Los Angeles, CA
The 2009 major league baseball season is underway. In what was a beautiful day for baseball at Chavez Ravine in sunny southern California the Los Angeles Dodgers opened up the season against their most hated rival, the San Francisco Giants. Just two days before the league celebrates the 62nd second anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier the Dodgers outmatched the visiting team.
From the pregame Opening Day ceremonies that include banners hanging, a B-2 fly-over, and Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully throwing a strike to get the festivities going, everything looked cool for Joe Torre's squad. Once new ace Chad Billingsley took the mound the Dodger's delighted the record breaking home crowd with a dominating performance over San Francisco. Dueling with Giants pitcher and sure bet Hall of Famer Randy Johnson was Billingsley's foe for the day. He got in, did the work(106 pitches, 5 hits in seven innings, and striking out 11) and went home a winner. Johnson did however bring an impressive 7-0 record, 2.04 lifetime ERA at Dodger stadium coming into the contest, only to be chased early. Like the impressive LA win over Jake Peavy in the season opener, the Dodgers sent Randy Johnson on his way after 7 runs in just 3 2/3 innings. The Big Unit will have to wait a few more days to try and notch career win no. 296.
Although it will gladly be debated by Dodger fans and staff alike which was more outstanding; Orlando Hudson's big day or Billingsley's great outing on the mound, teammate Andre Ethier cast his vote for the young ace,
"I don't think the cycle was the marquee. It was Chad, the way he pitched."Ethier added,"We did what we needed to do and had to do for the fans, a victory over our rival, the Giants, and showed them what we've got."The Dodger faithful are assuredly equally excited at the prospect of success with this new season. Especially after watching second baseman Hudson go for the first Dodger cycle hit inside Dodger stadium and the first since Wes Parker did it in 1970(1oth inning triple) and longer more since it was done in nine innings like Gil Hodges did 50 years ago in 1949. Also contributing to the offensive onslaught was Andre Ethier hitting two home runs that drove in four, another RBI double by Hudson, and two 2-run singles by Furcal and Martin.
This was certainly a wonderful way to start the home season for Los Angeles who has the day off before hosting the Giants again on Wednesday night. That pitching matchup should be rookie Clayton Kershaw for LA, with Matt Cain countering for San Fran. The Giants, losers of four straight fall to 2-5 while the Dodgers up three sit at 5-2 on the young season. Notable quote: "This is special," said Hudson. "This means more to me than the All-Star Game, more than the Gold Glove."
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