With high security measures regarding the President’s arrival to throw out the first pitch, the Cincinnati Red’s started out the season with a loss against the Chicago Cubs, then came back to beat the Cub’s in the second game. Next competition heated up as the Red’s took on the Pittsburgh Pirates, winning three of the four games against the Bucs. During the 8-6 win on April 5, Ken Griffey Jr. notched career homer no. 537, which put him past Mickey Mantle and into 12th on the all-time list.
After five games the Reds had scored 39 runs with 56 hits, including 11 home runs. Strong offense is key to a great season, but talk of building a stronger defense is an important subject, as the Reds have also given up many hits.