Since this game is getting a little frustrating, I thought I'd share some thoughts/observations from last nights Bulls game against the Charlotte Knights.

Wade Davis got the start.  I got to the field just in time to see him finish up his warm-up tosses in the bullpen.  I commented that he didn't seem all that comfortable, as his body language was clearly expressing his frustration.  He carried that onto the mound for the first inning and a half.  His fastball sat 92-93 but was a bit off the mark to begin with.  He walked a pair and gave up a few line drives before completely settling to finish the 2nd and make waste of the Knights in the 3rd and 4th.  His curve was clearly his out pitch, it seems as if it resulted in either a groundball or strike (2 or 3 swinging) nearly every time he used it.  I was disappointed that he was pulled right as his stuff was peaking, but clearly for good reason.

Dale Thayer was the other pitcher of interest who got some action.  He came in with one out in the 8th, and got the next five outs with only allowing one baserunner (a hard hit line drive in the gap by a LH batter).  His FB was 90-91.  I was surprised a bit by his height.  I don't believe for a second he is the 6'0'' they have him listed at. 

As for the bats, nothing too interesting.  Briggy had a nice shot down the LF line, Jaso one-hopped the wall, and the mountain of a man Adam Kennedy provided the only HR.

The most interesting thing of the night was David Price.  He was sitting in street clothes in the scouts section behind home plate charting the game.  He actually had a radar gun and was recording what the Bulls pitchers were doing (but not the Knights).  He also signed tons of autographs starting about the 3rd inning when people realized who he was (nice to see him be so accomodative).  My wife was asking if that was typical, and to be honest, I have never heard of a player do that before.  The best answer analogy I could come up with is it is like a teacher giving the A student a little extra homework to push them further.  Another creative tool in the development from the FO/Maddon?  Trying to get him prepared for the extra studying at the next level?  I went over and wished him good luck on the season and joked with him after the game about whether or not he would be scouting the next night as well. 

I've got two extra tickets to the Thursday game and would like to trade them for two to the Friday game.   My tics for Game 1 are in Section 101, Row AA, seats 3 and 4.  Ideally I'd get something in the lower box for Friday's game.  Hoping to avoid selling to a scalper or going the EBAY / StubHub route and making sure some Rays fans fill the seats.  Anyone want to swap?

Email me at jeff.johnston@wachovia.com if you are interested.