[Moriarty9]

BOSTON - The opening lines for the next chapter of professional baseball's history have been written as the upstart American League began play today, and the local nine have started things off on the right foot.
Cy Young and the Boston Americans topped John McGraw's Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park today, 5-2.
Young let up two runs, one earned, on five hits and one walk while striking out six batters in the complete game victory in front of 4,428 fans. Stan Yerkes, who was hit with the loss for Baltimore, let up five runs, four of which were earned, on eight hits and three walks with three strikeouts over nine innings of work.
Offensively, shortstop Freddy Parent, catcher Ossee Schreckengost and secondbaseman Hobe Ferris collected a pair of hits each, including doubles by Ferris and Parent. The Americans had a field day with Orioles catcher Roger Bresnahan, stealing seven bases in eight attempts.
Baltimore secondbaseman Jimmy Williams and outfielder Steve Brodie had two hits each.
In other action across the American League, the Washington Senators defeated the Philadelphia Athletics, 6-2. Senators secondbaseman "Scranton" Bill Coughlin led the way with a four-hit and three-run performance, including a double and a solo homerun in the second inning.
In Detroit, the Tigers were beat up by the Milwaukee Brewers in an 8-1 loss. Rhode Island native and Milwaukee outfielder Hugh Duffy led the charge for the visiting Brewers with a pair of hits, including a three-run homerun.
The Cleveland Blues and Chicago White Sox combined for 17 runs in their inaugural game today, with the Pale Hose coming out on top 11-6. Firstbaseman Zaza Harvey had three hits - a single, double and triple - before leaving the game with a leg injury. He is expected to be out for the rest of the season.
White Sox hurler Roy Patterson let up a dozen hits on the mound but managed to pick up three hits of his own, including a double and a three-run and two-out homerun in the seventh inning.
While the Junior Circuit opened up its season today, the National League is currently being led by the 5-2 Chicago Orphans. Brooklyn and New York are tied for second at 4-2, followed by the 4-3 Pirates, 3-3 Phillies, 3-4 Reds, 2-5 Cardinals and the last place Beaneaters at 1-5.

Injury Report

Orioles pitcher Crazy Schmit, who ruptured a bicep tendon in his throwing arm shortly before the start of the season, will miss most of, if not all of, the season. Schmit last pitched for the Cleveland Spiders in 1899, posting a 2-17 record with a 5.86 ERA.
Beaneaters infielder Bobby Lowe is expected to sit much of the next week with an eye injury while Blues outfielder Jack McCarthy has been sidelined for the next couple weeks with a knee injury.
Cleveland pitchers Dick Braggins and Earl Moore are also on the shelf, each with back injuries. Braggins will be out for about eight weeks while Moore is likely out for the season, as is veteran Giants shortstop George Davis, who suffered an arm injury just before Opening Day.
Brooklyn's star outfielder Jimmy Sheckard will be unable to throw a ball or take any swings until the winter due to a torn rib cage muscle.