The Koz starts the season in Grand Fashion

Kevin Kouzmanoff

California Rockets At Myrtle Beach Mauraders    3/31/2008

Rockets……….. 0 0 0  4 1 0  0 0 0  -  5 10  0
Mauraders……. 2 0 0  1 0 1  0 0 0  -  4  9  0
 
35,654 fans watched an exciting game at Wrigley Field.  The California Rockets topped the Myrtle Beach Mauraders by the slimmest of margins, 5 to 4.

California had 4 runs cross the plate in the top of the 4th inning with the help of 4 hits.  The big moment was provided by Kevin Kouzmanoff who deflated the spirits of the home town crowd when he cleared the bases with a Grand Slam homerun (his 1st of the season).  The Myrtle Beach bats were silent in the bottom of the 9th. 

Jose Contreras(1-0) picked up the victory, allowing 3 runs in 5 innings. Luis Vizcaino was credited with his 1st save.  Roy Oswalt(0-1) was hit with the loss. 

‘He gutted it out’ Joe Torre said of Contreras.  ‘I was very impressed by his tenacity.’