ARLINGTON -- George Springer made Major League history on the third pitch of the game and the Astros opened defense of their World Series championship with a 4-1 victory over the Rangers on Thursday afternoon.
Springer, leading off the first, hit a 2-0 pitch from Rangers starter Cole Hamels into the right-field seats for a home run. In doing so, he became the first player to hit a leadoff home run in the first inning on Opening Day in back-to-back seasons.
Astros starter Justin Verlander, making his 10th Opening Day start, held the Rangers scoreless through six innings.