Fans are talking about the possibility of a perfect season after the Isotopes swept the River Cats to improve to 6-0 on the season. Diamond Joe Quimby threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Springfield's home opener, a 6-0 win. Offensively, the Fish were led by Barry Bonds (3-3, a pair of doubles) and leadoff man Tim Raines (3-5, three runs), both performances backing a complete game shutout by Pedro Astacio. Bonds stayed hot in Game 2, whacking his first two dingers of the young season in Springfield's 9-1 victory. Mike Moore got the win, a complete-game five-hitter, while Tim Belcher was tagged for the loss for the visitors. Game 3 was a different story, as the River Cats clawed their back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game with single runs in the seventh and eighth innings, one coming via Eric Karros' first home run of the year. But the home fans went home happy when the 'Topes pushed across the game winner in their half of the eighth inning. After a slow start to the season, Bonds found his stroke against the Cats, going 7 for 12 with five runs and seven RBI. Next up for the 0-3 River Cats is a date with the Appalachian Trailers (1-2), while the Fish have plenty of time to think about perfection, as they are on a bye.
