OF Rocco Baldelli broke out of a slump with a 3-4 day on Sunday.It was neither pretty nor easy, but the Julian Javelina opened the 2007 season at home with a 7-4-1 victory over the Columbus Stuff. Led by a virtually unhittable pitching staff, the Javelina swept all six pitching categories in overcoming a slugging offensive start to the week and capturing the "w". The offense closed strong and was paced by torrid starts by Justin Morneau, Khalil Greene and Frank Thomas.
"Considering we only hit .252 as a team this week, I'd say the early returns are pretty good," said GM Jamie Hoyle. "Our pitching dominated and allowed the offense to eek out a late win."
Twin aces Johan Santana and Aaron Harang teamed for 25.2 innings pitched, 26 strike outs and four wins to lead a strong showing by the entire staff. Ervin Santana also contributed six solid innings, and Danny Haren contributed 13 impressive innings despite a lack of run support. The bullpen managed to add 14.2 outstanding innings of work, with only Kiko Calero giving up much of anything.
"Considering we only hit .252 as a team this week, I'd say the early returns are pretty good," said GM Jamie Hoyle. "Our pitching dominated and allowed the offense to eek out a late win."
Twin aces Johan Santana and Aaron Harang teamed for 25.2 innings pitched, 26 strike outs and four wins to lead a strong showing by the entire staff. Ervin Santana also contributed six solid innings, and Danny Haren contributed 13 impressive innings despite a lack of run support. The bullpen managed to add 14.2 outstanding innings of work, with only Kiko Calero giving up much of anything.
Adding to the excitement, roughly 45,000 rabid Javelina fans flocked into Tag Heuer Stadium per day during opening week. The players took notice.
"It was a pretty cool scene, eh," said 1B Justin Morneau. "The fans were wild, I even noticed a group of about 20 fans above the first base dugout wearing hats with fangs on them. They're really into it."
While the fans were rambunctious all week long, nothing quite compared to their response when SS Khalil Greene raced in with the winning run on Sunday.
"Yeah," said Greene. "They were really loud. I'm just glad they didn't try to rush the field and mob me with my team mates - there's no telling which toe or finger I might have sprained or broken in that mob."
Swings and misses...
The coaching staff is working diligently with Josh Barfield on taking more pitches...after a slow start OF Rocco Baldelli led the comeback (3-4) with a home run, a stolen base and two runs scored on Sunday...the team signed SP Jason Hirsch to a one-year deal on Sunday in hopes he can contribute to the rotation...the team was very encouraged by Ervin Santana's first start of the season (7IP, 2ER, 6K) and hope he is able to build upon his early success.
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