Defenders bounce back and win the opener of a

8 game homestand tonight 5-2 over the Reading Phillies. Jake Wald (pictured) in the leadoff spot went 3 for 5 and scored three runs as the hitting star of the game. In the two hole Brian Horwitz followed up Wald going 2 for 4 as the Defs pounded out 11 hits in the night.

Wald got the Defs going in the first with a single and scored on Brian Howitz's single as the Phillies RF misplayed allowing Wald to score and Howitz to go to third. An out later Mark Mincozzi grounded out to the third baseman who threw home but Howitz slide under the tag drawing an argument from the Phillies catcher and manager.

Connecticut starter Geno Espineli gave up a two double on the line in short left field that LF Carlos Sosa lost in the sun. The next batter Phillies prospect Jesus Merchan brought him home with a sharp single.

In the third Connecticut would go up 3-1. Wald and Horwitz with back to back singles and a SF from John Bowker.

In the fourth was a play I always wonder about and is a sometime source of debate. Geno issued a walk and the runner steals second. With two outs the batter hits a grounder to Geno who throws it away allowing the runner to score. Should it be an unearned run when the pitcher commits the error?

The Defenders would come back in the bottom with a Carlos Sosa triple (the only extra basehit for CT.) into the left center gap. From where I was sitting I thought Carlos was out at third but the call drew no Phillies' protest. Carlos would then score on a Todd Jennings sac fly for a 4-2 lead.

Espineli left after 5 innings giving up just three hits with 2 Ks and 2 BBs enroute to his second victory. Alex Hinshaw came in relief and was lights out allowing jus two hits and notching 6 Ks in 2.2 innings pitched. Brian Anderson came on for the 4 out save getting two strikeouts himself as Connecticut pitching rung up 12 K s on the night.

Nice hiiting effort by the Defs tonight with 10 singles and some good situational batting; 2 SF and the RBI groundout.

Travis Ishikawa (2-4 ) drove in an insurance run in the seventh on a check swing tapper to third base that he beat out scoring Wald with his third run scored in the game.

Misc fan notes: The report I get is EME injured a hamstring and should return shortly.

Again a small turnout at Dodd. It's disappointing to see especially with the Sam Adams giveaway pint glass (nice) and free admission for the whole family for Comcast customers bringing a copy of their bill to the park. Don't understand it. I'll have a longer rant on this in the near future.

Curry jersey is now 3 and 3.