Our first full week of MLB action continued Tuesday, with Bryce Harper making his first return to Washington, D.C., as the undefeated Phillies opened a two-game series at Nationals Park. After signing a historic 10-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies this offseason, this was the first time in Harper's career that he'll step on the field in D.C. as an opponent.
Here is everything you need to know about the night in baseball.
Baseball schedule and scores for Tuesday, April 2
- FINAL -- Tigers 3, Yankees 1 (box score)
- FINAL -- Brewers 4, Reds 3 (box score)
- FINAL -- Phillies 8, Nationals 2 (box score)
- FINAL -- Orioles 2, Blue Jays 1 (box score)
- FINAL -- Mets 6, Marlins 5 (box score)
- FINAL -- Rays 4, Rockies 0 (box score)
- FINAL -- Rangers 6, Astros 4 (box score)
- FINAL -- Twins 5, Royals 4 in 10 innings (box score)
- FINAL -- Athletics 1, Red Sox 0 (box score)
- FINAL -- Diamondbacks 8, Padres 5 (box score)
- FINAL -- Mariners 2, Angels 1 (box score)
- FINAL -- Dodgers 6, Giants 5 (box score)
1. Harper booed in return to Washington
Not even a 45-minute rain delay could buy Bryce Harper a reprieve from Nationals fans. Harper was booed loudly throughout the game in his return to Nationals Park on Tuesday. He was booed during pregame introductions, during a planned tribute video, during his at-bats, and whenever he made a play in the field. All night long.
The only time Harper was cheered? When he struck out in his first at-bat. Max Scherzer got him to swing over top of a changeup. Here's the video:
Harper struck out in his second at-bat as well, but, after that, he doubled to right in his third at-bat and singled in a run in his fourth at-bat to help the Phillies break the game open. Do you think Bryce enjoyed that?
Plus, I met someone else
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 3, 2019
We havin' better discussions pic.twitter.com/KJnLKqAUKF
With the Phillies having built a 6-0 lead, their fans could be heard chanting "M! V! P!" and "We got Har-per!" in an otherwise silent Nationals Park in the sixth inning. Those fans got even louder in the eighth, as Harper put a 458-foot exclamation point on his night.
Believe it or not, the Phillies are 4-0 for the first time since 1915. They are the only remaining undefeated team in baseball. Even with the boos, it's hard to think the night could've gone any better for Harper and the Phillies.
2. Rays off to franchise record start
For the first time in franchise history, the Rays have won five of their first six regular season games. Tampa Bay and reigning Cy Young winner Blake Snell shut the Rockies out Tuesday night. Colorado was held to just two Trevor Story singles.
The Rays are smothering teams with run prevention in the early going. Since allowing five runs in an Opening Day loss, Tampa Bay has allowed five runs total in five games since, and never once more than two runs in a game. Their 10 runs allowed this season are the fewest in baseball among teams that have played at least five games.
Only once before have the Rays ever won as many as four of their first six games. That was 2012, when they started 4-2. That team finished 90-72, the same record as last year's Rays team, which won 28 of their final 39 games. The 2018 Rays finished very strong and the 2019 Rays picked up right where they left off.
3. Brewers win another one-run game
Another day, another one-run win for the Brewers. They've won five of their first six games for the first time since 2008, and four of their five wins have been by one run, including the last three. On Tuesday, shortstop Orlando Arcia was the hero with a three-run go-ahead home run.
That home run was Arcia's very first hit of the new season. Not his first homer. His first hit. Jhoulys Chacin allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings and Josh Hader slammed the door in the ninth inning for his fourth save. He "only" struck out two.
As for the Reds, they dropped to 1-3 on the young season after Tuesday's loss. That is not the start they were hoping for after a busy offseason intended to get them back in contention. That said, the Reds still have 158 games to play. There is a lot of baseball remaining. A lot.
4. Bellinger stays scorching hot with grand slam
Is anyone off to a quieter excellent start than Cody Bellinger? The Dodgers slugger went into Tuesday's game hitting .458 and leading the National League in hits (11), homers (4), RBI (8), and total bases (23). He added his 5th homer and 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th RBI with one swing against Madison Bumgarner.
Bellinger going deep off a tough lefty is notable. He hit .226/.305/.376 with six homers against southpaws last season. Any indication Bellinger is evening out his platoon split is good news for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers have hit an MLB leading 17 home runs this season, one more than the Mariners, who played two more games thanks to the Japan Series two weeks ago. The Athletics are the only other team with more than 10 homers. They have 13. Los Angeles has been hitting the snot out of the ball in the early going.
5. Shorthanded Yankees struggle offensively again
The Yankees currently have four regular position players on the injured list (Miguel Andujar, Didi Gregorius, Aaron Hicks, Giancarlo Stanton) and it is showing on the field. They were held to three runs or less for the third time in the last four games Tuesday night. Jordan Zimmermann shut them down through 6 2/3 innings.
Zimmermann gave the Yankees a taste of their own medicine. The Yankees are a noted anti-fastball team, meaning they throw fewer fastballs than just about any other club, and Zimmermann threw 36 fastballs against 57 breaking balls Tuesday. He kept throwing the Yankees soft stuff and that made hard contact tough to come by.
Due to all their injuries, the Yankees batted singles hitter DJ LeMahieu fifth and scrap heap pickup Mike Tauchman sixth on Tuesday night. Last week it was Andujar and Gary Sanchez in the fifth and sixth spots with Gleyber Torres in the eighth spot. Torres hit cleanup Tuesday. In just one week, the Yankees have seen their lineup thin out considerably, and runs are suddenly at a premium.
6. Greinke hits two home runs
Ten strikeouts on the mound and two home runs at the plate make for a great night for Zack Greinke. The D-Backs ace became the first pitcher in exactly two years to have a two-homer game. Madison Bumgarner (who else?) was the last pitcher to do it. He went deep twice against Greinke's D-Backs on this date two years ago.
Here is Greinke's second homer:
Greinke has already tied his career high in home runs (2) and RBI (5 set last year). Two dingers and a quality start is a good day at the office.
7. Highlight of the night: Laureano nails Bogaerts at third
For the second time in as many days, A's center fielder Ramon Laureano threw Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts out on the bases. Monday night he cut him down at the plate. On Tuesday, he made this whale of a throw from deep center field to get Bogaerts at third base. Check it out:
Note the situation: The A's led 1-0 with one out in the ninth inning. On one hand, you can't make an out at third base there. You just can't. On the other hand, it took a spectacular throw to get Bogaerts at third, plus the play was close enough to be reviewed. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to the defender. What a throw.
Quick hits
- Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox has reportedly been hospitalized with a possible stroke.
- Ronald Acuna and the Braves are have finalized an eight-year, $100 million contract extension. Here's more on the elite youngster's deal.
- The Rockies and German Marquez have agreed to a five-year extension worth $43 million. Here's more on his deal.
- Randal Grichuk and the Blue Jays have finalized a five-year extension worth $52 million. Here's more on his signing.
- The Blue Jays dealt longtime outfielder Kevin Pillar to the San Francisco Giants. More on the trade details here.
- Atlanta Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz will begin his rehab assignment on Tuesday with the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. Foltynewicz is scheduled to make two rehab starts, which would mean he could be ready to join the Braves in about two weeks. He's recovering from right elbow soreness he first experienced during spring training.
- Daniel Murphy will miss at least a month with his left index finger avulsion fracture. Colorado Rockies manager Bud Back confirmed the news in an interview with MLB Network Radio on Tuesday. Murphy injured his finger in Friday's game while making a diving stop at first base. Pat Valaika will most likely take on a bench role for the infield as Ryan McMahon and Mark Reynolds are expected to split time at first base.
