Much better

It was still a little brisk Tuesday night, but compared to last week it was darn-near tropical. And you may think you can beat dollar hot dogs and dollar sodas, but you'd be so so wrong, my friends.

Actually turned out to be a very entertaining, well-played game. Two strong performances from the starting pitchers. Here's the box score, if you are so inclined.

Three items of note from Tuesday's game:

1. The Columbus closer is Chris Booker, a former Bat. Always had decent stuff. I didn't have high hopes for a comeback once he rumbled to the mound in the 9th. (He's still a big dude).

2. The number of strikeouts (17 between the 2 teams in a 9 inning game), especially on called strikes. The ump had a large strike zone - he called it the same all night - and there were 8 backwards K's posted in my book. Maybe it's a sign that this is still the minor leagues, because I'd think big league hitters would have adjusted over the course of the game. Eventually you gotta swing at that low and away pitch, son!

3. The sad saga of Earl Snyder. Went into the game 0-for-16. Left the game 0-for-19 (batting cleanup, mind you). Put up another donut last night from the 7-hole and is now 0-for-23. How do you keep that out of your head when you're standing at the plate? Especially with the bright new video board at Slugger Field that shows a big ol' .000? Maybe hitting a baseball really is the hardest thing in sports.

The Bats leave for their first road trip today - no games for me until next weekend. But this weekend has significant blog possibilities, so stay tuned. If, you know, you've got nothing better to do. Which I suspect is the case for most of you if you've made it this far.