--3B Evan Longoria became the second player in major-league history to have an RBI in his team's first four games of the season after winning a rookie of the year award. Bob Allison knocked in a run in Washington's first seven games of the 1960 season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Longoria also homered in three straight regular-season games for the third time in his short career and had his fourth multi-homer game (third with two homers).
--RHP Matt Garza, MVP of the AL Championship Series for beating Boston twice, was tough on the Red Sox again Thursday. Garza, acquired in November 2007 from Minnesota, improved to 13-6 with a 3.04 ERA in 24 games against AL East teams, the lowest ERA of all active pitchers (minimum 20 starts). --DH Pat Burrell was in Philadelphia to receive his World Series ring with his former Phillies teammates in an emotional ceremony Wednesday afternoon, then took a private plane to get back to Boston in time for batting practice (arriving around 5:10 p.m.) before playing in Wednesday night's game. "It was a special day," Burrell said, "and it all worked out."
--Florida Gov. Charlie Crist was announced Wednesday as having ceremonial first-pitch duties for Monday's home opener.
--OF Carl Crawford is the only remaining player from the opening-day roster in 2003, when the Rays last opened against Boston.
BY THE NUMBERS: 7 -- Consecutive opening-day starts in left field by Carl Crawford.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "From now on, he's Rickey Burrell, a combination of speed and power." -- Manager Joe Maddon, after Pat Burrell stole a base in Friday's exhibition in Philadelphia, then hit a homer leading off the game the next day.
