Baseball

Twelve Former Titans Help Propel Exciting 2018 MLB Opening Day

2018 MLB Opening Day
Posted: Mar 30, 2018

FULLERTON, Calif. – Opening Day served to be a special occasion for both current and past Titans. In addition to Colton Eastman's no-hitter, 12 former Titans appeared on Opening Day Major League Baseball Rosters on Thursday.

Fullerton currently boasts seven players on active MLB rosters in Kurt Suzuki (Atlanta Braves), Chris Devenski (Houston Astros), J.D. Davis (Houston Astros), Noe Ramirez (Los Angeles Angels), Chad Wallach (Miami Marlins), Matt Chapman (Oakland Athletics) and Khris Davis (Oakland Athletics). This number is sure to grow to at least 10, if not more, as both Justin Turner (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Michael Lorenzen (Cincinnati Reds) are currently recovering from injuries. Dustin Garneau (Oakland Athletics) currently sits on the 40-man roster.

Five former Titans also made their marks as coaches on Opening Day, as P.J. Pilittere, Phil Nevin and Mike Harkey were present in the New York Yankees dugout. Mark Kotsay was with the Oakland Athletics and Tim Wallach joined his son Chad with the Miami Marlins.

FullertonTitans.com now gives its unique recap of every Opening Day game a Titan was involved in.

A TRIO OF TITANS PERFORM, AS ATHLETICS EARN WALK OFF WIN OVER ANGELS ON OPENING DAY

Athletics 6, Angels 5

Khris Davis – 2 for 5, 4 RBI, 1 HR, 1 R
Matt Chapman – 0 for 4, 1 BB
Noe Ramirez – 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, ER, 2 BB, 3 K

Box Score

OAKLAND – It was certainly a game that had Cal State Fullerton stamped all over it, as former Titan Khris Davis led the way for the Athletics, going 2-of-5 from the dish with 4 RBI, a homer and a run scored, to help Oakland secure a comeback 6-5 win over Los Angeles, Thursday out at the Oakland Coliseum.

Davis who played for the Titans from 2007-09 showed why he's one of the favorites for American League MVP heading into 2018, as he came through with a huge two-out three-run blast on a 2-2 count to dead center to bring the A's within 4-3 after trailing 3-0.

Oakland eventually rallied to tie the game on two separate occasions, with the second being thanks to Davis' RBI single to left to make it 5-5 in the seventh.

Unfortunately, former Titan Noe Ramirez (2009-11) was also a factor in the game. He tossed 1.1 innings, surrendered two hits, just one run and two walks to go along with three strikeouts. However, the one run he gave up turned out to be the game winner in the bottom of the 11th. Marcus Semien singled on a line drive to score Boog Powell, as the A's walked off to win their opener 6-5. Ramirez took the loss.

Former Titan Matt Chapman (2012-14) also drew a walk in the game.

 

DEFENDING CHAMPION ASTROS PICK UP RIGHT WHERE THEY LEFT OFF, BEAT RANGERS 4-1

Astros 4, Rangers 1

J.D Davis – DNP
Chris Devenski – 1.0 IP, 0 H, R 0, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 Ks

Box Score

ARLINGTON, Texas – Houston proved why it was the World Series Champions a year ago, as it cruised to a 4-1 win over the Texas Rangers on Opening Day at Globe Life Ballpark on Thursday afternoon.

Former Titan Chris Devenski (2011) was instrumental in the Astros' first victory of the year, as he pitched a shutdown eighth inning and struck out two of the three batters he faced for his first hold of the season. Former Titan J.D. Davis (2010-14) also experienced his first big league Opening Day.

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON: WALLACHS' EXPERIENCE FIRST MLB OPENING DAY TOGETHER

Cubs 8, Marlins 4

Chad Wallach – 0 for 3, 1 BB

Box Score

MIAMI – Tim Wallach and Chad Wallach spent their first MLB Opening Day together, as Fullerton's most iconic father-son baseball combination. The Chicago Cubs spoiled their day, defeating the Miami Marlins, 8-4, Thursday at Marlins Park.

Wallach (2011-13) earned his first Opening Day start behind the plate, and drew his first walk as a Marlin. Unfortunately it wasn't enough, as the Marlins dropped the season opener. Chad's father Tim serves as a bench coach for the Marlins. He's considered the best to ever put on a Titans' uniform, as he played from 1978-79.

SUZUKI REACHES THREE TIMES, BRAVES WALK OFF ON PHILLIES IN SEASON OPENER

Braves 8, Marlins 5

Kurt Suzuki – 1 for 2, 1 BB

Box Score

ATLANTA – The Braves rang in the 2018 campaign exactly how they wanted to on Thursday, as they rallied from five down to earn a dramatic 8-5 walk off victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in front of 40,208 at SunTrust Park. 

Kurt Suzuki (2002-04) reached three times on the day and picked up his first knock of 2018, as he singled the first pitch he saw in to left field with two outs in the fourth. Suzuki was also plunked by a pitch with two away in the bottom of the sixth to reach base for the second time on the day. He also earned a walk with one out in the bottom of the eighth to reach first base for his third time on the day.

SUPPORT THE TITANS!
Fans can purchase tickets for various Cal State Fullerton athletic events by visiting FullertonTitans.com/Tickets. The Athletic Ticket Office can also be contacted by phone at 657-278-2783 or by email at athletictixs@fullerton.edu. The Ticket Office is located at the Titan House off of Gymnasium Drive at the eastern end of the Intramural Fields and is open from 10 am – 4 pm PT, Monday – Friday.

 

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