each of his first eight games, matching Roger Maris in 1967 for the longest hitting streak by a new Cardinals player. Arenado belted a two-run homer to lift the Cardinals to a 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the home opener.
NL WEST Arizona Diamondbacks
RF Kole Calhoun (knee surgery) had a two-run double in his first game back, a welcome sign for Arizona with CF Ketel Marte (hamstring) out.
Calhoun led Arizona in home runs and RBI last season and is considered a plus defender.
SS Nick Ahmed (knee) also returned, and RHP Zac Gallen (forearm) was expected to be activated soon.
❚ The Diamondbacks injury list included first base coach Dave McKay, who suffered a broken rib and lacerated spleen after slipping on the dugout steps in spring training. He had hoped to return for the home opener but needed more time.
Colorado Rockies
When the Rockies brought up IF Alan Trejo, it was likely more than just a move to replace IF-OF Chris Owings (thumb). Trejo could be Colorado’s shortstop this year if, as expected, the club trades SS Trevor Story.
Trejo, 24, used a nonroster invitation to spring training to impress team officials. His glove never has been an issue, but when he hit well at camp it accelerated his development even though he had never played above Class AA.
Trejo, who also has played third and second base, had 15 home runs in 125 Class AA games in 2019. He and 2B Brendan Rodgers could be the Rockies’ future middle infielders.
❚ RHP Jon Gray exited his first start because of full body cramps, which were blamed on a bad pregame meal. Gray went with a banana peanut butter sandwich before his second outing on April 8 and took a nohit bid into the seventh inning versus the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Los Angeles Dodgers
RHP Kenley Jansen is being challenged for his longtime role as the closer. Manager Dave Roberts also is turning to RHP Corey Knebel in high-leverage situations.
Knebel, a former NL All-Star, earned his second save of the season by striking out three Washington Nationals in the ninth inning in the Dodgers’ home opener.
Two days earlier, Jansen blew the save against the Oakland Athletics when he retired only three of the six batters he faced.
❚ The Dodgers’ 11-carat, 2020 World Series ring features 222 round diamonds, 10 princesscut diamonds, 45 custom-cut sapphires and eight round sapphires.
San Diego Padres
RHP Joe Musgrove wasn’t the best pitcher the Padres acquired in the offseason, but he came through with a historic performance.
Musgrove threw the first nohitter in team history in an outing that included 10 strikeouts and no walks as he dominated the Texas Rangers on April 9. It snapped a major league record span of 8,205 games in which the Padres had failed to produce a no-no.
RHP Yu Darvish and LHP Blake Snell received most of the attention when they joined the Padres. Musgrove’s story was more of a coming-home tale for the El Cajon, California, native, but he has pitched like an ace more than a No. 3 starter.
❚ SS Fernando Tatis Jr. will have to deal with his separated left shoulder after the season, when it can be surgically repaired, but he could return this week. Ha-Seong Kim was getting most of the playing time with Tatis idle.
San Francisco Giants
The Giants broke from the gate with solid starting pitching and a belief that they can chase a playoff spot while continuing to rebuild their roster.
RHP Johnny Cueto fell in the line with his rotation mates when he extended a sevengame streak in which San Francisco starters worked a minimum of five innings and surrendered no more than three runs.
Cueto was masterful in the team’s home opener with his longest stint since 2016, allowing one run in 8 2⁄3 innings. He struggled last season, his first year back after Tommy John elbow surgery.
❚ Hall of Famer Willie McCovey’s statue outside Oracle Park will be in storage until 2023 because of development around the venue. The statues of Willie Mays, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda and Gaylord Perry remain in place.