Around the Horn - 4/9

0 wins, 7 losses, 15 runs scored, a .235 team batting average. Those are the woeful stats of the Detroit Tigers who remained winless after the Red Sox won their home opener, 5-0. The Tigers haven't started this badly since their forgettable 119 loss campaign of 2003. How long until Jim Leyland pops his cork?

Kudos to the Red Sox yesterday (yes it pains us to say that)- they had Bill Buckner throw out the ceremonial 1st pitch. Billy Bucks has been unfairly known as the goat of the 1986 World Series because of the ball that went through his legs in Game 6, helping to extend the "Curse of the Bambino". But the real goat was manager John McNamara who wanted Buckner out there to celebrate the championship. McNamara knew Buckner was no longer the defensive gem he once was. The Red Sox also honored current and former members of the Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins.

With K-Rod sidelined for a few days with an ankle injury and Scot Shields coming off an ineffective season, the Angels gave Justin Speier a chance to close out last night's game with the Indians. The result? A Travis Hafner 2-run HR that won it for the Tribe.

Alan Embree blew a 2-run lead on a Frank Thomas HR in the 8th, but the A's prevailed over the Jays in the 9th, 9-8, on Ryan Sweeney's RBI triple. Huston Street picked up his first save and had his first scoreless appearance. The home run was #516 for The Big Hurt.

Aubrey Huff and the Orioles are on a tear. Huff had 4 hits and 4 RBI yesterday as the O's won their 6th straight, 8-1 over the Rangers. Can the Rangers ever get pitching?

Erik Bedard won his first game as a Mariners in the M's 6-5 win over the Rays. Remember when Ichiro couldn't buy a hit during spring training? With a 3-hit day, he's hitting .324. The Rays have lost 3 straight after winning 3 of their first 4.

The Phillies still have the Mets number. They won the last 8 meetings last season to help clinch the Wild Card. Yesterday they ruined the Mets home opener and a nice performance by starter Oliver Perez, by rallying from a 2-0 deficit late to win 5-2.

Troy Glaus delivered a decisive 2-run double in the 8th in the Cards 5-3 win over the Astros.

Mark Reynolds stayed red hot for the Diamondbacks, homering for the 5th time in as many games. He and Connor Jackson each drove in 3 runs as the Dbacks toppled the Dodgers 10-5. Doug Davis, battling thyroid cancer, picked up his first win of the year. He'll undergo surgery tomorrow. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Davis and his family.

Closer Brian Wilson blew the Giants one run lead to the Padres in the 9th, but Bengie Molina saved him with a walk-off home run in the 11th. Molina's 2nd home run of the game gave the Giants a 3-2 win.

Matt Holliday had 3 hits and a pair of RBI in the Rockies 4-3 win over the Braves.

Eric Gagne gave up a 9th, game tying home run to the Reds Corey Patterson for his 2nd blown save of the season. But Richie Weeks delivered a walk-off single in the 10th to give the Brewers a 3-2 victory.

Injury News

The Twins are expected to place starter Matt Garza on the DL with nerve irritation in his arm. The plan is to have Francisco Liriano take Garza's place on Sunday.

The Red Sox have placed Bartolo Colon on the minor league DL with a strained oblique.

B.J. Ryan made his 2nd rehab appearance for the Jays; Randy Johnson struck out 7 in a 6 inning rehab start. He allowed 3 runs.

The Nationals have placed Dmitri Young on the DL with a sore back.

Mets right-hander El Duque has been sent for an MRI due to continued soreness in his right foot.

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