Opening Day!
Opening Day in Arizona and Venezuela, and good news from the land of the Javelina:
Dustin Ackley, hitting 3rd and playing 2b, opened his fall season with a HR off Tiger RH prospect Brooks Brown, then followed with a walk. Three groundouts left him 1-for-4, but he was error-free in the field.
Josh Lueke pitched the 9th as follows:
- Pitcher Change: Josh Lueke replaces Seth Garrison.
- Engel Beltre lines out to shortstop Jose Iglesias.
- Eric Farris grounds out, second baseman Dustin Ackley to first baseman Michael McDade.
- Zack Cox strikes out swinging, catcher Ryan Lavarnway to first baseman Michael McDade.
Nate Tenbrink, AA LH 3b/OF prospect, played 3b, hit 6th and went 0-for-4.
And, much farther south, also a good Opening Day for Johermyn Chavez of Los Navegantes del Magallanes of the Venezuelan Winter League. Chavez led off, played CF, and rapped out two hits, both doubles, albeit in a 16-4 loss in an ugly day for the Navegantes pitchters, none of whom are affiliated with the Mariners.
One of Chavez' teammates is Jesus Montero, the almost-Mariner Yankee catching prospect (did not play in the first game).
Alex Liddi played 3b for Lara, hit 7th and got a double (1-for-4) off Aguilas starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx.
Finally, Yoervis Medina, a RH starting prospect of some note -- who pitched well in Everett and earned a promotion to Clinton, where we was 5-0 with a 2.50 ERA and had 42 K in 36.0 IP -- went 2.1 IP in long relief for La Guaira with 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K.