Blue Jays-Tigers: Lind, Snider Propel Toronto To Opening Day Win Over Tigers

The stadium was full, the atmosphere electric, opening day was finally here. The Toronto Blue Jays made a good impression on the 48,027 people who showed up for opening day by putting up 12 runs in support of ace Roy Halladay (1-0).

They started hitting early, after a quick first inning of work from Halladay. Both Marco Scutaro and Aaron Hill started it off by hitting into outs, but Alex Rios was able to start off the scoring rally with a walk.

Vernon Wells followed that up with a double, with Adam Lind then driving both of them in with a clutch two out, two run double. After Scott Rolen got hit, Lyle Overbay hit two runs of his own with a double to the gap.

Things settled down for a while after that eventful first inning, with Halladay looking like his usual self. He did not give up a hit until the fourth inning, when Curtis Granderson was able to tag an 0-2 pitch deep to right field.

However, the Jays, specifically Travis Snider and Adam Lind, responded in a huge way. Snider started the inning off with a opposite field solo shot that displayed his amazing power. Adam Lind ended the scoring with a three-run blast that scored both Wells and Rios.

The Detroit Tigers attempted to make it a game in the seventh, when they scored four runs to make the score 9-5 Jays. Halladay started to struggle for the first time all night and gave up a two run blast to Brandon Inge.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, the Jays put any thought of a comeback behind them when they scored three runs in the eighth, an inning that included Lind's sixth RBI of the night, beating his own personal record.

The Jays needed four pitchers to close out the victory, as Jesse Carlson, Brandon League, and Scott Downs each pitched just one-third of an inning. Brian Tallet, sporting the porno 'stache, finished the game for the Jays in the ninth with a perfect inning.

Overall, the Jays could not have asked for a better game. Halladay looked like his usual self (until the seventh at least), every hitter got at least one hit, and both Adam Lind and Travis Snider contributed greatly to the winning cause.

The Jays finished just one hit and one run away from tying their personal best opening day records.

Player of the Game: Easy choice here, as Adam Lind drove in an opening day record six RBI, beating his own personal best my one. Watching him and Snider will be a treat for all Jays fans this season.

Up Next: Lefty David Purcey (0-0, 0.00 ERA) takes on former Baltimore Oriole Edwin Jackson (0-0, 0.00 ERA)