The Daily Closer: A-Rod Will Accept Your Apology Now

Notes from a day in baseball:

• Let's Hear It For Captain Carl! Just as we predicted,* Alex Rodriguez and Carl Pavano are producing early for the Yankees, and it's paying off. Pavano threw seven strong innings, A-Rod homered for the third straight game and Bobby Abreu went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI to lead New York over Minnesota 8-2. Pavano (1-0) gave up six hits and two runs for his first win since May 22, 2005. "Some days, it feels like yesterday. Sometimes, a lifetime,'' said Pavano, who makes as little sense now as he did in '05. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, who should know, Rodriguez became the first player in Yankees history to hit five homers in the team's first six games. He leads the majors in both homers and RBI with 13. Of course it remains to be seen if Pavano will be worth the $40 million or so the Yankees paid for him.

• Shootout At Petco Park. In this corner, San Diego's Chris Young. In this corner, San Francisco's Matt Cain. And over here, pinch-hitter Geoff Blum, whose sacrifice fly was the difference in the Padres' 1-0 win over the Giants. Cain had a no-hitter going until Khalil Greene had a leadoff double in the seventh; one of only two San Diego hits. But Young, Cla Meredith and Trevor Hoffman combined on a five-hitter, th Padres' bullpen extending its scoreless streak to 20 2/3 innings. The Giants dropped to 1-6; their worst start since 1980.

• Taste The Rockies. When's the last time the Colorado Rockies were part of the conversation? Jeff Francis pitched well over 6 2/3 innings and Garrett Atkins homered and drove in three as Colorado broke the Dodgers' four-game winning streak, 6-3, in LA's home opener. Jason Schmidt (1-1), making his second start for the Dodgers after signing a three-year, $47 million contract in December, left in the fifth with tightness in his right hamstring. And in looking at the photo from that magical moment, we noticed that the Dodgers' new head trainer is Stan Conte, who had been with the Giants for 15 seasons before "stepping down" after last season for "unknown reasons." Although his being "called to testify" before the "grand jury" about "Barry Bonds" may have had something to do with it.

• Let's Go O's! Nine straight losing seasons? No problem. Baltimore is back, baby! Daniel Cabrera allowed two runs over 7 2/3 innings and Kevin Millar homered in a four-run third as the Orioles won their home opener, 6-2 over the Tigers, before 48,159 fans.

• Do Not Mock The Loop. With Chris Carpenter out with an elbow problem, Braden Looper is going to have to get it done. (!!!!) Albert Pujols doubled and scored a run as Looper threw a two-hitter over seven innings in the Cards' 3-0 win over the Pirates.

* = Not an actual prediction.

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