[TribeFanInNC]

Sun, March 19 – Pittsburgh

Bad news: Zach Carson hurt his knee diving to make a play in the second inning
Good news: One Jonas Fossland got to replace him

I finally got four at bats in a game. Managed a single in the fourth, but nothing else of note. Unless you consider striking out in the ninth with a runner on third and one out noteworthy.

I feel bad for Carson. Looks like he’ll be out a few weeks. He’s probably got the most tools of anyone in the outfield, but this isn’t going to help him much.

Mon, March 20 – Cleveland

Guess who got his first professional exhibition start today – me!
Guess who went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored – me!
Guess who stole three bases today – OK, that was Rutger Wiegand. But maybe someday that will be me.

Big win for the Rocks as we scored one in the seventh and three in the eighth to topple the Ottawa Loons 5-4. I scored the run in the seventh inning after a throwing error by an Ottawa outfielder, but got thrown out trying to score on a Logan Ferguson double in the next inning. Luckily we ended up not needing that run.

Felt good to see my name on the lineup card posted in the clubhouse today. Skip played me the whole game and hit me sixth. I can live with that. Hopefully I earned some more time by reaching base three times.

Tues, March 21 – Toronto

I guess not. Did not start in Toronto and struck out in my pinch hitting AB. Plus the Leafs broke our three game winning streak with a 6-4 win.

Wed, March 22 – Detroit

Tough loss today. We scored seven runs in the first two innings, but the Motors came back and knocked us off 10-9. I didn’t start but did come into the game early. Unfortunately I took the collar in three at bats. I think I could produce, but I wish I could get some consistent PT.

Thursday, March 23 – Cleveland

Came back home and beat the Minneapolis Ice Shanties 8-3. Paul Harper hit his first homer of the spring. So far through the first week, Harper is hitting .435 with 7 RBI and 3 SB in eight games. He seems to be a lock to join Nikolai Bendiksen in the outfield on Opening Day, provided Big Nik is healthy enough.

Wiegand has been getting his share of starts in center field, hitting .318 so far while mostly hitting in the two hole. Meanwhile, the rest of us have split time in right and spelled those two guys. My window appears to closing on a spot in the starting lineup in April. Hopefully my ability to switch hit will be enough to keep me on the bench as a pinch hitter.