14. The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, April 12, 2000 Safe at first 0 I 1 0 , f ,, e f Tigers win 5-2 in first game at CoPa -DETROIT (AP) - Coming home is what baseball is all about even when it's a new house. Gregg Jefferies and Bobby Higginson each drove in two runs as Detroit beat the Seattle Mariners 5-2 yesterday at Comerica Park, the Tigers' first home game in 104 years that wasn't at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull. "That was nice'" said first baseman Tony Clark, who made the game's key defensive play in the sixth. "Now it's all over and they can't change anything. This is home. It feels good to break in with a win at our new home." Opening a ballpark with a win has become a Detroit tradi- tion. The Tigers, then in the Western League, routed Columbus 17-2 in the Bennett Park opener on April 28, 1896. When Navin Field, later called Tiger Stadium, opened on the same site on April 20, 1912, Detroit beat Cleveland 6-5. Comerica Park, built at a cost of $300 million in downtown Detroit, has all the amenities, from statues of Ty Cobb and Al Kaline, to luxury suites and a carousel, yet it also seemed to satisfy the baseball purists. "It's a beautiful stadium," said Seattle's John Olerud, whose first-inning double was Comerica's first hit. "And it's big. I thought there were some balls today that definitely would have been home runs in the old Tiger Stadium." Before a capacity crowd of 39,168 on a cold afternoon that featured a steady drizzle, players wore parkas - with hoods up - under their uniforms. Their breath was visible in vapors - like football players on a November day. Brian Moehler (1-1), who started and won the final game at Tiger Stadium, gave up 10 hits and one walk, but allowed just two runs - one earned - in six innings. "It was an honor to be able to pitch this game," Moehler said. "I guess I'll go down in the record books. I would have From the teams Despite the cold weather, fans seemed to enjoy the opener at Comerica Park. Members of both the Tigers and the Seattle Mariners had their own take on Detroit's newest mantelpiece. "That's a very big ballpark - you are going to see a lot of triples instead of homers here. But it is very nice - good for pitchers." Seattle starting pitcher Freddy Garcia 1 don't think we really know how this park is going to play yet. We are going to have to wait and see. But if you loaf after balls in the outfield, I think we will be able to take advantage of it." Detvit manager Phil Gamer "It's really a beautiful park. I think the fans in Detroit are really going to enjoy coming to games here, especially once it warms up. It ranks right up there with the top parks in the major leagues." Seattle Mariners manager Lou Piella wanted this, win or lose." Freddy Garcia (1-1) gave up five runs and six hits in six innings. The Tigers only scored five runs off Garcia all sea- son in 1999. "I got two strikes on a lot of guys early, but I couldn't find my strikeout pitch," Garcia said. "They hit a few dribblers on me, and then I made a big mistake to Higginson. I left a pitch out and up, and he killed it. "That was two runs right there." While the ballpark was full when the game, a 40-degree temperature and the rain caused more than half the fans to leave after an inning or two. Despite the new surroundings, once plate umpire Rick Reed yelled "Play ball!" at 1:18 p.m., the game was about as it has been for more than a century. Luis Polonia tripled to start the two-run first and scored Comerica's first run when Jefferies, starting in place of injured Damion Easley, singled to right. Garcia, who beat the Tigers three times last year in three different parks - the Kingdome and Safeco Field in Seattle, and Tiger Stadium - walked the bases loaded, then balked on a 1-2 count to Karim Garcia forcing Jefferies across. Karim Garcia took a called third strike ending the first inning moments later, triggering a minor exodus of fans who either had seen enough or couldn't take much more of the weather. Only about 15,000 remained by the ninth inning. Detroit made it 4-0 in the second when Juan Encarnacion singled, Polonia walked and Bobby Higginson, the subject of trade rumors all spring, tripled them home. "It wasn't just hitting," Seattle manager Lou Piniella said. "Today was a tough day to field and a tough day to pitch. It was really miserable out there. But, it was miserable for both teams. That's not an excuse." Moehler gave successive doubles to Dan Wilson and Carlos Guillen as the Mariners made it 4-1 in the fourth. Seattle closed to 4-2 with an unearned run in the fifth when John Olerud was able to score from first after after Encarnacion let Jay Buhner's single to center skip under his glove and roll to the warning track for an error. Jefferies had an RBI single in the sixth. "I tell you, it was great,' Jefferies said. "All the fans were freezing, and they were out there. We said, "'If they can be out there, we can be out there, too."' P PHOT* The Tigers' Tony Clark gazes out at Comerica Park's vast outfield while taking batting practice yesterday. New park continues Detroit revival AP PHOTC Alex Rodriguez and the Mariners weren't able to take out the Tigers on Opening Day at brand-new Comerica Park. I SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING DETROIT (AP) - Against a back- drop of the Detroit skyline and the city's budding renaissance, the Detroit Tigers and more than 39,000 fans shivered through light rain and frigid tempera- tures to help give Comenca Park a victo- rious opening. "Uncluttered and nice and wide open" was the praise of Scott Primrose of Brighton, among the throngs embracing the new $300 million park after decades of sitting in Tiger Stadium's cramped seats behind screens and beams. The Tigers, after going; 1-5 for the worst start in baseball, continued a club tradition of opening new parks with wins with a 5-2 victory over Seattle yesterday. Gregg Jefferies and Bobby Higginson each drove in two runs in the first home game in 104 Frustrated and disappointed with the University? Need help making sense of your U of M experience? Check out http://universitysecrets.com years that wasn't at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull. Brian Moehler (1-1), who started and won the final game at Tiger Stadium, gave up 10 hits and one walk, but allowed just two runs - one earned - in six innings. Freddy Garcia (1-I) gave up five runs and six hits in six innings. "This is for the Detroit fans, all the suburban fans, the state of Michigan. This is a new generation for all base- ball and the future," Tigers owner Mike Ilitch said before 9-year-old Maggie Dewald of Hamtramck threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Comerica Park sits across from where the Detroit Lions' new Ford Field is scheduled to open in 2002 and bring the NFL team back from the suburbs. Together, they are part of a push to revitalize Detroit's long-suf- fering downtown. Two new casinos have opened downtown and a third is planned. And Compuware, a computer software and services company, plans to build an $800 million. headquarters and move downtown as well, bringing about 8,000 jobs with it. "Detroit is not a home-run city. But we know we can win a lot of games with singles and doubles," said Gene Miller, chief executive officer of I1 : 'D " ;, < 1 : / j' ya w' 6 , HEROES ARE ORDINARY MEN WHO DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS IN EXTRAORDINARY TIMES. COPa firsts First singers of the national anthem: The Winans First pitch: Tigers' Brian Moehler to Mark McLemore, called strike First baserunner: Mike Cameron, Seattle, first inning, reached on Deivi Cruz error First hit: John Olerud, Seattle, first inning, double First run: Luis Polonia, Detroit, first inning off Freddy Garcia, scored on Gregg lefferies single. First RBI: Gregg Jefferies, Detroit, first inning First homerun: None Comerica Inc., a banking company: "Maybe this park today i.sn't a home run. But it's a single. That's how this city can be built." Just hours before the game, groundskeepers had to scramble to clear a layer of snow and put the final touches on the park as temperatures trembled in the 30s. Former Tigers manager Sparky Anderson greeted fans and signed autographs outside. Built to replace the beloved. but crumbling 88-year-old Tiger Stadium, Comerica Park has. the sightlines, grass field and clear view to the sky to satisfy baseball purists - along with amenities from statues of Ty Cobb and Al Kaline to luxury suites, a carousel and liquid fire- works. Fans and players alike wore parka shd their numbed hands into packetW and blew on them to keep them warm. The 40-degree temperature and light rain forced many from their seats after an inning or two. Back at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull, the only sign of life at Tiger Stadium on Tuesday was an electronic sign with messages about Tigers ticket availability - and a farewell: "Thanks fans for 88 great years at 'The Corner."' SCOREKEEPERS S7 4CALL T75- o A DRINKS , ' r-q*~ A'U AUDITIONS FOR THE ORIENTATION SUMMER TROUPE Office of New Student Programs Do you like your voice to be heard? Do you love performing in front of crowds? Would like to get paid for making people laugh, think, learn? Res Rep Theatre troupe (AKA Summer Troupe) is holding auditions for this summer's orientation theatre program. This program performs to over 5000 incoming first-year students. For the last three years, it has been the top rated orientation program. Indivduals interested in being a part of this 10 person ensemble will not only possess a passion for performing, but an understanding of how theatre can be used to inform, enlighten and teach. Individuals in the ensemble will not only assist in the development of the theatre piece, but will perform various roles throughout the summer's 34 show run (Sunday through Wednesday evenings) This opportunity is ideal for the student who either works or takes classes during the day. This is an evening commitment from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. NO previous acting experience required. Minorities are encouraged to audition. NO audition material required. Be prepared to stay the entire audition time. Auditions will be held Thursday, April 13, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. in the Main Lounge on the first floor of the South Quad (East side of South Quad) Lounge and call-backs are scheduled for 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. in the same location on Friday, April 14. Performances are 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from June 4d' through August 7 except for June 25th and July 2- 4. Rehearsals begin in May. Assistant Director Position: We are looking for an Assistant Director who will assist with the production of the group (i.e. scheduling rehearsals, taking care nfnanrnwork. nratino nrnns.etc.)as well as nerform in the troune. The SO In IIITIIf11IInfl MIV QP.01I901If niIlT11111I1(i#IT(1111 illM 0101M. M111TIllil unomi r 1