For nearly 6 innings, Houston starter Phil Niekro was untouchable. Niekro retired the 1st 17 Chicago Docs batters he faced before Jeff Kent’s 2-out double in the 6th. That opened up a 4-run two-out rally for Chicago, capped by Barry Bonds 2-run double. Chicago had 4 doubles and a walk, all with 2 outs. Meanwhile, the Houston Hoots offense stalled against Orel Hershiser. Hershiser finished with 3 runs and 6 hits allowed in 6 innings. Roy Oswalt pitched two scoreless innings of relief, and Billy Wagner collected his 3rd save in as many games, allowing a leadoff single to Rogers Hornsby before striking out the side in the 9th. Chicago finished in last place last season, but is 3-0 to start this year.

Docs @ Hoots – 4/3/23

Charlie Blackwell went 4 for 4 with a home run and 4 RBI to lead the Detroit Rockets to a 6-2 win over the Oakland Jacks. The reigning champions are off to a 3-0 start to the season. David Cone did his part too, going the distance, allowing just 2 runs and 6 hits in his complete game victory. Oakland’s Hal Newhauser ran into trouble in the 1st inning, but pitched out of a bases-loaded jam. He didn’t look comfortable on the mound all game. He finished after 7 innings, allowing 11 hits and walking 4. The Jacks avoided the shutout in the 7th with back-to-back RBI base-hits by Ken Griffey Jr. and Lou Gehrig. Álex Rodríguez and Bobby Veach each had 3 hits for the Rockets.

Rockets @ Jacks – 4/3/23

Greg Maddux allowed just 3 hits against his former team, shutting out the Los Angeles Dynamos to give the St. Louis Wizards a 7-0 win. It was their first win of the season. LA’s Randy Johnson struck out 11 in 6 innings, but also allowed 7 hits, walked 5, and hit a batter. St. Louis was able to capitalize, scoring 3 runs off Johnson. Mike Schmidt hit a 3-run home run off reliever Jim Bunning to really put the game out of reach. But the Wizards didn’t need it. After a Ron Santo triple in the 1st, Maddux didn’t allow another hit until the 7th inning. It’s also an inning that he struck out the side. He finished with 7 strikeouts. After dropping two games to the Chicago Docs to start the season, the Wizards really needed the win. Larry Walker and Ozzie Smith both went 3 for 4 in the game. Maddux was just 2-3 last year with Los Angeles, and didn’t pitch a shutout.

Dynamos @ Wizards – 4/3/23

Pedro Martínez couldn’t stop the New York Swats from an 0-3 start. Martínez allowed 7 hits and 2 earned runs in 6 innings, and another unearned run thanks to his error. All three runs were in the 2nd inning. Jim Palmer pitched 5 scoreless innings for the Splinters before walking in a run in the 6th. Cal Ripken Jr. followed with a sacrifice fly that got New York to within a run. But George Brett homered off reliever Ted Lyons in the 7th, and drove in another run in the 8th when Boston put up 4 to increase their lead to 8-3. Brett finished 4 for 5. Jim Kaat pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the Splinters. New York’s Babe Ruth also homered in the game.

Splinters @ Swats – 4/3/23