MLB Opening Day Highlights: McGonigle Shines, Misiorowski Sets Record, Skenes Struggles

Brett Baty of the New York Mets reacts with visible excitement after ripping an RBI triple off the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning at Citi Field | Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Highlights from MLB season openers, featuring Paul Skenes' rough start, Kevin McGonigle's impressive debut, and more top plays from Thursday's games...

MLB opening day action, featuring Kevin McGonigle's impressive debut and Jacob Misiorowski's record 11 strikeouts...

Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes was sent to the exit after two-thirds of an inning in a wild MLB season opener, with other pitchers and new technology creating a historic Thursday.

The New York Mets dominated Skenes, winning 11-7 in his home game for the Pirates.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, reigning World Series champions, kicked off their 2026 campaign on Thursday, hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks in their quest for a three-peat. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pirates' Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Paul Skenes had a rough start, giving up five runs in the opening frame against the New York Mets, his worst outing since 2020.

Skenes, who boasted an impressive 1.97 ERA last year, the lowest for any Pirates starter since 1920, was pulled after just 37 pitches. The Mets took advantage of his early struggles, scoring 11 runs in an 11-7 win over the Pirates.

Skenes' night ended quickly, as the Mets blasted him off the mound in the shortest outing of his career.

Brett Baty's three-run triple sparked a five-run first inning for the Mets, with Marcus Semien adding to the damage with a single that scored Baty, prompting Skenes' exit.

Game one: Game WON ✅ #MetsWin #LGM pic.twitter.com/fVX2gLFMhG

— New York Mets (@Mets) March 26, 2026

MLB history was made in the third inning at Citi Field with the first successful Automated Ball-Strike challenge in a Major League game. Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez challenged a full-count fastball thrown by Freddy Peralta to Oneil Cruz, initially called a ball.

The call was overturned by the new “robot umpire” system, ruling it strike three for the second out of the inning.

Francisco Lindor walked and scored three times, Juan Soto had two hits and a walk, and Luis Robert added two hits and drove in two runs for the Mets.

Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski gave up a leadoff homer to the Chicago White Sox, but responded by striking out 11 batters over the first five innings, setting a Brewers opening-day record for strikeouts.

Misiorowski's 11 strikeouts eclipsed the mark of eight set by Ben Sheets in 2002 - the year Misiorowski was born.

Misiorowski, 23, is the youngest pitcher with 10+ strikeouts on MLB opening day since Felix Hernandez in 2007.

Misiorowski's effort helped the Brewers crush the White Sox 14-2. Japan's Munetaka Murakami hit his first MLB homer in the ninth for the Sox.

Homers by Joey Wiemer, Jacob Young, and Brady House powered the Washington Nationals to a 10-4 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Colton Cowser's sacrifice fly and Blaze Alexander's single each drove in a run in the seventh inning, lifting host Baltimore to a 2-1 win over Minnesota.

McGonigle Shines in MLB Debut

Detroit's Kevin McGonigle made a splash in his MLB debut, hitting a two-run double on the first pitch he saw, helping the Tigers beat San Diego 8-2.

McGonigle was only the second Tiger, after Billy Bean in 1987, and 25th MLB player ever with four hits in his MLB debut.

Kevin McGonigle is just the 6th player since 1900 to tally 4 hits in his MLB debut on #OpeningDay! pic.twitter.com/sB5MvfSqYA

— MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026

Tarik Skubal, Detroit's 29-year-old left-hander chasing his third consecutive AL Cy Young Award, struck out six and allowed three hits in six innings to get the win.

Boston's Garrett Crochet struck out eight and allowed three hits in six scoreless innings, leading the Red Sox to a 3-0 win at Cincinnati.

Kyle Schwarber's two-run homer in the first inning and Alec Bohm's three-run homer in the fifth powered Philadelphia's 5-3 win over Texas.

Jose Soriano struck out seven and allowed two hits in six shutout innings, leading the LA Angels to a 3-0 season-opening win at Houston.

Alec Burleson's two-run homer capped an eight-run sixth inning, proving decisive in St. Louis' 9-7 home win over Tampa Bay.

Here are some recent MLB results:

• Brewers vs. White Sox: Brewers won 14-2, with Jake Bauers hitting a three-run homer and Jacob Misiorowski striking out 11.

• Nationals vs. Cubs: Nationals won 10-4, with Joey Wiemer, Jacob Young, and Brady House hitting home runs.

• Cardinals vs. Rays: Cardinals won 9-7, with Alec Burleson's two-run homer in the sixth inning.

• Mets vs. Pirates: Mets won 11-7, with Carson Benge hitting a home run in his MLB debut.

• Phillies vs. Rangers: Phillies won 5-3, with Kyle Schwarber and Alec Bohm hitting home runs.

• Angels vs. Astros: Angels won 3-0, with Mike Trout hitting a home run.

• Red Sox vs. Reds: Red Sox won 3-0, with Garrett Crochet pitching six scoreless innings.

• Tigers vs. Padres: Tigers won 8-2, with Tarik Skubal pitching six innings.

• Guardians vs. Mariners: Guardians won 6-4, with Chase DeLauter hitting his first career home run