Louisvillebeat Columbus 5-4 in the Bats' road opener behind a laser show from notorious slugger Paul "Do It To" Janish and his two HRs. Jeff Francis gave up 2 earned runs on 7 hits over six innings, enough to get the win. Nick Christiani gave up 2 unearned runs due to a Daryl Jones error, but Jones negated one of those by gunning down top prospect and Matt Christropher character Lonnie Chisenhall at home plate. Denis Phipps got in on the OF assist action too, gunning down another runner at the plate. Brand new Red J.J. Hoover sucked up a save with a scoreless ninth, striking out two. Chris Valaika and Danny Dorn both went yard as well, with homers accounting for all 5 Bat runs.
Pensacola opens their season tomorrow at home against the awesomely named Montgomery Biscuits, the AA affiliate of the Rays.
Bakersfieldwon 3-1 against the Vidalia Onions Visalia Rawhide. Following in AAA slugger Paul Janish's footsteps, top Reds power prospect Billy Hamilton slugged a homer in the 3rd, while the speedy Knockwurst was improbably caught stealing. Daniel Renken got the start, and went 5 innings, giving up only an unearned run on 5 hits, striking out 5 and walking 2.
Dayton shut out West Michigan 3-0 behind six filthy innings from "Hammer of" Justice French, over which he struck out 8 Whitecaps, walking only 2 and giving up 2 hits. Juan Perez hit 2 triples, while DH Stephen Selsky added 3 singles. Blog favorite Sean Buckley, playing 1B, went hitless.
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