Muckrakers tuned by All Service Auto in '06 debut

WALNUT CREEK -- With All Service Auto firing on all cylinders, the Muckrakers blew a tire getting off the starting line, falling 14-1 in the long-delayed 2006 lid-lifter.

With two previous games washed out due to the unending rain, the Mucksters were scrapping for a tussle. Evidently, so was All Service Auto, which wasted no time putting up an eight-spot in the top of the first. ASA was aided by strike zone the size of a spark plug, to the dismay of Muckrakers starter Matt Petersen, who nonetheless held it together and threw a goose egg the very next stanza.

Muckraker bats, though, still seemed water-logged from the rain, even though the night was warm, dry and pleasant. The valient Muckmeisters scored a single marker in the second inning. New addition Dave Alcorn drew a free pass with one out, advanced on Dave Belli's fielder's choice, then scored on fellow welcomed newcomer Steve Mascutelli's base hit. But the Muckrakers attack ran out of gas after that, and that was basically that.

But, as the great philosopher noted, it is indeed a marathon, not a sprint, and the Muckrakers, greatful to finally get the season under way, have a chance to forge a different outcome next Thursday.