Opening Day notes

Carolina shot off to the best start, winning both of their games against Philadelphia. Roy Halladay shut out the Animals in game one, allowing only 5 hits and 3 walks in a complete game, striking out 9. Aramis Ramirez hit a grand slam in the 3rd inning to give the Cats the lead. In game 2, the Animals got on the board, but the Cats still won 7-2. This time it was Dice-K Matsuzaka striking out 9 Animals in 8 innings. Aramis Ramirez hit another home run in the game, though it was only a 2-run shot this time. Carlos Delgado added two solo homers in the game.

Marietta only played one game, but they rank amongst the undefeated teams so far with a 4-3 win over the Hitmen. The Hitmen jumped ahead early in the game with a Russ Martin RBI single in the second, but Marietta tied it up in the late innings, then took the lead in the 8th on an Adrian Beltre double. Aubrey Huff hit a two-run homer in the ninth to give the Hitmen a 3-2 lead, but B.J. Ryan could not hold the lead. Pinch hitting for Jason Bay, fan favorite Nick Punto lined a base hit that scored two runs, winning the game for Marietta.

Another undefeated team is New Jersey after taking a 6-3 decision against Sardine City. Edinson Volquez won his first DMBL game. Alfonso Soriano gave the Buddahs the lead in the first with a grand slam off starter Cole Hamels. Reliever Jimmy Johnson settled in nicely for Hamels in the 4th, pitching 5.1 innings of no-hit ball, walking one and striking out 3.

The last undefeated team is Las Vegas, who spoiled the Amityville Ant Slayers' first game with a 5-1 victory. Rich Harden returned from the dead to earn the win after pitching a solid 6 innings. Jeff Keppinger went 3-4 with an RBI to lead the team.