Just Baseball Highlight Reel: April 12, 2022

We got to see all 30 teams Tuesday in another action-packed day at the start of the season. Here is your look back at all the most important moments from the day.

Red Sox Offense Breaks Out

After struggling Monday and being quiet early, the Red Sox offense finally woke up to pick up a win over the Tigers. After Kiké Hernandez opened the scoring with an RBI double, Rafael Devers brought him around with an RBI-double to cut the lead to just a run.

Then it was JD Martinez who came through with an RBI-double to tie the game. The call was challenged by the Tigers to see if it was a foul ball, but it was upheld as a fair balll.

Come the eighth, the game was still tied until Devers came through again. With a familiar runner on second base in Hernandez, Devers went against the shift to bring him around and take the lead. They would not look back and evened the series with a 4-3 victory in the Motor City.

Duel Of Ohio

Cleveland and Cincinnati played a 10-6 game and it was not between the Bengals and Browns. The Reds and Guardians played a thriller Tuesday in Cincinnati’s home opener. Shane Bieber dealt early, taking a no-hitter into the sixth, but got pulled after giving up a two-run double to Jonathan India in the sixth. Still trailing 4-2, Tyler Naquin went lefty-lefty to deep right field to tie game.

Out of nowhere, the Reds had life.

However, the Guardians would explode for a six-run ninth and take the victory. After Andrés Giménez hit a two-run homer to take the lead, José Ramirez hit a grand slam to put an exclamation point on this one.

Rays Walk It Off

After falling behind in the first inning for the second night in a row, the Rays pounced on the A’s for six runs in the first three innings. However, the A’s would come through with a big seventh inning to bring the game all the way back and tie it at seven thanks to this double by Chad Pinder.

The game went to extras, and after the A’s took the lead in the 10th, Wander Franco doubled to tie things up. Franco is off to an incredible start, hitting .550 with three doubles. To deliver the final blow, Manuel Margot lined one into the left field corner, bringing Franco around easily and walking off with a 9-8 victory.

Halos Down Marlins Late

Jesús Luzardo was the story in this game. After struggling mightily in his first taste in the big leagues last year, the Marlins were very excited about the young lefty heading into 2022. The organization believed an offseason with pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. would pay huge dividends for him, and so far they look quite astute.

He was fantastic in spring, showing off his elite arsenal with new found command, and even better Tuesday. Luzardo set a career-high with 12 strikeouts in five two-hit innings while allowing just one run.

However, after he exited Anthony Rendon gave the Angels the lead with a two-run homer. No fear, Jazz Chisholm Jr. answered right back with his second of the year to tie the game at three.

With not a lot going until the ninth for either side, Anthony Bender took the mound for the Marlins and allowed the winning run to score without giving up a hit. A walk, stolen base (that probably should have been overturned), wild pitch and fielder’s choice brought Tyler Wade around to walk it off.

Brewers Salvage Disaster

The Brewers jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but found themselves behind again early thanks to a Cedric Mullins grand slam.

A team built on starting pitching has been a disaster in that department so far, and looks to be in a lot of trouble. Losing two in a row to the Orioles would have really sounded the alarms.

However, they clawed back into it and a double by Willy Adames tied the game. Andrew McCutchen would come up with his first clutch moment in a Brewers uniform, knocking in the go-ahead run in the seventh. Devin Williams threw some gorgeous airbenders, and the Brewers won 5-4.

Lu Bob Powers ChiSox

Matt Brash, Just Baseball’s #92 prospect, was outstanding in his Major League debut. Having never pitched above Double-A, he made the Mariners roster this year and showed he is worthy. Brash struck out six and allowed just two runs in 5 1/3 innings and displayed filthy stuff, like this 2995 RPM knucle curve.

Eugenio Suárez gave his team an early lead with his first home run in a Seattle uniform. However, Luis Robert—who had already a tremendous catch Tuesday—finally figured out Brash and took him deep to give the Sox a 3-1 lead. The M’s would get a run in the ninth, but Liam Hendriks struck out Mitch Haniger to hold them off.

Red Hot Redbirds

The Cardinals continued their hot offensive start, taking a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Nolan Arenado is one of the hottest Redbirds to start the year, as he already has three home runs following this two-run blast.

The Royals would tie the game in the second thanks in part to the first of two Salvador Pérez home runs. The Cards would answer with three more of their own in the third, and the Royals would get two back but it was not enough. The moment of the night in the Cardinals 6-5 win was Albert Pujols hitting his first home run since returning to St. Louis.

Giant Offensive Explosion

San Francisco trounced Yu Darvish for nine runs on eight hits in just 1 2/3 innings. It was a disastrous start for Darvish following a really good one on Opening Day. The righty has struggled against the Giants, and it was more of the same Tuesday.

Brandon Belt got it started with a two-run homer, before seven more came across. They just kept scoring all night, including a Wilmer Flores home run off Will Myers, eventually winning 13-2.

The Giants may have done it again. Every year they seem to take on a reclamation project at starting pitcher, and every year it seems to work out.

This year it may be Alex Cobb, who was sensational on the night, ringing up 10 Padres in five innings and flexing a much improved arsenal. It is just his first start, but the early returns suggest another revival is coming in San Francisco.

Braves Get Nats Back

After the Nats blew out the Braves 11-2 Monday, but Atlanta got them back in even bigger fashion Tuesday.

The Bravos dropped a 16-spot as Marcell Ozuna homered twice and they put together 19 hits. The one bright spot for the Nationals—as usual—was Juan Soto, who hit this two-run nuke. It got so bad Dee Strange-Gordon pitched, the second position player in as many nights, and let up this moonshot to Ozzie Albies.

Mets Blank Phillies

One night after the Phillies epic offense exploded for a five-run comeback, they got shutout Tuesday. Alec Bohm got a standing ovation from the Philadelphia crowd following his three errors Monday in a rare display of mercy from Philly fans.

Brandon Nimmo homered in the fifth to give the Mets the lead, then they added one more and never looked back. Edwin Díaz let two runners on, but closed the door with this strikeout of Rhys Hoskins.

Nesty Deals Yanks To Win

The Yankees picked up a 4-0 win over the Blue Jays behind a great start from friend of the program, Nestor Cortes. He pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings and struck out five. Four other New York arms kept the high-powered Jays off the board and Aroldis Chapman finished it off. An Aaron Hicks home run made the difference for New York.

Suzuki Is All Cubs Need

Seiya Suzuki opened the scoring for the Cubs with his second home run of the year. He is off to a tremendous start in a Chicago uniform, hitting .417 to start the year. He then went deep again to give the Cubs a 2-0 lead and it was all they needed. The Pirates would get a run back in the eighth but it was not enough as David Robertson closed it out with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Dodgers Douse Twins In Rain

It was a frigid, rainy night in Minnesota and the game dragged on for seven innings. The game went to the eighth tied at one, but the Dodgers finally broke through.

After Trea Turner gave them the lead with a two-RBI single, Will Smith blew the game open with a two-RBI double.

They would add two more before the skies opened up and forced a delay. The Dodgers finished with a 7-2 victory.

Astros Win Snoozer In Desert

It was an awfully boring game between the Astros and Diamondbacks until the ninth inning. With each team exchanging solo shots, the game went to the final framed tied at one. Mark Melancon got two quick outs, but allowed a double to José Siri and a walk to Jośe Altuve to set up Michael Brantley with two on and two out.

He came through with an RBI-single for his third hit of the night to deliver the 2-1 win.

Play Of The Night Seals Rockies Win

The Rockies took a 3-1 lead on a Kris Bryant two-RBI double in the third. They led most of the game in a relatively uneventful affair. The biggest threat of the night from the Rangers came in the fifth when they got two on with two out for Corey Seager.

The Rangers’ massive free-agent signing nearly delivered an epic first home run to give them the lead, but Randal Grichuk would not allow it. The play of the night is this unbelievable catch that ended up saving the game. The Rocks added another in the seventh for good measure and took a 4-1 victory.

Wednesday brings a big slate of day games to baseball fans, with nine of the 13 games set to played under the daylight. We will have another full breakdown of all the top highlights for you tomorrow morning in the Just Baseball Highlight Reel!