Peak Performers and Ragged Raps on Opening Day

National League Hanley Ramirez, shortstop for the Florida Marlins, got his season off to a great start on Monday as the Marlins hammered Washington, 9-2. Ramirez, batting in the leadoff spot, went 4 for 4 with a pair of doubles, two steals, 4 runs scored and an RBI just for good measure. Dontrelle Willis got the win with 6 innings pitched. Edgar Renteria crashed two homers for the Atlanta Braves, including the two-run game-winner in the 10th which boosted Atlanta to the 5-3 win at Philly. 2 for 5, 2 runs, 3 RBI. Nice start. Adam Dunn homered in his first two at bats, driving in 3 runs as the Reds opened at home with a win over the Cubs. How many losses for this season's Cubbies? My guess is 97. American League Seattle's Felix Hernandez blanked the Oakland A's on 3 hits over 8 innings, striking out 12 with just 2 walks. Seattle won 4-0. Last season, Hernandez was 12-14 with a 4.52 ERA for the Mariners. Alex Rodriguez went 2 for 5, scored twice, drove in 2 with a home run and stolen base as the Yankees thumped the Devil Rays in NY. That should quiet the A-Rod haters for a day or two. Cleveland scored 5 in the first, 5 in the second and 2 in the third inning to dampen the home opener for the White Sox with a 12-5 win. Chicago's starter, Jose Contreras, pitched all of one inning, allowing 7 hits and 8 runs (7 earned). Gil Meche, 55-44 with the Mariners since 1999, started out just fine for Kansas City, striking out 6 in 7 1/3 innings to lead the Royals to a 7-1 win over the Red Sox. Justin Morneau and Torii Hunter both hit their first homers f the season and Johann Santana picked up win #1 as the Twins beat the Orioles 7-4.