Curve take opener 6-2 as walks and errors combine

to hurt the Defenders tonight. In the first Connecticut starter Nick Pereira gave up a lead off walk to Jason Bowers. Bowers then stole second and continued to third as catcher Todd Jennings' throw went into the outfield. Bowker then came around on a RBI groundout to first. In the fourth a lead off single and back to back doubles by Randy Ruiz (a blast, he's a stud hitter) and Neil Walker put the Curve up 3-0. Pereira walked the next batter but got a 6-4-3 DP with Jake Wald turning a nice pivot throw to help Nick settle down and get out of the inning.
The Defenders would answer back in the bottom half of the inning as John Bowker homered to right leading off. Bowker had just missed a dinger the pitch before he went yard. In the bottom of the fifth the Defenders would get closer as TJ got a 2 out walk and Jake Wald sliced a double into the Defenders bullpen bench area scattering the relievers as Jennings came around to score.
Ryan Sadowski would relieve Pereira and Ryan would continue to pitch to a zero ERA on the season with two innings of scoreless baseball. That closed the book on Pereira as he threw 5 innings gave up 3 hits (all in a row in the fourth) 3 runs, two earned 3 BBs and 3 Ks.
In the top of the eighth Osiris Matos came on and got the first two outs, but a walk and a catcher's interference put runners on first and second. On the next pitch after the catcher interference call ex-Navigator (2002) David Parrish hit a three run homer just inside the left field foul pole making it 6-2 and icing the victory for the Curve.

Misc fan notes: Mark Minicozzi made his EL debut at shortstop going 0-4. Jake Wald played second tonight and batted eight after leading off the last two games. Bowker batted lead off went 2-4 with the solo HR.

Frequent contributor and blog reader Lance was at the ball game tonight. Thanks again for the spare tix! Lance is on a baseball holiday up and down the East Coast and I'm green fron envy. Good meeting him!

Former Navigator manger Shane Turner was in the house tonight as well in his role as a roving Giant coach.

David Parrish was part of the EL championship Navigator team of 2002. He is a catcher as was his father Lance Parrish, a ML All-Star catcher with the Tigers. The story there is that Lance caught Roger Clemens in a All-Star game and years later when Roger did his rehab game with the Navigators David caught him here.

And after being closed for a solid year the Frisco Fry Shack reopened on the left field concourse. Note to the front office: I know Monday is $1 hot dog night but back in the day it also was $1 garlic fries too!