MLB Recap: April 4th

                                                                                           ESPN

Yankees 4  Twins 3

The Yankees kept their hots bat going early in this game, and it turned out to be all they need. Minnesota starter Scott Baker gave up a 2-run shot to ARod(2) in the first, and another 2-run homer to Jorge Posada(3) to give the Yanks a early 4-0 lead. Ian Nova pitched well for the Yankees, and they got one great inning each from Chamberlain, Soriano and Rivera. Jim Thome got his first two RBIs of the year for the Twins.

Braves 2  Brewers 1

The Brewers got a brilliant start out of starter Chris Narveson, who went 6 shutout innings with just 3 hits. They should have had the game in hand, but the Braves got their own great performance from Brandon Beachy. Headed into the 8th inning, the Brewers were up 1-0 with reliever Takashi Saito in the game. In the inning, he gave up a solo home run to Martin Prado(1), and then another to newcomer Dan Uggla(2). That lead stood, and the Braves took the series opener in a pitchers' duel. The Brewers got their lone run from a home run by Rickie Weeks(3).

Cubs 4  Diamondbacks 1

Cubs starter Randy Wells gave up a leadoff home run to Willie Bloomquist on Monday, then shut down the lineup for the rest of the game. Wells lasted 6 innings, and striking out six while giving up just that one run. Alfonso Soriano tied the game with his second home run of the year in the 3rd, and the Cubs were able to tack on three more throughout the game. Kerry Wood got in a bit of a jam in the 8th, but was able to prevent any runs, and Marmol closed it out in the 9th.

Orioles 5  Tigers 1

Break up the Orioles! The team is on its best start since 1997 with a 4-0 record after their win over Detroit on Monday. The O's got a great start again, this time out of Jake Arrieta. Arrieta went 6 innings, giving up 1 run on 6 hits. The game was tied in the 5th, until Brian Roberts(2) hit a 3-run shot off of Rick Porcello to break the game open.

Rangers 6  Mariners 4

The Rangers hot bats also continued today, specifically that of Nelson Cruz, who joined some elite company tonight. Cruz became just the third player all time to hit 4 home runs in his team's first 4 games, joining Mark McGwire and Willie Mays. The home run came off of Erik Bedard, the second of two home runs the Rangers hit in this game. The first was off the bat of Elvis Andrus, hit first of the season, and coming off a season in which he didn't hit one. Derek Holland got the W with 6 solid innings.

Pirates 4  Cardinals 3

The Pirates needed just one big inning to take their third game out of their first four to start off 2011. Coming into the 6th inning, the Cardinals had a 1-0 lead and were getting a shutout performance from starter Kyle Lohse. However, after a Neil Walker double to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead, Andrew McCutchen hit his second homer of the year and extended the lead to 4-1. The Cards were able to tack on two in the 8th, but Joel Hanrahan closed out the game in the 9th for the Pirates.