The Marlins’ new leadoff hitter is so fast he can beat out a home run.
Emilio Bonifacio became a crowd favorite in his Marlins’ debut in Miami yesterday, hitting the majors’ first inside-the-park homer on Opening Day since 1968 and going 4-for-5 in a 12-6 victory over his former team, the Nationals.
Florida also hit three homers over the fence, including Hanley Ramirez’s grand slam.
The offense was a bonus coming from Bonifacio, who joined Florida with a reputation as a slick-fielding but light-hitting speedster.
The last inside-the-park home run on opening day was by Boston’s Carl Yastrzemski on April 10, 1968. Bonifacio also stole three bases and scored all four times he reached.
One bright spot for Washington was the bat of newcomer Adam Dunn, who drove in four runs with a homer and a double.
Diamondbacks 9, Rockies 8
In Phoenix, Tony Clark and Arizona newcomer Felipe Lopez each homered from both sides of the plate, and the Diamondbacks beat the Rockies in a home-run derby of an opener.
Lopez and Clark are the first switch-hitting teammates to homer from both sides of the plate in a game since Jorge Posada and Bernie Williams did it for the Yankees on April 23, 2000. It had never been done on opening day.
Cubs 4, Astros 2
In Houston, Carlos Zambrano pitched into the seventh inning to get his first Opening Day win in five chances, leading the Cubs to a victory over the Astros.
Dodgers 4, Padres 1
In San Diego, Hiroki Kuroda outpitched San Diego’s ace Jake Peavy, leading the defending NL West champions to a victory without a hit from Manny Ramirez.
Pirates 6, Cardinals 4
In St. Louis, Jack Wilson hit a three-run double to cap a four-run ninth inning off rookie closer Jason Motte, leading Pittsburgh over the Cardinals.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Rangers 9, Indians 1
In Arlington, Cliff Lee, the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner, allowed seven runs and 10 hits in five innings, including Hank Blalock’s three-run homer, and the Rangers routed the Indians in their season opener. Kevin Millwood allowed one run over seven innings in his fourth consecutive open ing-day start for Texas. The 34-year-old right-hander lost his first three.
Blue Jays 12, Tigers 5
In Toronto, Adam Lind homered and drove in six runs, leading Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays to a win over the Tigers.
Umpires waved both teams off the field for nine minutes in the bottom of the eighth inning after two balls were thrown from the stands in the direction of Tigers left fielder Josh Anderson. Groundskeepers cleared paper airplanes and empty beer cups from the warning track as the public address announcer read a message warning fans the game could be forfeited.
Mariners 6, Twins 1
In Minneapolis, Ken Griffey Jr. got off to a great second start with the Mariners, hitting an opening-night home run to back Felix Hernandez in a victory over the Twins.
Angels 3, Athletics 0
In Anaheim, Joe Saunders pitched into the seventh inning and Howie Kendrick homered and singled in another run, leading the Angels past the Athletics.
