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Beavers in the MLB: Opening Weekend

Michael Conforto had a big start to 2020, and a bevy of pitchers saw some action.

By John Severs
Detroit Tigers v Cincinnati Reds Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

After a few months of suspending play due to Covid-19, Major League Baseball has started the 2020 season. That means its a good time to check on the Oregon State alumni currently in the majors, before the Marlins manage to get everything shut down again. Here’s what happened over the Opening Weekend.

Matthew Boyd - Pitcher, Detroit Tigers

Boyd got the start on Opening Day against the Reds. Unfortunately for Detroit, Boyd got into trouble early, with a rough 30 pitch first inning. Boyd loaded the bases with a single, a walk and two back to back batters hit by a pitch. That last one scored the first run of the game for Cincinnati, before the Tigers managed to get their first out. Boyd managed to limit the damage, allowing only one more run, but the tone was set for the game.

Boyd would allow 3 more runs in 5 total innings pitched. He finished the night with 6 hits and 4 runs, all of them earned. He gave up a solo home run to Joey Votto, and walked 2 batters in addition to the 2 HBP. That gave him an ERA of 7.20 for the day. The Tigers lost the game 7-1, with Boyd recording the loss, starting him at 0-1 for the season. He’ll most likely get the chance to get his first win of the year on Wednesday against the Royals.

Michael Conforto - Right Field, New York Mets

Atlanta Braves v New York Mets Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

While Conforto didn’t get up to much in his first game of the season, with the Mets hosting Atlanta, he made his presence felt during the series. On Opening Day, he was hit by a pitch, but that was his only trip to the bases during the Mets 1-0 victory. In the second game of the series, he got his bat active. He managed 3 Hits on 3 At Bats, in addition to 1 BB. He only managed 1 run and no RBIs from that effort, unfortunatley for the Mets, who fell 5-3 in extra innings.

In the final game against Atlanta, Conforto managed one more hit on 3 At Bats, with the Mets dropping a bad 14-1. Still, it was a great series for Conforto, who finished the series with a .500 batting average, a .600 OBP and a 1.225 OPS. That’s a heck of a stat line to start a season with.

For their next series, the Mets traveled to Fenway to take on the Red Sox, and Conforto finally found a pitch that left the park, hitting a 2 run homer in the top of the 2nd.

That was Conforto’s only hit for the night, but it was still a big one. The Mets got the win 7-4

Jace Fry - Pitcher, Chicago White Sox

Minnesota Twins v Chicago White Sox Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images

Fry has only had one appearance so far this season, coming in as relief during the White Sox’s Opening Day game against Minnesota. He pitched for 1.1 innings, striking out 2 and allowing no hits or runs. The White Sox lost 10-5 against the Twins.

Sam Gaviglio - Pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays

MLB: JUL 17 Blue Jays Summer Camp Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Gaviglio had a rough start to his season. During Toronto’s Saturday game against Tampa Bay, he came in as relief in the 8th inning, with the game tied 1-1. Gaviglio walked 2 and gave up 2 hits, for 3 earned runs, giving Tampa a 4-1 win, and earning the loss to start the year 0-1.

Josh Osich - Pitcher, Boston Red Sox

New York Mets v Boston Red Sox Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images

Osich has seen action in a couple games this season. He came in as ninth inning relief for the Red Sox in their Saturday game against the Orioles. He allowed one hit, with one strikeout, and no runs. The Red Sox, lost 7-2.

Osich was then tapped to start in the first game of the Red Sox’s series against the Mets. He only saw 2.0 innings, as the Red Sox were using a makeshift platoon instead of a starter. During that time, he was unfortunate enough to face off against fellow former Beaver Michael Conforto, who hit a 2 run homer. In total, Osich gave up 2 hits for 2 earned runs, with one walk and one strikeout.

The Red Sox would allow a couple more home runs after that, digging themselves into a hole they couldn’t get out of. They fell 7-4, giving Osich an 0-1 record.

That’s all for the first weekend of play. Check back next week for another round up of Beaver MLB news.