Dodgers open the season with a loss

Everyone was surprised when manager Joe Torre tapped natural #4 starter Vicente Padilla to be his opening day pitcher. Padilla, released last year by Texas, didn't disappoint the skeptics. He gave up 7 runs in his 4-plus innings as the Dodgers lost 11-5 to the Pirates. Upsides: the Dodgers had 12 hits, including two each by Manny, Kemp, Blake and new starting second baseman Blake DeWitt.

Story of the day: The top prospect in baseball, Atlanta right fielder Jason Heyward, homered in his first major league at bat. He's 20 and should be around awhile.