Opening Day

Game 8: Durham Bulls 4, Norfolk Tides 6
Season: 5-3
Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun, Indy Week, N&O, N&O Photos

Fun start to the season at home until the first Tides batter came to the plate. Eight pitches and two walks later Jeff Bennett was out of there and we were digging deep into our bullpen.

When the trainer walks out with the pitching coach you know something’s wrong and the commentary after the game said that Bennett was “tight”, whatever that might mean. Just got to wonder what happened between warmups and the start of the game? Can we blame it on the hoopla? (groan)

Good things

• Boy it was great to be back at the DBAP on a perfect Spring evening.
• Brian Baker probably should have taken a few more warmup throws, but he did a very creditable job of protecting the bullpen for another night. Same for Richard De Los Santos.
• Hank Blalock, whom I was beginning to think of as a candidate for this year's Moonlight Graham Award, played third and did a decent job at the plate with two hits and 2 RBIs.
• Elliot Johnson, possibly showing off for his new baby boy, got a couple of hits. By the way, Elliot, child was not impressed — sound asleep.
• Justin Ruggiano, also possibly showing off for his new baby boy, picked up two hits, a walk, and a RBI. So maybe he’s getting back into his game as well.
• A very exciting ninth inning.

Not so good things

• You know, I wish we’d won, but hey I’m just happy to be going to the ballpark and seeing the guys play, aren’t you?

Meanwhile, over in Zebulon, the Biscuits beat the Mudcats 8-4. If you know what that is all about you’re spending way too much time following Rays and/or local baseball. (Wait a minute! Too much time following baseball? How is that possible?)