Big bats + fast feet = Stingers win

True to his word, new Salt Lake Stingers manager Dino Ebel had his team running in their season-opener Thursday night.

But it was an old-fashioned grand slam and not a hustle play that proved to be the big difference in a 7-2 Stingers' victory before 6,551 fans at Franklin Covey Field.

Ebel had vowed that this year's edition of the Stingers would be aggressive on the basepaths, and they delivered in the first inning, which featured a runner advancing from first to third on a single to center, a tag and score on a flyball that wasn't that deep, and an unsuccessful attempt to steal second.

The Stingers tried to steal twice on the night but were thrown out both times by Sidewinders catcher Juan Brito.

Salt Lake did show some speed, however, especially in the outfield. Centerfielder Chris Prieto tracked down several deep balls that last season would have been, in all likelihood, extra-base hits.

The Stingers also played solid infield defense, turning three double-plays, with shortstop David Matranga looking particularly impressive.

Ebel said his guys performed exactly as he expects them to perform all season.

"This is how we're going to come and play for 143 more games," he said. "We've been preaching it from top to bottom to open it up like that."

The Stingers' first run of the season came in the first inning. Leadoff batter Prieto drew the first of four walks on the night, advanced to third on a single by Matranga, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Dallas McPherson.

That score made it a 1-1 game, after Tucson's Carlos Quentin had pounded a first-inning homer off Salt Lake starter Chris Bootcheck. It was the only earned run allowed by Bootcheck, who threw 5 2/3 innings before leaving in the sixth with the bases loaded. He earned the win for his effort, however.

Ebel said Bootcheck did an "outstanding job. He got a lot of double plays, he kept the ball down. You couldn't have asked for a better night on opening night."

The score remained tied until the fourth, when Salt Lake's Jeff Mathis opened with a triple to right-center. An out later, Curtis Pride singled Mathis home. Tucson starter Lance Cormier then gave up a single to Luke Allen and walk to Prieto to load the bases. After a mound conference, Matranga pounded a fastball over the left field wall for the 6-2 lead.