The calendar flipped to May, but not before the final days of April delivered a full helping of fireworks. We saw power surges from veteran sluggers, masterclasses on the mound, and a few heartbreakers that left fans wondering what just happened. Let’s dig into the action from April 29–May 1.
April 29 – Canseco, Pena, and The Big Unit Dominate
Jose Canseco reminded us he’s still got thunder in that bat. The A’s slugger went 3-for-3 with two homers, a double, and six RBIs in a 7–6 win over the Washington Senators. When Canseco is locked in, pitchers might as well throw underhand.
Geronimo Peña was seeing beach balls at Wrigley, torching Boston for a 5-for-6 night that included a homer, four RBIs, and two runs scored. The Cubs rolled the Red Sox 11–5, and Peña earned himself a day off—though he probably won’t want it.
Randy Johnson was vintage Randy Johnson. The towering southpaw carved up the Blue Jays over 8.1 shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out 15. The Seattle Pilots blanked Toronto 7–0, and if Johnson’s dealing like this in April, hitters may want to skip May.
April 30 – Buhner’s Bombs, Bonilla’s Blast, and a Wild Day of Offense
Jay Buhner is heating up at just the right time. The Cubs outfielder mashed two home runs, walked twice, and drove in five runs in an 8–6 win over Boston. That’s back-to-back statement wins for the Cubbies.
Bobby Bonilla and Mike Blowers both had big nights in losing efforts. Bonilla launched two homers with four RBIs for the Pirates, but Texas edged them 7–6 in extras. Blowers collected three hits, including a homer and a double, for the Sox, but Boston couldn’t hold off the Cubs.
Elsewhere around the league:
- The Yankees’ offense finally showed signs of life, putting up 13 runs on the White Sox in a blowout win.
- Orlando went nuclear, torching the Twins for 17 runs, including seven in the 7th inning alone. Five different Sun Rays left the yard in that one.
- Montreal exploded for 14 runs against the Padres, putting up crooked numbers in five different innings. The Expos just keep rolling.
- Andy Pettitte’s perfect record is no more. The former No. 1 overall pick took his first career loss as the A’s beat Washington again. Pettitte now stands at 1–1 with five no-decisions—a reminder that even top picks need run support.
May 1 – Pitcher’s Paradise, But Not Much Run Support
May started with a trio of pitching gems—and two of them still ended in heartbreak.
John Smiley tossed a beauty for Toronto: 8 innings, 3 hits, 1 ER, 0 walks, 9 Ks—and still lost. The Dodgers scratched across a single run to edge out a 1–0 win.
Jamie Moyer was equally tough for Oakland, giving up just one run on three hits over eight innings, only to suffer the same fate in a 1–0 loss to the Expos. You can’t win if you don’t score.
The only pitcher to get rewarded? Matt Young, who matched zeros with Smiley and came out on top. He threw 8 scoreless innings with 8 strikeouts, guiding L.A. to the win.
The Seattle Pilots also notched another win, walking it off against the Tigers after Detroit tied the game in the eighth. The Pilots are quietly putting together a run, and their bullpen keeps the drama dialed in.
Around the League:
- Montreal and Seattle continue to pace their respective leagues, with rotation arms and bats firing on all cylinders.
- The Cubs may finally be finding their groove after a slow start.
- Randy Johnson and Jose Canseco put the league on notice: they’re not going anywhere.
- Orlando’s offense might be feast or famine, but when they feast… it’s a buffet.