Charlie Zink outduels Geno Espineli 2-1 tonight as

the SeaDogs take game one of a four game set at Dodd. The knuckle baller allowed just six hits along with 8 Ks in a complete game victory (the radio guys had him at 106 pitches). Zink gave up back to back doubles to Steve Holm and Todd Jennings (almost out of the park) in the 5th for the only Defs run.

Geno was almost as good also giving up six hits over 8 IP and sees his record go to 5-4 with an ERA of 2.69.

Defs had a sort of chance to tie it in the 9th when Eugenio Velez had what appeared to be an infield hit but was called out for hitting the ball out of the batter's box i.e. batter's inference. When was the last time anyone saw that? Of course John Bowker then followed with a double and Jake Wald walks but Zink got Carlos Sosa looking.

Misc fan notes: Several player moves: TI and Alex Hinshaw are now on the DL. Jeff Petersen is released and Taylor Wilding is called up from San Jose. Wilding has nice stats: 4-0, 1.52 ERA 11 savves in 41.1 IP. 21 hits allowed and 49 Ks. Is he the new closer?

Announced crowd of 5680 for the Juneteeth salute. The Defs gave away 3000 tickets to community groups and that must have figured into the number as some seating sections were kind of light but still a good crowd.

Dead scoreboard bulb lights replaced--a lot easier to read!

The franchise worn yellow for the first time in honor of the Norwich YellowJackets an integrated semi-pro team from the 30's.

Answer to the trivia question in the stands tonight. Defs with 10+ HRs in 2006 were Nate with 14, TI with 10 and Aaron Sisk (forgot him) with 10. Tyler Von Schell had 9.

Debate play of the game: HF Trey Webb leads off with a double in the first and Minicozzi sac bunts him to third. Velez and Bowker make out, no runs scored. Should Minicozzi be bunting so early in the game?

Pitchers in the DH Wednesday for the Defs are Nick Pereira and Ben Cox. The hot BoSox pitching prospect Clay Buchholz goes in Game 1. Nick beat him 1-0 in Portland last time.

Meaningless personal stat: The Curry reached the .500 mark at 5 and 5 but the loss tonight drops it to 5 and 6. Oscar Montero still holding at 1-0.

Good Luck Jeff Petersen--hope you get picked up somewhere else.