The post-Horwitz era starts with a 2-1 loss in a

game that was pretty much like Saturday's contest; i.e. the Defs get good pitching, lack the timely hit and drop the game.

Garrett Broshuis had another good outing going 7 IP allowing 5 hits one earned run and getting 5 Ks. His ERA drops to 3.27.

John Bowker doubled in the only Connecticut run one of only six hits from the Defs offense.

The game maked the debut of Eugenio Valez who went one for 4 in his first Double A game batting in the leadoff spot. He starts now at second. From Joe's Norwich Bulletin blog Jake Wald and Simon Klink will platoon at third. I can't remember Jake playing third before back in the 2005 season but he moved from short to second this season and did a great job at that new position. Pat Dobson played center field in place of the departed Brian Horwitz. I wonder how long that will last?

Joe also reports that Alex Hinshaw will take Ben Cox's spot in the rotation and Cox returns to the bullpen where he has spent his career prior to this season.

So the up the middle infield the team had at the beginning of the season of Jake and D-Mac has become Mark Minicozzi at short and Valez at second. Valez was the SAL MVP last year with 14 HRs and 90 RBIs and Minicozzi put up good numbers in SJ last year and got a late start to this season so on paper more offense for the Defs.

Carlos Sosa started again in LF as EME DHed for the third straight game and hasn't played left since May 16 ( he pitch hit on the 17th). Wonder if there's a story there? Like to see Sosa get some serious playing time in to get his bat going. In the last four games he's 4 for 15 (.267) with three doubles and two runs scored.