The Reds finally got an opening day win by edging the Black Sox 4-3 at New Scotland. The Black Sox opened the scoring by scoring 3 in the 4th inning. Lennox and Mitchell opened the inning with singles but after a 5u-3 double play, it looked like the Reds and starter Jonny Martin might escape the inning unscathed. The Sox had other ideas as Klopfer singled, Bonanno doubled and Stanley singled to give them a 3 -0 lead. The score stayed that way until the 6th, when with 1 out, Ed Class singled and stole 2nd (yeah, imagine that! it was actually a courtesy runner who stole the base!) After a flyout for the 2nd out, Joe Careccia singled to plate the Reds first run of the season, then stole 2nd, with Ron Massarroni knowcking him in a single. In the top of the 7th, new acquisiton Chris Dunn, who came on in relief of Martin to pitch an uneventful 6th inning, walked Wixon to lead off the inning. Maz then entered the game and quickly got 3 outs, getting the Reds to the bottom of the 7th down 3-2. Ron McCarthy opened the 7th with a scorched single to left after trying to bunt a pitch that was literally over his head (and he's pretty tall!). Afte4r moving to second on a wild pitch, Ron was Ron and stole 3rd on ball 4 to Chuck Handford putting runners on 1st and 3rd and had yours truly seaching for someone to pinch run for McCarthy at 3rd, but there was noone to be found. Pinch hitter Jonny Martin came on and after Handford advanced to second on a wild pitch, hit a long fly to right center, tying the game and advancing Handford to third. The Sox decided to walk Marin and Burns to load the bases and get to Ed Class. After working the count to 2-0, Class launched a shot to the gap in left center to win it for the Reds. Ed led the Reds with 3 hits on the day. Pitching was the name of the game for the most part this day, as Jerry Soloman was incredible for the Sox for 6 innings, but couldn't get through that last inning. For the Reds, Jonny Martin was solid, going 5 innings mixing the up the junk when he clearly didn't have his good fastball. Chris Dunn made his Reds debut and pitched a scoreless inning and looked good after not throwing for 2 years. Maz was Maz, earning the win with 1 inning of flawless relief. What a great opening day game, on a beautiful day. Here's to hoping we have this kind of weather all year!
Great opening day game. Pitcher's on both sides threw great games, it appears they all worked hard during spring training, and brought it to bump. An exciting, well played game by both sides. Looks like an exciting season.
