Somber Start To Season

By Tomasz Kamien / NewJerseyHitmen.blogspot.com

April 5^th, 2012: Newark, NJ - The Hitmen started off the 2012 season with a packed Mercer County Waterfront Park against division rivals the Gloucester Fisherman.  With the sad news of the death of veteran Daniel Ríos just a few days earlier, the house was packed to the brim with 48,815 fans wanting to show their respects. 

Despite the good pitching in the series, the hitters couldn't seem to handle their emotions as they provided only 3 runs in support, getting swept in the short two game series.

Game 1 provided quiet the treat with a pitching showdown between two young studs.  Fisherman's rookie ace, Manuel 'Mayor' Corona, made his major league debut by throwing a strong 7 innings of 1 run baseball.  However, it was not enough as he would leave the game with a no decision before second baseman Don Sanders would double in the winning run in the top of the ninth.   

Hitmen ace, Jian 'Déjà vu' Du, also showed his stuff with an impress 6 and a third innings of work striking out 7 while only walking 3 and giving up 1 run. Du has been doing extra work with pitching coach Kumanosuke Nii  to get his control back as he looks to bring down his walks this year from last years ugly 153 walks.  Reliever Bryant Duncan would pick up the first loss of the season in the ninth.

The Hitmen's hitting just couldn't get in gear as they scored once on 5 hits to lose 2-1. 

Game 2 was just as exciting.  Both teams seemed to find their strides with 21 combined hits in the game, although they could not get the runners home as they combined for only 5 runs.  Veteran pitcher Jerry Jones kept the team in striking distance over 8 innings of work but could not get enough run support to help his effort.  Jones would strike out 7, walk 1, and allow 3 runs on 9 hits.  

The Fisherman sent spot starter Millard Wooten to the mound for the start, and he would last just 2 and a third innings surrendering 1 run on 5 hits.  The Fisherman made heavy use of the bullpen in the game sending 5 more pitchers to the mound before closer Andrew Sepkiechler picked up the save.

So much like last year, the Hitmen so far are showing to have a strong pitching core but just can't get it done offensively.  Off to a good start so far are lead off man Shou-chien Jung who went 3 for 8 in the series with 2 doubles and 1 stolen base.  Rookie first baseman Pablo 'Kung Fu Panda' Sandoval recovered in a big way after opening day jitters by going 4 for 4 in the 2nd game with a walk and an RBI.

Listen guys, there is nothing to get overworked about just yet.  Our pitching is keeping us in the games, just like they did last year, our guys will turn it around at the plate eventually we just need to hope its soon or we will get a lot of the same results as last year.  Sandoval so far is looking good, hopefully he can have a monster rookie year for us.  We just need the veterans to start hitting in front of Pablo.

Although I will admit that it is going to get harder before it gets easier.  With this short opening home stint ending we now move on to a long road trip.  We begin on the 6th in New Orleans against the Trendsetters.  Should be an interesting match up as recent rumors are flying that Manager Tracy Evans has a bone to pick with the team.  

We then move on to West Virginia for a 3 game set.  After today's game the Coal Sox are off to a 2-2 start.  They were hot last year with a 97-65 record and making the playoffs for their first time in team history, so they should not be overlooked.  It is also a chance for catcher Ching-hsia Chin to play his former team for the first time since the trade.  We'll see if Evans gets Chin in to get some swings in against his former team.

Following that series we move into a 4 game series against tough divisional rivals and 2011 division leaders the Manchester Maulers.  The Maulers are off to a 2-1 start after taking their opening series against London.  Manchester's coming off their best year as well which saw them finish 93-69.

Finishing off the 13 game road trip are 3 games against the Arlington Bureaucrats.  Arlington has had a strong off season with the acquisitions of  veteran second baseman Bud Hoffmann, short stop Roberto Merán who is on the DL and will miss the series against the Hitmen, reliever Joaquín Hernández who was picked up again after being with the team at the end of last season then going to free agency, and finally, probably their biggest pick up of the free agency was closer stud out of the LRS, Masutaro 'Danger Man' Sato.

If the Hitmen can come out of the road trip even close to .500 we could call this a good road trip as it will not be an easy one.

Tomasz Kamien is a beat writer for the New Jersey Hitmen.  This story was not subject to the approval of Planetary Extreme Baseball Alliance or its clubs.