Defs win Home Opener 3-1 over the Thunder...

tonight before 3100+ fans. Connecticut wasted no time scoring pushing across two runs in the first inning. Two Defenders making their Double A debuts got it going as Brock Bond got on with an infield single. Tyler Graham looked to bunt Bond over and his sac bunt died on the first base line for another infield hit. Bobby Felmy hit a roller to Thunder starting pitcher George Kontos who threw high loading up the bases. With EME at bat, Kontos uncorked a wild pitch to score Bond. EME (2 for 3) then brought home Graham with a sac fly for a 2-0 lead.
CT starter Nick Periera cruished thru the first three innings but got into trouble in the fourth. Periera walked a pair of batters then gave up his first hit of the game to right field but EME threw out the runner at home to maintain the 2-0 lead. Pereria would walk another batter before getting out of the inning and giving way to reliever Matt Yourkin (1-0).
CT would add a run in the fifth as EME doubled for the game's only extra base hit and came home on Adam Witter's single to make it 3-0.
Yourkin pitched two strong innings getting 4 Ks to earn the win. Geivy Garcia, Joe Paterson (I think he'll be a bullpen workhorse this season) and Dan Otero pitched the last three innings with Otero getting his third save.

Misc fan notes: The roster handed out by the team didn't have AR, Sharlon Schoop, Waldis Joaquin on it.Foppert was back on the roster as was Dan Grifin. I think I saw Schoop wrapped up like a mummy in the dugout. I guess the taxi squad concept is in full force.
Great seeing Hondo, Joe P., Bob, Tom the gatekeeper (off the DL and looks great) and a bunch of other familar faces at the park. Hondo--sumo wreastling is back
I know EME has had a few outfield assists already but a note to Mr. Decker he's going to be an adventure out there in RF.
Pics top to bttom--Graham, EME fielding, and Pereira.